My love hate relationship with my garden!

 Gardening, the hobby that’s equal parts therapeutic and infuriating. When we moved here almost 6 years ago I was so happy to have a garden, a proper garden with grass, room to plant things and a patio area. It made such a change from the concreate back yards that I'd had over the 15 years before.

The Love!

There’s something calming about stepping into the garden early in the morning, with a cup of tea in my hand when the world still quiet. It’s a moment of peace that makes me feel like I’m one with nature. On an evening too when I can hear children playing, the sun going down and spending time watering my plants makes me feel so relaxed.

One of the best things that I ever received through blogging was the bird feeder and coming up 4 years later it's still going strong. I do love feeding and watching the birds.

In the spring I love being out in the garden clearing the debris from the winter months, weeding and starting to plant things. I love getting my little greenhouses out of the shed and filling them up with pots which I did last week. Watching seeds sprout and grow into plants is incredibly rewarding and then when a plant blooms or produces fruit or veg it’s a victory dance moment. I always feel so proud of myself!

Gardening is my sneaky way of getting exercise without stepping foot in a gym. Digging, planting, weeding who knew that breaking a sweat could feel so good. I feel like all the work is worth it. Then there’s the added bonus of homegrown fruit and veggies. Is there anything better than biting into a tomato that’s still warm from the sun or putting things on your plate for dinner that you have grown yourself. Usually I am not a fan of peas but from the garden, I will eat them with every meal!

In the warmer months I can happily sit outside in the shade of course, with an ice lolly and/or a cool drink. It's nice just to sit, feel the warmth on my skin and watch nature happening. The bee's, butterflies and birds which visit my garden make me so happy. I try to ignore the wasps. Grr! I hate wasps! I am sure I have PTSD from when we had the wasps nest in the bathroom ceiling a couple of years ago.

The Hate!

Gardening isn’t all sunshine and roses, it can be downright maddening. For every moment of peace, there’s a war waged against pests, weeds and the ever unpredictable weather.

The bugs. Ugh! Just when you think your garden is thriving, a swarm of bugs or a gang of slugs shows up to feast on your hard work. It’s like throwing a party, only to have uninvited guests trash the place. Slugs seem to torture me and love eating my plants. I hope they don't come back this year and don’t get me started on the endless battle with weeds. No matter how much I pull, dig or spray they always seem to come back. I covered the flowerbed in black bags last the summer because I was sick of the weeds. It worked, the bags have been off for a couple of months now and there are a lot less weeds appearing and those that are there are more manageable!

Then there’s the weather. Gardening requires patience but sometimes Mother Nature just doesn’t cooperate. A sudden frost in spring, a scorching heatwave in summer or an unexpected downpour can wipe out your whole garden. I held off planting my seeds because of the frost that was still happening on a morning, hopefully we have no more frost. Last year we had a weekend away and obviously it was one of the hottest weekends of the year and the poor plants had no water and not many survived! I found myself outside in a big downpour last year moving my tomato plants into the little shed as the rain was battering them.

What do you love and hate about your garden?

A Guide to Cherry Blossom Season in the UK!

 Spring in the UK brings longer days, warmer weather (sometimes!) and a spectacular show of cherry blossoms. While Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, the UK also boasts some stunning locations to enjoy this seasonal sight! These delicate pink and white blooms transform parks, streets and gardens into dreamy landscapes for a few precious weeks. I love seeing the pink on the trees and it is a sure sign that spring is on it's way!

If you’re hoping to catch cherry blossom season in all its glory, here’s everything you need to know.

When is Cherry Blossom Season in the UK?
Cherry blossoms typically bloom between late March and early May depending on location and of course weather conditions. The peak bloom usually falls around mid to late April but this can vary each year. Warmer areas in the south tend to see earlier blossoms, while northern regions bloom a little later. The blossoms only last for a couple of weeks, so timing is key if you want to catch them at their best.

The best places to see cherry blossoms in the UK!

London:
Kew Gardens - A stunning display of cherry trees, including the famous Cherry Walk.
Greenwich Park - The avenue of cherry trees near the National Maritime Museum is breath taking.
Regent’s Park - Look out for the blossoms in Queen Mary’s Gardens.

Edinburgh:
The Meadows - One of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Scotland, with an enchanting walkway of pink trees.
Princes Street Gardens - A beautiful mix of cherry blossoms and a stunning view of Edinburgh Castle.

