May ....ing

May, my favourite month. How can it not be? It is my Birthday month, there are two long weekends and nature is at its best. 

It is an unusually cold May so far but a padded jacket and brisk walk help when exploring the outdoors. I took a cheeky little holiday last week and it felt good, extending the Bank Holiday weekend by two days.

Celebrating my birthday. I am a mature 51 years old now. 

Loving my new house plants, gifted to me for my Birthday. I don't know what they are called but they are pretty and I hope they'll thrive. I am good with orchids but they thrive on neglect and I am not sure if my new plants do. 

Also loving my garden, so many beautiful flowers and greenery to please the eye.

Sewing the Emelia Dress by Sew Me Something. I made it with navy blue linen. Sewing linen is quite enjoyable, a stable fabric. I like wearing the dress, too. 

Cooking more often. I don't cook many meals these days but I have decided that I want to take on some more responsibility in the kitchen. After all, our head chef Annie will be moving in September and I need the practice. I made a Burmese chicken noodle dish which was nice and Eastern Mediterranean stuffed courgettes which were not so nice.  

Enjoying meeting five (!) friends all at once for the first time in you know how long. Still outside as indoor visits are not possible. It was a sunny but cold evening and we laughed a lot. I couldn't get warm for hours after my friends left but it was worth it. I wonder if uncontrolled shivering counts as exercise?

Going for a hair cut. It was about time, my scarecrow hair-do was no a good look. Now, I have once more a short and sharp cut and I feel better for it. I wish I had gone a little shorter but it works for now. 

Voting for the Scottish Parliament elections as if my life depended on it. I feel privileged to be allowed to vote despite being a foreign national. I am happy with the outcome of the elections.

Hanging laundry on my new rotary washing line (and enjoying it). I know, very middle aged but there is not much excitement in my life. I also got new pegs, made from recycled fishing nets with not metal bits at all. I will write them into my will as no doubt the children will fight over them. 

Walking around Bingham's Pond. This is a former boating pond, naturalised in 2003. It now is a haven for waterfowl and I very much enjoy having a wander, particularly in the evening, when the ducks are settling down. I spotted some ducklings but they were too quick to photograph.

Listening to "The Beekeeper of Aleppo" by Christy Lefteri. I really loved this book, it will be one that I remember for a long time. Next up on my book list is "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir. I need a bit of science fiction in my life. 

Also listening to Jane Garvey's new BBC Radio 4 programme Life Changing. I miss Jane Garvey as a presenter of BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour. I don't listen to Woman's Hour often now, I find the new presenter, Emma Barnett is too confrontational and frequently interrupts guests abruptly. 

So, all in all, things are going well. How are you all? Thanks for visiting.