It’s spring by name – metrological spring covers the months of March, April and May, so this week sees the first official week of my favourite season. Of course, the naysayers will point out that the natural world is as far removed from our Gregorian calendar as say, many politicians are from their ideals but I say in this instance, we’ll give it a name and let nature grow into it.
Tanking across Hyde Park for a little retail therapy on Saturday(while the Hubster and the small one were enjoying the Science Museum) I found this little beauty. I live on the edge of an old orchard and not a blossom have I seen yet, I had to come into London for that.
In case you’re wondering, yes I did buy something on Oxford Street – a rather fabulous little number. It will sit in my wardrobe and sing to me until I can find a suitable occasion to wear it. Have a quick squizz here – it looks even more gorgeous on, I just need to find the right orange shoes to go with it now. Any suggestions gratefully received.
And these little babies have been busy coming up in my garden. I bought a random bag of crocuses last autumn and made it my business to plant them randomly so that I’d forget where they’d pop up. I’m easily entertained.
The sassy little dress was not the only treat I bought myself this week. Check this out. I’ve had a darn good rummage around in this, the latest addition to my gargantuan library of cookbooks. The thing that makes the just-out Sainsbury’s Cookbook (and what I also love about Sainsbury’s magazine – I don’t work for them, honest!) is that it uses pretty simple ingredients in a rather fabulous way. I reckon my family will be well up for the Buffalo wings and the prawn, feta, tomato and chilli stew. Personally, the trio of dips and the grilled halloumi salad are well and truly floating my boat at the moment as are the pecan caramel cinnamon buns and the Pastel de Santiago (a Spanish lemon and almond cake). Expect pictures of my own efforts soon.
And finally, in order to offset the effects of my culinary pleasures, I broke the 3k mark twice this week. This is a considerable achievement for me as I only started running seven weeks ago. I’ve been following the NHS’ Couch to 5K plan and if you’ve heard about it and you’ve been toying with the idea of digging out your running shoes, do it. I’ve gone from collapsing at the supermarket checkout after having dashed for the forgotten milk/cheese/butter/beer just a couple of months ago to perving over new running shoes with my mate who’s also just taken up running.
Running is addictive. Running has made me happy. 3K is an achievement and the 5K charity run I’m doing in October no longer seems like the hurdle it once was. (Read more about The Silent Bleed, the charity I work with, here).
In fact, I’m off for a run now. There’s some bright, spring sunshine to be had out there and I’m on the lookout for blossom.
I hope I’ve inspired you to get outside and find your own signs of early spring this week. Whether you’re running, walking or getting dragged along by the dog, do share how it’s made you feel – and keep a lookout for fabulous orange shoes (but they’re best found in a shoe shop).
QOST xxx