Cardiff:
Bute Park - A picture-perfect spot with plenty of cherry trees lining the pathways.

Birmingham:
Cannon Hill Park - A fantastic place to see cherry blossoms along with lakes and green spaces.

Nottingham:
University of Nottingham Campus - Known for its stunning sakura trees, especially around Highfields Park.

Other notable locations:
Alnwick Garden (Northumberland) - Home to the largest collection of Taihaku cherry trees in the UK.
RHS Garden Wisley (Surrey) - A beautiful mix of Japanese and British cherry blossoms.
Hever Castle (Kent) - Cherry trees set against a historic castle backdrop.

Tips for enjoying cherry blossom season!
Check bloom forecasts - Follow local parks or social media updates for peak bloom times.
Go early or on weekdays - Avoid crowds and get the best photos.
Pack a picnic - Enjoy the blossoms with a relaxing lunch under the trees.
Respect nature - Avoid shaking branches or picking blossoms to keep them intact for everyone.

Take lots of photos - Cherry blossoms make for stunning photographs, so don’t forget your camera!

Cherry Blossom festivals & events!
Some locations hold special cherry blossom festivals, inspired by Japan’s Hanami tradition. Keep an eye out for Japanese themed events in gardens like Kew or check if your local botanical garden has any cherry blossom celebrations.

Cherry blossom season is short but spectacular, making it one of the most eagerly anticipated times of the year. I always look forward to seeing the blossom trees in our local churchyard. So whether you're strolling through a park or planning a special trip to see them, take a moment to soak in the beauty of these delicate blooms.

Is there or will there be any cherry blossom near you?

The Big Butterfly Count!

 Leading wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, has revealed the dates of this year’s highly anticipated Big Butterfly Count! It will take place from the 12th of July until the 4th of August! Will you be taking part?

The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen science survey aimed at helping the experts assess the health of our environment. This annual event encourages you to go out into your garden, local green space or the countryside to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies. The information gathered helps scientists to understand how butterflies and moths are faring, informs conservation projects, government policies and supports other experts with their research and vital work to protect our planet.

It is open to anyone, of any age, in any part of the UK - towns, cities or the countryside. No green space is too small. A back garden, a small terrace or balcony with some pot plants, a public park, allotment or country lane are all important spaces to explore, track and report.

How to take part:

Simply count the butterflies that you see for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather during the Big Butterfly Count dates. This time of year is the best because most butterflies are at the adult stage of their lifecycle so more likely to be seen.

If you are counting from a fixed position in your garden, count the maximum number of each species that you can see at a single time. For example, if you see three Red Admirals together on a bush then record it as 3, but if you only see one at a time then record it as 1 (even if you saw one on several occasions) - this is so that you don't count the same butterfly more than once.

If you are doing your count on a walk, then simply total up the number of each butterfly species that you see during the 15 minutes.

Also please remember that if you don't see any butterflies then let them know that too. It is very important that we know if there are areas where butterflies are not being seen, this may indicate a wider problem.

You can do as many counts as you want to. You can submit separate records for different dates at the same place and for different places that you visit. And your count is useful even if you do not see any butterflies or moths.

To add your counts go to The Big Butterfly Count or download the free Big Butterfly Count app!

Last year more than 135,000 Counts took place up and down the country with participants spending a combined total of almost four years counting butterflies which I think is amazing! Butterflies are more than just pretty insects fluttering in our gardens. They are vital pollinators, indicators of environmental health, and key players in the food web. They are so important to our world.

Do you see many butterflies when you are out and about?

Five natural ways to keep your plants healthy!

Gardening is the perfect to relax, engage with nature and to spend some time outside. Now seems to be the time where everyone is out in the garden planting so I thought it was an ideal time to share this. 

There's a treasure trove of natural remedies that can work wonders for your plants without the need for harsh chemicals here are some that I have discovered.

Cinnamon!

Cinnamon isn't just a flavourful spice, it also possesses antifungal properties that can help protect your plants from diseases and promote healthy root development. 

Dust cinnamon powder onto freshly pruned or damaged plant stems to prevent fungal infections and encourage healing or dip cuttings or seeds in cinnamon powder before planting to reduce the risk of fungal diseases and promote successful propagation.

Epsom salts!

Epsom salt or magnesium sulphate is a natural mineral compound that can improve nutrient absorption, boost plant growth and deter pests. 

