Home Garden Lifestyle May 2021

STAYCATIONS ARE IN 2021 is the perfect year to be a tourist in your own country! We have some great hidden gem examples of places you could visit this year.

MAY 2021

THE HUNDRED CLUB

Fergal O’Brien Racing have recently joined the coverted 100 club! Read their recent interview here!

YOUR GARDEN IN SPRING The spring is a great time to get outside and enjoy your garden. We’ve got a few tips and jobs to keep you busy this month!

LOOK AFTER YOUR SKIN You skin is your greatest asset, and you need to take care of it! Are you using out of date products? This might be doing more harm than good! Learn more here.

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INissue THIS 14

4

MADE WITH LOVE. . .

With picnics growing in popularity we’ve got some sensational dishes for you to WOW at your next BBQ, garden party, picnic or other!

5

18

TIME FOR A HOME RENOVATION? Are you wanted to revamp your home a little? We’ve got a few tips and advice to suit any budget!

8

Our resident health expert, Hayley, gives some great advice to help give your skin a makeover!

MAY IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TIMES OF THE YEAR Enjoy May to the best of your ability! We’ve got a number of wildlife bird, animals, plants and flowers for you to keep an eye out for.

20

THE 100TH WINNER

22

5 TIPS ON GETTING BACK TO A GYM ROUTINE

24

ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Celebrate with Fergal O’Brien Racing as they tell you about their monumental season!

HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT STAYCATION It is time to explore our own home country!

There are so many destination that might be right on your doorstep. Our guide can help you choose.

10

IS IT TIME TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR SKINCARE?

YOUR GARDEN IN SPRING What jobs need completing in your garden for May? Our gardening expert gives us the tools you need to get started.

Gyms all over the country are opening their doors and people have been flocking back. If you are concerned about jumping back in, read our quick guide to alleviate some anxieties.

We’ve got you covered when it comes to keeping your kids entertained! Try out our activities, and let us know how you get on.

No material may be reproduced in any way, or translated, without written permission of the publishers.

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Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, but Home and Garden cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of the publication.

Home and Garden is published by iPlus Media.

Editorial: hello@iplusgroup.co.uk Telephone: 01242 312121 | Website: iplusmedia.co.uk Head office: Suite 2, 14 Union Street, Stroud, Glos, GL5 2HE

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.

THIS MONTH ON

MADE WITH LOVE

c i n c i P s e h s di GOAT’S CHEESE AND HAZELNUT DIP: SERVES 4 (15 MINUTES)

INGREDIENTS

HOMEMADE BLACKCURRANT CORDIAL MAKES 300ML (15 MINUTES)

INGREDIENTS

- 100g cream cheese - 1 tbsp milk

- 100g soft, rindless goat’s cheese - 6 chopped and toasted hazelnuts

METHOD Mash together the cream cheese and goat’s cheese with a fork.

- 300g caster sugar - 2 lemons, zest & juice

Add in the milk until smoother in consistency and season to taste.

- 450g blackcurrants

METHOD

Transfer into pots and sprinkle with the hazelnuts.

Add the sugar into a pan of 300ml of water and bring to a simmer. Add the lemon zest and juice followed by the blackcurrants.

HAM AND FIG FANCY BREAD: MAKES 1 LOAF (30 MINUTES PLUS 2 HOURS RISING TIME)

Leave the mixture to simmer until the blackcurrants soften and burst. Once simmered sufficiently, strain through a sieve and muslin cloth and store in a heatproof and airtight container for up to a month. Dilute to taste.

BERRY GRANOLA POTS:

INGREDIENTS - 500g bread mix of choosing - 5 finely shredded sage leaves - 10 whole sage leaves - 4 tbsp olive oil - 2 crushed garlic cloves

- Plain flour - 4 sliced figs - ½ onion, thinly sliced - 100g ham slices of choice - Sea salt for seasoning

MAKES 4 POTS (15 MINUTES)

INGREDIENTS

For the coulis:

- 150g berries of choice

- ½ lemon

- 4 tbsp Greek yoghurt

- 150g raspberries

- 4 tbsp granola

- ½ tbsp honey

METHOD Make the coulis by adding all the ingredients into a pan and gently simmering and breaking down the raspberries until loosely combined. Then blend to a puree and sieve. Divide into the four jars.

