SEASONS - Mad about March
Mad about March
March is always full of surprises - the weather, the plants springing from the soil, the light in the morning and the evening. Each country that we have lived in has brought different times of the year in opposing hemispheres, but Ireland is all about the distinct seasons.
What I have particularly learned, is the need for two very different wardrobes for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. I have long been a follower of the lovely Jennifer L. Scott over at The Daily Connoisseur blog and her chic capsule wardrobe of 10 items per season. I have picked up great tips, such as fleece lined tights and steaming clothes instead of ironing them.
So, as the sun starts to emerge with some warmth in March, my thoughts turn towards brighter clothes and less layers. We have focussed on being onions for the winter, peeling off indoors and piling on to go out. I am looking forward to less hat-hair days, as my beanie has been a permanent fixture since December.
These monthly ideas are so popular on my Instagram that I am continuing to share them here, with some more ideas too.
1st March - Pancake Tuesday. Make Crepes Suzette for grown-up Pancake Tuesday. The standard crepe batter that we use is 110g plain flour, a big pinch of salt, 2 eggs, 300mls milk (any kind). I’m not too ceremonious about the method, rather I use a large whisk and mix everything together until smooth and then pour it into a big measuring jug, as it’s easier and less messy to get dollops into the frying pan that way.
For Crepes Suzette, you additionally need to make an orange liqueur sauce. Start by melting 3 tbsp caster sugar in a skillet without stirring, until it caramelises. Then take off the heat and carefully add 1 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice, zest of 1 orange and 1 tbsp of Grand Marnier or Cointreau. return this to the heat until melted and combined, then drop in 50g of butter chopped into small pieces. Let the sauce boil and gently simmer before pouring over the crepes.
3rd March - International Book Day. "Don’t try to make me grow up before my time." Jo March - Little Women. A gorgeous book to read. Also, as it is now Lent, instead of giving something up, we have made a promise to read for 10 minutes more each day. Hopefully it is a habit that sticks for everyone.
8th March - International Women's Day. This year I plan to play tennis with girlfriends and drink coffee together. Many mums ofr bigger children discover that they are taxi drivers for sport and hobbies, neglecting their own. I am guilty of this but attempting to get better.
20th March - Spring equinox. Wake up and walk at dawn. Dawn is still not too early but, at last, the night and day are equal lengths and we start moving into the warmer months. When we moved back to Ireland it was the dark that shocked me more than the cold. I’m getting used to it after four years here, but you really have to train your mindset to embrace that hibernation.
27th March - Clocks go forward 1 hour and Spring begins. Sleep with the window open and wake to the birds. Perhaps you do this already? I know their chattering gets really noisy, but when we have 1 hour less sleep it is better to be up early!
27th March - Mothers Day. Have a big family feast with or in honour of mothers everywhere and especially your own. It is always a time of daffodils and primroses, so fill some vases an open the bubbly early.
More Fun Things To Do in March
Germinate sweet pea seeds indoors. I buy these every year and come March, my bedroom floor is littered with seed trays and tiny green tendrils. The reward is a climbing frame full of magically fragranced blooms from mid-Summer on.
Make a garden plan and buy the seeds. Each year we plant something new , to see how they go. Last year was parsnips that grew deep and were exquisite roasted with honey and thyme. We have beetroots and carrots every year as they are bountiful givers and easy pickers, peas too make the perfect gardening snack.
Cook hearty minestrone soup (recipe on my Instagram) and lace it with buffalo mozzarella and vivid green kale
Book tickets to a show - I’m looking at Riverdance, but whatever takes your fancy.