A WHOLESOME VLOG | GARDEN UPGRADES, JOBS IN MARCH, HOMEMADE GRANOLA & WOODLAND TOUR | Lydia Millen - video Dailymotion

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A WHOLESOME VLOG | DIY GARDEN UPGRADES & JOBS IN MARCH, HOME-MADE GRANOLA & A WOODLAND TOUR   AD - This video is not sponsored All links below are affiliate links  LYDIA ELISE MILLEN PO BOX 7820 TOWCESTER NN12 9BU ___________________________________________________________________  SUBSCRIBE - https://www.youtube.com/user/lydiamillen BLOG - https://www.lydiaelisemillen.com INSTAGRAM - https://instagram.com/lydiamillen TIKTOK - https://www.tiktok.com/@lydiamillen  SIGN UP TO MY NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE NEWS AND OFFERS - https://www.lydiaelisemillen.com SHOP MY AMAZON FAVOURITES - https://amzlink.to/az0Z0wACEiWYP  ___________________________________________________________________ FEATURED PRODUCTS MINI SCISSORS - https://amzlink.to/az0jR8Le2aI7k OVAL CLOCHE  - https://amzlink.to/az0DyhH0LdODE SOIL MOISTURE METER - https://amzlink.to/az0Dwpfsqfxy0 SODA STREAM - https://amzlink.to/az035K8XuRahK  SODA STREAM GAS CANISTER - https://amzlink.to/az0xhSfcr9P5e THERMOMIX - https://www.thermomix.com  CLAVERTON CLOCHES - https://www.clavertoncloches.com  ARDEN 8 HOUR - From 8th February until 31st March, Elizabeth Arden will donate £5.00 from every Eight Hour® Cream Skin Protectant sold to the King’s Trust Change A Girls Life Campaign - https://www.elizabetharden.co.uk/products/eight-hour-cream-skin-protectant?srsltid=AfmBOor4MWlzNDqaDfpa3M37Oti7f8rGEBXtPzJT1vGwenxqc9qOHkqW  COTTON GLOVES - https://amzlink.to/az05nox7YXo90  ___________________________________________________________________ WHAT I'M WEARING OUTFIT ONE -  BROWN JEANS - https://www.stylink.it/6qnjue2pvm  SHIRT - https://www.beaufortandblake.com/products/beauchamp-white-oxford-shirt HALF CABLE ZIP - https://c.klarna.com/al/Ax7o/  PEARL EARRINGS - https://bit.ly/3tKyRsl   OUTFIT TWO -  CABLE CARDIGAN - https://rstyle.me/+BH50MInf9v04U6aB6Ht7mA  SHIRT - SOLD OUT BROWN JEANS - https://www.stylink.it/6qnjue2pvm  COAT - https://c.klarna.com/al/C61H/   OUTFIT THREE -  JUMPER - https://rstyle.me/+KmHyy8LMkS6cY7Np7YRW2A  GILET - https://c.klarna.com/al/C61o/  BARBOUR - https://c.klarna.com/al/Bpod/  OUTFIT THREE -  CABLE CARDIGAN - https://rstyle.me/+BH50MInf9v04U6aB6Ht7mA  KHAKI SHIRT - https://www.beaufortandblake.com/collections/womens-shirts/products/bibury-green-flannel-shirt  LONG CARDIGAN - https://rstyle.me/+dAj9PDUaZ20EJxJlQbiRmg   OUTFIT FOUR -  PYJAMAS - https://amzlink.to/az0kQR9bj9BWb   ___ MUSIC   The music in my videos is from both Epidemic Sound, a royalty free music sharing site which you have to pay a monthly fee to be able to access, Or Music Bed https://mscbd.fm/lydmln    __________________________

Transcript

00:00:00Well that is a beautiful sight to come downstairs to, my goodness me.

00:00:09We've got lard on the spuds today.

00:00:13I'm surprised you didn't try what James got us.

00:00:17We're about to make the cauliflower cheese.

00:00:19Well this is looking spectacular and we have pure sunshine in the garden today.

00:00:27It is so glorious.

00:00:29Are you coming into the greenhouse?

00:00:31Come on Tati.

00:00:33We're going into the greenhouse, good girl.

00:00:36We have another little Mill and Gordon bee out in the sunshine, searching for flowers in my greenhouse.

00:00:43Good morning everyone.

00:00:46What a weekend we have had.

00:00:49It is March now, we're on the second day of March.

00:00:52I didn't film yesterday, I just spent the day pottering and also going to the stables to ride atlas.

00:00:59We had the loveliest little hack in the countryside.

00:01:03If I can put in any shots that we got I will.

00:01:05But in all honesty I left my camera at home and just took my phone and it was just wonderful.

00:01:11Today is Sunday though, a day of rest.

00:01:14However if you're anything like us it's a day of fulfilment and enrichment in your home, in your garden and especially when it's sunny like this.

00:01:23It's also a no makeup day because my skin has not seen sunshine like this in a very very long time.

00:01:30And so I have gone foundation free, not makeup free, foundation free.

00:01:35So that I can just let my skin get a little bit of sunlight on it because we're going to be doing some jobs in the garden today.

00:01:41But also I thought I'd take you around and show you what's been happening and what's new and what's coming up.

00:01:47And just hopefully so that when you're out and about you might be able to enjoy spotting a few things.

00:01:52I know lots of you are evergreen hearts through and through.

00:01:56But it's just such an exciting time of year.

00:02:00March feels very special.

00:02:03I don't think I've truly ever appreciated how special March is as a month.

00:02:08Until I've seen everyone like posting online about how they've made it through the dark months.

00:02:13And I think it's such a strange sense when you like get through to March.

00:02:19Because I, like I said, I really worked hard to find as much fulfilment in the season that we just went through midwinter.

00:02:27So that I'm not sad or so that it's not highlighted that I felt sad during those times.

00:02:34But what I have noticed is that it always feels a little bit like you take a big breath out.

00:02:40It's almost like you've been holding your breath.

00:02:43And it just feels like a, almost like a sense of release.

00:02:47Nature is literally everywhere.

00:02:50Like everywhere I look.

00:02:52The other morning, in fact I will insert some footage of that.

00:02:55The other morning there was a whole herd of deer in the farmer's field.

00:03:00And they were all travelling together.

00:03:03Really big herd as well.

00:03:05And it was just, it was this bizarre thing when I woke up.

00:03:07And I thought I'm just going to go and walk and look over the farmer's field.

00:03:09Because I find it very, very calming.

00:03:11And there they were.

00:03:12And I couldn't believe it.

00:03:14The chickens are out and about.

00:03:15The buzzards are out and about.

00:03:16So we have to be careful.

00:03:17There is obviously nature getting into my greenhouse.

00:03:20We've had the milling board bees in here.

00:03:22And obviously we had the first few mouse attacks.

00:03:25But I think we've reached a good place with it.

00:03:28And we've just, basically there's a little gap underneath my door.

00:03:31And they're getting in that way.

00:03:33And it's all a bit too tempting for little mousies.

00:03:36When there are fresh seeds in the soil.

00:03:39Fresh shoots.

00:03:40And so we've just put a little bit of wood across.

00:03:43And made sure that we've put some food out for the mice.

00:03:46So that they're not losing any kind of food source.

00:03:49I've been busy in the greenhouse as well.

00:03:52I sowed a lot of seeds last week.

00:03:54So I've done cucumber Socrates.

00:03:57Cucumber Emily.

00:03:58And cucumber Louisa.

00:04:01I've done radish French breakfast.

