♥ Four Things ♥

♥ Four things that have made me feel heart skippy happy this weekend.... ♥

♥ Thing # 1 :: in my greenhouse ♥

Laughing gently to myself here as I typed the word "greenhouse", pretending that I do actually have one. Not really. What I do have is a small plastic tenty type thing held together with zips and metal tubing which cost less than £20 from the home bargain shop down the road. I'm not dissing it mind you, it does the job for now and it really does make me happy. Currently housing some precious little plantlets (which include these sugar snap peas) as we wait rather impatiently for it to be deemed truly frost-free up here in North Yorkshire. I've also got courgettes, cucumbers and tomatoes growing merrily away inside the warmth and shelter of my see-through tenthouse, and I'm looking forward to planting them into the ground. At the allotment. Yes, allotment happenings are happening here, and that's a whole other happy tale for another day.

♥ Thing #2 :: in my back yard ♥

We've had some lush early summer type weather here this past week, and although it's currently now cold and peeing down with rain, our weekend was warm and sunny and beautiful. Although I have a deep and lasting love affair with my tumble drier, I do enjoy when the weather makes it possible for me to peg the laundry outside to dry in the sun. My back yard might be teeny tiny, but I have three washing lines, a bucket full of pegs and the delicious pleasure of enjoying sun-dried clean bedding when the weather allows. For that simple thing I am grateful.

♥ Thing #3 :: on my plate (and in my tummy) ♥

With the sunshiny weather at the weekend I ate quite a few meals outside - this was my al fresco lunch on Saturday and it was utterly scrumptious. Wholemeal toast spread with a generous amount of creamy goats cheese, topped with smashed avocado heavily seasoned with cracked black pepper, Maldon sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. I really wish I could have made it last longer but I'm ashamed to say that I wolfed it down. Couldn't help myself, partly cos I was very hungry at the time, but mainly the taste of it was so so so good that I just launched straight into devouring mode. Definitely a lunch time thing that I will make again very soon.

♥ Thing #4 :: out and about ♥

Yesterday morning we rallied the Little People and went out to stroll around Bolton Abbey. It was glorious, sunny and green. Oh, that green, it made my heart sing! The leaves are only just beginning to unfurl in the treetops so there was the most beautiful lushness to it all. The woodland floor was a carpet of wild garlic and the scent was intoxicating as we walked. It really was a beautiful way to spend a Sunday morning. We finished up (rather predictably) in the cafe where I treated the Little Peeps to cake and very expensive posh milkshakes, while my man and I enjoyed frothy coffee with a sausage butty (him) and a slab of millionaires shortbread (me). I wish I had the willpower to ease back on the sweet treats as I've got a family wedding to attend in a couple months time and am slightly concerned about the size of body coverage I'm going to need. But.....the shortbread was incredible, no regrets. Deeeeeeee-lish.

Here's hoping you have a fabulous week ahead, full of things that make your heart skip a beat.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

  

...more little snippets from the Attic...

Tales From Connievan :: Golden Hill Farm

Coastal Walking :: Ravenscar

Elderflower Cordial Time

Comments

[Thú Bông]

Thank you for talking the trouble to help me. I do appreciate it

[Sally-Jane]

When you wrote this post, my hubby and I had just come back from a glorious weekend in Wensleydale and Swaledale. We had beautiful weather for once and climbed some hills.

We have a new plastic greenhouse too, which is full of fuchsias that over wintered in the garage. They are sprouting nicely now with new growth which is pleasing. And like you, I have dumped my tumble dryer for cheaper and fresh smelling garden dried clean clothes.

[gau teddy]

Life will be much better if you enjoy simple things <3

[Brenda Cupryna]

so looking forward to cycling over your way next week. Do hope the rain abates though as I hate putting the tent( me made) up in the rain.

[Gau Totoro]

Life would better if you enjoy simple things <3

[Susan Smith]

Lovely post. I always drool over greenhouses other people have, but in the middle of a hot Australian summer, not sure I need one, but I could get lots started in our cooler months. Hmmm! Your lunch certainly looked yummy. Ah....walking at Bolton Abbey brings back memories of last year on holiday in UK & as for your millionaires shortbread (we call it choc/caramel slice) I make it, & cut into much smaller slices than you see in Cafes, so not too bad on the waistline. Look forward to hearing "allotment" news. Take care.

[Arlene]

Summer is on it's way to Canada too... I'm loving the warm sun and full days outside. Fresh air and green smells as everything is blooming and turning green.

Thanks for sharing your pretty green pictures Lucy!

~ Arlene

[Crafty Cath]

The allotment & crochet are my favourite ways to relax. I too have a plastic greenhouse and it's brilliant - it has lasted years (you can buy replacement covers if it perishes in the sun). No need for fancy expensive gimmicks. All good simple pleasures. I can recommend potato varieties: "Colleen" and "Nicola" - good yield and nice texture. Good luck!

[Emma]

Smashed avo also works extremely well with griddled halloumi in place of goats cheese :)

[Leah Lynch]

Loved your post. Simple things make life Grand!

[One-oh-four]

Mmmmm, goats cheese and avocado....one of my favourite combos! Looking forward to hearing all about the allotment adventures :)

[Michelle]

The simple things we enjoy in life are usually the best things xx

[Bonnie in Pennsylvania]

Please tell me more about millionaire's shortbread. I never heard of it. Do you make it? Sounds very tasty.

[salem]

My greenhouse blew away in wind lol

[CJ]

I have a little greenhouse like that too, SO useful, although it always ends up crammed to bursting. Maybe I need two... So excited that you have an allotment, I shall look forward to hearing all about it. Glad you had a good weekend, lunch outside looks particularly excellent. CJ xx

[nadine G]

Heureuse de vous lire, je vous souhaite également une très belle semaine. A bientôt.

[Angela-Southern USA]

Those all sound fab!!!I too cannot wait for (me) pollen season to be through so I can peg the laundry out, soon now. Roses are blooming here and we're waiting for it to dry up again to finish setting plants out in the garden. Good luck with your allotment!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Tinke]

You know what, join the other half of this world with being size 16 and bigger. Enjoy that shortbread and avocado sandwich, life's to short to hope and work on a body that's not going to be yours.Keep it healthy is all I ever advice, your walks in the woods sure makes it healthy enough.Find something colourful to wear and be happy for the bride. <3

[Debbie]

I am excited about the allotment. I love gardening and that will be so fun for you.

[Jenny Smith]

We have a "greenhouse" like that too. It's lasted for years (touch wood) and it's doing us proud. I can't resist millionaires shortbread either and my kids aged 40 and 36 still ask me to make it x

[Carol]

I had a fabulous walk through bluebell woods recently with the most glorious dappled shade from the early green beech trees. We do live in a beautiful country (sometimes!).

[jayne mcclenaghan]

A little word of warning..I had kne of those "greenhouses" that us until we had a particularly windy night and I found it in bits in the middle of a nearby field

[Sarah Davies]

Bolton Abbey? One of my most favourite places in the world! :) Just don't get to visit it enough. :(

[June]

Loving those greens... so fresh and full of the promises of summer ahead.

[Jenny Lowe]

Have you noticed how many shades of green there actually are in woods, gardens etc? I can see at east 10 through our kitchen window. Variegated irises, lavender plants, golden euonymus, apple tree leaves ... young shoots, old shoots, especially this time of year.