Slice the strawberries (berries of choice) and layer with the coulis in the bottom of the jars.

Add one large tablespoon of Greek yoghurt on top of the strawberries then top with the granola.

Add any extras including honey/seeds.

METHOD Add the bread mix and sage with a sprinkle of black pepper in a large mixing bowl. In a jug, add the oil and garlic along with the amount of water stated on the bread mix.

Add the liquids into the large mixing bowl and stir before kneading the dough with your hands on a floured surface. Place the dough back into the bowl and cover with cling film, leave in a warm place to double in size.

Drop the dough on a surface a few times to get rid of air bubbles and then separate into eight equal parts.

Shape the dough parts into flat, round shapes and scatter the ham and figs on top with a drizzle of olive oil. Cover again with cling film and allow to rise.

Bake for 30 minutes at around 180 degrees. Leave to cool before serving.

IS IT

?

TIME FOR A home

Renovation Spring always brings the mood for change and the motivation for a new beginning.

Many of us want to celebrate the warmer weather and change of season with a good old home renovation. Whether you have been mulling over a particular renovation or are just looking for some property inspiration, spring is the ideal time of year to spice up your home.

If you want to make the most of your summer and entertain more, an open-plan kitchen extension or conservatory is a great idea. Whatever your plans, make light and space your priority and it’ll make a big difference to the look, feel and functionality of your home.

A new conservatory could give your home the extra space it really needs.

Benefit from a space that can be as spacious and airy as it is cosy – ideal for the transition from Spring days into dusk. A modern conservatory can be perfectly matched to the character of your home and your personal taste, thanks to the wide choice of materials available today. Whether uPVC or aluminium, you can enjoy good looks,

thermal efficiency and a comfortable living space for your family.

For a more modern twist on the conservatory, why not opt for an orangery this Spring? Boasting a lantern roof and impressive vaulted ceiling, an orangery is only partially glazed. This gives off the feel of an extension that connects to your house seamlessly.

If you are looking for a less drastic change up of your home – spring is a great time to upgrade your windows and install some double glazing. It can make such a huge difference to the temperature, noisiness and draughts in your house, making it feel much more homely.

Sticking to the window theme, spring makes for a great opportunity to add colours into your windows.

This addition can make your

home more ‘at one’ with nature should you incorporate colours such as greens or creams; or give a true reflection of your personality with something bolder.

The general goal of renovating is to maximise your useable space, which doesn’t necessarily have to mean getting an expensive extension or planning a renovation project. With this in mind, you could transform two rooms into one, by knocking out the wall and creating one large, sociable space.

Another simple way to change the look of your home come spring is through colour. If you have accent pillows, throws or area rugs, choose a small colour in the design and repaint your walls to match. You can also paint your walls in a neutral colour and bring in colour using accessories.

For spring, try using bold and vibrant shades.

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CHIMNEY SWEEPING

It is important that you get your chimney swept on a regular basis. It ensures that your chimney flues remain clear and are safe to use, helping to guard against chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

NEST AND BLOCKAGE REMOVAL

Have you noticed twigs in your fireplace? That is one of the first signs that something is making a home in your chimney. Be sure to get in touch to talk about a safe removal.

CAGES, CAPS AND COWLS These are items placed on chimneys to protect against rain, down draughts, blockages which can cause carbon monoxide problems. If you require this service, please get in touch.

GULL CAGES

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We make bespoke gull protection to prevent gulls nesting between pots. Give us a call to discuss the requirements and we can give an indication of the costs subject to size and access.

HOW TO FIND

THE PERFECT

It’s looking like many of us will be staying much closer to home this summer, giving us the perfect opportunity to explore our own beautiful

country with a staycation break.

The UK is filled with beautiful countryside, exciting cities and gorgeous golden beaches. As hotels and self-catering accommodation begin to reopen, it has become the ideal time to begin browsing your perfect summer holiday at home.