00:04:03I've done pumpkin polar bear.

00:04:05And sweet corn moonshine.

00:04:09And I'll show you what's happening on the table behind me as well.

00:04:13So these are sweet peas that have been hardened off into the greenhouse now.

00:04:18I'm going to give them their third water.

00:04:20I'm so, so nervous.

00:04:22I'm going to give them a little mist I think.

00:04:24Because watering these sweet peas has been a real labour of love.

00:04:30These are also my other sweet peas.

00:04:32That I popped into pots just because they were left over.

00:04:37And I have just given them a water as well.

00:04:39So now I'm very nervous.

00:04:41Because as you can see I think maybe this one got a little bit dry.

00:04:46Because I'm so nervous to water them.

00:04:48Honestly.

00:04:49We have the surviving broad beans from the mouse attack.

00:04:53That should be going out fairly soon to be honest.

00:04:56Then we have some lettuce.

00:04:57Again this survived the mouse attack.

00:04:59So I'm just trying to prop the ones over that were smushed by the mouse.

00:05:05I have also planted some cup and saucer plants.

00:05:08If you remember one of our neighbours gave us two plants.

00:05:10Either a year or two years ago that we had climbing up our house.

00:05:15And I wanted to try my own attempt at this.

00:05:18Now I'm not very good with flowers.

00:05:19Flowers aren't my jam as much as I love them.

00:05:22It's not something that I've been looking into too much.

00:05:25I really enjoy vegetables.

00:05:27But I think flowers will be something that I naturally progress into.

00:05:31As I feel like I get on top of things here in the greenhouse.

00:05:34Evidently.

00:05:35Because I can't believe I've never seen a freesia before.

00:05:37I mean I probably have seen freesias before.

00:05:39But had never acknowledged that freesias look like big bluebells.

00:05:42I had no idea.

00:05:43Because it's such a flower that I love the scent of.

00:05:46In like perfumery and things like that.

00:05:48But I had no idea.

00:05:50And so flowers is definitely something I think I will learn a little bit more about over the coming months.

00:05:55So cup and saucer plants.

00:05:56I've done five in here and then two in here.

00:05:59These seeds had to be soaked for two hours.

00:06:01So I've now popped them in.

00:06:03I've done another cucumber and a cucumber telegraph as well.

00:06:06So these are in here.

00:06:08On this one I'm going to be growing my own herbs as well.

00:06:12So I'm going to do.

00:06:14I've got some dill.

00:06:15Some basil.

00:06:16Lemon basil.

00:06:17Normal basil.

00:06:18I've got parsley.

00:06:19I've got tomato sun gold.

00:06:21Which is more tomato sun gold.

00:06:23And I've got my mange too in as well.

00:06:25So those are all things that have gone in.

00:06:27I feel like.

00:06:28Even though I started in January.

00:06:29I feel like February.

00:06:30I didn't sow enough.

00:06:31I was a little bit subdued in February.

00:06:33But anyway.

00:06:34More micro greens as well.

00:06:35We've got wheat grass, alfalfa and pea shoots.

00:06:38Those are the ones that I really love.

00:06:40My little tomatoes.

00:06:41They're coming in hot.

00:06:43I sowed these in January.

00:06:44I can't believe the seeds have survived.

00:06:47But they are now.

00:06:49You can see all these little bits of purple.

00:06:51Just sprouting up there.

00:06:53These ones are coming in really really well.

00:06:55But that is for the moment how things are going in here.

00:06:58This plant here is an old hello petal plant.

00:07:02That I planted last year.

00:07:04That I have been pruning over the winter.

00:07:06And I've just given it a big prune back as well.

00:07:08To encourage more flowers.

00:07:10And it's looking so lovely.

00:07:12These are such a happy.

00:07:13Oh sorry.

00:07:14These are violas.

00:07:15Sorry.

00:07:16But they are such a happy flower.

00:07:18I just love them.

00:07:20They're perfect for like pressed flowers.

00:07:22And things like that.

00:07:23So very.

00:07:24Oh my god.

00:07:25They're making me so happy.

00:07:26So Ali is cooking a roast today.

00:07:28And he's cooking the roast with the pork shoulder.

00:07:31That his boss gave us last week.

00:07:34So he's been preparing all of the roast now.

00:07:36And that's going to be four hours in the oven.

00:07:38Well it's going to be a few hours I believe.

00:07:41Yeah.

00:07:42I'm not 100% sure.

00:07:43Okay.

00:07:44A few hours.

00:07:45It's going to be the first time I've done pork.

00:07:49Well what we thought we'd do.

00:07:51Because it's going to be a few hours.

00:07:52Is have bacon sandwiches.

00:07:54And I made sourdough yesterday.

00:07:56Now it's not the best.

00:07:57This was the first one that I made on my own.

00:08:00And I made a few errors along the way.

00:08:03But it's still come out very very well.

00:08:05I just need to practice more.

00:08:07Practice, practice, practice.

00:08:08It didn't rise as much as I would have liked to.

00:08:10But I think that's because my oven wasn't hot enough when I put it in.

00:08:14I was a bit sort of like panicked.

00:08:15So lots of valuable lessons that I've noted down on my notes from Charlie.

00:08:19Just so that I remind myself.

00:08:21So that next time I should be better.

00:08:23And I'm going to make one as soon as my bread flour arrives.

00:08:26Because I've just ordered a load of bread flour.

00:08:28Which is actually a local company as well.

00:08:30Called Haygates.

00:08:32It's where Ali used to live.

00:08:33Bugbrook?

00:08:34Bugbrook?

00:08:35Bugbrook.

00:08:36Yeah.

00:08:37And I loved the packaging.

00:08:38And I loved that we were able to use a bit of produce that was like local.

00:08:43So I'm going to get this bread cut up.

00:08:45I knew this wouldn't last very long.

00:08:47And we're going to have bacon sandwiches.

00:08:50Very very posh bacon sandwiches today.

00:09:13Yes lovely day.

00:09:23Lovely day.

00:09:25Whilst the bacon sizzles.

00:09:26Ali has come down in his gardening outfit today.

00:09:28And I'm actually jealous.

00:09:30This is such a vibe.

00:09:32You actually look like you work at Burford Garden Centre.

00:09:35Not just any garden centre.

00:09:37Not just any garden centre.

00:09:39Very nice.

00:09:40You've got Holland Cooper Gillet on.

00:09:41This is the one that comes with the Stamford coat.

00:09:43Correct.

00:09:44Yeah.

00:09:45It's one of my favourites as well.

00:09:46I love it.

00:09:47So it's got that slightly like water repellent nature.

00:09:49Yeah.

00:09:50So we can do a bit of jet washing today.

00:09:51And I've got a t-shirt from Again and Again Fashion.

00:09:54Which is a sustainable fashion brand.

00:09:56Yeah.

00:09:57And then this is a Holland Cooper brown belt.

00:09:59Lovely.

00:10:00With a HD detailing.

00:10:01I love that colour.

00:10:02Yeah it's nice.

00:10:03Nice chocolate brown.

00:10:04And then these are the Field Pro.

00:10:06You'll have to tell me what these are called.

00:10:09They're called something like Fife of Fife.

00:10:11Oh.

00:10:12Hogs of Fife.

00:10:13Hogs of Fife.

00:10:16Yeah.

00:10:17Hogs of Fife.

00:10:18Hogs of Fife.

00:10:19Which are also going to be great for jet washing.

00:10:23Yes.

00:10:24They're like a moleskin aren't they?

00:10:25No.

00:10:26I have got some moleskins once.

