March ...ing

Ticking off another reasonably successful (i.e. not terribly disastrous) teaching term. Always a relief. Three weeks to get in gear for the next one, my busiest term. 

Winding down for a week of holiday, coinciding with James' and Alistair's first week of the spring break. I had so many plans for us, like visit Venice or climb a Munro but it looks like we are not doing much at all other than mundane things like buying trainers and clothes and having a dental check-up. To spice things up, we might excavate the boys bedrooms. We are running short of cutlery and I have a hunch some of it might be in a boy cave.

Listening to the last in the DCI Gilchrist series by T.F. Muir, The Murder List. Not my favourite crime series but also not the worst I have listened to. I also listened to Making History by Stephen Fry, which I loved. 

Recording our monthly podcast. I was presenting a study and a case, hopefully not too badly. I have terrible imposter syndrome as the newest and least experienced host. 

Quilting a quilt that has been waiting to be quilted for a long time. I forgot to use the walking foot and it shows.... I am currently undecided if it bothers me enough to unpick it all (I am 3/4 done). 

Putting the final touches on the Patina Blouse by Friday Pattern Company. I always procrastinate over sewing the buttons on. 

Starting a new project, a denim jacket. I am making the Sorrento Jacket by Sew Over It.

Eating too many banana and chocolate chip muffins. I made 12 for lunch boxes and ate 3. In one day. Also eating too many hot cross buns. 

Loving the big bunches of daffodils on our kitchen table. They bring me joy. 

Dreading a week of cooking dinner every day while Richard is away to enjoy a week of cycling somewhere warm. I already feel a bit edgy

Wondering if I could turn this into a positive by encouraging James and Alistair to choose a simple meal each and cook it. 

Feeling cheated out of an hour of precious weekend after the clocks changed to summertime. I didn't get that hour back last autumn because I was in the US, where clocks changed on a different date. 

Sorting through a drawer here and a box there, slowly working my courage up to tackle the drawer of doom that no longer closes properly. Do you have one of those? 

Taking a large amount of no longer loved clothes, books and assorted bits and bobs to our local charity shop.

Finding a half knitted jumper when sorting through my yarn box. Something to do for the next few weeks, once I figured out where in the pattern I am. 

Waiting to be matched with a mentee. I have completed my mentor training and I am cleared to work with children. I am a bit nervous. 

Enjoying the weekly volunteering sessions. I constructed a log pile sanctuary for small woodlands creatures from fallen tree branches and leaf litter (it is bigger than it looks). We continue to plant hedgerows (hawthorn, blackthorn and dog rose) for as long as we can where we cleared the woodland borders from invasive snowberry shrubs. It is getting a bit late in the season. We also sowed masses of different meadow seed mixes. We missed the autumn sewing window because the sites weren't cleared but the species that do not need prolonged frosts for germination will still do well. We can re-seed in autumn. Eco-restoration cannot be rushed.