#Littleloves the May edition …

5fe063e6-4d6f-43e6-8592-090fc1be6aee

It was a joy to welcome May this year, after the long, hard winter May delighted us all with long, hot, sunny days and the promise of a beautiful summer.  A seaside town starts to come alive in the summer and this month saw a big boost to the town’s economy with two amazing bank holidays and the town bursting with visitors.  We’ve had some stunning days on the beach this month and the best of all, our first trip of the year to the beach after school, there is something special about running down to the beach and splashing away the school day.  Summer sports have started in earnest this month and we’ve spent many an hour at the cricket club.  May also saw me dancing around a May pole, playing the first rounders’ game of the summer, exploring local history and finishing with a few family days in Devon at half term, its been a busy month.  There have been so many lovely moments in May and here are just some of my little loves from this month …

img_5375 I’ve noticed my reading time has reduced this month, no more cosy nights snuggled on the sofa.  However I have read two books and am working my way quickly through my third.  One book was a work related title so whilst fascinating took a little more time and effort, especially as I was highlighting and scribbling so many notes at the side.  The book is Dana Boyd’s Its Complicated which explores teenagers’ use of social media, there is so much to say about this book and to anyone with teenagers I would strongly recommend reading it.  Its hard to summarise such enlightening content but after reading it I feel reassured and trusting of our young people online and perhaps there are a few questions we need to ask ourselves!

The second book was The New Mrs Clifton by Elizabeth Buchan, which starts in the 1970s and the discovery of a body buried for 30 years ago. The book focuses on who the body could be and why through a brilliant plot.  I didn’t guess the identity of the victim and thought it was a very clever and stylish story.

img_5379So its cricket season and I have watched a lot of practices and matches.  Little Man’s team is undefeated so far and his happy place in life is at the crease waiting to bat.  I tend to watch the matches quite intently as I do score some matches and every ball needs to be recorded accurately.

Due to the clash with a cricket match, I wasn’t able to see the Royal wedding live but I did catch up so I could see the dresses, flowers etc.. I like the detail of a wedding, royal or not.  I loved the style of the royal wedding, the flowers were so simple and beautiful and Meghan was stunning.  There also seemed to be lots of little details from the couple which helped make it their own celebration rather than a traditional royal wedding.

Its been a while since I made an effort to follow a series but I am loving A Very English Scandal with Hugh Grant as Jeremy Thorpe.  Its an unbelievable true story and is highly entertaining, its definitely not a dry, political drama.

And finally, I also got to watch my children enjoy time with their cousin.  At 20, she is revered by my daughter for her style, coolness and general niceness, so to have her accompany us on a day out at Crealy and go on all the rides with the children was a treat for all of us.  I didn’t let her have all the fun and enjoyed the water rides too.

img_5378

img_1991
May’s seasonal foods from a poster in my kitchen by Liz Cook. 

I don’t know if its the sun but the fresh seasonal food at the moment is delicious.  I’ve enjoyed cooking recipes with the ingredients such as asparagus risotto, broad bean and mint soup, rhubarb crumble (straight from my father-in-law’s garden) There’s also the simple but perfect taste of fresh Jersey royals with butter and seasoning, sometimes simplicity is perfection.

 

img_5384

This is a frustrating category this month, as after being in a lot of pain, I finally went to see my doctor and after having an x-ray on my foot, it appears that I may have arthritis. I have worn Converse pumps and flip flops all month as it is all I can wear without pain.  I do love my Converse but I think if its all I can wear I’m going to have to invest in a few new colours.

img_5380

I haven’t really been making a conscious decision what to listen to this month on Spotify and I’ve been relying on playlists and old favourites when I’m doing my gym work.  However I have heard lots of good news, an all clear from cancer, the birth of a healthy baby boy and an upcoming family wedding, hooray for happy news.

img_5386

So, if I thought May was busy it has nothing on the next two months. I am being very organised at present with lots of lists to tick off as I want to enjoy every little thing in the coming months, summer we’re coming for you ….