00:10:27Oh.

00:10:28These are actually more of like a technical fabric.

00:10:30Ah.

00:10:31I think they might even be waterproof.

00:10:34They're definitely waterproof.

00:10:35You know what that feels like?

00:10:36Husband material.

00:10:38You like that one?

00:10:40Yeah.

00:10:41Yeah that's it.

00:10:42And then I'll stick on my Dana work boots.

00:10:45Lovely.

00:10:46Because you are getting the terrace ready for me.

00:10:49Putting the cushions out.

00:10:50We are getting into, to be fair, I'm not going to lie, if the cushions were out right now

00:10:56we could have sat and had our bacon fatties on them.

00:10:58We could have done.

00:10:59Which isn't the case.

00:11:00Which I think means we should have the doors open today because it is spicy.

00:11:05We've got some sizzling bacon in the oven.

00:11:11Little Ali Titchmarsh invention there.

00:11:13Foil underneath.

00:11:14Catching it?

00:11:15Yeah.

00:11:16What do you mean?

00:11:17I've never seen anyone do that before.

00:11:18I've put a little barrier as well so it can't run off.

00:11:21Yeah.

00:11:22Very smart.

00:11:23You okay Marky?

00:11:24Right.

00:11:25Let's get those butty buns.

00:11:29You okay Marky?

00:11:31You've had a very very exciting weekend with your girlfriend.

00:11:36Haven't you?

00:11:49So one thing I didn't realise is that the only thing that might be not okay is the herb extracts.

00:11:58What is that?

00:11:59What is that?

00:12:00I didn't know that tomato ketchup had such good ingredients but it's just the herb extract that I'm not sure about.

00:12:07But it's just tomatoes, spirit vinegar, sugar, salt, spice and herb extract and more spice.

00:12:15Interesting.

00:12:16You'll have to correct me if that is UPF or not.

00:12:20Fuel for the garden.

00:12:25Is there anything more wonderful than this site?

00:12:28We've got Yorkshire puds on the stove and a cauliflower cheese ready to go.

00:12:33We've got the potatoes ready to go.

00:12:36The carrots ready to go.

00:12:39And now we're going to head out into the garden because our point of call today is to clean up the terrace.

00:12:47So as you'll see we get a lot of chicken poo on our terrace.

00:12:51This is lessons from having chickens for the first time.

00:12:55What we would do is probably section them off a bit more from the main garden because they like to come up here and hang out.

00:13:03But where they hang out it means toilet time.

00:13:06So we're going to give this a leaf blow and a jet wash and Ali's going to do all of the furniture as well.

00:13:13As you can see in the beds our bulbs are coming up thick and fast.

00:13:20So many beautiful bulbs coming up all over the house.

00:13:25Little Barkie in your background.

00:13:32Straw from the stables.

00:13:36Now whilst Ali does the first jobs, just picking up bits and pieces, giving it a quick clear on its surface level.

00:13:49I thought I could show you what I've ordered from Amazon because last year one of my biggest issues was the chickens in my beds.

00:13:57And Ali bought me these chicken wire runs to go in the beds and they worked really really well.

00:14:03Now because there's going to be lots of seeds going in, I'm going to need a few to protect them.

00:14:09So I've ordered myself another four because even today I want to get some carrots and some parsnips sown in the beds.

00:14:17Porter. Porter.

00:14:19He's sneaking up to the chickens.

00:14:21You're not having a pair of teeth.

00:14:23A moose boosh.

00:14:26Sometimes Porter just likes to waddle off to the chicken coop and help himself to a little Mr. Whippy of chicken poo.

00:14:33Honestly I don't realise how often I mention poo in my videos.

00:14:38It's a good job I don't have any children.

00:14:40You know those mums that always tell them about their children's poo and things like that.

00:14:44It's a good job I don't have kids.

00:14:46You'd know all about it.

00:14:48Oh I also ordered these very cute scissors.

00:14:51I think Amazon has such great beautiful gardening equipment on there as well.

00:14:56And these scissors are almost like a sort of ironmongery wrought iron pair of scissors which are just good to have on hand.

00:15:04So I have them hanging in my greenhouse because you're always needing to snip things, open things, shear, trim, prune.

00:15:12And just having something quick and easy to get a hold of is very very handy.

00:15:17And even handier now that I'm getting into this box because I don't have to tackle with it.

00:15:22So if you suffer with things like bunny rabbits or deer eating your seedlings, these things could be really good for your raised beds.

00:15:37Now they're not the most beautiful of things but they are durable and easy to use and easy to set up.

00:15:47So this is what they look like.

00:15:51Sort of like little runs and you pop them over your seedlings and they just protect them.

00:15:58It shows you there, I'm going to get them in one of the beds in a bit so I'll show you how they work.

00:16:02But they are called the Oval Cloche from the Modern Farmhouse Home and Garden.

00:16:07And it's really good as well because you can use them two ways.

00:16:11So you can use them to protect trees and bigger shrubs.

00:16:16If you put them on their end like this, you can create a really big cloche.

00:16:21So even for more established plants if you need to protect them, these work so well.

00:16:26And they have these little hooks that you stake into the ground.

00:16:29Very very handy, I must say.

00:16:32So the jet wash is plugged in into the outdoor kitchen which is looking very very lovely and silvering up beautifully.

00:16:39Now we always have to put Porter away for the jet wash because Porter hates the jet wash.

00:16:44In fact, Porter hates many things.

00:16:46You know that clip of Hugh Grant where he's going, I hate people with backpacks, I hate people with backpacks on their fronts?

00:16:52Porter is Hugh Grant.

00:16:55You hate everything. You hate caps, you hate backpacks, you hate hoods up, you hate long poles, you hate the jet wash, you hate bedtime, you hate dog walks.

00:17:06You hate everything. Where's Barkie? Barkie will be nonchalantly somewhere sleeping.

00:17:11Most likely.

00:17:13The other woman in our relationship is present.

00:17:16This is the jet washer. This is Ali's pride and joy.

00:17:19If you're ever wondering what to get a man for a gift, this is definitely it.

00:17:25Because they absolutely love it.

00:17:27So he's just going to be giving the patio a once over with his favourite.

00:17:36This is the most satisfying thing to watch.

00:17:53Ali has removed all of the side tables and chairs onto the lawn.

00:17:58And we're going to give the Oxenwood table a spruce up.

00:18:03Now we spent more than we ever imagined we would spend on garden furniture for these Oxenwood pieces.

00:18:10But it was because, in all honesty, you can get covers for them, you can take care of them and this, that and the other, but they're robust.

00:18:17And just like I don't cover over my solid oak raised beds or the lighting or jimmy clips, we don't cover over this either.

00:18:26We wanted this to be something that weathered and was a constant and looked beautiful in the garden even when we're in winter.

00:18:32So we keep them out and we keep them on show because the inside and the outside is such a huge part of this house.

00:18:39It's what makes it so unique. It's why there's all of this glass at the back of our property.

00:18:44So we went for these.

00:18:46But it is time that they had a little bit of TLC ready for the entertaining season.

00:18:50So he's going to give that a clean as well.

00:18:53This is what the protection cages look like in the beds.

00:18:57Now I wish that they did a middle part that you could buy as an add-on because I could definitely take an entire section in the middle.

00:19:06And so I'll have to use my initiative because if we had another little central piece there, I'd be laughing.

00:19:14But chives are coming through really nicely at the moment and ready for lots of eggs on toast throughout the season.

00:19:24How satisfying is this?

00:19:28You can see the dirty side of the patio and the perfectly clean side.