A staycation will be the

best option for many of us this year due to differing restrictions between countries as well as a minimised risk through not having to travel.

The UK prides itself on fifteen stunning national parks and 12,500 miles of coastline; giving us plenty of choice for our scenic retreat. Whether you’re looking for market towns, beaches, city life or the perfect English village; this article aims to help you make the perfect choice for you.

CHECK THE ONLINE REVIEWS This is one of the most popular things guests will do when making their decision on where to stay. Try looking for

reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook or Yelp. These places are great to find reviews for Bed and Breakfasts as well as Air B&B stays. Places with great reviews are more likely to promise you a magical experience.

WHAT DESTINATION? It’s likely that you will be wanting to choose your hotel based on the destination you want to visit. Making this decision should be based on factors such as desired amenities, how many people you’ll be travelling with and whether you want countryside or city. Also remember to consider doing some research on a range of places so that you find the perfect one for you.

Is your dream destination a cabin in the Lake District, an apartment in central London or a beach hut in Brighton?

There are so many beautiful options to discuss with your family/friends/partner!

VALUE FOR MONEY All accommodations want to ensure that their guests have a great experience staying with them. That’s why doing your research is going to help you get the best value for money!

PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE! Is there something you want to achieve whilst holidaying this year?

Paddle boarding, kayaking, partying, or relaxing; anything you can think of can be achieved through a staycation in this beautiful country.

beautiful destinations.

Places in the farthest corners of the UK are generally the least populated and most scenic!

PLACES WE THINK YOU’LL LOVE: With most people wanting a staycation this year, we recommend trying some of these more obscure and just as

No matter what your plans are this summer, getting ahead of the booking is going to be your best bet in getting your dream holiday for summer 2021!

- West Voe - Langamull Beach - Mealt Falls, - Cockington Village - Lunan Bay

YOUR IN SPRING This year I think, more than ever, we have welcomed every leaf that has unfurled and every flower that has opened more intensely. Spring is always a time of joy in the garden and, if you put the effort in the autumn, there are some real delights to enjoy.

Every year, I promise myself that I will plant up tulips and spring flowering bulbs in the autumn and every year I don’t get ‘round to it’.

Not this year! I had the time to plan what bulbs to buy and am now enjoying a feast of amazing tulips and daffodils. Always a delight,

because I have invariably forgotten what I have planted so many months earlier.

Spring flowers are not all about tulips and daffodils though. As the evenings become longer the lilacs, peonies and Philadelphus (Mock Orange) start to bloom. Many of the spring plants have gorgeous perfume too. A couple of the best are the rampant climber Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine), although it has more of a vanilla scent than chocolate I think, and the shrub Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’.

Place these somewhere you sit, or by a front door, so you catch wafts of the delicious scent in the air.

Flowering trees are at their very best in the spring and one of the most eye catching is the glorious Magnolia. They come in a wide range of pinks to whites like the deep, rich purple of Magnolia Genie to the pure white of Magnolia x

soulangeana ‘Alba Superba’. There is even a blue/green flower on the new Magnolia acuminate ‘Blue Baby’! These flowering trees are what we call in the design trade ‘feature plants’ and should be given space to enjoy them during their time of flowering glory.

Another favourite spring flowering plant is the Fritillaria meleagris (Snake’s Fritillary although it has a long list of other common names including Frog-cup and Drooping Lily). As a wildflower, although becoming very rare to see in the wild, it likes to grow in damp meadows. I grow mine in pots and place them on a table so I can see

the gorgeous flowers close-up.

I have a ‘Spring Table’ where I gather together all my pots of spring flowering delights so they can be enjoyed. Only having a small garden, it can be hard to give over a section to just spring bulbs, so I grow in pots. You can sink pots of bulbs into the borders and, when you need to change over to summer flowers, lift them and let them die back in their pots. It is a great way to enjoy Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) without letting them loose in your garden, where they can take over!

Spring is a good time to stand back and look at your garden and work out how you want to use it in the coming summer months. It is the best time to move things around, sort out fencing and clean up paving. Maybe create a new area of paving or a ‘secret’ area with a fire-pit for summer evenings. Look at buying some solar powered festoon

planting seeds, you can buy many of these as jumbo seedlings. Sarah Raven does a very extensive range of plugs to buy.

lights to make it a magical space.