Mixing some Epsom salts into your garden soil will help your seeds sprout. Diluting the Epsom salts with water (2 Tablespoons Epsom salts in a gallon of water) and spraying the mix onto plant leaves should result in greener leaves, bushier plants and more flowers.

Coffee grounds!

Coffee is a part of many of our daily routines but it can also become an essential part of your plants lives. Coffee grounds are packed with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals that benefit plant growth and soil health. 

Mix coffee grounds into your compost pile to enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients. The grounds also help accelerate the decomposition process.

Sprinkle coffee grounds around the base of acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries to provide a natural fertilizer boost and help maintain acidic soil pH.

Use coffee grounds as a mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture and gradually release nutrients into the soil as they decompose.

Eggshells!

Eggshells are not just waste, they're a valuable source of calcium which is essential for plant growth and cell structure. Crushed eggshells can be incorporated into your garden in several ways:

Add crushed eggshells directly to the soil around calcium loving plants like tomatoes, peppers to prevent blossom end rot, a common calcium deficiency disorder.

Brew eggshell tea by soaking crushed eggshells in water for several days. Use this nutrient rich solution to water your plants, providing them with a calcium boost.

Bananas!

Bananas are not only a delicious snack but also a valuable source of potassium, an essential nutrient for plant growth, flowering and fruiting.

Chop up banana peels and bury them in the soil around potassium hungry plants like tomatoes, peppers, and roses to provide a slow-release potassium boost.

Create a potassium rich liquid fertilizer by soaking banana peels in water for several days. Use this nutrient rich solution to water your plants, promoting healthy growth and strong root development.

How do you keep your plants healthy?

A hedgehog guide for families!

Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s favourite familiar faces found in our gardens, parks, and farmland. Although these adorable little creatures seem to be everywhere due to a decline in rural habitats almost one third of the national hedgehog population has been lost since the 2000’s which is a real shame. That’s why we must do everything we can to protect the hedgehogs and one way we can do that is by turning our gardens into hedgehogs favourite spaces to be.

It is spring and wildlife experts and lovers, Green Feathers have put together a handy guide on how to prepare your garden for the best time of year, hedgehog season. 

Hedgehog season (or mating season) is the most crucial time for hedgehogs. It begins in April and can last all the way to September although peak breeding months are in May and June. Usually a female will be met by seven hoglets who will nest all together in a layer of leaves and grass until the hoglets leave the nest four to five weeks after being born. Throughout this season and especially up until this point, try to keep leafy and unkept areas of your garden as undisturbed as possible. 

Hedgehog highways!

The first step to creating a hedgehog friendly garden this Spring is to embrace the open road by creating a hedgehog highway. They are nomadic creatures and can roam up to two miles every night. However one reason their numbers are declining is due to the reduction in access they have to land. By creating a hedgehog highway or a small gap in your fencing to allow them to pass through your hedgehog can roam far and wide. This gap should be around 13 square centimetres, perfect for hedgehogs, but not for the larger mammals you want to keep out! 

Going wild!

Despite their innocent faces hedgehogs are carnivorous animals and roam at night in the search for small insects such as beetles, worms, slugs, earwigs, and millipedes. Sometimes they’ll even eat baby birds, frogs, snakes and bird's eggs. They are friends to gardeners as they eat the bugs! Hooray!

The best way to bring insects into your garden is by keeping your garden healthy and bio diverse through letting it grow wild. To do this you can: 

Start by growing insect friendly plants and wildflowers such as foxgloves, and hawthorn.

Avoid cutting the grass, and keep parts of your garden unkept and wild in patches.

Create a compost heap to create the perfect environment for worms, slugs, millipedes, and beetles.

Start a bug hotel to attract a diverse amount of bugs into your garden. 

Do the rounds!

Before the start of the season, do the rounds and rid your garden of any potential hedgehog hazards. Check for the following potential hazards which you can tick off your list one by one:

Avoid man made dangers or anything a hedgehog could get trapped in or fall into.

Don’t use any pesticides.

Don’t put down any slug pellets.

Although hedgehogs are keen swimmers, hedgehog proof garden ponds and swimming pools by fencing them off, or creating sloping sides so that they can easily get in and out.

Clear your garden of any nets, traps, and toys. 

 

From house to home!

Planting hedges can be a great alternative to fencing. Not only do they provide more shade, absorb noise and dust, they also provide better shelter to all forms of garden wildlife. They can promote better soil, attract insects, and usually allow for leaves to gather at their sides which provide a great nestling spot.

