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How we transformed our Home Garden Allotment for 2020.

How Joe Wicks changed Lockdown for us. Strong not skinny.

Breathe. Just taking some time to do exactly that

6 books to read this Summer

Why I gave myself a Corona Haircut.

What 11 Month old Reggie did next…

An honest note from someone who is Extremely Vunerable. Covid19

Reconnecting with your self.

Reggie has the snip. Castration during lock-down.

Life update during Lock-in
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About Me

Susan Jane Bradfield Headshot. Image Credit Pepe Escuredo

Hi, I’m Susan, Wife to Roger, Mum to three grown-up boys and two labradors.

SIMPLY LIVING ~ LIVING SIMPLY

This blog is just that.  It’s me sharing snippets of life as I try to live a bit slower and a bit more authentically.

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susanjanebradfield

Susan Jane Bradfield
I am in danger of becoming obsessed with the garde I am in danger of becoming obsessed with the garden. . I have so many seeds planted now that my mini greenhouse is full. There is no more room, NONE. I have also taken cuttings of some existing plants and potted them up. Hoping they do something. I might give the impression that I know what I am doing. I really don’t. Lessons that I have learnt from last year: Stagger your seed sowing. Sow a row every couple of weeks and then you will have a longer crop. Don’t sow your entire lettuce 🥬 packet at once. Last year I had so much lettuce I couldn’t eat it quick enough. Plan to hide the carrots 🥕 from Reggie the dog. Last year he discovered not only that he loved carrots 🥕 but he just went and picked his own. He became so complacent that he would pick them and come to the door to be let in, so that he could munch it in front of me. Then he would spit the stalk out on the rug. I don’t even like 🍅 tomatoes but I have still planted 6 different varieties....😬 If you are interested then this is what veg I am attempting this year: Peas Broad Beans Parsnips Runner Beans Carrots Beetroot Celery Lettuce Spring onions Radishes Onions Tomatoes Cucumber Strawberries I think that’s it... We do have an apple and pear tree too... I will do a video walking you through my patch one day and another post talking about my other obsession... A cut flower garden. I am also a little sunburnt should anyone be remotely wondering. (Oops)
Am I ever going to feel comfortable in front of th Am I ever going to feel comfortable in front of the camera? Trying to practise taking some self portraits but finding it SO HARD! 45 and trying to dig deep and do things out of my comfort zone.
Yesterday was gloriously sunny. We managed to get Yesterday was gloriously sunny. We managed to get a bit done in the garden 🌞 and we could fully appreciated our linen curtains at the patio door. Usually we would have to sit at the table with sunglasses 🕶 on. It was just the 4 of us for Easter Sunday. We actually had Turkey which was frozen left overs from Christmas. We finished the day with an evening walk and watching some episodes of @netflixuk New Girl whilst eating Easter Egg. It was a perfect day.
Just a little pic of me, myself and I. I had the Just a little pic of me, myself and I. I had the longest and I meant LONGEST socially distanced walk with my eldest son @gbradders97 today. George moved out of our house last summer, so we have really only seen each other at a distance since then, because of me shielding. It became just too hard to be apart for us both last month so we have been doing 1 long walk a week socially distancing and it has been a real tonic. When I say tonic, today was hard work. I downloaded a OC map on my phone and thought I was being clever plotting a route that I hadn’t walked before. Turns out we walked 13k in blistering sunshine and Wellington boots. By the end I felt like I was crawling along. I did have sun cream on my face but I forgot a sun hat 👒so now have a stinker of a headache. I think it may have been a step too far doing that walk today for us both. You will find me for the rest of the day hiding from the sunshine like the vampire I am 😂 (I am not a real vampire 🧛‍♀️ but I am meant to avoid the sun ☀️ due to my Lupus)
Texture and shadows. We have finally hung some li Texture and shadows. We have finally hung some linen up at our patio doors which means I have some protection against the strong sun ☀️ that bellows through our window. Sounds crazy right? Well not when you are sun sensitive and the sun hits the back of our house all day making it like a greenhouse. But seeing the shadow of our tulips through the linen really made me smile.