00:19:41What a glorious sight.

00:19:43We have the first blooms on the European plum tree in our garden.

00:19:48And the honey bees are all over it.

00:19:53Just so gorgeous.

00:19:55I actually might cry. I want to go and look even closer.

00:19:58I just honestly cannot get enough of how beautiful this is.

00:20:02If I was going to get married again, I think I would want this type of blossom as my main flowers.

00:20:08It just looks so bridal and so beautiful.

00:20:15I wish I could put into words how wonderful this is.

00:20:20I'm also seeing the bees just humming from each flower to flower and knowing that we're probably going to be tasting that later on in the year.

00:20:29Well, I thought whilst Ali was doing his business on the patio, he's not doing his business, he is working on the patio,

00:20:37I'd take you for a little walk down Honey Bee Walk because the snowdrops are out in full force now and it is quite the spectacle.

00:20:47I think they are almost on the sort of end of their final bloom.

00:20:55And just these little spatterings of bluebells everywhere makes me so happy.

00:21:01And it is such a gorgeously quiet day in the woodland today.

00:21:05All you can hear is the woods and the sound of the jet washer.

00:21:08The birds are tweeting and I thought we could see what activity we've got at the hive

00:21:14because there seems to be a lot of activity going on.

00:21:29This is mine and Bluebell's equivalent of having a cup of tea together.

00:21:33She comes to my greenhouse and I give her a little saucer of water.

00:21:37This has become a bit of a ritual with us.

00:21:40She's so sweet, she's kind of like the soft one, the little odd one out.

00:21:48Isn't that nice? Good girl.

00:21:53Good girl.

00:21:57And then we have the little hooligan in the rough.

00:22:02What can you smell, Portoline? What can you smell?

00:22:06Ali is now using the jet wash to clean my stable boots.

00:22:15The patio has been jet washed and it is looking fantastic.

00:22:19But as with everything, these things take far longer than we ever imagine.

00:22:27OK, we're about to plant up this little planter.

00:22:31Now, isn't that a wonderful view?

00:22:35So this is the planter that was left over and I'm planning on trying to get

00:22:40two, maybe three and a half of these Blue Muscari.

00:22:46Actually, the colour is Blue Magic, so it's a little bit whiter.

00:22:50Mr Milling Gordon is still going strong.

00:22:53It is one of those days where you completely underestimate how long things take

00:22:57and he's also not someone that does any job by halves.

00:23:00The potting table is looking extra busy as well.

00:23:04I have been throwing in little bits and pieces more, done some salads

00:23:08and I'm going to get this seed tray ready as well,

00:23:12even though we've got still three runs there that are good.

00:23:15I've also popped in my first sowing of carrots and parsnips,

00:23:21which I'll just show you quickly.

00:23:23They are all under here and protected.

00:23:29So hopefully no chickens will cause any problems.

00:23:33So I have actually already put some gravel in the bottom.

00:23:37I'm going to add some soil and then just hopefully plop these in.

00:23:48Now, I don't want to lose too much of the moss, so I'm going to try and...

00:23:54Goodness me, these are loosely planted, you know.

00:23:59Gosh.

00:24:03Well, they're nice and loosely planted, that's for sure.

00:24:06So we can kind of break them up a little bit.

00:24:10Get number two in here.

00:24:18I reckon we can fit all three, but that makes me sad

00:24:21because I want to get, like, more in.

00:24:25I mean, I want to get more use out of the other ones.

00:24:29But I think it's going to take all three.

00:24:33Final one.

00:24:38Squidge it in.

00:24:42Do you know what? I'm going to take a few of these bulbs out and I'm going to replant them.

00:24:47I don't care.

00:24:51I tell you what, I think this will look lovely on the table rather than the little coffee table.

00:25:05It's looking lovely.

00:25:07Can I carry this? Oh my gosh, so heavy.

00:25:12I'm hot.

00:25:13At this stage, Ali has well and truly got carried away.

00:25:16He is now cleaning all of the furniture.

00:25:18But I'm about to sow two different types of salad.

00:25:21First, corn salad.

00:25:23And then another one, which I will have to grab the packet to tell you.

00:25:27But I want to do regular sowings of salad because I eat so much salad in spring, summer

00:25:31that I think just getting a regular sort of succession sow of salads will be very, very, very helpful for me.

00:25:40And I can't speak.

00:25:42The other salad that I'm sowing is lettuce, lovage oits, green cobs.

00:25:53A versatile and reliable crisp part for spring and autumn sowing.

00:25:59Perfect.

00:26:02And tuck them in tightly with this bad boy.

00:26:20You can tell it's started to chill off.

00:26:22It's what they say about this time of year.

00:26:24It's summer in the sunshine and winter in the shade.

00:26:27And that is why I have probably changed about three times today.

00:26:31Because one minute I'm too hot, one minute I'm too cold.

00:26:34But the one thing I've had to get very good at is tidying up after myself in my greenhouse.

00:26:41So putting my tools away.

00:26:44And whilst I have a rare moment of Ali not jet washing, it brings me great joy to bring you in here.

00:26:53So I've collected up old slate tags that I used to use.

00:26:59Pop them in here like so.

00:27:02They can go up there for now.

00:27:04These are the extra pins for the cages.

00:27:08So I'm going to pop these up here with my utensils.

00:27:12Pop a little thing up there.

00:27:15Put these away.

00:27:17And I think whilst Ali is in the kitchen finishing off his roast, we can go for a little walk through the woodland.

00:27:24I did try to take you earlier but I think the sounds of Mr Mull and Gordon jet washing the patio were killing the vibe.

00:27:30So we're going to try again.

00:27:32Now this is one of the methods that we're using to stop the mices.

00:27:37This just blocks off the gap at the bottom of my greenhouse perfectly.

00:27:41But we do still have a humane mouse trap just there.

00:27:46Although it probably should be facing this way I think to really entice him in.

00:27:51So we are shutting up the greenhouse.

00:27:53The chickens are in their coop.

00:27:57And I think it's a wonderful opportunity for a little stroll down Honey Bee Walk to see what the bees have been doing on this wonderful spring day.

00:28:07I love this walk so much.

00:28:10Look how beautiful this is with the ivy that's grown over the logs that we've reused.

00:28:16It just creates these really beautiful borders to the walkway.

00:28:21And then you've got the snowdrops coming through.

00:28:24All of the moss out here is quite something.

00:28:27I need to come and forage some of this moss.

00:28:30I never like to move anything because I just think of all of the animals living in it which is silly.

00:28:35But it just creates the most beautiful little wild space.

00:28:42And it is just so quiet.

00:28:46It is unbelievable.

00:28:47In the mornings I love to come down here with my coffee or a cup of tea.

00:28:53And just to see how things are coming along.

00:28:57And then we come down to our beehives.

00:29:00And my goodness me.

00:29:02I wonder if this might be too cold for them now.

00:29:05They were all buzzing around here earlier.

00:29:07But I think it's time to head inside for a well earned Sunday roast.

00:29:11Because we have only got a few left of the season.

00:29:14And I intend on making the most of them.

00:29:18This is what dreams are made of.

00:29:20Not only have we worked hard in the garden.

00:29:23But coming inside to the loveliest roast.

00:29:30I cannot wait.

00:29:32Also I would say that I think that this is my favourite season.

00:29:36I say this every time.

00:29:37But temperature wise it's so good.

00:29:40Because you can be outside all day in the garden.

00:29:43It can be a little bit warmer.

00:29:45And then you can come in and you can have a big hearty roast and sit by the fire.

