Monday, 27th March 2016 - Fragile and Coarse Combined

I was back to bramble pulling today, ripping the buggers from the soil gives me great satisfaction especially if there is this years new shoot attached.

Lindsey called by to top up Hetty and Bella's Easter chocolate supply. They seem to be stoically keeping up.

The laurels in our garden I don't have much affection for but they do produce the prettiest of flowers for such a bold bully of a plant.

Sunday, 26th March 2016 - Just a Little Damp

Well, another day that would have been reorganised if we had taken the weather forecast seriously. We were mighty fortuitous while walking with Tony and Wendy that we didn't get pelted by rain and hail. A brief interlude at The Bull in Benenden allowed the weather to do its thing before we walked home.

There is an upward hill near Iden Green that causes me to breath rather on the heavy side while climbing. I mentioned to Wendy how much I dislike it. She feels the same. There should be a sense of delight or relief or surge of something pleasurable when I reach the top but so far this evades me.

I was emotionally and at some points physically gripped this evening while watching the last episode of The Night Manager. Just excellent.

Saturday, 25th March 2016 - Shooting Party

If I had taken the advice given by Tomasz Schafernaker we would have cancelled a most enjoyable day at Howfield with The Joy Family and friends. Nick had organised a shooting session tutored by Cliff. It was the first hands-on experience I have had handling and shooting a gun. I have a new fetish. Something about the beauty of the gun and the power it bestows, along with the after smell of the spent cartridges. A most enjoyable experience. Alex was by far the best at killing his clays. Tim was named 'elegent' with his execution by Cliff. We rounded it up with a wonderful lunch. Thank you once again Alli and Nick for organising a rather delightful day.

Thursday, 24th March 2016 - Home Grown Oysters

We harvested our fungi from the box on the windowsill. They needed a bit of a soak to rehydrate. We had them in a stir fry and they were damn good and tasty. My fungi promises more growth after a two week period of drought.

I am back from a visit to Mum's with a surfeit of chocolate big eggs, small eggs and squares. I took Bella with me. She is great company. Our only disagreement was she did not like my James Blunt CD on the car journey. I don't have any children's ones so we resorted to singing which was most entertaining. Mum was delighted by our visit. She has a brain scan on 1st April. Yes, I have been evil in my thoughts about it being April Fools Day.

Wednesday, 23rd March 2016 - Hopeful Sheep

I wrote myself a 'to-do' list. I have put some abbreviations for efficiency. I now can't remember what they mean. Any idea what 'PM' stands for?

Harriet, Hetty, Bella and I took a visit to the village cafe as an end of term treat. The girls were glued to their seats. They had been warned not to run around the shop. Tony was yet again buying rolls and collecting his newspaper. Urgent important business prevented him from talking with us.  On our walk home we paused to watch some sheep who come running thinking we are about to feed them. At least the girls get to have a close look at them.

A trail of beautiful feathers lined the road. A rather flat pheasant was the victim.

Tuesday, 22nd March 2016 - Riverford Organic Beetroot

I learnt today that the clocks always go forward on the last Sunday of March and back on the last Sunday in October. In all my 51 years I never knew that.

And potatoes are an aphrodisiac according to Shakespeare.

Harriet has a surfeit of vegetables and we have the overflow of beetroot. I think I will make soup.

Monday, 21st March 2016 - Studying the Results

I am delighted with my tatty old cupboard that has been housed for many months is now in my studio. It is tidily full for now. I found a bit of Nickleback to entertain me. Such a gorgeous voice.

It was our final art class before the Easter holidays. I never like the end of term. We have to show and discuss our work to date. I can feel my neck heat up and pulse with fear.

Thursday, 17th March 2016 - Kaidy Lewis

I was gardening today. It was so hot in the sunshine that I removed my coat and jumper. It felt so good to feel the sun. I have attacked the tangle of plants around the pond. While weeding out the ivy I picked up something that wriggled in my hand causing me to shriek and discard it rather violently. I'm such a girl. I think it was a frog. I hope it was a frog.

This evening I went to a demonstration organised by the WOKAS, note 'society' not 'group'. Now I am helping out a bit I was received warmly. Such a brilliant evening. Kaidy was entertaining to watch and listen to and incredibly inspiring. She does Intuitive painting using mixed media which she hopped around using acrylic, watercolour, ink, pencils and oil pastels. I now feel the desire to push my paintings in this direction. 

Sunday, 13th March 2016 - Warm in the Woods

It was beautifully warm when Mike and Pippa came for coffee and hot crossed buns. So much so that I went jumperless on the patio. 

The forecast on my phone told me it was going to continue all day. I did loads of cleaning and my reward was to sit outside with a book. Jobs complete I eagerly ventured out around 4pm. It was damn chilly damn it. I came back in for boots, coat and a wooly hat to do some bramble removal.

The Night Watchman is soooooo good. The plot is ok too. 

I ache in most muscles this evening.

Saturday, 12th March 2016 - Tim's Plumbing

I have not seen much of Tim today as he has been getting the plumbing ready for a washing machine and dishwasher at Little Holt. Much of the time he was under the floor.

Tuesday, 8th March 2016 - No Need To Forage

Harriet gave me a rather exciting Mother's Day gift. It is a box that I water, leave on the windowsill and in a few weeks time will produce gourmet mushrooms for me to harvest. I am at the watering stage.

I am very much enjoying watching the gorgeous lambs arriving at Albans Barnyard via their Lambcam. It can be a bit addictive. The triplets are beautiful. Well done Lesley.

Monday, 7th March 2016 - Beautiful Bouquet

I have the most stunning flowers from Tom and Harriet. I must be a brilliant mother. Sophie at Astilbe & Sorrel has delivered a stunning bunch.

This morning Harriet and I took a trip to the multi storey Sainsburys in Ashford in preparation for Bella's third birthday on Friday. Leelee said it sucks you in as you walk through the door. She was spot on. We were lucky to get out.

I arrived at my art class fully prepared with what I was going to work on. I did and it was a complete and utter failure. I left knowing what not to do. 

Sunday, 6th March 2016 - Mum on Mother's Day

I have been thoroughly spoilt but damn do I deserve it for raising such gorgeous children. Tom and Harriet took me for a double drinks date and a cheese scone this morning.

Tom had to go back to Birmingham this afternoon in his test car which means he gets free fuel and a lot of technical looking equipment installed inside to monitor his movements. I had a bit of a totally unreasonable short lived panic about him being in accident. He wasn't and I was relieved.

This afternoon I visited Mum for tea. She has read a book by a brain surgeon. She thinks she has a brain tumour. I know she will not be free of her symptoms until she has had an unnecessary MRI scan. It would be amusing if it was not so bizarre.

Saturday, 5th March 2016 - Unexpected Arrival

I wasn't hardy enough to brave the open air this morning. I tucked myself into the greenhouse and potted up my rapidly growing over wintered plants. Unfortunately, some have not made it through the cold weather and had to be relegated to the compost heap.

Tim and I were delighted to see a red MG arrive containing Tom. He has come home for Mother's Day. What a lovely surprise. I miss him terribly. He has lots of entertaining stories to tell us and a bottle of Prosecco. We relaxed watching Spectre. I thoroughly enjoyed it even if others haven't.

Wednesday, 2nd March 2016 - Music While I Work

Over twenty years ago Tim was learning how to set up a website. We have one still running which sells my greetings cards. Now and again I get an order. The last one was for forty cards. I find the painting process incredibly relaxing especially when accompanied by a little music.

From my studio window I have watched rain, hail and snow in minor quantities today.

Fringe took me into the wonderful realms of fantasy this evening.