Daydreamer. Ignoring the constant need to sweep a Daydreamer. Ignoring the constant need to sweep and hoover up the blonde hairs that you leave in your wake, you are loved so dearly. I even smiled at the fact that you dragged manky blanky out of your crate to the sun spot to lay down. You daydream big handsome boy because you have so many adventures ahead of you.
🍋 Lemon Tart “It has come to my attention de 🍋 Lemon Tart “It has come to my attention dear reader (in the voice of *Lady Whistledown*) that I like to cook 👩‍🍳 and bake and make delicious food.” This delight was from the weekend. Josh wanted a lemon tart and so who was I to disappoint. This was a new recipe for me and was made completely from scratch including pastry. It was delicious 😋 but made far too much for us. So we delivered doorstep deliveries to my Mum and Rogers Mum and Dad. Love Susan *if you haven’t watched Bridgerton or read the books then you will have no idea who Lady Whistledown is.*
Trying to be okay with being in front of the camer Trying to be okay with being in front of the camera. I have realised that I suddenly feel very self conscious and uncomfortable when I am actually the subject of a photo. But I really wanted to document the fact that I am in a dress (albeit you can’t see the dress as I have cropped it 🤣) Thankfully Josh was able to assist in not only taking the photo but by making me laugh 😆 So here you have me snorting and wrinkling my nose and exposing all of my gums which is a most natural face for me. This is not a joke post there is an element of seriousness to it. I actually struggle with this sort of thing. It’s easy to be the one taking the photo or doing the makeup or chaperoning the child to set. But in front of the lens and that is a different matter altogether. Yesterday was a Pisces ♓️ New Moon and I have written my goals and affirmations and I have also freshened up my vision board. A lot of what i have to work on is myself. My self belief and my self confidence. Because in all honesty that is what holds me back. I have challenged myself this month (moon cycle) to try to take lots of self portraits. It will be good for my photography practise if anything else. It will also give me something to do 😂Wether they ever make it to the public eye is yet to be decided. 😉 I hope you all have a lovely day wherever in the world you are. Susan x . . . . #selfportrait #uncomfortableinmyownskin #uncomfortableinfrontofthecamera #thisisme #nothidinganymore #confidencebuilding #showmyface #selfiesunday #sundayselfie📷 #smilemore #piscesnewmoon #goalsetting #personalgoals #timetobeme #fellowsouthwoodmaven #lifestyleblogger #hertsbloggers #amateurphotography
I wanted to share this image on this grid as well I wanted to share this image on this grid as well as my photography account ( @sjbcaptures ) just because... . Because we need some escapism and something to dream about. . Because I love Cornwall . Because this photo is going to be made into a print very soon. I should have kept it under wraps perhaps but I get too excited and then overshare. . And because there is always a story behind a photo. . Would you believe this photo was taken in February 2019 when Cornwall had a mini heatwave day. I remember walking along the cliff paths at Bedruthen with no coat on. . This particular walk, I lost myself in daydreams thinking random thoughts about how they filmed Poldark. . True story... at the exact moment a thought went through my head of “How did the horses not trip over on this rugged terrain whilst galloping along during filming” I fell. I fell dramatically like a stunt woman rolling through the air disappearing into the ground! Roger said he was watching me and one minute I was there and then next I spectacularly flew through the air rolled and disappeared out of sight. I remember him finding me laying there hugging my camera 📸 which I had protected more than I had myself. . Once we had established that I was ok, we laughed and continued our walk. Finishing of course with a cream tea. . Hope you all have a lovely weekend. Don’t forget it is a New Moon today. Dream big my loves. Love Susan x . . . . . #piscesnewmoon #dreambig @official_poldark #bedruthensteps #cornishcoast #beachlife #ukbeaches #cornishbeaches #cornishbeach #fellowsouthwoodmaven #rockpool #poldark #poldarkcountry #poldarkfilminglocations #locationsforfilming #slowliving #daydreamer #wanderlust #lifestyleblogger #photography #lifeisbeautiful #landscapephotography #beachphotography #walkingforhealth #liveslowly #liveunscripted #presentoverperfect #lovelylittlesquares #lifegivingsquares #thesincerestoryteller #simplyliving