00:29:49Because it's cold enough to still have a fire.

00:29:53It's not like in winter when it's too cold to even just step foot outside.

00:29:59And then in summer when it's too hot to do anything.

00:30:03Goodness me.

00:30:04This is such a treat.

00:30:07I could cry.

00:30:10How good is this?

00:30:12Now I have an extra bowl of cheese sauce from the cauliflower cheese.

00:30:18Because I love it.

00:30:20Let's get this gravy on.

00:30:24Oh yes.

00:30:31Oh my god Dorothy.

00:30:35So we have got a little cheat roast for the boys.

00:30:39It's Sunday after all isn't it?

00:30:41Oh my goodness.

00:30:42There are boars up in the air.

00:30:44There are boars up in the air.

00:30:46There are boars up in the air.

00:30:49Have they already had their dinner?

00:30:51No.

00:30:52Is this their dinner?

00:30:53Oh my goodness.

00:30:54You get your Sunday roast.

00:30:56Cauliflower cheese.

00:30:57Oh my goodness.

00:30:59Barkie loves greens.

00:31:01Barkie hates fruit and berries.

00:31:03He loves greens.

00:31:05A little Yorkshire pud.

00:31:07A bit of cauliflower cheese.

00:31:09Well the sauce.

00:31:11Portie takes a little bit longer with his food.

00:31:14He's a little bit more dignified.

00:31:16Is that nice Porteline?

00:31:18I think Ali is at that stage of the job where he's like why did I start doing this?

00:31:23Because the sun is setting and he is still out there dirt washing the furniture.

00:31:29But I have a little order that has arrived.

00:31:31And so I thought we'd open it together.

00:31:33Because you know how I love to open up an order.

00:31:36This is a little Amazon one.

00:31:38And this is something that I think is going to help me a lot.

00:31:42Especially with my lemon trees.

00:31:43This is a soil moisture meter.

00:31:45And I decided to get one of these.

00:31:47Because it means I can put it into the soil.

00:31:49And it can tell me exactly what they need.

00:31:52And apparently it gives you like an instant reading.

00:31:54I'm going to actually go out there now and have a look.

00:31:56Because you just whack it into the soil.

00:31:59And it tells you instantly.

00:32:03I got the extra long one.

00:32:05Because you know it probably won't be so good for my little sedumies.

00:32:10But I thought that would be handy to have in my greenhouse.

00:32:13Considering I am someone that likes to water my plants.

00:32:16I think being able to test whether they actually need my love.

00:32:21Is going to be very very helpful.

00:32:23So that's in the first box.

00:32:25In the second box we have.

00:32:28Oh exciting.

00:32:30The least exciting.

00:32:32These are for my soda streams.

00:32:33If you don't know.

00:32:34Soda streams are quite literally the best thing.

00:32:38I don't know if this is going to fit in my soda stream.

00:32:40This is very big.

00:32:42But it does.

00:32:43Yeah that will fit in there.

00:32:44I have sparkling water with my wine all the time.

00:32:48And that's because I have a soda stream.

00:32:51And I just make my own soda water from the tap water.

00:32:55So I'll get Ali to fit this later.

00:32:57Another job for him to add to the list.

00:32:59I'm going to head out to my greenhouse and test drive this.

00:33:02How exciting.

00:33:04As you can see it is drying out here.

00:33:06But it is looking very very clean and tidy.

00:33:09And spick and span.

00:33:11Love my little pot up there as well.

00:33:15And Ali is just doing the last bits and bobs.

00:33:18So we're going to try this together.

00:33:21Probably one of my healthiest looking at the moment.

00:33:24There's a little bit of yellowing of leaves and that kind of thing.

00:33:27So I'm going to shove this into the soil.

00:33:29This could be very exposing.

00:33:37Oh dear.

00:33:38That's as very, that's as dry.

00:33:41Oh it is.

00:33:42Oh my gosh.

00:33:43This is my time to shine.

00:33:50I mean why didn't you just say something?

00:33:53There we go.

00:33:58Oh gosh.

00:34:00There's a spider on that one.

00:34:02Oh dear.

00:34:04You won't surprise that.

00:34:06Gosh I can't believe that I've let them get dry.

00:34:08This is so mad.

00:34:10Well it is truly lovely.

00:34:13To be up at this time with a clean patio.

00:34:18And to see the sun rising at this time.

00:34:22Oh exquisite.

00:34:266.30 and the sun is coming up.

00:34:29Spring is coming.

00:34:35It is a very animals of farthing wood type of morning.

00:34:47Look at the birds everywhere.

00:34:49And I think we are going to see the very first of the spring lambs.

00:34:54Oh look.

00:34:56Oh yeah there he is.

00:34:58You can probably just see it.

00:35:01There just sat in the middle of the field.

00:35:04Wow.

00:35:06My goodness me.

00:35:08And these are the first two lambs over here.

00:35:11Hi mama.

00:35:13Hi.

00:35:15Oh this is just the biggest treat for a Monday morning.

00:35:25There he goes.

00:35:27Now when you are heading on to public footpaths.

00:35:32Especially in lambing season.

00:35:34But just generally when the sheep are around.

00:35:37You always put your dogs on a lead.

00:35:39And they can't be extendable leads.

00:35:41They have to be short leads like this.

00:35:43Oh mama.

00:35:45Hiding under the tree.

00:35:48Just the one.

00:35:50Oh no there is more in the.

00:35:52I mean just the one mum.

00:35:54There is more in the field over there.

00:35:56The pheasants are on the run as well.

00:36:02Off they go.

00:36:04Bobbing their heads.

00:36:06Good morning from a very frosty.

00:36:08Late mid winter.

00:36:10Slash early spring.

00:36:12Walk.

00:36:14And it is full of wildlife today.

00:36:16And also livestock.

00:36:18My goodness me.

00:36:20Oh my gosh there are so many lambs.

00:36:22Look at the pheasant with them as well.

00:36:26Oh my gosh.

00:36:36It is the soundtrack that just makes me so happy.

00:36:38Their little bleats.

00:36:40They are just so pretty.

00:36:48You know what that sounds like.

00:36:50That sounds like 50 cents.

00:36:52Or 50 pence.

00:36:5450 pence as we called him.

00:36:58Where is your mummy?

00:37:00I shouldn't be allowed to go around these sheep.

00:37:04I just want to help them all.

00:37:06I have to say it is hard to be in a bad mood.

00:37:10When you are being treated.

00:37:12Like listen to that.

00:37:14Can you hear it?

00:37:16You can hear the birds of prey.

00:37:18We have had the pheasants.

00:37:20We have had the heron.

00:37:22We have had the birds of prey.

00:37:24It is a natural extravaganza.

00:37:26This morning.

00:37:28And I cannot put into words.

00:37:30My heart is like.

00:37:32These little truffle munchers.

00:37:38Just taking it all in.

00:37:40Such.

00:37:42I can't stop saying it.

00:37:44Such a glorious morning.

00:37:46Ali just said to me.

00:37:48I wonder how much these walks impact.

00:37:50Our overall health.

00:37:52And I am like.

00:37:54I probably think.

00:37:56They impact our overall health.

00:37:58Way more.

00:38:00Than other forms of exercise.

00:38:02Because we are doing.

00:38:04So many different things.

00:38:06First of all.

00:38:08We have got a little bit of cryotherapy going on.

00:38:10We have got nature.

00:38:12Which obviously impacts your mental health so much.

00:38:14And then.

00:38:16You can hear.

00:38:18This little area on my walk.

