Have A 'Hoppy' Time! - An Easter Message (and Photographs of Spring)

Hi!!!

Good morning and Happy Easter! To celebrate, I've put together my Easter message to you all, as is tradition, and this year it is filled with photographs I have taken that showcase the season.

 

When I think of Easter, I think of hope, joy, growth and celebrating life. It's a beautiful holiday, and one I really enjoy celebrating, not only because of its meaning but also because of its ability to bring people together. I wanted to fill this post with natural and floral photography because I think it represents Easter brilliantly - things like daffodils and buds remind us of the beauty in every day and are signs of growth and new life after winter. I also wanted to showcase Spring, because it is a season that matches these sentiments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lot of these photographs were taken at a garden centre that is local to me. I've taken a few trips to it with my mother over the past few weeks and it has been a lovely opportunity to chat, buy new plants, drink tea at the cafe and of course, capture spring flowers with my camera (I'm lucky my mother is so patient when I stop to take photos). It's been so interesting watching the plants develop from visit to visit, and to see what flowers earlier in the season and what flowers later. It is a true joy.

 

 

 

 

I've also been snapping pictures of the blossom on my way home on weekdays - Elf Girl has also been very patient when I stop to take yet another picture. There are also blossom tress in these photos from days out. This time of year is a fantastic time to get outside and enjoy your surroundings, and I've been taking every opportunity to savour and appreciate all the season has to offer.

 

On a trip to London to celebrate the birthday one of a loved one in March, I came across a fabulous Magnolia tree in full bloom. I love Magnolia trees and putting this post together has made me notice how they bridge the gap between flowers like crocuses and blossom on, for instance, cherry trees. Nature really knows how to put on a coordinated display.

 

 

 

 

There is so much beauty to be found in all the seasons, and they are all special for different reasons. Autumn has its glorious leaves and conkers, Summer has its fresh green leaves and borders of flowers, Winter has its sparkling frosts and icicles and bare branches against soft grey skies. Spring has its own beautiful defining features - blossom, pastel colours, new buds, daffodils swaying in gentle breezes. It fills me with weeks and weeks of happiness and inspiration, and in many ways, the Easter celebrations the season builds up to, does too. There is beauty and hope in every day, big and small, just waiting for us to find it. Grabbing the opportunities to find it is something I think we should all do to carry the best parts of the season, and Easter, with us throughout our days, and brighten our lives.

 

 

 

I hope that whatever today means and involves for you, that you enjoy it and embrace it.
 I hope you are fortunate enough to spend it with people you love, and if you are not then I hope that you find joy in other ways today.
Take this opportunity to celebrate life and development, as well as the people you hold dear, the season of spring and chocolate eggs.
 Happy Easter to you and those you love.
 I'm sending good vibes, best wishes and lots of love to you all today xxx.

 

 

Thank you for reading. I hope you've enjoyed looking at these photos, I am really pleased with how they turned out.

What are your favourite things about Spring? What do you do to celebrate Easter? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

I hope you all enjoy your Easter Sunday and make the most of the Bank Holiday tomorrow.

 

Happy Easter!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

I've Been Thinking... - 7 (More) Little Things To Get You Feeling Festive

Hi!!!

If you read this post last week, then the title of this one may sound familiar. Yes indeed folks, I'm doing part two - now there are 14 ideas in total to get you in the holiday spirit. Hopefully the first installment was an enjoyable read, and this one will jingle your bells, too - see what I did there?



Download a Festive Background for Your Phone.

I was reading Wish Wish Wish the other day for the first time in weeks and saw that Carrie had uploaded these super cute Christmas phone backgrounds. I downloaded one straight away and I love it - so simple but so special. And it's free! There's an iPhone one and the iPhone Plus one fits my Samsung Galaxy S7, just FYI.

Burn A Christmas Candle.

I got out my number one bae of a candle (John Lewis Winter Spice) out the other day to burn while watching Christmas Films and have had it going since. The cosy glow and lovely smells of Christmas candles are so wonderful. Some of my other top picks include Yankee Candle Red Apple Wreath, Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie and Yankee Candle Candy Cane Lane. 

Bake Some Christmassy Treats.

If you find the time - and I appreciate that you might not have loads spare - then I'd definitely suggest getting into the kitchen and baking something seasonal and delightful be it gingerbread or sugar cookies or cupcakes. It's lots of fun, a good way to take a breather and you can eat the rewards- it's win/win isn't it? Here's some recipes to get you inspired.

Head To A Local Garden Centre.

Garden centres are always places I like being in but at Christmas they really are something else.  They always have cool decorations and displays and twinkly lights and things like that. Spend an hour or so at one near you and take your time looking at everything- and yes, it's totally OK to leave with a few new decorations, I fully support this.

Go To A Heritage Property.

 Two I'd recommend are the Victorian Christmas at my favourite, Charlecote Park, and then the theme decorations at Chatsworth, this year they are based on The Nutcracker, which you can see snippets of in this post (although tickets are more expensive for the latter, it is worth it 100%).

Buy Mince Pies.

Buy a box of mince pies next time you're in the supermarket and consider eating the whole box in one go. Seriously, even just seeing the box is like a little hit of festive cheer. And if you don't like mince pies, there are plenty of other festive foods to treat yourself to instead.

Watch Comedy Christmas Specials.