“GOOD MORNING” she sings from under the duvet. “GOOD MORNING” she sings from under the duvet. . I slept last night. I actually slept! This is huge. I haven’t slept solidly for a couple of weeks. . Ok I still have a slight headache and I did wake at 4am for a wee, but let’s skip over that for a second. The fact is I slept soundly and my body is thanking me for that. . Last night I felt broken and my fatigue was so bad. So I made a deliberate attempt at creating the perfect sleep atmosphere and routine for myself. . We went on an evening walk. (Fresh air) . Followed by a luxurious bath 🛀🏻 in candlelight. We are talking candles, crystals, relaxing music, bath salts with essential oils infused with reiki from @harmony_and_balance_therapies . I then made myself a hot milk and picked up a book and got into bed 🛏 to read. Worth noting I also had some relaxing music playing. . When I was ready to go to sleep I snuggled down and had a bedtime story playing on the @calm app. . And that my friends is the last thing I remember of last night. 💤 What I will say is that I woke up this morning and smiled because I felt utterly refreshed. . So here are my recommendations for you if you are struggling to sleep... . Put your phone away! Turn the TV off. Read, relax, take a bath, dim the lights. . Also worth noting I don’t have caffeine after midday anymore. . Yes I am currently still in bed enjoying breakfast because I am not quite ready for the day to begin. . Susan x
We have pea shoots in the greenhouse. Starting a We have pea shoots in the greenhouse. Starting a few things off earlier in here this year before planting out in the veg garden. Complete novice still to this allotment grow your own thing, but I am a learn by doing kind of girl. . Veg garden is looking quite derelict at the moment. . . . . . #allotmentlife #allotmentgarden #gardenallotment #growyourown #fromgardentotable #peas #greenfingers #greenhousegardening #mykitchengarden #gardenallotment #lockdownlife #simplepleasures #simplelifehappylife #findingthebalance #potteringinthegarden
Sometimes I just get the overwhelming need to get Sometimes I just get the overwhelming need to get in my kitchen and bake. I even made my own pastry (thank you Mary Berry). Sometimes it is planned and I have the ingredients, other times I have to make do. Today was one of those days. So we have jam tarts, lemon 🍋 curd tarts and mince pies 🥧
CONTEMPLATING 💭 Contemplating taking some tim CONTEMPLATING 💭 Contemplating taking some time off of social media. It is so noisy lately and there is so much pressure to create. I am still on the fence. . 💭 Contemplating the last year. It has just been so so hard and I just feel emotionally, physically and creatively drained. . 💭 Contemplating my career. This time last year I was happily working as a Talent Agent in an industry that I love. Before that I worked as a Makeup Artist in the same industry. I am so proud of what I achieved in both of those roles. It has taken me a long time to say that. In fact it is not until something has gone that you realise how good you were. . 💭 Contemplating time. The last year has given me time. So much time. Time to really bond and reconnect with my children. Time to spend with my husband. Having lunch with my family every day for a year has been pretty special. I will be forever thankful for that. . 💭 Contemplating what the results of my course will be. I recently completed a short Open University Photography course. (Results come in next week). Leaning into photography again has been magical and I need to spend some time with my camera just creating away from social media. I am trying to work out what comes next and where to go with this skill that I have always loved. . 💭 Contemplating doing a degree online in photography, but not sure 🤔 . 💭 Contemplating what to have to eat. . 💭 Contemplating on returning to Cornwall in October. . 💭Contemplating getting builders and plumbers back in to continue the renovations. . 💭 Contemplating watching Bridgerton again... (@arianna.trapani , @billjo70 , @heatherwhitesalon , @bridelikemeuk ) . 💭 Contemplating so much stuff. . 💭 Contemplating getting my sketch book out and do some sketching. . This is just touching the surface. That is where my head is at. . Is your brain 🧠 as busy as mine? . . . Susan
