april showers

Spring has sprung. Warm sunshine and blue skies on at least two days prove it. Today however was a washout. Cold, windy with endless pelting rain. The wood burner warmed us up from early morning and the little ones and I planned some April fun.

This month we're celebrating the birthdays of our eldest and littlest. We're hoping to see a carpet of blue in the bluebell woods. We're planning to answer the call of the sea. We're hoping to enjoy a picnic on the lough shore.

We've crossed our fingers that the sun will shine and that the rain will disappear, so we can enjoy these long days of spring. 

What about you, what are your April plans? 

late winter days

This morning we were awakened by sunshine streaming through our bedroom windows. An unusual occurrence this wet, grey and stormy winter. An opportunity to get outdoors. One we didn't want to miss. So we took off exploring, searching for signs of spring. We were perhaps a little eager, as this far north it seems everything is a little slow in stirring from the long sleep of winter.

But, we happily found signs that spring may well be on its way and that these precious late winter days deserve to be savoured too. It was cold and bright, and the sun shone warm on occasion. We listened to birdsong and marvelled at the tiny wonders of nature. Beautiful blue skies and wispy clouds were a pretty backdrop to the bare branches just beginning to bud. And we discovered a carpet of snowdrops in full bloom. 

Tomorrow we're hoping to go adventuring again. This time to the coast. Fingers crossed we wake up to sunshine streaming through the windows again.

life lately and a christmas wish

Life lately has been all about festive making, foraging, woodland walks, decking the halls, celebrating solstice and enjoying the welcome glimpses of sunshine.

The little ones finished school last Friday for the holidays. We have been enjoying a slow build up to the big day. Tonight though, excitement levels are considerably higher. In fact, I think there is a real danger someone may spontaneously combust. Reindeer food has been liberally sprinkled on the lawn to guide Santa on his way and three stockings are hanging by the stairs. All that's left to do, is to get snuggled into bed for a Christmas bedtime story. 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas full of love and laughter.

goodbye november

Goodbye November, as you disappear for another year. You've been fun. Bringing many days to enjoy the beauty of autumn. Hours spent outside kicking through the fallen leaves, exploring, playing and making music in the woods.

For every calm day, there was a stormy one to balance it. Days for curling up by the fire, building dens, baking, and crafting the day away.

A month to savour. The calm before the storm. December arrives tomorrow. And with it, the excitement of Christmas. I'm looking forward to some festive fun. How about you?

autumn weekending

Autumn week-ending here invariably means a visit to the woods. Saturday was a busy day, with the inevitable birthday party for a school friend. As an aside, I always seem to wind up exhausted after these parties. Though I'm not really sure why, as it mainly involves sitting around watching children run riot. Anyway, I digress.

Today we were more than happy to switch things down a level, get outside and commune with nature. We took advantage of the time change and set off early to Florence Court. We searched for horse chestnuts, collected leaves and played pooh sticks. We had a paddle in the stream and made it rain leaves. We had a pitstop for warm apple juice and biscuits and made friends with two springer spaniels.

Back home after our adventure, we cosied up, lit the stove and enjoyed roast chicken for dinner. These autumn days are my favourite. How about you? How do you like to spend autumn days?

simple pleasures

A record of the simple things bringing pleasure to my life lately. Life's little happenings that are making me smile.

: :    Our eldest's love of nature. It's infectious.

: :    Blue skies and feathery fronds.

: :    Soup season and warming bowls of goodness.

The small tortoiseshell butterfly was rescued from a spiders web by our biggest boy. Its wing was damaged, so he carefully carried it around the garden for over an hour until it recovered and flew off. He really respects all living things and seems to instinctively know how the natural world functions. I wonder sometimes where his interest will lead him. Good places, I expect.

These photos are taken from my Instagram account. IG is a great way to record moments from the everyday, so the pictures seem to suit my simple pleasures posts. Apologies for the repetition if you've seen them before. If not, you can find me there at thelinencloud, should you fancy a peep. 

So, for now, happy hump day, the weekend is in sight.

hello october

October. Morning fog gave way to a beautiful, bright day. Washing dried on the line, billowing in the light breeze. I enjoyed my lunch on the patio, soaking up the sunshine. The little ones played in the golden evening light. We watched the sunset setting the sky alight. A precious day savoured.

My beloved autumn, in full swing. I'm relishing this change of season. The promise of falling leaves, cosy jumpers, happy hours curled up by the fire, cup of tea in hand, enjoying a good book. And those beautiful first frosts. Just perfect.