Keep an eye out for your favourite comedy Christmas specials on GOLD, online and in your DVD collection and any time you're stuck for something to watch, put one of those on and laugh yourself silly. You can find a list of my recommendations here.

Thank you ever such a lot for reading.

What are your favourite things to do in the run up to Christmas? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed the post.

Have a spectacular day!

GingerSnaps xxx



I've Been Thinking... - Lovely Little Things From This Week

Hi!!!

I thought that it would be nice to keep things simple and just share some things with you from this week. The tiniest little things that I'm grateful for. I've got a busy weekend, and then a busy week ahead of me, and so I wanted to stop and take stock of things as they are before I jump head first into all of those things.



Our garden is in that lovely September space, where there are still flowers everywhere but also seasonal changes like some plants coming to the end of flowering and so on. I love being out in the garden and it's a real experience at the moment.



Having lunch at Bella Italia on Wednesday with two of my favourites people - Elf Girl and one our friends. It was so great to catch up with them both, spend time together and eat great Italian food.

 

When choosing my fragrance for Wednesday, I decided to use my Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir, which I hadn't used in a million years. I'd forgotten how much I like it - it's a gorgeous scent (its a bit strong when you first put it on but then it settles) and it lasts for such a long time.

This quiz was a lot of fun to do. I got all 16 right, so take it and let me know if your in my 100% club(aka the best club to be in).

Watching television in bed on a weekday morning because I had time off.
 

The vase of pink and cream flowers on the coffee table. They're just so pretty!

 

 Sitting down in front of some of my favourite TV shows with chocolate digestive and a big cup of tea. Would you guys like me to share some of my television favourites in the future?

 



Thanks for joining me today, I hope you enjoyed reading this and getting a little insight into my week.
What have you been up to this week? What are your plans for the weekend? Do you have any other comments or suggestions for future posts? Be sure to let me know in the comments section below.
Enjoy your evening, my little gemstones.

 

I hope your day is as wonderful as you!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

I've Been Thinking... - I Love Spring!

Hi!!!

Good afternoon, everyone. I hope you've all been having a lovely week so far and that you're making the most of your weekend. Today's post features some musings on Spring, because what would the seasons be without me rambling to you about the things that make them special?

I love seeing the blossom on the trees, the flowers on the Magnolia trees, the vivid purple crocus buds appearing in the grass, the blue skies and sunshine and fluffy clouds. And the daffodils. I love daffodils - they are such sunny and happy flowers. Everything seems fresh and new and I love that about Spring.

We went to Hay-on-Wye the other day and our drive was rather scenic - lots of pretty country lanes and the like. The flowers, the lambs in the fields, the fact that I could eat an ice-cream outside without being freezing cold - it was just wonderful.

So make the most of Spring. Drive on the more 'scenic routes', even if it's just to the garden centre or the shops, and look at all the beautiful things. Go for a walk in your local park in the April sunshine and soak in all the loveliness. Spend time out in the garden, prepare it for the arrival of all the flowers and leaves. Eat the Easter chocolate that is still kicking around the house (if you have any left that is!). Enjoy it.

I hope you enjoyed hearing my thoughts about Spring, and also that you've been making the most of it all. 

What is your favourite thing about Spring? What are your plans for the next few weeks? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments! 

Thanks for reading.

Have the most beautiful sunshine filled day!

GingerSnaps xxx

I've Been Thinking... - "Chelsea, Chelsea I Believe..."

Hi!!!

How are you lovely people? I wanted to talk to you today about all things flowers, plants and gardening - bit of a new one for me!

So, this week is the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

If you don't know what kind of things go on at Chelsea, then head on over (HERE) for some information. In short, it is a giant, annual flower/garden event. Designers and their teams create gorgeous gardens, those who grow plants and flowers show off their works, all the while competing to win awards. Oh, and celebrities and members of the public can all go and view them (if they own tickets booked highly in advance).

I have been watching the daily highlight shows on the BBC throughout the week and so far, I have been amazed by just how high the standard is this year. Lots of the gardens are very up my street and I love seeing the variations of flowers in the pavilion.

I thought that I might include a list of favourites from the show so far (in no particular order)...

• The M&G Show Garden designed by Cleve West, (HERE).
• RBC Waterscape Garden by Hugo Bugg, (HERE).
• Togenkyo – A Paradise on Earth by Kazuyuki Ishihara, (HERE).
• The DialAFlight Potter’s Garden by Nature Redesigned, (HERE).
• The Birmingham City Council garden (no name found), (HERE).
• Vital Earth, The Night Sky Garden, by Harry and David Rich, (HERE).

Some of those are really stunning so do have a butchers.

There is also a link to the Great Pavilion flower/plant exhibitors, (HERE).

I would very much like to congratulate everyone involved with the Flower Show this year for their wonderful works and creations.

I also hope everyone who attends the show this year (including my Auntie S and my Nan) enjoys themselves thoroughly.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and the lovers of all things horticultural have enjoyed this. Do have a look at all the links, some of them are crackers.

Have you been following the Chelsea Flower Show? What are your favourites? Are you going/have you been to the show? Did you enjoy this post? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? As always, you can tell me in the comments and have a chat with me.

Thank you very much for reading, see you soon!

Have an utterly fabulous day!

GingerSnaps xxx