Another great way to provide a cosy home for these animals is to place a wooden hedgehog house in the garden. They provide safe, robust, and secure shelter where they can hunker down for winter or get ready for mating season. 

Mindful Maintenance!

Once you have prepared your garden for hedgehog season, remember a little bit of maintenance goes a long way. Keep pruning and gardening to a minimum, and keep the lawnmower and strimmer locked away in the garden shed. Try to disturb them as little as possible by doing your bit to keep nature thriving. 

To give a helping hand here and there you can put out small bowls of water for easy drinking access and small portions of meaty cat or dog food in the evening to make sure they’re well fed and hydrated. Better yet, set up a wooden hedgehog feeding station which keeps the food safe and hidden from other animals, perfect for a night in and meal for one! 

Do you get hedgehogs in your garden?

Great things for the garden from B&M.

I love shopping at B&M but I am not too sure my bank account does. I will go in for one thing and come out with a bag full of things that I didn't know I needed. hehehe I especially love B&M at this time of year when they have all of their garden stuff in. Our local one always has a good selection of plants but I do miss the one we had near us in Northumberland, that had a whole garden center on the side.

I have looked around a couple of B&M stores several times over the last month or so, I've also looked online and have come up with a list of things that I would in my garden.

Milano 4 Piece Sofa Set - £100.00

Add some stunning furniture to your garden and relax in the sun. This 4 piece set includes 1 sofa, 2 chairs and a coffee table. I think this is a great price and it looks quite comfy. We need some new chairs for our garden so this is something I am really thinking about.

10 Solar Floral Lightbulb String Lights - £10.00

These 10 Solar Floral Lightbulb String Lights are perfect for wrapping round trees, hanging from branches and bushes & decorating decking areas. I think they are so pretty.

Solar Powered Stainless Steel Post Lights - Cool White 15 pack. - £16.00

These solar powered post lights are perfect for lighting up patios, pathways, borders and driveways, switching on at dusk automaticaly, creating a gorgeous light show in your garden. These seem such a bargain price.

Welcome Owl Garden Ornament - £10.00

Gonk Garden Gnome - £6.00

Add some bubbly character and vibrant colour to your garden with this fabulous gnome ornament. Gonks are not just for Christmas. hehehe

Stone Effect Tortoise - £8.00

I am so tempted to buy this just because Ellie is in love with it. She has asked for it a couple of times and has tried to convince me to get it.

Wooden Oblong Folding Planter - Grey - £20.00

This traditionally constructed solid wood planter will add charm and character to any garden or home. Perfect for grpwing all your favourite plants & flowers. Easy self assembly. Folds away for easy storage.

Dimensions: 70 x 30 x 25cm

Fruit Print Plate - Oranges - £1.50 

Add a fruity twist to your picnic basket with these beautiful fruit print plates.

Drinks Dispenser - £8.00

Take your favourite drink to the picnic with this fabulous fruit print drinks dispenser. It comes with three cups and has a tap at the bottom for easy pouring. And with its fold down handle, you can easily carry your refreshments on the go.

Fruit Print Tumbler - £2.00

Are you planning on buying anything new for your garden this year?

Gear up for an adventure with these handy gadgets!

It's officially Spring! Hooray! The weather should be improving soon, the clocks go back on Sunday which means lighter nights so there will be more chance to get outside. I thought I would share with you some fantastic gadgets specifically designed for outdoor use, perfect for when you want to explore the great outdoors.

For all the adventurers out there, your outdoor escapades will now be more enjoyable and convenient with the RUGD Power Brick. An all in one Power Bank, Camping Light, and SOS light. This revolutionary device is here to make your outdoor trips hassle free as it packs in a lot of features that will allow you to be well prepared for any adventure. With its compact size, lightweight and powerful battery, it is the perfect companion for any intrepid explorer.

With the powerful 2 port fast charger you can charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes. Featuring 1 x USB-C 18W Input and Output port this fast charger is designed to make your life easier and more convenient. With its sleek design it's perfect for taking on the go with you wherever you go. Whether it's in your home or office, this fast charger will help keep your device running at optimal performance all day long. The RUGD Powerbrick is £41.99 from Rugdlife.

Be prepared for any adventure! The Survival Kit from Kikkerland. It contains 10 items with 30 functions including: an emergency blanket, a wire hand saw, a 5 in 1 whistle, earplugs, a pencil, candle, flint & striker, a razor blade, a multi function knife, fish hook, line & bait. It costs £35 from Kikkerland. 

