Spring has been lovely. We've enjoyed a rather uncharacteristically sociable time. Summer means harvest, which means Andy is about to get very busy. So getting out and about, seeing people, and spending time together has been lovely.

We spent a weekend in Norfolk with my family, met our new niece, celebrated our first wedding anniversary, had dinner with 5 different sets of friends, been to see the bluebells (twice), went to a ball, tried a new steak restaurant, spent lots of time with family, and spent a weekend in London, seeing a show and catching up with friends.

I love the summer but I think spring is my favourite season. It gets warmer (and OK, yes, it rains too), people come out of winter hibernation, and Andy is around more than at any other time of year.

Here's how I got on with my list of things to do in the spring.

See the bluebells
Just as we did last year, we went twice as the bluebells weren't in full bloom on our first visit, but I'd rather this than miss it altogether. When we were there last year I had my photo taken in a large tree and couldn't resist another one this year... and here starts the Hazel-in-a-tree photo tradition.


Do It Myself
I have to be honest my DIY hiatus didn't start to abate until well into May when I finally managed to pin down our carpenter. After a few false starts he turned up and did a fabulous job hanging four new doors, including a new front door, and making some small alterations in the kitchen. I've made a start sanding and staining the doors, and my Dad is helping me with some shelves in the kitchen (as well as fixing a small crumbling wall and step in our garden).


So, technically I haven't really been 'doing it myself', I'm happy to turn my hand at most things but carpentry and bricklaying should be left to those who can. Now that these things are done I can make a start on decorating, the next obvious step is to redecorate the kitchen.


Plant up container pots and hanging baskets
Done! Just as they were starting to look really good, they got horribly battered in the downpours we had but they carried on regardless, and are starting to get back to normal. I've also potted put two roses that we were given for our first wedding anniversary, and planted a few new shrubs - every year when it starts to heat up and the skies clear, I head out to the garden and start pottering. As with the house we still have lots to do in the garden but I enjoy doing bits and pieces here and there and we're really starting to notice a change.

We've been here nearly five years now, we had so much to do when we moved in - everything needed to be changed or renovated, or decorated, which obviously takes time. Sometimes it's easy to forget how much we've done when we still have so much we want to do. But I feel like we're finally starting to get on the right side of things.

Complete my patchwork quilt
The patchwork bit is done, but I need to make it into an actual quilt. I've gone ostrich on this. It's the elephant in the room. I'm too chicken. And all sorts of other animal metaphors.


Make a wedding album
Done! After a trial run with our honeymoon photobook I used Photobox again. Several layouts, 400+ photos, and a few hours later I excitedly paid and awaited it's arrival. I'm so pleased with how it's turned out.

Mend the dress
Done. Although I'm yet to actually wear it.


Alter the skirt
Done. I love this and have worn it a lot. Being a midi skirt and of a fairly thick fabric it's been great for the not-so-warm days we've had, but it's also cool enough to wear on hotter days. Basically I've just been washing and wearing this over and over again.

Hit the beach
I didn't go, looking back I'm not sure when I would've found the time but I always say I need to go more often. Sitting watching the sea, listening to the soothing sound of the waves, breathing in the salty air, and switching off from everything else is something that should be done regularly. Just typing this makes me want to go.


Read three books
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
The Bees by Laine Paull
Tears of a Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
And I'm half way through A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

What do you like to do in the spring?