I am writing this post with Morgana’s inspiration

untitled (4)

My Sunday Photo #9

I do like to decorate our home for special occasions and yesterday used my trusted leopard print Union Jack 🇬🇧 Accessorise scarf for the royal wedding. It’s a little frayed after a month hanging out of a window for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games but the wear and tear just adds to its charm. I’ve never been a flag waving citizen but it’s fun to use on special occasions.

Happy Moments

img_1818Sometimes there are times when life seems tough for those around you and I often send a little card to let that person know that I’m thinking of them.  However today I had one of the most joyous card shopping trips I’ve had in ages for a family wedding, a healthy baby boy and an clear from cancer card.  The last card was just brilliant to be able to buy as its for a much loved and respected colleague from all of us at work.  The atmosphere when we heard the good news yesterday made us all feel so tingly and happy.  It just reminded me that we should all take time to celebrate every piece of good news and simply cherish every day.

My life in music

img_1813

For me music is the soundtrack to my life, I can listen to a song and it can instantly take me back to a time, a place and people.  I love that I have so many memories and feelings from music and thought I would introduce a few albums which have shaped periods in my life.  These are not necessarily my favourite albums but those which have a special place in my life.

I was inspired to do this series after listening to a radio interview with Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet.  To introduce the section, they played a montage of the group’s hits and suddenly I was back in 1987.  I played Popped In Souled Out on repeat in 1987 as I tried to settle into a new life in a new town, desperately missing my old friends and home as well as experiencing the teenage angst of being 14, it was a tough time.  Even hearing just the snippets of the songs, the feelings of the period overwhelmed me again.

My parents did something in this time to help me appreciate our new home of Bristol by buying two tickets for the Wet Wet Wet tour at the Colston Hall.   My old town never had pop concerts and now in Bristol, I was not only going to get to see my favourite band  but I was allowed to take a friend and not my parents who were simply on taxi duties. It was my first concert on my own ( I had seen Aha in 1986 but my mum came too) and helped me see the joy, fun  and potential of being a teenager in Bristol.  Wet Wet Wet on that night were amazing, so young and innocent, full of energy and absolutely loving what they were doing so much that we loved them even more for it.  Popped In Souled Out remains my favourite Wet Wet Wet album and whilst I loved the hits Wishing I was Lucky and Sweet Little Mystery, Angel Eyes and Temptation (with a swear word) mean so much to the lost and lonely 14 year old I was.

 

A snap shot of my life ~ A gripping read

img_1770

Its that magic moment I’ve been waiting and anticipating all day.  I am finally able to sit down and finish the book I’ve been thinking about constantly today, will I be able to solve who the murdered woman was before the climatic ending?

Postcript, no I didn’t guess the identity of the woman or the murderer which is unlike me.  This book is The New Mrs Clifton by Elizabeth Buchan and it is so well written with a rich tapestry of characters and background stories coming together to  build an excellent thriller.

My Sunday Photo #7

img_1751

After a wet, miserable winter of wading through mud on my Sunday morning trail runs, today made me remember why I do it. The warm sun on your face, stunning country and sea views, saying hello to the cows and horses en route and enjoying the smell and sight of the wild flowers. Sunday morning runs are my time, helping me to prepare for the week ahead.

Life Humming in the Background …

img_1738

This is one of those posts which I don’t really know where it’s going to go.  I’ve not written for a while not because I’ve lost my blogging mojo nor because life is too busy or that I’m procrastinating. I just can’t describe  how life feels like at the moment.  Life is humming in the background as I make sure everyone is fed, dressed and where they should be at the correct time and with correct equipment.  I play and laugh with the children, arrange play dates, do homework. share music etc..  Work is fine and I’m enjoying a project I’m doing.  The children and Mr S are all well and happily bobbing along.  Its just that I don’t seem to be so sparkly and dynamic and I don’t know why.  I’m lacking inspiration in lots of what I do, meals are simple and old favourites, I’m wearing old comfy familiar clothes even my gym routine veers on the predictable but I find myself craving this normality and routine.  I’m not tired or ill and am outside lots, the spark is just faded. I know I could jump my self into action with a  new project or try something different but I don’t feel I need to.  I need to relax and embrace what my body is telling me, life is on a low volume whilst I recharge and I am genuinely okay with that.