00:38:20Is my favourite.

00:38:22Because this is the bridle way.

00:38:24Of our dog walk.

00:38:26And on either side.

00:38:28You have.

00:38:30Horsemies.

00:38:32I think there is one through there.

00:38:34That is probably either waiting to go out.

00:38:36Or waiting for a hack.

00:38:38Being a very good boy or girl.

00:38:40I can't see from here.

00:38:42And it is just lovely.

00:38:44One day.

00:38:46I will have my horse at home.

00:38:48Horses.

00:38:50Because he won't be on his own.

00:38:52And I will be able to pop out on a morning hack.

00:38:54Like this.

00:38:56That is the dream.

00:38:58Well we did just miss the heron.

00:39:00Sadly.

00:39:02Obviously following us around.

00:39:04And searching for food in the field.

00:39:06But we have just.

00:39:08Breathtaking views this morning.

00:39:10It is like something.

00:39:12Out of an oil painting.

00:39:14It just gets better.

00:39:16The more you come around this little corner here.

00:39:18The view just opens up.

00:39:20And.

00:39:22Gets more and more spectacular.

00:39:24This part here.

00:39:26Is a true depiction of spring.

00:39:28Winter in the shade.

00:39:30And summer.

00:39:32In the sunlight.

00:39:34Because honestly.

00:39:36The moment you go undercover.

00:39:38You feel the temperature drop.

00:39:40It becomes so much chillier.

00:39:42I love how.

00:39:44That little moment just there.

00:39:46Is such an accurate depiction of it.

00:39:48Well I didn't capture the second time.

00:39:50We saw the heron.

00:39:52But I have managed to capture the third.

00:39:54Now I am not saying it is the same heron.

00:39:56But I like the idea.

00:39:58That he has been following us around.

00:40:00Thinking what are these people doing.

00:40:02They just keep following me.

00:40:04There is nothing quite like.

00:40:06A fresh and clean terrace.

00:40:08Look at how glorious this looks.

00:40:10The frost is thawing on the table as well.

00:40:12And.

00:40:14Ali is looking to hopefully.

00:40:16Get the willow hedging.

00:40:18In today.

00:40:20So that we can see how that is going to look.

00:40:22I think it is going to look really good here.

00:40:24I am a little bit concerned.

00:40:26About how it will look here.

00:40:28But I think because it is so low.

00:40:30And it will just keep all of the mud.

00:40:32In the beds when the chickens do get up here.

00:40:34And I definitely think it will look lovely.

00:40:36Over there as well.

00:40:38It is so nice to be out here with bare feet.

00:40:40Glorious.

00:40:42Well I cannot put into words.

00:40:44How glorious this looks.

00:40:46And I actually think.

00:40:48This is going to serve two purposes.

00:40:50Because one of the things that we had.

00:40:52Our gardener do last year.

00:40:54Was create some supports.

00:40:56Because the catmint just fell on the floor.

00:40:58Sometimes when it was raining.

00:41:00So this will actually provide a bit of support.

00:41:02And it really works with the rest of the garden.

00:41:04I think this will definitely be something.

00:41:06That will have a real impact in summer.

00:41:08When you see all of the flowers coming up over the top.

00:41:10Especially on this bed.

00:41:12But it is such a lovely addition.

00:41:14And Ali has just popped this in.

00:41:16It cost about a couple of hundred quid.

00:41:18To order all of it.

00:41:20And we needed quite a lot.

00:41:22So yes I think it is going to look really lovely.

00:41:24Especially on these ones.

00:41:26I think it is going to border this a little bit nicer as well.

00:41:28And these ones.

00:41:30I think it is just this one that is going to be interesting.

00:41:32But I think Ali will like it as well.

00:41:34I think he will like the rosemary a little bit more.

00:41:36Because Ali has often been like oh I don't like the rosemary.

00:41:38So I think it will provide it a bit of support.

00:41:40And you won't see so much of the stems.

00:41:42But yes.

00:41:44Hello puss in boots.

00:41:46Hello.

00:41:48Hello.

00:41:50I know that the crows are quite noisy.

00:41:52But it is blooming lovely.

00:41:54For it to be a Monday.

00:41:56Usually one of the busiest days.

00:41:58For people moving.

00:42:00Going places.

00:42:02Here there and everywhere.

00:42:04Going to work.

00:42:06And I just always feel like our garden is this little sanctuary.

00:42:08That is just so quiet.

00:42:10Apart from the crows.

00:42:12This is the time of year when the crows go nuts.

00:42:14This is where our relationship comes together beautifully.

00:42:16I had the vision for this.

00:42:18And Ali has the execution.

00:42:20Because it is like it always needed it there.

00:42:22It looks so good.

00:42:24It stops you from seeing the side of the patio.

00:42:26And it is so quiet.

00:42:28And it is so quiet.

00:42:30And it stops you from seeing the side of the patio.

00:42:32Which is obviously just a raw edge.

00:42:34And it just feels so much more finished.

00:42:38I love the ivy coming over the top as well.

00:42:40I think that looks really nice.

00:42:42And I think you are going to like the rosemary more.

00:42:44When it is going to be supported.

00:42:46And pushed back.

00:42:48I am over the moon.

00:42:50I am so glad that you take these things on board.

00:42:52And do them.

00:42:54And get them done.

00:42:56Whilst Ali is working away outside.

00:42:58I am going to make a double batch.

00:43:00Of my granola.

00:43:02I haven't made it in such a long time.

00:43:04And I am really craving yoghurt.

00:43:06In the mornings.

00:43:08Or something protein-y.

00:43:10And I had eggs today.

00:43:12And I am not a huge eggs in the morning type of person.

00:43:14Ali definitely is.

00:43:16So I am thinking this with some yoghurt.

00:43:18That kind of thing.

00:43:20Is going to be perfect for me.

00:43:22I can add more fruit.

00:43:24I can add whatever.

00:43:26I just basically put in whatever nuts I like.

00:43:28Whatever seeds I like.

00:43:30I also use the honey.

00:43:32From our bees.

00:43:34This is going to be the first time I am using this.

00:43:36I have used other honeys before.

00:43:38But to be able to put in our own honey is going to be special.

00:43:40I also add dates.

00:43:42Instead of raisins.

00:43:44Because I don't really like raisins or anything like that.

00:43:46So dates I really like.

00:43:48Because it feels a bit more rich and indulgent.

00:43:50And then once it is baked in the oven.

00:43:52I add rose petals.

00:43:54The delicate powderiness of the rose petals.

00:43:56Is delicious.

00:43:58But also they make it so beautiful.

00:44:00That it is like a joy.

00:44:02To have it in the morning.

00:44:04So I am going to get everything in the Thermomix.

00:44:06And get that cracking in the oven.

00:44:08This is one of those things.

00:44:10That I would say.

00:44:12Once you make.

00:44:14I think it is with everything.

00:44:16Once you make your own.

00:44:18You can just never go back.

00:44:20Because it is literally made to your perfect specification.

00:44:22So if you are like me.

00:44:24Where you need like ratios of texture and taste.

00:44:26In things.

00:44:28Then you will love making things like this.

00:44:30In your own way.

00:44:32So pre-heat oven.

00:44:34To 160.

00:44:36I have to be honest.

00:44:38I don't want to be inside today.

00:44:40But I really want to get this done.

00:44:42I am going to do a double batch.

00:44:44So it should be really lovely.

00:44:46Two large baking trays.

00:44:48And is that going to be three large baking trays.

00:44:50Of mixed whole nuts.

