Soulful Reflections | 05.24
Vibrant pink peonies, birthday celebrations, a flower parade, May favourites, and lots more.
Welcome to my Journal of Soulful Reflections.
In my ‘Soulful Reflections’ series, you’ll discover a monthly nature-inspired reflection, along with what I’ve been up to, a few of my monthly favourites, plus I’ll also be sharing what books I’ve been reading, and lots more… so get nice and cosy and let’s take a few moments to pause, reflect and unwind.
As soon as I started writing May’s Soulful Reflections journal entry, I knew I just had to include some pictures of the beautiful peonies from our garden that have been in full bloom. I absolutely love their delicate and velvety, vibrant pink petals. I would happily have a garden full of peonies all year round! Sadly peony season only lasts for a short time, so it makes me appreciate them even more when they are out in bloom, to enjoy them as much as I can.
Did you know… there are hundreds of varieties of peony! Plus a bud the size of a golf ball, will open up to three times its size. They also come is lots of different colours. The pink ones are definitely my favourite! Although I love that yellow peonies symbolise happiness, warmth and friendship.
Do you have a particular favourite colour or variety of peony?
Here are a few of the things that I got up to in May:
Spoke at church to the congregation, and talked a little bit about what I do within my small business, along with how nature plays a huge part in it, and how it intertwines with my faith. (I absolutely loved it!)
Celebrated Lis’s (David’s mum) 80th birthday with family and friends, and a buffet (which we lasted us a good few days)!
Hung up lots of bunting (made by Lis for our wedding back in 2022) in the garden.
Spotted a song thrush.
Explored some more of the library in Birmingham.
Picked up some new plants from the garden centre and planted them in the garden. (My favourite is definitely the Dicentra, also known as bleeding hearts.)
Made up two hanging baskets to hang outside the front of the house.
Went back to my hometown for a few days to see my mum and to watch the Spalding Flower Parade. (It was soooo good!)
Had a very yummy carvery at the Tulip Queen in Spalding. (Highly recommend.)
Got my hair cut a little shorter!
Some May favourites:
Lemon balm tea: The lemon balm that we grow in a big pot in our garden has done really well so far this year. I cut and gathered a couple of bunches of it and have been drying it in the kitchen. I really do love lemon balm tea, it’s especially nice with a few sprigs of rosemary. I did also add some thyme too to a couple of mugs, which was also very nice.
A Quiet Moment: I love discovering new publications here on Substack. A Quiet Moment by
is filled full of beautifully written reflections, with an abundance of awe-inspiring nature images included. I’ve really been enjoying Whitney’s posts so much!Love Cake: I just had to add this one to my May favourites!
recently made the most delicious cake (actually all his cakes are so delicious, but this one is just perfect for spring). It’s called Love Cake. I’ll let David explain to you what’s in this very yummy cake (along with some pictures) over on his Instagram post.
What I’ve been reading:
The Cherry Tree Café by Heidi Swain
Heidi is one of my most favourite authors. I really enjoy reading Heidi’s books a lot! They are a wonderful, warm and cosy, feel-good read. I never want the stories to end! The Cherry Tree Café is actually Heidi’s debut novel. This story follows Lizzie Dixon as she begins a fresh start in the lovely town of Wynbridge… with lots of cupcakes included!
Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage by Heidi Swain
Another of Heidi’s beautiful books, the story follows Lottie Foster as she moves to Wynbridge (where she also meets Lizzie from The Cherry Tree Café), and inherits a beautiful cottage that belonged to her grandmother’s best friend, Gwen. I love that many of Heidi’s books are set in the same town, which means that your favourite characters from the previous stories make another appearance.
If You Follow Me by Pam Rhodes
This is the third book in the Dunbridge Chronicles by Pam Rhodes. Again, it’s another fantastic heartwarming read. There’s one more book left in the series… I really don’t want the story to end. It follows Dundridge’s newly ordained minisiter, Neil Fisher. As Neil and his fiancée Claire, celebrate their engagement with family and friends, an unexpected visitor turns up! Highly recommend this wonderful series.
What were some of your favourite things about May?
Until next time…
In my Journal of Soulful Reflections, you can expect to uncover more personal entries infused with inspiration and encouragement underpinned by the beauty of the natural world, and the ebb and flow of the changing seasons. You’ll also discover gentle reflections on slow and seasonal living.
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