Summer's just around the corner!

Today I woke up to this *beautiful* sight!

It sometimes feel as though the sun is never shining in England, but this photo is living proof that the weather is changing and we really DO have a summer on the way!

All of this talk about summer leads me to think about the summer holidays and how I'm going to spend my days and evenings NOT doings this:

(Yes, that is a pile of Year 10 marking)

I had a few ideas.  Things I WILL look forward to this summer:

1.  Perfect chalkboard lettering.  Not bad for a first go, eh?  I really want to make a large chalkboard like this one on Little Baby Garvin, but I'm having a hard time finding a frame in the correct shape.  Stay tuned.  I'm sure I'll hunt one down somewhere.

2.  Getting my butt into the gym.  I love going, but I'm finding myself working until late in the evenings these days.  I've been living by my kettle bells doing squats and abs with these beauties.  I'm not sure how much this is working, but this link on YouTube is my next session to master.

3.  Better for me baking and cooking.  My Pinterest boards for food are obscene. Loads of good stuff - like - hundreds of links. But I never have the time to actually make anything that I pin.  Five weeks is awfully long time - I'm sure I'll be able to make something while I'm home.  I've got my eye on these Fruit Snacks.

4.  Read.  For an English teacher, I don't do nearly enough reading.  I'm fairly good at reading books that the kids are reading (loving the Carnegie Shortlist this year), but I'd like to get back into more tangible books.  The Richard and Judy book club always have a good selection.

5.  BBQ and Beer.  I love the idea of hosting dinners or parties, so hopefully with the warm weather approaching I can make the most of my free time and think about entertaining.  I hosted a donut party for the Macmillian Cancer Charity "Night In" a few weeks ago and would love to do something like that again.  Friends came to ours on a Friday night and put the money towards the cancer trust that they would have spent going out!  It was a great evening with good food and friends.  Perhaps at the next event we can actually use our back garden!

All plates Villeroy and Boch 'New Wave'

6.  Rest.  This sounds like a no brainer.  I'm constantly on the go while at work, so I am going to take a fair bit of time to make sure I'm recharged and refreshed, ready for a new school year in September.  I want to enjoy the sunshine and take the time to appreciate all of the good things in life.

What are your summer plans?  Anyone else planning to just rest?

xx