don't forget the pancakes

I absolutely can't wait until Tuesday- pancake day is one of my favourite days of the year. In anticipation, I've been searching Etsy for some wonderful Shrove Tuesday related goodies.

I tend to be rather unadventurous with my toppings and stick to traditional lemon and sugar or sticky Nutella (although I have been known to indulge in Calvados on French crepes...)

I need some inspiration- what are your favourite pancake toppings?

ps do you remember this?

helplessness blues

So completely bewitching- I could listen to this fifty times over.

I love the message that one person can't change the world on his own and it's got me rethinking the values I need to be instilling in my children.

woodland folk

Wasn't it fabulous to see the sun today?

And the lighter evening meant that we were able to make the most of the sun after school for once. The girls and I headed off to search for signs of Spring and woodland treasure.

It was good coming here while the trees were still bare, as the girls were allowed a lot of freedom to run off, without me panicking about losing them behind the foliage. In a few weeks' time this woodland will be carpeted with a sea of nodding bluebells- I can't wait!

In a clearing we found the most exciting hide-out. The girls must have played in it for the best part of an hour, before we all got a bit chilly and decided to go home. I promised them we can come back soon and check it's still there.

I hope the nicer weather carries on into the weekend- it's amazing how a bit of fresh air and exercise can lift one's spirits.

I want to also say welcome to all my lovely new followers- it's so exciting to see so many friendly new faces. I promise to pop by your blogs very soon if I haven't already. xx



rescued

I've been meaning to say that I did manage to rescue my pretty little bulbs after my accident the other day. The crocuses must like their new pot as they've really shot up in just a week and the flowers are almost open- hurrah!

Meanwhile, I've been up at the allotment tipping the floral karma back the other way by digging up the three rows of Sweet William plants that with we inherited with the plot. There must have been about sixty plants that I've uprooted and dumped in a heap.

It's really a terrible shame as I love Sweet Williams, but with only a half-size plot we really don't have the space for the luxury of cut flowers. I need the room for my newly purchased pear trees, gooseberry bushes and raspberry canes.

I may save a few and pop them into pots for the yard to stop myself feeling so guilty!

Back to work and school tomorrow- booooooo :-(

ps I am officially recording here that I dug over that patch single-handedly in the rain, before a certain husband of mine starts claiming that he's done all the hard work on the plot!

muddy rainbows

Today Flora's Rainbow Guide group had a trip out to a local activity farm. For some unbeknown reason Steve had volunteered us to come along as helpers- a task that did not fill me full of enthusiasm, especially when we awoke to pouring rain this morning.

However, the sight of numerous cute baby livestock was enough to melt even my stony heart and I soon found myself getting into the swing of things.

It was the same farm that we took Pearl to for her birthday in November and it really is such a fun day out, even in grotty weather.

It's far more 'hands on' than any of the other farms we've been to- the children get plenty of opportunity to feed and stroke the animals, collect eggs from the chicken coop and even take the baby goats for a walk on leads.

Those of you with primary school age children are bound to recognise the books from the Oxford Reading Tree with Biff, Chip and Kipper. The 'At the Farm' book in the series is actually based on this farm, with all the illustrations a true likeness of the actual farmyard and barn.

I ended up having a really wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed helping out with the other little girls. I never tire of conversations with children and their ability to find fun and laughter in everything they do. I came away wishing I was able to help out more regularly, but sadly I don't think I have any more spare time to commit.

It's sad that half term is nearly over, we've all had such a lovely week hanging out together. Hope your weekend is lots of fun x

going mad

I don't know about you, but there is an enormous hole in my life that is crying out to be filled with season 5 of Mad Men. It's going to be a long and painful wait.

Meanwhile, I've been playing with this amusing site- it's just too much fun!

I have to say the resemblance is quite uncanny and I love Joan's expression as if she's looking me up and down.

I bet she's thinking "She's a pretty girl, hiding underneath too much lunch". Meaow!

two welcome visitors

Today we have been honoured with surprise visits from two very super guests...

the much-adored uncle Dan and the much-missed sun.

It was a pretty fab day!