The Ups and Downs of Spring

I’ve been writing my blog for 6 months now. My hope was that my experience was worth sharing and that I might encourage others to have a go at the little things which bring satisfaction and meaning to our lives. It must be obvious to anyone who reads my blog regularly that I’m very much a homebody. I enjoy being in my home, the things around me and my garden.

I suppose I’m fortunate that such things give me immense satisfaction and I don’t crave big experiences. I’ve had those when I was younger, of course. Having children, living in another country, going to university as a mature student with a family to care for and many different jobs. But even then I loved to be at home, making things, creating a garden, painting and writing.

So I hope that you have enjoyed the photos, the recipes, poems, paintings and crafts and I can continue to enjoy sharing them with you.

The weather has been very cold and shocked us all out of our belief that winter was well and truly over! It hasn’t been easy, has it? My thoughts took shape in another little poem about the ups and downs of waiting for Spring.

Waiting for Spring

Longer days and shorter nights,
Sunny spells then chilling storms,
Swaying trees or flower delights,
As the earth tremulously warms.
Spring tempts but often teases,
Lifts us up then drops us down,
As warm and gentle breezes
Turn cold and make us frown.
But nothing lasts forever,
The icy wind at last gives way,
Each gardener's endeavour
Blossoms in the month of May.




Here is a photo of lilac buds waiting to burst into flower in May.

Meanwhile the vegs are tucked up inside the greenhouse and polytunnels so every bit of sun is concentrated and makes them grow. The spring cabbages are almost ready. I grow one called “Spring Hero” which, unlike most spring cabbages, forms a ball head. We love these thinly sliced and tossed with a drizzle of ginger syrup. So delicious, especially with an egg and mayonnaise sandwich.

The spring onions are growing well now. The salad leaves are bolting, in other words sending up flower shoots to produce seed, so I must harvest the last few and make space for other seeds. The mange-tout peas are shooting up. I’m growing a different kind this year so I hope they will be good.

Outdoors the kale has stood through the winter with just a bit of a setback when we had the extreme spell of cold weather. I grow “Red Winter”, sometimes called “Red Russian”. They’ve been growing for months so now they’re beginning to flower. I shall nip the flower buds and lightly steam them. They’re really tasty, sweet and tender. A bit like broccoli but I think they’re nicer. Even good raw in a salad.

It’s satisfying when seasonal vegs come along. Later during the summer I try to preserve as many as I can. My store of picalilli is going down but I made more last year because I really enjoy it. Just got out another jar to spice up meals which need a little kick. My easy fish cake, for example. It’s actually very tasty but I love to have it with chutney or picalilli. The sweet and sour piquancy really enhances the flavour. I hope I have enough to last until late summer when I can make some more with beans, courgettes and cucumbers from the garden.

Here are some lovely things which feed the soul.

Meanwhile there is plenty to do and some of it just for fun. Knitting little toys recently, for instance. I gave my tiny knitted doll to a lovely little neighbour. Her mum says she loves it. That is so good to hear and makes the pleasure of knitting it all the better. The pattern called it “Alice in Wonderland” but I don’t think it really looks like Alice. Cute though, so what does it matter? She’s left her little friends behind and gone to a good home.

Next job is a sewing one. Making loose covers for an armchair. Got the fabric but need a couple of big zips. Will be on the case in a week or so when the mood and the opportunity are right.

I hope the weather will be kind to us all very soon. Take care, stay safe. With you again in a few days.