Bluebells, cooking and writing...

The bluebells are out in force now. It's always such a joy to see them and smell them. This photo was taken in Highwoods on our walk this morning.

My guests decided they wanted dinner tonight so I've made the dessert (banana cheesecake) for them, and some olive bread for myself. Now I get a little writing time before having my dinner and then making the guests' main dish and the starter.

This year I've been feeling very creative, and wanting to share my writing with a wider audience. I'm entering competitions and sending work in to a wonderful literary magazine I began subscribing to earlier this year. The first copy I got was their 100th edition, which felt very special. I'm finding it very freeing, writing in my 40s. When I was in my 20s and 30s I wasn't brave enough to enter competitions or share my work with many people, but now I am happy to do that. I've got three potential competitions to enter by 30th April, if I get the time to write. I'm also working on a challenge piece for the monthly writing group I go to.

My garden is sadly neglected but hopefully I'll get a few hours out there over the next few weeks, tiding up the flower beds and cutting back brambles.