I think spring has to be my favourite moment in time.

I'm a real one for the days being longer and it staying light for longer. It is such a feel-good factor beyond anything else.

Much to my husband's difference of opinion, I am very low maintenance and really value the simple things in life:

a quiet moment with a coffee...

a quiet moment with a glass of wine (are you sensing a theme?)...

an evening spent with family...

an evening spent laughing with good friends...

time in my studio creating...

Along with all these and other simple pleasures, the onset of spring is way up at the top of the list.

Our garden is at it's best in the spring. The cherry blossom against the blue skies is just stunning. We have Grape Hyacinths aplenty, along with the most stunning red tulips. And finally, my uppermost most favouritest plant, my Peony, by the front steps, comes up year after year, without fail, to shock and take my breath away every year.

Simple, unadulterated pleasures in life.

What does it for you?

As always happens when the weather changes and we spend more time outside, I realise how our outside space needs some tender loving care...a bit of prettying up. I find it all too easy to neglect the outside, especially in the cold dark winter when we rush inside and hardly glance at what we have.

I dragged Matthew to the garden centre yesterday and we picked up a few bits. I bought a fabulous Allium plant that I just can't wait to see bloom. In the meantime, I'm really pleased with the pot that we bought to plant it in.

Next on the row is some sweet peas that I have planted in some rustic pots by the front door. I meant to do it last year, but it didn't quite happen. I'm hoping we'll have a continuous supply of beautifully scented pretty flowers to greet us as we go in and out.

I spotted these Black Eyed Susan's and thought they also would add a bit of sunshine to the deck. I have never bought them before and have no idea how long they stay flowering for, but they look very pretty at the moment.

The last in the row here is my pride and joy peony plant. This is right next to the front steps and gives me insurmountable pleasure when it is bloom. It is the most stunning dark pink-red. It pops its head up from nowhere after sleeping underground all winter and fill me with ridiculous anticipation until it is in the bloom. The downside is it doesn't stay in bloom for long. You have to catch it while you can.

I had to get these lavender plants - one in the front and one in the back. I love the shape of them and again think they will provide lots of scent and calm tranquillity.

It's amazing how the sunshine and a few plants can perk your mood right up. Simple pleasures.