Poppies & Peonies.

I've become obsessed with my garden. We're lucky enough to have both a front and back garden; I'm banned from having any involvement in the back garden as that's 'where grass should be' so whilst I leave Harps to measure/groom/obsess over his lawn, I've taken to creating the nicest front garden in the street (I may be a little biased ok?)

We wood chipped over the weedy mangle that was there when we moved in almost four years ago. It seemed the easiest way for two total non gardeners who work full time to manage. Weed control is possibly one of the most tedious jobs in all the lands. I almost regret it now though as I spend every sunny moment potting and planting and re-potting and re-planting. The bargain sections of garden centres are practically going out of business thanks to me. This week alone I've planted a honeysuckle (with the intention of it growing over my door like some sort of fairytale...) A peony plant (totally in time for next year to use for my wedding!) My poppies are in full bloom (grown from seed like a magic green fingered giant.) And I have strawberries that I'm on an obsessed slug watch for...

My new plan has become; grow as much as I can ready for next year and save the money on my wedding flowers! Who wants to bet I'll be carrying my own stinging nettles and doc leaves down the aisle next year? 

Tell me all about your gardens!

Love Sophie Xx

Green Fingers.

Am I getting old? I feel like I'm gaining such an appreciation for my garden and growing things that I'm sure I'm going to need tenna-lady soon? It's great though isn't it? Getting muddy under the nails, coming outside each morning and "ooh-ing" over what's sprouted over night *note to self, start naming your plants*...I literally have no idea what's growing in my garden. All packets of seeds were bought based on the pretty picture on the front, all of which got stuck into compost like a five year old growing cress...yet I've discovered something- That's literally what gardening is! The whole stick a seed in some mud, put it in the sun and water it (barely though- thanks Cornish weather!) ACTUALLY WORKS. That's all there is to it...(could I offend any more actual gardeners with this post?)

Batman is happy that there's some green stuff to eat, the forget me nots that Leona gave me a while back are taking over all other plants- those bad boys want to rule to roost (see what I mean, I genuinely think my plants have attitude??) My freckles have enjoyed making appearances and my hair just looks too snazzy in the wind not to take selfies. I'm not sure Harps is that keen every time I come home with new plant pots or more half-dead looking weeds from the bargain section in Lidl. I'm becoming proud of my garden- minus the day where my next door neighbour 'casually' left some 'Gardeners World' magazines on our joining fence. 

Any planting or growing tips? My main problems seem to have been..

1) Small children from next door pulling out my baby fir-tree which now sits rather miserably hanging to one side...

2) FUCKING CATS POOING IN MY GARDEN! 

3) The snails/slugs/ whatever arseholes that destroyed my sunflowers...How do I make them pay?

Oh and just to add to the garden excitement, last weekend we invested in an outdoor pen for Batman. Seeing as he won't let us put a harness on him, we still want him to enjoy the summer with us and we grabbed the perfect bargain when we saw it. Stay tuned for Batman's first adventure outdoors very soon!

Love Sophie Xx

Ring-A Ring O' Roses...(my first bbq of the year)

There are no pretty maids all in a row here. Just thought I'd get that out of the way incase you mis-clicked...It's basically a fancy title for what I've been up to the last week. Haven't we had glorious sunshine?! I've been racing outside at every given opportunity but surprisingly my area manager didn't agree that a bank-on-a-beach is quite what the company needs. He'll regret it I'm sure. 

Oh and I'd just like to make a note that the grass photographed above is most certainly NOT my garden! Harps is obsessed with our lawn, funnily I spoke with Michelle about this and we decided that all manly men are the same when it comes to lawn care- do you have an obsessive lawn man? 

I had to go to a meeting sit in an office for hours on end whilst sunshine mocked me on Wednesday and had absolutely no option but to treat myself to a mini haul at The Body Shop. I saw Rosie post about their banana shampoo the other week and just had to get some. It's amazing of course. I also find that their hemp hand moisturiser is just the best ever for my dry little paws (oh and it's buy one get one half price so I had no choice really but to get a couple of other bits!) Whilst we're on the subject can we just talk about how fucking amazing Rosie looked at her wedding? Congratulations beautiful lady and I hope you both have a fabulous month in Bali- that's a couple of blog posts I can't wait to read! 

I had Friday off and my mum needed a bit of adult time. I've got a little post coming up about caring for someone full time and I think you'll all agree that carers do not get any where near as much praise as they deserve! We headed to Charlies Boathouse (see previous posts here) and scoffed ourselves silly whilst putting the world to right. 

The day after I may or may not have had this delicious hot dog from Bangers With a Twist in Falmouth- it'd been such a busy Saturday at work that I hadn't had the chance to escape for some lunch. Luckily, on my way to the station, this little restaurant/cafe shouted to me from across the street where I was met by such lovely staff that understood my lunch woes and packed me on my way with this beauty! I'd definitely recommend popping in!

SUNDAY! THE DAY OF REST! I pottered around in the garden; pruning, weeding and planting to my little heart's content. Seriously, if my garden doesn't look like the bleeds Eden Project by the end of this summer there will be war. Harps whispered sweet nothings to his lawn (or something like that) and though there was a bit of a chilly wind, only gale force winds would have kept me inside.

Late afternoon we changed out of gardening gear and headed over to my parents for THE FIRST OFFICIAL BBQ OF THE YEAR! Isn't potato salad just delicious? Do any of you ever read these posts and wonder why I'm not 50st? Me too...

Back at work and swan watching on my lunch break. Like I said every second in the sun counts! 

And here's a farewell photo from Batman. He's been pretty grumpy because he's malting but on Sunday evening he slept most of it off in the cutest way ever. 

Love Sophie Xx

Lately I've Been...

Good evening you crazy cats, how in the world are you all? It's been beautiful spring weather hasn't it? It's strange though how a shorter week can feel like an even longer one. Probably from having too much of a nice time, resulting in a pretty sleepy Sunday. Doesn't Easter mark the beginning of the best parts of the year? I feel so homely and productive despite still adapting to my new routine! So what have I been up to I hear you cry? Well quite a bit I'll have you know...

• Finishing one Hornby and starting another. Actually there's been another Hornby in-between these two- super book reader. Batman loves the smell of fresh books almost as much as I do!
• Waking up late and giving my face a break from make up.
• Eating picnmix. Seriously do I ever post something that doesn't include food?
• Re-potting my forget-me-not and getting some bulbs planted ready for summer! I spent a lot of time in the garden over the last few days off (and most of Easter weekend). Such a therapeutic way to spend a sunny day.
• Drinking FAR too much caffeine, something I'm VERY aware of but not quite ready to curb just yet...
• Being spoilt with such majestic views whilst having my lunch at work. My Instagram has been full of nose-rubbing shots all week.
• Getting sweaty and jolly raising money for charity. Last weekend I had the pleasure of donning the master of all mascot suits in aid of Tanya's Courage Trust; a very local charity founded by the family of a wonderful girl named Tanya after she sadly passed away from cancer at the age of 17. This fabulous organisation helps support young people with cancer and I was all too excited to get dressed up as Mickey mouse and help bucket collect in the town centre! Plus I got to bust out some of my best moves in a crowd FULL of people and everyone just cheered me on because they didn't know that in-fact a 23 year old girl was showcasing her best dancing. I broke it on down. *read that in an 80's voice will you?*

Are you all insanely jealous of my Mickey antics? I knew it...

Love Sophie XX