Keep your essentials dry with this waterproof bag from Kikkerland which is perfect for outdoor gear and tech. The Roll top closure provides reliable waterproof performance. Bring it along with you to the beach, picnic and all your outdoor adventures. It costs £10 from from Kikkerland.

The White Marble Travel Cutlery & Straw Set which includes a fork, knife, spoon and collapsible straw comes in a stylish box, clipping all items in place, eliminating any rattles and keeping everything clean and hygienic, right in your bag. Designed to be stylish and playful while giving you the convenience of having cutlery and a straw wherever you go and stopping single use forever. The full Sized Travel Cutlery Set is £27 from Mnched. 

What gadgets would you recommend for outdoor adventures?

What I am planning to grow this year.

A few weeks ago I saw that Wilko's were having a sale on their seeds, buy 2 packs and get a 3rd free so I got stocked up ready for spring. Last year I did well in the garden, I had lots of flowers, tomatoes and of course a few pumpkins which I am so proud of.

Last year I bought a mini greenhouse and it was brilliant, I think it really helped with the growing so I bought another one so I can grow more.

I have my usual packs of mixed flowers, I especially like the mixed boxes which contain something like 23000 seeds in 14 different varieties. There is always a good mix and they grow really well.

This year I am planning on growing the usual sunflowers, flowers, tomatoes, pumpkins and strawberries. Every year I try to grow strawberries but I've had no success, this year is going to be the year. I have bought seeds and also I have bought some strawberry salva plants which are said to be very easy to grow. 

I have never tried to grow Brussel Sprout's before and I am a fan of them despite the kids hating them but come to think of it I hated sprouts when I was a kid too. If I time it right we could be having home grown sprouts on our Christmas dinner. These seeds are British bred and produce heavy crops of large tasty buttons from early autumn onwards. Sow indoors from February to March or outdoors from March to April for harvest between September to December. 

Peppers are something which I have tried to grow in the past but have got the plants but no actual peppers. These can be grown in an unheated greenhouse or outdoors in a warm sheltered spot.

Cucamelon are totally new to me! Cucamelon Seeds produce fruits that are the size of grapes but have the taste of cucumber mixed with a touch of lime. Resembling tiny watermelons, they're easy to grow. Sow indoors between April and May ready to harvest between July and October.

I always do well with sunflowers, I bought some seeds last year and they grew to about 5ft 7, they were taller than me. lol

I have learned things from planting and growing pumpkins last year. I know now that you need a lot of room, more than I allocated and they can take over your garden. Sow indoors from March to April or outdoors in May ready to harvest from September to November, just in time for Halloween!! 

I am very excited to try growing sweetcorn, I had never seen seeds for it until this year. The seeds produce very sweet corns, which is perfect for picking and eating fresh from the garden. Sow indoors from March to May or outdoors in May, ready to harvest from August to September. The average pack contains 40 seeds.

Cucumbers are something else which I have got the plant but no actual cucumbers. With a good tolerance to cold and to mildew, they're ideally suited to growing outdoors. Sow indoors from February to May or outdoors from May to June, ready to harvest from July to October. 
 

Writing this blog post has made me realise that it's February now so I better get planting. I will start some indoors, I can see my kitchen windowsill being full of pots over the next couple of weeks. lol

What are you planning on growing this year?

50 outdoor family activities to do this summer!

We always want to spend time as a family and while the weather is nice it's so good to get outside. Getting outside and enjoying nature is great for physical and mental wellbeing. Sometimes I have to drag the kids kicking and screaming but once we actually get outside they're always happy and do enjoy themselves. 

I know sometimes I am lacking some inspiration for how to turn a day in the great outdoors into a really fun adventure.

These are some great ideas to have some outdoor fun and maybe one or two might be something that you have never thought of.

The top 50 outdoor family activities to do this summer according to parents:

Have a picnic.

Watch the sun rise and set.

Go to theme parks.

Bike rides.

Swim in the sea.

Go to nature reserves.

Sightsee in a city.

Jump in the waves.

Fruit picking.

Build sandcastles.

Star gaze on a clear night.

Go to an adventure playground.

Fairgrounds.

Play in a paddling pool.

Go searching for creatures in rock pools.

Dig huge holes on the beach.

Hiking.

Camping.

Bury your legs in the sand.

Bird watching.

