Allotment Tales // Hello Sunshine!

We have finally been able to get down to the allotment and complete some long-awaited tasks this weekend. The sunshine has finally come out and the rain has stopped for long enough for us to do some weeding, planning and plotting.

Of course, the rain has been much-needed and has meant that our established plants such as herbs, or those which were over-wintering like the onions and broad-beans, are doing really well. These chives are flowering in abundance and I'm looking forward to using the flowers in some summery salads and pasta dishes, for a garlicky flavour. 

Now that the ground has dried out a bit, we have been able to plot out our sections and paths, get rid of the insane amount of weeds and begin sowing seeds. Last year, my strawberries were in the ground and they didn't do particularly well. Slugs and birds got to them and it was difficult to keep them weed free. This year I have put them in a raised bed. Strawberries do prefer being in containers, so hopefully we'll get a better crop. They'll be easier to cover with a net to keep birds away as well.

The most exciting development, however, is that we have our very first bench! Now we'll be able to sit in a bit more comfort and enjoy a tea-break when we're down there. We've plotted out the section in front of it to look a bit more like a cottage kitchen-garden - with a curved path, small plots of lettuce, herbs and flowers  - rather than the long drills of vegetables we have in the remainder of the allotment. With a wigwam of sweet peas, lavender and chamomile around the bench, I'm hoping it will be a lovely place to sit.

Happy gardening to those of you who do - I hope the sunshine stays out for you and you're been able to create a little bit of garden magick in the coming weeks. We certainly have this weekend!

Three Word Thursday

Absolutely loved this.

Plans, Goals and Hopes for May

As I was welcoming May - and summer - yesterday, I thought about the goals I want to achieve over this month and the forthcoming summer. We are already seeing the beginnings of growth around us, from the seeds we planted at the start of the year and in Spring. 

Some of these seeds are literal seeds - there are crops beginning to sprout on the windowsill and down at the allotment. Some, however, are metaphorical - personal plans that we put in place and goals we are striving to achieve this year. For example, my photography blog, charting 366 photos for 2012 was something I began in January and is now flourishing! I have had my first paid photography job and I have put plans in place to reduce my teaching hours next year. 

I am so thankful to be seeing these plans already come into fruition - I'm sending lots of gratitude out into the Universe at the moment! But now it's time to take the next steps. My beans won't grow healthy and strong without some canes to support them, lots of watering and sunshine and a bit of love. The same applies to my dreams. 

So...some of my May goals are...

~ To create a 'vision board' of where I want to be next year, with lots of beautiful, visual images to keep me inspired when working towards my goals.

~ Some complete some small photography projects, which will add to my repertoire of skills. These include taking 'moving star' photographs and water droplets.

~ To get a bench sorted for our allotment, so that we can enjoy the time down there, peacefully watching growth, as well as instigating it.

~ To improve and beautify the area where I sleep, so I feel rested and re-energised each morning. 

What steps towards your goals are you planning on taking this May?

Wheel of the Year // Beltane

Blessed Beltane everyone! Happy May 1st.

This afternoon I will be celebrating the arrival of summer by making a list of new goals that I want to bring into fruition in May and over the forthcoming months. More on those tomorrow.

Brightest blessings everyone. 

Five Favourites // April

Blimey - this year is just flying by. With all the effort I have been putting into my photography blog, I haven't been writing here nearly enough. I thought I would begin to rectify that by starting a new, monthly feature. I will be posting up five favourite memories / photos / things from the month as it draws to a close. 

I also invite you to do the same and link up to your posts in the comments - will be fun to see what people have enjoyed each month. 

Here goes...

1. A little holiday, with my Mum, to Amsterdam. 

2. A fun weekend with a brilliant friend (I also love the bright yellow rapeseed fields at the moment).

3. My favourite flowers were in bloom at the start of the month. So many fond memories of my childhood garden, when I see these. 

4. My first paid photography shoot. So excited to be taking steps forward with my little business. 

5. A couple of days chilling out in Derbyshire with this lovely lady. 

That's my five favourites from April. What are yours?

Three Word Thursday

Time hurries on.

Twenty Favourite Photos from Amsterdam

Mum and I just spent three days in Amsterdam, wandering the pretty streets and canals, sipping fresh mint tea and browsing the sweet boutique shops. Here are some of my favourite photos from our trip.