Fresh Air is the Best Therapy

Friday was a spectacularly shitty day at work; I found myself actually trembling. Lots of the team talked about going home to a bottle (or two) of wine.

I had a glass of red. And a massage. And a sob. But none of it felt as good as taking the long route back home, wandering through the park at an extra slow pace and soaking up the stillness in the last light.

It seems the most wonderful fact of life that the best mood lifter is right outside the door, completely free, and always new. Everyone feels better after a few lungfuls of fresh air and a moment of quiet.

Whether it’s running around and scrambling through mud, or just sitting on a park bench and listening to the trees murmur, a spot of nature surely must be the best thing for the soul.

A Bonnie Blanket

Honestly, it’s ridiculous how quickly time passes. It’s particularly noticeable when you give a new baby gift only to realise that said baby is now four months old (happy unbirthday Little O!) But I still have the quilts made for me when I was born, so I figure they don’t have an expiry date.

I didn’t intend for this gift to be quite so late. But even the simplest of patterns takes time, what with the cutting, the stitching, the big procrastinating pause in the middle of the project where you try all the fabrics in different orders to get just the right blend; and then the basting, the quilting, and the inevitable sewing of the finger and breaking of the needle. But- ta da! I finished!

I did the final hand stitching in Wales, sitting under the eaves of our tiny cottage. Whilst I did this pleasingly slow and quiet task, I thought of the lasting love in quilts. On our journey up, we stopped in for the night to visit friends. The quilt I made their baby girl is now tucked up with the dolls six years on, ready for tea parties and den-building. The quilt my Grama gave me when I set off to London many moons ago still sits on my desk chair, the bright red fabrics softening with age (and the occasional machine wash!)

This quilt was inspired by Red Pepper, whose tips on binding were also really useful. The design started from the ‘perfect size’ jotted on paper, with strips of bright jelly colour added. Inspired by this ever-exuberant lady I ‘eyeballed’ the quilting; the very wonky quilted lines just prove it’s homemade. After all, I could never abandon my slightly haphazard approach to sewing.

This little project has got me itching to stitch and I’m excited to hear this dressmaker speak at Blogtacular (only three weeks away guys- get get your tickets!)

Down at Dinas

How wonderful to drive home in the pouring rain after enjoying a week of perfect Welsh sunshine. Monday was a quiet reacquaintance with home, resting from some big runs, and feeling full to brim with fresh air and outdoor adventuring.

We stayed in a perfect stone cottage, curled up by the fire with plenty of wine and cheese, and a hellafresh lot of books. We ran river gorges, explored ancient castles and staggered up some steep hills. As a newbie runner, I felt full of energy and enthusiasm, though could never jump with quite the energy of those lambs..

A week of simple things: good food, fresh air and deep sleep: the perfect way to wake up to Spring.

Quote of the Month: Dare

The answer to the pressure of our days is one and simple: dare. Dare to live while life is passing. You’ll never live otherwise.
David Seabury

We’re off to Pembrokeshire this week; leaving behind all our everyday chores and dramas for a week in a stone cottage by the sea. Something about spring, always finds us heading off to a remote spot. We’ll be running around, reading aplenty, and testing the local ales (and taking plenty of photos to share on our return..)

A Surprise Feast

Wednesday’s almost here and I’m still brimful from the weekend of family celebrations, games with friends, and incredible food from start to finish.

Friday was marked by the perfect steak at the Angel & Blue Pig. The whole family arrived in Lymington by boat, train, or bike to surprise my dad and celebrate a rather auspicious birthday.

Saturday played host to the best ingredients I’ve ever tasted. We were defiant of the drizzle and arrived at the door of The Pig Hotel after a muddy tour of woods, streams and parkland, to dry by the fire and drink mulberry cocktails.

We ate in a bustling garden room of irresistible dishes (including a burnt cream to die for) and filled up on delicious food and good company. No amount of drizzle can dampen spirits when there’s this much fun to be had.