Meteorological spring- welcoming the light

[Lidlfix]

The last thread was a cosy place full of uplifting posts. Most of us are still in much need of more light for many different reasons. As meteorological spring starts tomorrow let's share our buds, chicks, lambs, turning down of thermostats and (my personal fave) spring inspired food and drinks. DH and I chalked out a new seating area in the garden that we plan to do after Easter, my gingerbread candles have progressed to airier scents and I ordered a pale pink cardigan.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

I just cleared out my drawers and found I have 8 black cardigans and 6 black jumpers. I've kept 2.

I've found I'm rotating the same few clothes as I'm not going anywhere but I've rearranged and going to wear some different things, brighter lighter things

'mon the spring!

[Lidlfix]

'Mon the spring indeed. DH watching the cycling while I read and always feels like a non winter sport. Looks kinda chilly for the next week , DD3's birthday next week and (nostalgic maw moment ) it was Mother's Day the weekend she was born and the snow fell on the daffodils that grow on the verge next to old hospital by the dual carriageway.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

Aww that's nice nostalgia. Do you have anything planned for the birthday? I've been looking into restaurant dine at home stuff for our Anniversary later in the month. I think today was the first day of the big snows a few years ago, I can remember trying to roll my easter eggs in the snow.

[Lidlfix]

Take away of her choice, I love the idea of the restaurant cook at home but I am not chefy at all and fear ruining it. DH is working or he would have cooked up a storm- he's great in the kitchen. Will do cocktails and purchase the helium balloons for the obligatory birthday girl boomerang. You may have been spared that particular joy by your boys . We will all scrub up and put on nice clothes and make up - standards will be met!

[Downton57]

I think we were being hit by the Beast from the East on this day three years ago, so this weather is pleasant in comparison. Really looking forward to getting outside more and getting some gardening done. Feeling quite optimistic that life will be looking a lot brighter by the end of March.

[Lidlfix]

The pics have came up on my time hop. Was quite something, we walked to Waitrose (don't normally shop there but is only supermarket in deep snow walking distance) for essentials, ok booze, and I ended up with a £20 bouquet of flowers for £2.99. Was also the first and only time I'be seen thunder snow and the sky was a surreal colour.

[Downton57]

When I went back to work on the Monday the snow was banked so high at the side of the roads it was almost like driving through a tunnel. When I was snowed in I remember having tea and scones in front of the fire and wishing I could spend more days at home. Promise never to make that wish again!

[WaxOnFeckOff]

Oh I have no idea what a birthday boomerang is! Having boys does have some differences :o

To be honest, I'm not really that big a fan of takeaways. I don't particularly enjoy cooking but unfortunately seem to be reasonably competent :o It means that until I get so fed up that I need a break, I can usually cook better than the take away so I sort of grudge it.

I forgot to take stuff out the freezer on Friday and we had a Nandos, but my own version is much better and it's not half cold.

DH will help if we get a restaurant cook at home - he's pretty good with meat. A cooked meal at home with DS1 wasn't really how I thought my silver wedding anniversary would go though.

[Callisto1]

I share your disappointment of takeaways wax. Every so often we try something new and it ends up being mediocre and the kids refuse to eat it. I haven't tried the home cooking stuff yet since I would still have to do the work. Our anniversary was wine and cheese once the kids were asleep. That was nice and might have to be repeated!

It was a very positive week here even thought I got completely drenched one day. I am completely behind in the railing thread, but hopefully won't have to use it so much in the future to let off some of my frustrations.

[Lidlfix]

My silver wedding was last year, when we were "allowed" to meet with 2 other households outdoors. We had a 90s theme and DD1 did a a quiz which was fantastic. DH and I made a few different curries but got the rice and naan breads delivered to save hassle . I bought DH a pizza oven with the money I'd been stashing away for our party. The pizzas are amazing .

[WaxOnFeckOff]

That sounds fab @Lidlfix, I've not even thought about gifts. Might be a mattress as he's still not done anything about a new one but I'm enjoying having our room and bed to myself while he sleeps in DS2s as he finds the mattress better. It's the way forward, no snoring and room to stretch out! :o

[Sootess]

I’m hugely relived it’s March tomorrow. I really feel we’ve made it through this long winter now, spring is definitely in the air.