I'm delighted to be back here in my little corner of blogland after an impromptu break. Two months is a long time. Life has been busy and I felt like I lost my way for a bit. But I love this space, and so I will be rambling here for the foreseeable future. Hopefully you'll come along for the ride.

And to the lovely Annie at Fable & Folk, a big thank you for the kick up the proverbial I needed. Pay her a visit, if you haven't already. She's all kinds of wonderful.

simple pleasures

Just a few simple pleasures making me happy lately.

: :    My boy's pure joy in finding a hatched egg in the garden.
: :    Blooms and blue skies. Summer is here.
: :    Impromptu adventures on the lough shore.

Now that summer has finally arrived there is more than enough to keep a smile on my face. It is hard to believe we are almost half way through June already. We have a busy few weeks ahead in the run up to the school holidays at the end of the month. 

The school sports day is tomorrow and as I write, the wee ones are galloping around the garden like wild ponies, practicing for tomorrow's activities. I best go and make them their tea.

Wishing you all a lovely evening and thank you for your comments on recent posts. I love reading them. They make my day.

golden hour

Snapshots of lough shore adventuring at a favourite place. At golden hour, one May evening.

The weather lately has been so changeable and not at all May like. It's been cold, dreary and wet. So when the sun peeked out from behind the clouds last Monday, I threw together an impromptu picnic tea and we headed out for some fair-weather exploring. 

We visited Reilly Wood, a beautiful deciduous woodland which leads to the lough. We walked through the meadow down to the water, spotting lots of butterflies fluttering around in the sunshine. The little ones explored the shore, delighting in finding a little frog and an emerging dragonfly. Climbing over gates and clambering on tree stumps eventually tired little legs, so we headed for home.

That evening the abundant fresh air and golden evening sunshine were relished. I do hope summer arrives soon.

Joining in with The Photo Gallery 233 at Sticky Fingers.

wildflower love

Wildflowers are enchanting. Pretty little blooms that appear as if by magic. To choose a favourite is an impossibility for me.

Bluebells. Doesn't everyone love bluebells? Woodlands carpeted with blue are truly magical. The nodding bells swaying in the breeze. Perfect fairy flowers.

Cow parsley. Frothy fronds of delicate lace like blooms. Perfect little parasols. Maybe the prettiest wildflower of all. 

Cuckooflower. Heralding the arrival of spring. Almost always coinciding with the first call of the cuckoo. Pretty pink blooms dotted all through the meadows and verges. 

And lastly speedwell. Tiny, perfect little flowers. The most beautiful shade of blue.

So, do you have a favourite wildflower? Do tell, I'd love to know.

one day in may

This Bank Holiday Monday dawned dry and bright. A lovely day to visit the woods in search of bluebells. We packed a picnic lunch, met up with friends and set off to explore. 

The woodland was beautiful. Just beginning to come into leaf as the new growth appears slowly but surely. The beech leaves were especially pretty, all soft and translucent and a perfect shade of green. The woods were full of spring sounds; birdsong, babbling streams and rustling leaves. A soundtrack to total relaxation.

The little ones explored abandoned dens and built forts with fallen branches. We found a carpet of bluebells. Though not completely in bloom, they were very close. Oh well, I suppose that means we must return again another day.

Wildflowers bloomed along the path. Wood anemones, sweet violets and lesser celandine were among them. Sheep and baby lambs in the fields bordering the woodland enjoyed the sunshine, basking in the warmth. They were wise to enjoy it. It has been so cold here these past few days. Torrential rain and freezing winds do not feature in my expectations of May.

One of my best friends is getting married on Friday. I have everything crossed for pleasant weather. Even just a little sunshine. Come on May, you can be so gorgeous.

How about you? Have you been searching for bluebells?

Joining in with The Photo Gallery 229 on Sticky Fingers.

may day

A flower posy for my friend. A celebration of May Day and the promise of summer. I left it on her doorstep earlier today. 

The blooms were gathered from the garden and arranged into an old jam jar. Wild garlic, viburnum, pearlbush and cotoneaster make up the posy along with a purple flower, which I am unsure of. But I love its colour and shape. I added some gypsophilia. I couldn't resist it.

Joining Lou from littlegreenshed in reviving this lovely tradition and also remembering my childhood flower gathering in May. 

Joining in with #natureinthehome and #NITHMayDay.