00:44:52I am going to try and get 200 grams.

00:44:54I hope I have got enough.

00:44:56I don't think I have got enough.

00:44:58To do a double batch.

00:45:00So we are just going to do one batch now.

00:45:02Never mind.

00:45:04300 grams of rolled oats.

00:45:0680 grams of mixed seeds.

00:45:28And some poppy seeds.

00:45:34I literally just make up the ratios, I don't even, I don't really stick to any recipe.

00:45:48Now in with the honey.

00:46:05I reckon that might need a little extra stir.

00:46:18Now 15 to 20 minutes in the oven, however I like it extra crispy and extra crunchy so

00:46:37I do do it a bit longer.

00:46:39Soz about that.

00:46:42So as you can see I like my granola a little bit more well done but for me it's just a

00:46:48bit crunchier and a bit richer so now I'm going to add the two trays together and add

00:46:54in my rose petals.

00:46:59Smelling good.

00:47:02Now for the pièce de résistance, you can add as little or as much as you want of this,

00:47:06obviously there will be a slight taste for it but I just love the colour that it adds.

00:47:16Give it a stir in.

00:47:19Now I'm going to let it cool and then pop it into the jar.

00:47:37Whilst I've been doing the granola I have given this rose bush a bit of a prune up because

00:47:43there was a little bit of black spot on there, there were some leaves that were not looking

00:47:46great so there are actually some dead buds as well so I took things back to, well whenever

00:47:53there was a bud I would take it back to the first five leaves and that prevents it dying

00:47:57back and going woody but just giving this a little bit of a spruce up because I hope

00:48:03we'll get a little bit more from this this year.

00:48:06Ali has one more bed to do and in all honesty I am wanting him to do this everywhere in

00:48:11the garden now, I'm like is there a way that we can like pen in the chickens so that they

00:48:17can't come up here anymore but it looks gorgeous and you've spent some real time getting these

00:48:24looking good from every angle which I'm really really happy with.

00:48:28Over here is an absolute triumph, look at this, such a good little DIY job as well.

00:48:37First things first.

00:48:38Bulbs don't really enjoy being moved.

00:48:41Let's just leave them then and let them work it out.

00:48:43Yeah I think it will if not you know it's just I think we've done well to only lose

00:48:47one bulb to be honest.

00:48:49So right to the edge, tuck it in.

00:48:53And then.

00:48:54You always go more cockney when you're doing DIY tasks.

00:48:58Do I?

00:48:59Yeah.

00:49:00A little flip of the hammer, a little whack.

00:49:05Still got it, still got it babe.

00:49:08Thank goodness.

00:49:09I'm nervous.

00:49:10It does make me, you are someone that maybe doesn't necessarily worry about the consequences

00:49:17of something.

00:49:20It's so chaotic.

00:49:24It's not chaotic it's agility.

00:49:27Honestly I think you need your own fitness wear brand called Speed and Agility.

00:49:32What I've just done there is 100% accurate banging.

00:49:37100% accurate banging, that's what we all like to hear.

00:49:41See what I'm doing?

00:49:42I think you're going to love this rosemary.

00:49:44Oh it looks so nice with the rosemary coming over the top.

00:49:50It looks so good.

00:50:04And do you know what I love about these is that you could use these in a garden to create

00:50:08raised beds.

00:50:09If you've got like a patch of lawn or something like that that you just want to, you want

00:50:14to add some raised beds to, this is such a great option.

00:50:19You would just membrane on the inside or you'd hide it and then it would hold all of the

00:50:23soil in.

00:50:24Oh such a great way to add raised beds and actually if you've got a handy husband they

00:50:29can do it all for you so you don't have to pay someone.

00:50:45Beautiful.

00:50:51You got that on camera?

00:50:52Yeah.

00:50:53Absolutely horrific.

00:50:56I couldn't help myself.

00:50:58Now Gwyneth is making a beeline.

00:51:01Oh, she's thought better of it.

00:51:03Ali has decided that the chickens can come out now and we're going to test the theory.

00:51:08However, we have resigned ourselves to the fact that it looks so lovely that even if

00:51:13it doesn't work, we're actually very, very happy with it.

00:51:15It feels, not that you can see in the darkness there, but it feels much more finished and

00:51:20it just looks lovely.

00:51:21Really, really lovely.

00:51:23Very happy with it.

00:51:24Now with these chives coming up, one of my focuses this year is preserving more of my

00:51:30produce in terms of like herbs and also veg, so keeping them longer because obviously in

00:51:38the olden days we would keep things stored in cool, dark places for months on end and

00:51:46it's what I love most about like growing crown princes and things like that is that they

00:51:52store for so long and that they look beautiful as well, but fresh produce always looks beautiful.

00:51:57Yes, I really, really want to focus more on that so one of the things I've been Googling

00:52:01at the moment is how to preserve chives so that you get the most use out of them and

00:52:06from what I can see, freezing them is just the best thing to do to freeze them fresh.

00:52:12So, I'm going to be letting this lot grow up, shearing it back and again, if I get too

00:52:18many, I can just jar them up and give them as a gift like fresh chives from my garden.

00:52:23How lovely is that?

00:52:24Now, I think I'm just going to do a bit of pottering in the greenhouse today because

00:52:28seeds are sprouting slowly.

00:52:31These guys have come up very, very quickly.

00:52:33Look at how well they're doing today.

00:52:36I think I'm going to get some more nodules filled and I might do some seed shopping and

00:52:44I have to say, this is absolutely incredible.

00:52:48I would highly recommend getting one of these.

00:52:50In fact, I've just ordered the smaller version for the pots in the house.

00:52:54This is perfect for out here, but I know I won't go and get it if it's in the greenhouse

00:52:59So, I've got this one out here for use with my big pots to make sure that I'm not overloving

00:53:04things and yeah, this is honestly brilliant.

00:53:08You just have to make sure that you wipe the end after every use so that this doesn't corrode

00:53:14because it's very sensitive.

00:53:15So, that is an essential now in my greenhouse.

00:53:20I might also pot up some fresh daffodils because these are coming through beautifully and I

00:53:25might pot them up nicely for the table as well.

00:53:28So, all in all, it's just been a lovely day to be honest.

00:53:32What a lovely Monday.

00:53:34I feel very, very lovely and content that on my to-do list today was vlogging with you guys

00:53:41and I've just been enjoying the sunshine with Ali.

00:53:45Oh, Bluebell, you've come for your cup of tea.

00:53:59Let me get you your cup of tea, Bluebell.

00:54:04Here you go.

00:54:07Fresh cup of tea.

00:54:09Just how you like it.

00:54:11Hi.

00:54:12Tell me about your day.

00:54:15You having a good day?

00:54:18I need to get better at doing that, knowing that you're going to come along and ask for

00:54:25a cup of tea.

00:54:27Well, I'll leave you be.

00:54:29I'm going to crack on.

00:54:30Is that enough?

00:54:31Are you finished?

00:54:32Oh.

00:54:33Just a quick cup of today then.

00:54:34I'll leave it there in case you want sessions.

00:54:39My last job of the day is to swap over these daffodils or little narcissi to the ones that

00:54:47I bought the other day because these have sadly gone over.

00:54:52So, I want to try and preserve the moss.

00:54:56Is that going to happen?

00:54:58Who knows?

00:54:59I'm going to preserve the twigs and reuse everything.

00:55:03Shouldn't be too hard, she says.

00:55:07Famous last words.

00:55:09I think that would be too much shade on my beds.

00:55:16Yeah.

00:55:17Ali's wanting to put the hazel hedging everywhere now.