I took the idea from unthread and ordered a floral cardigan today and looked out my lighter weight coat. Hope it’s not all a bit premature!

[Sootess]

all the typos!

[LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow]

I hung washing out last week as the sun is hitting the ground in the courtyard! I always feel the worst of the year is over once that happens.

Also DH got the bit between his teeth and jet washed out there and weeded between the cracks

We are on a huge tidy/declutter/redecorate bee and it seems so nice when the sun is shining!

AND yes to the Beast from the East, we were in Edinburgh hoping to get about for a long weekend, and got stuck as the worst of the snow was pretty much centred on Edinburgh! Amazing!

[prettybird]

Our garden is starting to look tidier because we've been able to get out and do work in it. Snowdrops have been lovely this year and have a couple of clumps of tête-à-tête daffodils already out

I'm going to move more snowdrops down to the front of the driveway so that next year they'll give passers-by cheer. I moved a few down last year and they've come up well this year.

[Lidlfix]

Prettybird they are lovely. It is a glorious spring morning here to welcome in March.

[Sturmundcalm]

Thanks for starting a new thread

I went for a walk yesterday with a friend. Was much greyer and mistier as we left than the forecast had suggested but as we got towards the top of the hill we got above the cloud. Was fabulous to walk in glorious sunshine for 3+ hours with hardly anyone else about because the mist only started to lift as we were heading back down and clearly most folk waited for the sun to appear! Picture is actually of Conic Hill/Inchmurrin Island/Loch Lomond, you just can't see any of them really.

We were talking about the beast from the east the other day - and the trauma of my DH and DD walking to Farmfoods with a sledge to bring back supplies and then LOSING the bacon from the sledge on the way back. DH was inconsolable at the time...

[Lidlfix]

My washing is out on the line, some blossoms on one of my shrub/hedge type plants. And I am contemplating wrapping up to read outside. I am also looking at event shelters as I am hoping to weather proof garden get togethers if anyone has an recommendations?

[WaxOnFeckOff]

no washing out for me as I don't have any laundry left to do - feels a waste of good weather. Been for a wee stroll, might hoover and wash the car. I could do my tubs which are just full of dead twigs I suppose.

I've no idea about shelters but I think wind rather than rain would be the thing to consider when buying. Even cheapo gazebos would be pretty effective against vertical rain but would end up landing on Ben Lomond on a windy day. Is your garden fairly sheltered?

[prettybird]

My washing is also drying outside for the first time this year Love it when that's possible.

I've just baked a loaf of sourdough bread that I'm going to drop round to a friend (met via MN a couple of years ago when she moved to Scotland) as a surprise. Socially distanced, door step delivery of course

[Lidlfix]

Normal height fencing all round and we back onto a tree line, the two spots that would be flattest are on decked areas one coming out of patio doors so protected by the house and the other next to the shed but I suppose it would depend on the direction the wind was blowing (gusting) in from.

I suppose I am just worried that if I dither they go out of stock like they did last year. I really want DDs to be able to have pals to the garden and With fairy lights, blankets bunting etc it could be really cute.

[Lidlfix]

Prettybird, if my big sister didn't live overseas I would suspect you were her, her social media consists of her sourdough creations. We've been using our (Mumsnet anathema) hot tub lots as it's been quite dry this week so I had a ridiculous amount of towels to deal with. Drying on the clothes horse always gives them a rather exfoliating quality and I too tight to tumble dry them straight out the wash.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

exfoliating towels :o

My sister and my niece lived with my mum for a while when niece was about 3ish. I remember her saying to my mum "I love you Granny" cue "awwws" all round "..but the thing I love most Granny, is your scratchy towels.."

[WaxOnFeckOff]

Maybe some kind of frame that you can easily add and remove the panels from lidl?

So if it's windy you can just leave a frame that's less likely to be caught in the wind. Or see if you can pick up a big tent 2nd hand?

[WaxOnFeckOff]

and that bread looks fabulous pb

Could you use that to type of dough to make pizza bases? Not that I make bread but I do make pizza bases (non sour dough)