Keeping your outdoor space updated is very important and stops you becoming bored with it. Having spent some years living in South Africa, I became used to moving outdoors in the summer months there and spending more time in the garden than in the house!

At this time of year, my windowsills are packed with seed trays, as I start growing plants for the garden. I go for unusual tender plants such as Cobea scandens (Cup and Saucer vine), Rhodochiton ‘Purple Bells’ or Ipomoea lobata (Spanish Flag).

These look so exotic growing up a trellis or fence and add some real interest to your summer garden. If you don’t want the bother of

Spring is not just a precursor to summer, but a season to be enjoyed in its own right with loads of fabulous and colourful plants to enjoy. It just takes a bit of planning back in the cold months of winter to make it amazing. It is when we start looking forward to time in the garden over the warm summer days.

This year, I have had more design enquiries than ever before in 20 years. People are obviously understanding the importance of a lovely space to be while we are in this new way of living.

If you would like some more advice on your own garden, please head to www.thegardensmith.co.uk and get in touch with Cathryn Smith.

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Spring, traditionally a time for a good deep clean but what about what is lurking in your bathroom cupboards, has your favourite face cream gone off? Is that cleanser you’ve had for years growing bacteria and nasties?

Yes, you may be surprised to hear that your skincare expires, yep it will go off and when it does it needs to be binned. Once the expiration date has passed chances are bacteria and microbes have taken home in your product – yuck! Using gone off skincare can cause breakouts and skin reactions and remember everything you apply to your skin will make its way into your body, not to mention the product simply will not perform as it should.

With more ‘active’ ingredients being used in skincare, Vitamin C for example is very unstable, it is important to understand how to look after your products after all you’re investing in them to look after your skin.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY SKINCARE PRODUCTS WILL EXPIRE? Now before you go chucking out perfectly good skincare products have a look at the packaging there is a symbol, a small pot with an opened lid with a number followed by the letter M, for example 3M. This number is the number of months after opening that your product is good to use for. It can be good practice to jot down the date of opening, maybe use a pen like a sharpie to write on the bottle, or a small sticker, this way you will never be second guessing if your product is past its best or not.

Most products also have a best before date, this is the date by which the product should be used by. Now is a great time to double check the dates as you may have products you have not used in a while with the lockdown, and with beauty salons reopening across England and Wales (at the time of writing) it is a great time to book your post winter facial, discuss your requirements and pick up some quality skincare product tailored to your skins needs.

DOES IT MATTER WHERE I STORE MY SKINCARE? Yes, whilst the symbols and dates are a great indicator tool, they do not take into consideration how you store your skincare. Bathrooms are not a great place for products due to the constant changes in humidity and temperature. Products also do not like sunlight, it can alter the formulas and de-stabilise active ingredients. A cool, dark cupboard is a good place for your treasured

skincare products.

DOES PACKAGING MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Pump bottles and pipettes are brilliant they are easy to use, help you measure your product application and limit light and air getting to your product, too much air and the product will Oxidise sometimes turning the product a greenish colour – yuck!

If your favourite product does come in a jar use a

cotton bud to remove the product, our fingers add bacteria which you don’t want to grow in your cream to then smoother all over your face, this may sound dramatic, but it happens.

Big jars and bottles may seem like a bargain but think about whether you’ll use all the product before it expires. Quality skincare doesn’t require you to use a lot in your daily routine and so better to use all of a small quality skincare product than be throwing away half a jar of product because it has gone off!

I am an Eve Taylor professional stockist, one of the reasons I chose Eve Taylor was because as well as the amazing performance and affordable price, the products are manufactured in Britain in small batches, so the products are not sat going off on a shelf before they reach you.

Look at your products, see what needs to be used up quickly, whether they are still giving you the results you need, have a good clear out to give you a good start for healthy skin, and remember when choosing new products to look at the dates and packaging to maximise your investment.

