Keeping Warm

Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes, they're very appreciated and every one made me smile as I read them.

I'm glad my birthday was when it was as we've all been struck down with hacking coughs and colds since then. Andrew started it off and passed it along, temperatures, headaches, sore throats, coughs and runny noses. It seems to be passing just leaving the horrible coughs (they always seem to linger), but meant half term was a bit of a washout and we spent most of our time in the house watching films, reading, eating homemade soup and keeping warm.

I'm discipling myself to stay with stitching Zackary's Christmas stocking and not to start any more stitching projects until this one is finished... even though I can hear them calling for me...

Still quite a bit to do, but it's really taking shape now.

To give my eyes a break from the stitching, I've started to crochet another blanket, something for my hands to do in an evening when we sit down to watch TV.

I have my first Hyacinth bulbs of the year growing in a pot

We're not the only ones staying in the warm, these 3 just wouldn't smile for the camera today.

Little Gary (the white one) doesn't like to go outside without his jumper on and likes to nestle up next to Honey and Alfie. I've put an old cushion in their bed to make it more snug.

Hope you're all keeping nice and snug too.


Take care
xxx

Garden Life

I've been spending a lot of time in the garden the last couple of weeks. It's been blissful out there with the birds singing and the pond trickling away. Today has been lovely and sunny, but even on chilly days with the rather horrible north easterly wind we've had battering us over the last couple of weeks, I've still been out there with a blanket round me, reading my book and hugging a hot cup of tea.

As it's been nicer weather today I took the opportunity to take some photos... I'm also hoping you may be able to identify a rather lovely flower for me.

These are so pretty, a lovely delicate pink colour

We've replaced our lavender this year as the old bushes were getting a bit woody.

There are sunflowers against the fence, I'm hoping they'll grow nice and tall.

We bought 2 roses, a climber and a rambler, one pink one peach and both scented.

Lots of Alliums were planted in the autumn, I absolutely adore them

I don't know what this beautiful little flower is. it's growing quite tall and I love it's small compact blooms, I'd love to know what it's called?

Lots of carrots...

Potatoes...

 Brussel sprouts...

Cauliflowers, radishes, shallots and lettuces...

Some more lavender

Nearly time for tea

3 little dogs, exhausted from lying in the sun all afternoon

The forecast isn't sounding to good for the weekend so I don't think I'll be venturing out as much except to feed fish and water plants.

Hope it's warm where you are

Take care
xxx

Quick Visit to the Park

Thank you for the kind comments about my little bird, I did enjoy making him and I'm looking forward to making a little friend for him.

Yesterday we were out and about after doing some shopping with a little time to spare before we were going to pick Imogen up from school. Normally she would walk home, but as we were already out and she has a bit of a cold at the moment, we thought we'd surprise her with a lift home. As we would have been about 10 or 15 minutes too early, we went for a quick wheel around the park.

There were flocks of seagulls around, this one above had wandered off by himself looking for some juicy worms I imagine.

The only other birds we saw were crows. I do like crows, such clever birds and they can be quite imposing looking.... not this one though, he was concentrating on finding a nibble or two.

There were patches of Snowdrops all over the place, perhaps past their best, but still beautiful.

Lots of Daffodils too, crops of vibrant yellow on a green carpet.

Rose bushes, looking a bit scruffy as they can, but still with the most beautiful blooms and scents.

Lastly, a few patches with bright, white crocuses

 We weren't there long, but saw so many beautiful flowers, it'll be blossom on the trees next.

Take care
xxx

Little Robin Red Breast

Thank you for all your lovely comments. I can understand why Hyacinths would give some of you a migraine, it is a very heady smell. I take them out of the living room when my son comes with his pregnant girlfriend. She's been having such rough time with sickness that I certainly don't want to risk making it any worse with the scent from such strong flowers. Poor thing is having quite a bit of pain too on either side other growing bump, she 's putting it down to growing pains and had a similar experience with her other pregnancy. Second scan in a couple of weeks, they're hoping to find out the babies gender too. I must admit to being quite excited to know if I'm going to have a grandson or granddaughter!

This is a little felting kit I've had put away for a while

It's a sweet little Robin like Kirsty Allsopp made in one of her crafting programmes. Everything was included, perhaps enough to make 2 birds even.

I stabbed away, using the white wool then building the colour over the top.

I found the hardest, and most fiddly, part to be the beak. I need beak practise!

He is a cute little fellow though and will look good with a little cotton loop through his head so I can hang him on this years Christmas tree.

After the beautiful white Hyacinth, I had to pick up this blue one, it's so pretty

and these lovely Daffodils, though they are a bit tall and floppy!

I've changed the mantle for spring, there's rather a lot on it, but I never really was one for minimalism and it does look rather nice with bunnies and sheep bounding about

The house has candles that are lit in an evening, looking very cosy.

I so need spring to arrive this year. I think we've had quite a mild winter really, but I'm yearning for some warmth and better weather, daydreaming about sitting in the garden surrounded by flowers, doing some crochet or reading a book with the sun warming me. I keep seeing signs here in peoples lovely blogs and on IG, lots of Snowdrops and Crocuses.

Have a lovely weekend
Take care
xxx