Play tennis.

Water balloon fights.

Slide down a water slide.

Play swing ball.

Caravanning.

Mountain biking.

A UK Safari.

Play on a bouncy castle.

Glamping.

Build a den.

Jump into a river.

Climbing.

Fishing.

Go on a treasure hunt.

Hunt for bugs.

Play on a rope swing.

Cloud spotting.

Snorkel in the sea.

Fossil hunting.

Bodyboarding.

Kayaking.

Play a big game of rounders.

Trail runs.

Pedalos.

Build nests for wildlife.

Make an obstacle course.

Ride on electric scooters.

Roller blading.

Surfing.

 Learn a new sport.

I know we will be doing plenty of these things. As well as them being fun a lot don't cost any money like watching the sun set, birdwatching and cloud spotting.

Do you have any outdoor fun planned for over the summer holidays?

The best garden games for the whole family.

Summer is here and I know we will be spending more time outside in the garden. I always thought that as my girls got older they wouldn't want to play games in the garden but they still do. They are not one's to just sit in the sun and read or something like that, they have to be busy. It's a shame they didn't like weeding the garden, there's always plenty of that to do.

Whether you have children who need to burn off some steam or just want to have a laugh with friends here are some of the best outdoor activities to beat the boredom and enjoy the sun. 

Bunch O Balloons.

 Bunch O Balloons are amazing and take the stress out of filling water balloons. Fill and tie 100 water balloons in less than 60 seconds. We have had these plenty of times and the girls still love them.

Giant Wooden 4 in a Row Puzzle.

Connect 4 on a huge scale! Make the classic game gigantic with Giant Wooden 4 in a Row. This oversized wooden sensory toy brings coin-dropping fun to playrooms, gardens and parties.

Swingball.

Bring the classic game Swingball in to your garden! Simply hit the tennis ball back and forth along the spiral. It's a perfect ball game where you don't have to worry about the ball going missing over the neighbour's garden.

Croquet Garden Game.

Enjoy hours of fun with the Traditional Garden Games Family Croquet Set! This set contains everything you need for 4 players! Made from durable hard wood this set is made to last. This Croquet set includes 4 wooden mallets, 4 colored balls, 1 target stick, and 8 hoops.

Giant Jenga.

A giant version of the fun traditional family table top stacking game. Build the tower and then take turns to remove a piece without making the whole tower tumble. The winner is the last person to remove a piece and replace it on the top of the tower, leaving the whole tower standing. 

Giant Pass the Pigs.

Perfect for parties, these giant inflatable pigs can bounce around the garden, house, beach or even the pool. Inflate your pair of porkers, throw them and see how they land. The game is for two or more players and is so simple to play. You throw the pigs up in the air and how they fall determines the points you get.

Giant Noughts and Crosses.

A classic game of skill and concentration but giant sized, this noughts & crosses game is perfect to play both indoors and outdoors for garden parties, bbq's, etc. Designed to play anywhere to be able to entertain not just the kids but the adults as well. Included is 9 interlocking foam pieces and 5 noughts & crosses.

What games do you family like to play in the garden?

Five ways to make a walk more exciting for the kids!

I love this time of year nature is beginning to bloom and there seems to be more warm days than cold, if. Spending time outside with your children is special, full of laughter, excitement and the adventures to be had are never ending. Getting outside is great not only for our physical health but our mental health too and it's no different with our children.

To make sure your family has fun you can easily plan adventures to include on a walk out. 

Craft and complete a nature spotting sheet!

You can make your own nature spotting sheets to teach your children about the wonders of the season. Birds, flowers, plants, as well as butterflies and other insects. If your children enjoy arts and crafts they will also have fun making these before going on the walk. So really, this is two activities rolled into one! 

Build a fortress out of sticks and shrubs.

Children enjoy playing and being as imaginative as they can, so a few sticks and shrubs may keep them occupied for an entire afternoon. You can even build rival fortresses and vote on which one is the best depending on how many people you have with you. Children will be using sticks and other natural materials from the ground, so these must be checked by an adult to ensure nobody gets a nasty splinter.

Barks and crafts.

Being outside gives lots of ways to express oneself artistically and rubbing tree bark is a basic and straightforward approach to creating a masterpiece. The textures of the bark is imprinted on a piece of paper which can then be cut into a collage and show off displaying on the fridge. You won't need to bring any paints; all you'll need is some paper and a soft crayon.

Collect wildflowers to press and cherish.