For more tips and advice please follow me on social media @hayleykoonerbeauty

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO

OWN A RACEHORSE? The team at Fergal O’Brien Racing are pleased to offer a wide range of ownership options which could see you enjoying race days all across the country. fergalobrienracing.co.uk | 07771 702 829 | admin@fergalobrienracing.com

May

IS ONE OF THE MOST

beautiful

TIMES OF THE YEAR May is one of the most beautiful times of year.

Spring has sprung and we find ourselves well on our way to full-blown summer.

It is also a beautiful month to get involved with wildlife; whether that be through gardening or exploring the

countryside, there are so many things to keep an eye out for this May. As per usual, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the most exciting and easy-to-find wildlife for you to spot on your daily walks and paired it up with some gardening work that can be incorporated in order to bring these beautiful creatures to your home!

WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS: Bluebells are a common and beautiful find through May alongside wild orchids and cow parsley. These wildflowers are often found in woodlands and on verges and are vital homes to many insects.

Also keep an eye out for birds such as cuckoos,

nightingales and swifts thriving through spring.

Nightingales are known for their beautiful song from dawn until dusk, proving to be one of the most well-known birds for this time of year.

Unfortunately, due to decline in woodland area, the numbers of these beautiful birds are falling quite rapidly. Their ideal habitat lies in relatively new undergrowth and scrub, so it’s important to be vigilant when looking for wildlife.

Other animals that can be found at this time of year are badgers, foxes and deer who are all raising their young through spring. Try keeping a keen eye out for these as they can sometimes be hard to spot!

GARDENING: This month is vital to start planning your summer bedding plants as well as

looking after your spring bulbs for next year. This is also the time of year to harden off half-hardy plants by leaving them outside during the day and then bringing them back in at night before planting them.

As far as flowers go, remember to lift forget-me-nots if you are trying to prevent any heavy self-seeding and spreading across your garden. This also goes for daffodils and any other spring flower bulbs. It’s also a good time to prune penstemons by cutting back the old shoots to the base.

Harvest asparagus spears now before they grow too tall. Pea plants also need lots of support and potential netting for their

best chance at growth through the next few months.

To keep your lawn looking at its best this month, make sure to apply lawn weed killer and a high nitrogen fertiliser to ensure some healthy green growth just in time for summer. It’s also good to continue sowing lawn seed to guarantee a full and smart-looking garden for the warmer months.

THE

100

th

WINNER

iPlus Group are very pleased, and proud, to support Fergal O’Brien Racing, especially during their exceptional 2020 - 2021 season as they join the coverted ‘hundred club’.

Fergal O’Brien Racing joined an exclusive club when Oscar Rose won at Kempton on Monday April 19.

It was our 100th winner of a fantastic season and we reached the milestone despite losing the first two months due to the Covid19 shutdown. We are just the 18th stable in National Hunt racing history to notch up a century of winners in a season.

The first trainer to achieve the feat was Arthur Yates way back in 1892. Yates’ tally of 124 winners for the season stood for nearly 100 years until Martin Pipe came along, ripping up records as he went. His two Grand National victories were among a career total of more than 3,000 winners.

Yates, who sported a rather dashing handlebar moustache, trained at ‘The Ruins’ in Bishop’s Sutton near Winchester. Zebras, llamas, emu and peacocks were among the animals and birds that were said to roam free in the gardens. We would like to think we have some equally impressive animals at Ravenswell Farm but, perhaps, not quite as exotic.

Michael Dickinson was the next to break a century of winners. He is, of course, famous for saddling the first five horses home in the 1983 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Earlier that season he had trained 12 winners in a day.

That Boxing Day haul is a record that still

stands today. He was then followed into the hundred club by Martin Pipe, Arthur Stephenson and Gordon Richards. Mary Reveley was the first female trainer to win a hundred races in a jumps season. She achieved the feat four times.

David Nicholson, who was based at Condicote near Stow-on the-Wold before moving to Jackdaws Castle, twice hit the century mark.

The current resident of Jackdaws Castle, Jonjo O’Neill, has also passed three figures on a number of occasions. He is joined on the list by Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, Dan Skelton, Philip Hobbs, Alan King, David Pipe, Donald McCain, Neil Mulholland and Tim Vaughan. It’s clear we are in quite exalted company in the jumps trainers’ ‘hundred club’.