00:55:22Asking if he can put it on my raised beds.

00:55:26So, I've got a little bit of dried thyme in there.

00:55:31A little bit of birch twigs.

00:55:35A little bit close but this is what we've been doing.

00:55:40Just adding in all of the bits and bobs that were already there and actually it's worked

00:55:45quite well.

00:55:46I'm going to give this some water.

00:55:59Just remove the moss gently.

00:56:06Keep as much of the soil as possible.

00:56:10Oh gosh, this pot's a little bit difficult.

00:56:16Well, I've been nursing this ivy back to health and I think mission accomplished.

00:56:21It is looking so good and so I've just added a few daffodils to make it into a planter

00:56:27and that can just be moved anywhere in the house if I want to and I love that we managed

00:56:33to save this little guy.

00:56:34I have also potted up some bulbs in here so we've got the muscari, the narcissi, more

00:56:40narcissi.

00:56:41It's looking lovely.

00:56:42And all the Mill and Gordon bees are having a good drink from the sundial.

00:56:48Oh, it makes me want to give you a pond.

00:56:51You know he means business when he's getting out the cushions.

00:56:54It is the first cushion out day of spring.

00:56:58It is so warm today.

00:57:00I cannot put it into words.

00:57:02We have been so lucky.

00:57:03Well, a final tour of the garden terrace with the new willow edging.

00:57:10Ali did get the cushions out but I was too late to show you them.

00:57:14However, the sad news is all of my scatter cushions from last year and the year before

00:57:21have been destroyed by a mouse living in them.

00:57:25We bought this amazing box, this willow box that's around the corner to store cushions

00:57:31in and it literally had one job and it couldn't do it.

00:57:34It couldn't keep the mouse out all the time.

00:57:37And so every time we go back there, there was a new pillow ruined and I was literally

00:57:42devastated.

00:57:43I have no scatter cushions left.

00:57:45It is a travesty.

00:57:46So if anyone can suggest somewhere where I could probably purchase like an edit or something,

00:57:54I really like good quality cushions, like really good quality durable materials for

00:58:00outdoor cushions.

00:58:01I usually have sort of two either side or two and one on both and I like botanicals

00:58:08like I like a little bit of greenery, a bit of leaves that's going to go with the colour

00:58:13of these as well.

00:58:14So if you know of anywhere, let me know because I cannot be bothered to go sourcing fabrics

00:58:19again for these.

00:58:20So I just want to quickly buy something for the season ahead.

00:58:23We have the log burner out here crackling away and the new willow beds all beautifully

00:58:31in looking lovely.

00:58:33Our little seating area down here has been jet washed and is looking beautiful and the

00:58:39outdoor kitchen has been cleaned from top to bottom ready for the season ahead.

00:58:48And my wonderful husband has also cleaned my cloches, that it's not a euphemism for

00:58:55something.

00:58:56He has cleaned them.

00:58:57So these are my clavitin cloches and they've got a little bit funky over the years.

00:59:03So Ali gave them a jet wash for me, which I'm very, very grateful for because it means

00:59:07I can start putting them over my little seedlings when I get out my broad beans.

00:59:13I think they'll go in these first of all.

00:59:16But that is time to shut up shop in the garden after a busy few days of preparation and getting

00:59:24things looking lovely for the season ahead.

00:59:27I have a busy week at work this week as well.

00:59:29And one thing I need to do is I have a shoot this week, which I'll tell you more about

00:59:33in my next vlog.

00:59:34But I seem to have picked the hobbies that are worst for your hands.

00:59:40So my hobbies, gardening, horse riding, baking and cooking.

00:59:45I literally spend my life at the moment just washing my hands.

00:59:49And obviously I've stopped having gels done.

00:59:51All my nails have broken and like really high up.

00:59:54So they're not in a good way at the moment.

00:59:57But my hands are like flaky at the ends.

01:00:00So last night I put on some Elizabeth Arden eight hour cream and then I put gloves on.

01:00:05I'm going to do it again tonight to just get things looking a bit nicer.

01:00:10But yeah, that's my little treat to myself after a wonderful day in the garden and at

01:00:15the stables and doing all of the lovely stuff.

01:00:17And look at the light behind.

01:00:19Wow.

01:00:20That is so lovely.

01:00:21Have you had a good day?

01:00:23Hell of a day.

01:00:24A hell of a day.

01:00:25This garden's had a serious transformation in the last two days.

01:00:28I know.

01:00:29Just got everything kind of, it's almost like that spring clean finally, isn't it?

01:00:33Yeah.

01:00:35Had a shower.

01:00:37Freshen up.

01:00:38Yeah.

01:00:39And a little reminder of what needs to be done.

01:00:43Yeah.

01:00:44Cushion storage.

01:00:46Mouse proof.

01:00:47Yeah, I know.

01:00:48Devastating.

01:00:49And then bin storage then.

01:00:52Yes.

01:00:54Yeah, what we've decided is we're actually going to move, even though we've had our shed

01:00:58built around our bin storage, we're actually going to have our bins moved to the front

01:01:03of the property and housed in a really lovely, like reclaimed wood bin store.

01:01:08And we're going to try and use what is now the bin store as a cushion storage.

01:01:14So I think that'll be a better use, to be honest.

01:01:17Right, Ali is brushing his teeth.

01:01:19Thought I'd show you my little trick for active hands, because I obviously do a lot with my

01:01:25hands, especially at the moment.

01:01:27Even just with like exercise and Pilates and things like that, but horse riding, my hands

01:01:35get absolutely destroyed.

01:01:36Not just the riding part, but the care part when you're brushing and hoof picking and

01:01:42that kind of thing.

01:01:43And I'm not even doing it every day, but it's still taking a massive toll on my nails and

01:01:48my hands.

01:01:49So the ends of my hands feel really like prickly.

01:01:53What I am using is the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Skin Protectant.

01:01:58I love this.

01:01:59And what we have, both Ali and I at the moment are going to bed with our cotton gloves on.

01:02:05But you choose your weapon of choice, essentially, which is for me, the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour

01:02:11Cream.

01:02:12And I slather it onto my hands like so.

01:02:18And I literally work it in to all of the areas.

01:02:21It's really good if you get calluses as well.

01:02:25It's really good for my cuticles and keeping them really nice and moisturised too.

01:02:29I just rub it all in and make all of the squidgy noises and then pop these little cotton gloves

01:02:40over the top so that I don't get the residue everywhere.

01:02:45And last night I woke up and I'd taken the gloves off in the night and popped them on

01:02:50my bedside table.

01:02:53No idea that I did that, but I did.

01:02:56I'll let this marinate for a bit whilst I get ready for bed, but I'll probably put another

01:03:00layer on and then pop the gloves on just for a little bit of extra, extra goodness.

01:03:06But yeah, this is my little hack at the moment that I'm utilising.

01:03:10And I woke up this morning and my hands felt so much better.

01:03:13I probably should just start wearing gloves when I'm gardening or like doing bits in the

01:03:17kitchen, but I just don't do it.

01:03:19You look like a princess.

01:03:20Pardon?

01:03:21You look like a princess.

01:03:22Do I?

01:03:23Ali says I look like a princess.

01:03:28Anyway we are going to go to bed now and I'm going to end the vlog here, so I will see

01:03:33you guys in my next video.

01:03:34Bye!

01:03:49Bye!

A WHOLESOME VLOG | GARDEN UPGRADES, JOBS IN MARCH, HOMEMADE GRANOLA & WOODLAND TOUR | Lydia Millen

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