One of the best things about spring is the blooming flowers. Flowers are lovely, but they do not last forever. You can collect wildflowers on your walk to ensure that you can see them all year. Wildflowers can be pressed in a variety of methods. Placing the flower between the pages of a book is the most child friendly alternative. The wildflower may take up to three weeks to completely flatten, but it will be well worth the wait.

You should only pick one flower for every 20 in the patch. If there are fewer than 20, leave them alone! Don't ever pick flowers in public parks, community gardens, or on National Trust property or nature reserves. Never pull the wildflowers by their roots, as this will mean they will no longer return the following year.

Enjoy a delicious picnic as a family.

Walking might be exhausting especially for little ones so it's always a good idea to bring snacks but what about a good variety of food and drinks for a picnic. A picnic is a great way for your kids to unwind and refresh. Don't forget the picnic blanket or you might end up with a soggy bottom. hehehe

These are some of the best ways to make a walk exciting. It’s always a good idea to spend time outdoors especially during the warmer months.

Another bit of a garden makeover. #MySundaySnapshot

One side of our garden is lovely but at the other side it's overgrown with weeds, full of stones and hasn't been touched at all since we moved in here apart from strimming some of the grass and weeds. Stu decided that yesterday was the day when he started work on it. It seems like it's going to be a big job.

There was a big bush to pull up and those pesky decorative stones to move. He worked for about 3 hours and you can see progress. He got the bush out, it was easier than he thought it would be and found quite a few big stones under all of the decorative one's which will come in for something. At the moment they are holding the black plastic sheeting down.

Now we're left with piles of stones and as that side of the garden gets hardly any sun we are going to weed it and then put all of the stones back and put some plants and flowers there which need very little sunlight and hopefully it will look 100% better than it was yesterday morning before Stu started working on it. 

Have you been doing any gardening lately?

This week my Word of the Week is: Out! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

What gorgeous weather we've had over the past week, well apart from yesterday when I was writing this. It was quite grey and overcast but it wasn't all bad, at least it was still warm. 

I have made the most of the nice weather and I've spent a lot of time out in the garden. I had planted a ton of seeds a few months ago and they grew well in my mini greenhouse and when they were overgrowing their pots I planted them in the garden. Sunflowers, pumpkins and cucumbers. They grew more and started to look far too close to each other so I came up with the bright idea on Tuesday to give the garden a good weed and move the plants so they were more spaced out.

It was only after I had moved the plants I read about transplant shock. It turns out plants can go into shock if they are moved. Thankfully I did dig them up well, took all of the roots and watered them well afterwards. Mother Nature has been helping me out with the watering as it's rained the last few evenings. Apparently we had power cuts during the week because of the weather. I only realised when I got up and the clock radio was flashing. Becky knew all about it because every time the power had gone off then came back on one of her lamps came back on and started flashing. She got woke up a few times, she didn't think of just unplugging the lamp. lol

I have been enjoying sitting outside in the sunshine although it did mean that I missed a parcel being delivered during the week. Thankfully the DPD man came back the next day and he said he had missed me and I told him I was out the back. He said he did think it was strange that I wasn't in. He said in future he will come to the back door if he doesn't get an answer at the front. I thought that was so nice of him. 

Ellie has been out most evenings, after school with her friends. They're all boys and as bad as teenage boys can be these are a good group of lads who look out for her. One night one of Ellie's best friends walked her home, just to make sure she got home safe which I thought was so sweet. Ellie has always got on better with boys, I think it's because they are less complicated and have less drama than teenage girls. lol The only thing now is that she is always defending the friendships saying he's not my boyfriend, he's just a friend. Ugh! 

Becky had a day off from college on Wednesday because of the GCSE's happening at her college and her teachers were needed. She didn't have a chilled day as for two days this week she has been out doing training at work. Self defence and something about positivity in the work place. She enjoyed it but the highlight of the training was getting a free lunch eat day. She also got to see the therapy dogs which come into the care home, she doesn't usually see them with just working night shifts.

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one.

This is what I like to see! #MySundaySnapshot

Hasn't the weather been lovely this past week, well apart from on Wednesday when it was grey and rainy all day. It feels like spring is here. I've been out in the garden planting things. This year I am growing cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, mint, strawberries, sunflowers and hopefully lots of flowers.

On Monday there was blue skies, sunshine, washing on the line and the grass being cut. It really was nice to see. Brighter days are here!