None of it could have been achieved without the support of all our loyal owners, staff and jockeys, who have been instrumental in our success from the early days at Cilldara Stud to Naunton and now at our superb Ravenswell home.

It’s to you all we owe a debt of thanks and you can guarantee we’ll be doing our very best to ensure we hit the century mark again in the new season.

From Fergal, Sally and all the team at Fergal OBrien Racing

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TIPS ON

how to GET

BACK INTO YOUR

GYM ROUTINE

1

PATIENCE No matter what your reason for going back to the gym may be; if you’ve taken some time off, it is very possible that you are not going to be working at the same level as before. This doesn’t mean that you won’t get back or even surpass your previous fitness levels! It just means that you should begin with the mindset that you might have some extra work to do.

DON’ T OVERDO IT It’s completely understandable to feel disheartened if you aren’t reaching your previous personal bests. However, it is important to work with your current strength and stamina levels. Giving your body time to adjust will be a huge help in getting yourself back into it.

2

3

GIVE YOURSELF A SCHEDULE Your previous routine may need to be altered for your return to the gym. Making a schedule will help with motivation and keep you in line with realistic goals! Make sure to adjust it as you get back into your day-to-day life post lockdowns.

BE PREPARED TO BE SORE! If you are new to working out or are trying a new exercise, you might notice that you feel extremely sore the next day. Luckily, once you’re well into your routine, the soreness will begin to subside. Make sure to incorporate a warm-up and cool down to keep this at bay.

Stretching is also a great way to minimise this and has some other really great benefits!

5

CONSIDER A TRAINER

If you want some extra help, getting a trainer can be extremely useful in helping you to reach your goals effectively. If you think that you only need a little push, then maybe try a workout app!

A personal trainer can create a workout plan based on your targets. They are also brilliant for aiding the recovery of injuries!

CHILDREN’S

activities

HOMEMADE KALEIDOSCOPE:

Amaze your children with this easy, homemade kaleidoscope made from a Pringles can! These are so simple to make but very effective and entertaining for your kids.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: - Pringles can - Paint/ scrap paper/ stickers to decorate the can - Nail and hammer - Colourful tissue paper - Glue - Glitter

METHOD Decorate the outside of your can before constructing your kaleidoscope. This can be done with anything! If paint isn’t an option consider some scrap paper or stickers for the same effect.

(Must be done by an adult). Pierce a small hole through the centre of the metal end of the can with a nail and hammer. This is the side you’ll be looking through.

HOMEMADE PAINT:

Get two activities for the price of one with making your own homemade paint! Children get both the satisfaction of helping you make the paint as well as the joy and creativity of actually using it. This method is cheap, non-toxic and, above all else, easy!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: - Salt - Flour - Water - Food colouring - Measuring cup - Mixing bowl - Bottle or container for storage

METHOD Combine even part of flour, water and salt in a mixing bowl. You can use as much or as little as you like, depending on how much you have.

Once all three ingredients are fully combined, pour into the appropriate number of paint containers for how many different colour options you have.

Cut your colourful tissue paper into small pieces and glue onto the inside of the clear lid. Arrange so that you’ll be able to see lots of the different colours. Add glitter!

Assign a colour to each container and squeeze a few drops of food colouring into each.

Once everything is dry, place the plastic lid back on the can and find a bright backdrop to look through your new kaleidoscope!

Shake the containers (or bottles) until colour distribution is even.

If colour isn’t vibrant enough, feel free to add more.

Use paint as usual! Note: paint may separate if left for a while but can be easily restored by shaking the container again.

Paint will dry on paper as usual.

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May

SUNSHINE AND BLUE SKIES, AND SPRINGTIME BOUQUETS, LIGHT HEARTS AND LAUGHTER AND BRIGHT HAPPY DAYS. DOGWOODS ARE BLOOMING YOUNG HATCHLINGS APPEAR. MAY IS SUCH A LOVELY TIME OF THE YEAR.

Life yle MAY 2021