Every Wednesday, I answer a hodgepodge of questions set by Joyce at From This Side of the Pond. I hope you enjoy reading my hodgepodge of answers.
1. What’s something you’re curious about right now?
I’m curious about growing fruits and vegetables in the garden. Chris surprised me a couple of weeks ago with some containers filled with various herbs, veg and fruit plants to celebrate 15 years of being together. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time, but I’ve been too nervous to even try.
I’m learning as I go along, and I’m enjoying getting excited every morning when I go outside to see how the plants are getting on. I need to do lots of research about what else I might like to have a go at growing.
2. If you could plan the perfect girl’s weekend getaway, where would you go and what would be on the agenda? Do you have anything like this on your calendar in the next few months?
The perfect girls’ weekend away for me would be at a luxurious spa. It would include a day of relaxing, swimming, soaking in the hot tubs and getting lots of pampering treatments. There would be lots of delicious, indulgent food and maybe a glass of Prosecco or two.
I don’t have anything like this planned, but I am always entering competitions to win a spa break. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to win a few overnight spa breaks. My favourite was at Champney’s Mottram Hall; the facilities and the food were amazing.
3. What’s the most unique item in your refrigerator right now?
There is absolutely nothing unique in my fridge at the moment, just your normal everyday contents.
4. In this season of your life, what do you find most challenging?
In this season of life, I’m finding some of the symptoms of peri-menopause challenging. My hair is constantly greasy, I get irritable easily, I have a constant runny nose, and I have to guess when my next period might be due. It’s just another joyful part of being a woman, I suppose.
5. Do you collect anything? If so why that?
It would be easier to list what I don’t collect at this point. Over the past few years, I’ve found myself collecting things like I did when I was a kid. The main reason for my collections is that they bring me an immense amount of joy. The older I get, the more I realise how much joy is an important thing to have in my life.
I collect books, especially vintage Ladybird ones, peculiar trinkets, wooden owl ornaments, pin badges, fridge magnets and lots more.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
My random thought for this week relates to my answer to the curiosity question above. I’ve wanted to try growing plants for the longest time, but I spent way too much time overthinking it. It got me wondering about why we get in our own way so much when it comes to wanting to try new things.
From now on, I’m just going to try things; if they work out, then that’s great, but if they don’t, I can try again with something different.
I am 100% with you on perimenopause; it’s not all the time but some random stuff happens and it’s like, “Oh yes, it’s because of THAT.” I had a couple jalapeno plants during covid and managed to keep them going for two years so I thought I might actually get into gardening. Sadly, I have not.
There’s a blogger who participates in the Hodgepodge who is a big gardener and has a flower business too. She knows a lot and might be a fun connection as I’m sure she has answers to lots of growing questions. (Carla at The River). Books are one of my simple pleasures too. I don’t collect as many any more, but they still bring me lots of joy. Have a nice day.
I really enjoy container gardening. It’s so much easier than maintaining a raised bed. We’ve done cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, and strawberries. The cucumbers took off like crazy last year!
I went through perimenopause almost ten years ago, and it was beastly. I was so glad when I was finally done with menopause. The pre-symptoms were random and chaotic.
I think you are doing the gardening the right way, just jumping in and learning as you go.
I love the sound of your weekend getaway! Good luck, I hope you get to win a spa break eventually!
Oh wow! Your collection of Ladybird books is a blast from the past. I had a shelf like that when I was a child! x