Monday 19 March 2018

Dreaming of Spring



Each morning now I wake and wonder if the day will bring a noticeable rise in temperature. It's flipping freezing! And not very Spring like. Winter, you have been wonderful, but it's time you went now. I am desperately ready to breathe in some warm, sweet air.

So far this month life has been fairly hectic. I am settling into and enjoying working once again, but because I've also been volunteering at Lily's school and doing some online training, it has been taking up quite a bit of my time and I'm struggling to find the balance between having some time out and getting all the chores done. I won't worry too much though, as if that's all I have to concern myself with then I am very blessed - the housework will always wait, but it's those moments when I sit down in an evening and realise how messy everything is that I don't like. Maybe I'll have a good clean though tomorrow.

Last week we did have a hint of some mild weather so we took ourselves out for a gentle walk. The Snowdrops are fading now and the Wild Garlic is trying it's best to make an appearance in the woods. In the sun it was pleasant enough to sit a while and take in the view. Lily, of course, had other ideas and wanted to play hide and seek! As you can see from the photograph below the hiding places were few and far between, but as big sister took charge, I could sit back, relax and enjoy watching them laugh and play, all the while  berating myself for not fetching a flask of coffee with me. 



Also, during the week I  enjoyed a proud mummy moment. Lily has learned to ride her bike! and is, quite rightly, very happy about it, smiling and giggling as she cycles along. I can now see us having many rides out this Summer. When I took this photograph she still needed a little help setting off, but now  she can do that by herself there will be no stopping her.


J. X

54 comments:

  1. I don't think the weather knows quite what it wants to do at the moment, we've had snow all weekend and freezing temperatures but we've woken to sunshine today and it's set to get warmer this week. I hope we've seen the last of the snow now and that spring can finally get a foothold. Well done to Lily, there'll be no stopping her now she's off, I used to love my bike as a child and went everywhere on it.

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    1. It's been sunny here today Jo, but so very cold. It must surely start to warm up soon. I'm so glad Lily enjoys riding her bike. I hope there will be many adventures to be had this Summer. X

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  2. You live in such a gorgeous part of the world. I just love your photos.
    J x

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    1. Thank you Joy. I feel very fortunate to live where I do. X

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  3. Jules you echo my feelings exactly. I'm really feeling the winter blues now. I've always hated February, but February has been extended into March!

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    1. It has been a proper Winter and I've loved the snow and frosty days as opposed to damp and gloomy, but it really is time for some warmer weather now. X

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  4. I have loved the snow but I too am ready for some calm, bright and warm days now.
    How exciting that Lily has learned to ride her bike.
    Hope you'll soon be able to find a balance that will allow you some time out and also get everything done.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. I hope the bright, warm days will be with us very soon, Sheila. The housework will always wait for me, but I do need to try and establish some sort of a routine so it doesn't suddenly become overwhelming and unachievable. X

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  5. Another lovely post Jules ... just love to see your photographs too.
    Isn't it great when the children (grandchildren) master the balance of bikes. I can see that Lily is going to have a great summer riding!

    We have a white world again today - I do wish Spring would hurry up!

    Have a good week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan. Learning to ride is great fun and there is such a sense of achievement for them. Yet another sign they are growing up.
      I hope the snow soon disappears and some warmer weather awaits. X

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  6. That's wonderful that Lily can ride a bike now and you will have some lovely family rides out to look forward to. You'll have a chance to do some Spring cleaning soon I'm sure, so don't worry about it.

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    1. I do hope so Eileen and there are some great traffic free trails not far from here.
      Thankfully, I got chance to do a little bit of cleaning this afternoon and I managed to get all my washing dried on the line today. X

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  7. Oh well done Lily, how fantastic for her, one of life’s milestones xx

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. She's growing up fast. X

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  8. Learning to ride a bike is a mile stone achievement! Well done, Lily! I hadn't realized that Lily had a big sister, but I am glad she had someone to play with while you got to sit and relax. I hope you got to enjoy a warm drink once you got home, to make up for the lack of coffee during the walk. :) I hope spring comes soon and you get to enjoy more outdoor time. As for the housework - later is soon enough, I think. :)

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    1. She's picked it up all of a sudden Bless, and is very pleased with herself and, of course, I am very proud of her latest achievement.
      I am very much looking forward to more time outdoors once the weather warms up a bit. It has been bitterly cold lately. X

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  9. I have absolutely loved winter this year, it's been perfect. Amazingly cold though! And so now I am quite happy if Spring wants to turn up and stay.

    So glad Lily can ride her bike, it's such a big step for them and they are so proud! xx

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    1. It has been a good Winter, Sadie. I knew you would approve, but I'm ready for some warm Spring days now.
      It's great for Lily to be able to ride. I have a feeling much of this Summer will be spent on two wheels! X

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  10. That last photograph is a jem - and not a hidden one either.

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    1. Thanks Pat. I will try and get some from in front this week, now that she can set off by herself. X

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  11. I have seen the catkins here in Suffolk too, so pretty, a sign that spring may be round the corner.

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    1. I do hope so Chris, but I've been thinking that for a few weeks now. Hopefully it won't be much longer. X

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  12. Well done Lily, learning to ride your bike is such a great achievement. I'm hoping for some sunshine especially with it being Spring tomorrow.