Absolutely beautiful ‘Soul Rest and Rejuvenation Absolutely beautiful ‘Soul Rest and Rejuvenation Eye Pillow’ by @lexiewrightson . Meditation with this eye mask really helps me to switch off and the weight of it stops it slipping off of my face. . This is a weighted eye pillow that is infused with rose quartz chips, all cleansed under the full moon and charged with Reiki. . You know how much i LOVE reiki and crystals so you can imagine how excited I was to receive this and use it. . Have I got my eye on anything else in Lexie’s shop? Yes... . Basically everything. Aura Sprays and candles to begin with. I would also recommend going to some of her moon circle workshops... amazing! . Thank you Lexie for sending me this me this gift. I can’t wait to try more of your products. ❤️ . Susan x . . . . #gifted #ad #reiki #reikihealing #reikipractitioner #reikienergy #reikimaster #crystalhealing #rosequartz #healingcrystals
Books. . I am a paper physical book 📖 girl. D Books. . I am a paper physical book 📖 girl. Do not try to get me to read a book on screen. . It is cathartic to me to hold the book, turn the pages, smell the pages and the ink. . If it is a hard back book I always remove the paper sleeve. I like traditional covers that are hidden underneath. . Another fact about me. I am a speed reader and can read a really good book within a day. . When I read I am emerged into the book, the story, the characters and the plots. It is hard to explain but when I read I feel like I am actually within that scene as an observer. . Books are an escape. . How do you read your books? . . . . . . #bookoftheweek #bookshelves #bookcommunity #booktography #bookalicious #bookishlove #reading #bookpost #bookreader #bookworld #bookworms #coffeeandbooks #greatbook #readingspot #readinguk #oldbooks #fiction #alwaysreading #paperbook #hardbacks #bookheaven #bookvibes #escapism #downtime #partofthestory #dreambig✨ #dreambigdreams #dreambiggerdreams
This light makes me happy. . It really is the smal This light makes me happy. . It really is the small things that I am noticing at the moment. . Anyone else? . . . . #settingplasterfarrowandball #settingplaster #myhomeoffice #workingfromhomelife #sunlightandshadows #glimpseoflight #homestyledecor #manifestyourdreams #slowlivingmovement
Morning. . I have been a bit poorly for a few days Morning. . I have been a bit poorly for a few days, which is normal. I get days like this. . It just means a couple of good rest days to reset my body. . All will be well. . Comfort is wearing gym leggings with an oversized jumper. It’s one step up from remaining in my pyjamas all day. . I have actually had to open my diary this morning as I have an appointment! *shock* . How are you all doing? . Could someone also tell me what day today is. . Susan . . . . . . #calmday #restingtime #restingup #downtime #takingabreak #pondering #reflecting #timeoff #ruggedup #sickdays #bundledup #notready #stuckinside #stayingwarm #ineedanap #hibernationmode #isittheweekendyet #noappointmentneeded #byappointmentonly #lifestyleblogger #hertsblogger #lupuswarrior #lupusawareness
If you have watched my latest reel, you can see th If you have watched my latest reel, you can see the chocolate 🍫 pouring on this cake. . I am so happy with the result of @archiebradfield homemade birthday cake. . It is from my @nigellalawson FEAST cookbook and it is called ‘Birthday Custard Sponge’. . It looks amazing, was super easy to make. . Another fine success Nigella. . . . . . #cakesofinstagram #birthdaycake #birthdayboy #homemadecake #nigellacake #birthdaycakesforboys #allthesprinkles #chocolateheaven #custardcake
Happy 15th Birthday to my youngest son @archiebrad Happy 15th Birthday to my youngest son @archiebradfield . Proud of you and love you so much. . Love this photo of you by @sarahcockertonphotography Xxx
This time last year we were staying in the most id This time last year we were staying in the most idyllic Cornish Cottage right by the beach. . It is still the most beautiful place that I have ever stayed. . I cannot wait to go back to Cornwall. . Yes I did source bedding the same as this and have it on my bed at home. . Cornwall truly has my heart ❤️
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