Focusing on the light ahead.

Weekly musings - 14th January 2023.

Photo by Victoria Heath on Unsplash

The beginning of January is a funny old time. Everything feels dark and bare, save for the occasional string of lights still twinkling in the trees. Whether they’ve been left behind intentionally or accidentally, they let us hold onto a much needed hint of Christmas sparkle.

I must admit to struggling with the dark nights right now. I’m trying to stay in the present moment and not wish my life away, but I may have checked and discovered it’s only 70 days until the clocks go forward and this fact fills me with so much joy. Lately I’ve noticed the nights are getting ever so slightly lighter. As I went to my car at 4:50pm last night it wasn’t quite pitch black. Although the howling wind and biting cold reminded me spring is still a while away yet.

I usually try to embrace the cosy winter nights but this year I’m raring to get back into the garden. If I listen to my body and the world around me it whispers “not yet, rest first,” and I have to remind myself that winter is a time to hibernate. I know the new gardening season will come in good time, but patience has never really been strong point of mine.

One of the downsides to spending so much time in the garden is that when the weather isn’t so good I really miss it. I use it like another room, so it’s strange when I can’t, almost like someone has restricted access to my living room. I did manage to get outside for a few hours earlier this week though. I could see the hint of fear in my husband’s eyes as he watched me pacing, cuppa in one hand, tape measure in the other. Especially as I’d spent the morning binge watching gardening shows and scrolling Pinterest.

I mentioned last week that I had a couple of projects in mind for this year so I thought I’d share a bit more about them. The first is a secret door. It won’t actually go anywhere, it’s just meant to add a little bit of whimsical magic and mystery to the garden. Something to lead the eye and encourage the imagination to run wild.

Photo by Viktor Mogilat on Unsplash. Inspiration for my secret door project.

The second is to create, or rather update my little morning seating area. I love to start my days in the garden. I wasn’t kidding when I said I use it like another room. As soon as the weather allows, my early morning routine typically consists of a cup of tea, a cosy blanket and my journal. If I can manage even just 15-20 minutes outside before the day gets going then I’m off to a good start.

I already have a little arbour style seat, affectionately known as my “shoffice,” which was made from the leftover pieces of an old shed a neighbour was throwing away. It’s a bit wonky but that just adds character. The trouble with the shoffice it that it’s only big enough for one person (me usually, I don’t share it easily). So my plan is to add another wooden bench and then create planting beds to bring it all together.

A few years ago we replaced our lawn with gravel. It’s worked well and definitely helped when it comes to being more imaginative with the space, but lately I’m really craving being able to sink my toes into the grass. There’s something so lovely about going barefoot in the garden and that’s not such a great idea on top of gravel. So I’m thinking of adding a tiny grassed area too. I’ll add clover and crocus and wildflowers, continuing the whimsy and avoiding the need for a lawn mower!

One of my my goals in the garden this year is to add height. I’m currently researching and planning which plants to add so I feel cocooned inside a perfect little sanctuary. Last year I grew a lot of tall annuals, that looked amazing until mid-August when I discovered I really should have staked them better and they all started to collapse into each other.

I’d love to hear about any plans or projects you have in mind for your garden this year. Are you a bit like me and find planning a way to scratch the gardening itch until we can get back to growing?

Wishing you a great week.

Claire x

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One to one guided mindfulness walks in and around Northumberland.

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you about a new offering I’m putting out into the world. If you’re in the North East and struggle with feeling stressed or overwhelmed, these walks are all about reconnecting with nature and using it as a tonic to soothe your mind and body.

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