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    1. We have some sunshine, it's just sooo cold! X

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  13. Aah Spring...you elusive beast...was it you that called in briefly a week ago...but why did you leave so soon...we could have been wonderful friends...you and me...please return x

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    1. My thoughts exactly Jackie. Don't put that blanket away just yet. X

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  14. Great photos, I love the first one with the blue sky. Spring seems to be taking an awful long time to arrive - it's been lovely and sunny here today but still a bitingly cold wind.

    How exciting for Lily that she can now ride her bike, there'll be no stopping her soon :)

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    1. Thank you Eunice. I can't remember it being so cold this far into the year. I'll be having a job to keep up with Lily before long. X

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  15. Aww Lily looks adorable on the bike. As usual your photos are beautiful.
    It's supposed to be warm here by this time, but we have another cold front coming this week. Hope you will have warmer weather soon.

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    1. Thank you Nil. The bike looks a bit small for her now but at least she easily learned to ride on it. X

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  16. Well done Lily for riding her bike, I remember my 2 learning to ride, it's quite an achievement. Spring will be here before we know it I guess. I must say I wasn't pleased to see the snow again this weekend. The teens were disappointed not to have another snow day. Have a good week, Cathy x

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    1. If we're going to get snow, there should at least be enough for a snow day. I don't blame them for being disappointed. X

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  17. Its great that you are able to help out in class now :)

    I cant wait for spring to arrive too...

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    1. I've been helping out with the outdoor sessions. We're off to the woods on Thursday. Lily is going to love it. X

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  18. I'm not the outdoors type, but I've been getting out any chance I can get at the moment, we even had brunch almost outdoors at the weekend, very cold, but delicious.

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    1. There was a fierce wind here last weekend. No chance of eating anything outdoors. X

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  19. i remember the bike moment well with both my daughters though it is a l o n g time ago now and I am waiting for that moment again with my granddaughter when she is old enough for a bike.
    It is still cold here but better than the weekend the tempreture inside our house dropped to 13C overnight on Saturday - must be a first as we are well insulated - I bet our caravan was much colder - glad we were not there.
    When someone mentions that wild garlic I get an anxiety attack thinking about the ever growing patch at the cottage garden - I expect it will be everywhere when we return - looks lovely in flower but is quite a menace in large quantities!!

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    1. It's so exciting for them (and us) when they first get the hang of riding a bike. We've been practising in short bursts so she doesn't get too tired. It's a lot of work for little legs.
      It's been so cold lately, but thankfully the icy wind has died down now. I'm not surprised you're glad you're within four walls rather the caravan at the moment.
      I hope you manage to contain your wild garlic. X

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  20. Sometimes striving to get the balance right can cause me more stress as it's generally unachievable most of the time with a family. I used to sit and worry about what hadn't been done when it would have been quicker to get up and do the job and have it done with. Not that I do that. I just try not to think about things too much these days lol.

    What an achievement for Lily. There'll be not stopping her now. I'd don the trainers for all future outings! I'm ready for some warmer weather now and hope it isn't too long in arriving, although I believe there's supposed to snow at Easter! xx

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    1. I'm not sure I'll ever achieve a balance Suzanne but I would prefer a cleaner, tidier house. I've managed a few chores over the last couple of days so it doesn't look as bad. A good clearout is also on the cards which will make life easier, but again, it's finding time to do it.
      Ha ha! Yes, I often wear my trainers when I'm out with Lily - bike or no bike. X

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  21. Oh, it really looks like spring is just around the corner there. The landscapes are beautiful and it's easy to imagine how very pretty they look when even more green.
    Your life sounds good and interesting. Enjoy the arrival of spring! xx

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    1. Looks are deceiving as it is still bitterly cold. Bring on Spring. X

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  22. Love the photos. There is something very endearing about pictures of children walking (or riding) taken from behind. I have some of my grandchildren and they are among my favourites. Must apologise for calling you Jemma when replying to one of your comments on my blog. I know you are Jules but I suppose the 'Jem' bit of you blog name was in my mind.

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    1. Thank you Eloise. I didn't have much choice with the photograph as I had to help Lily set off at the time, although I do like them taken like that (and to retain Lily's privacy).
      Ha ha! Don't worry, I almost called you Elaine thanks to autocorrect. X

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  23. Looks like a top spot to ramble!

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  24. What a lovely reminder of Lily learning to ride her bike. You take great photographs.

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    1. Thank you Kes. We went out again yesterday and I managed to take a photograph of Lily from the front, which is great as it shows her beaming smile. X

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  25. Well done to the new bike rider. I remember L mastering it too. A big moment. X

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    1. Thank you CT. She is very pleased with herself. X

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  26. Oh the joy of learning to ride a bike for the first time! I remember this feeling as it only occurred aged 29!!! SUCH a sense of freedom and joy! Well done to her!

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    1. Thank you Kezzie. She's thrilled to bits and I am so proud of her. It suddenly just 'clicked' for her and now I'm going to struggle to keep up! Good for you learning when you did, I bet it felt amazing. Well done to you too. X

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