A Flowery Post.

Hello again. Thank you for all the lovely get well wishes for my sweet friend who is indeed recovering a little now. Wouldn't some sunshine help? Today we have rain...again. It was bright first thing and I raced out with the camera before the wind rose bringing torrential rain in its wake. A touch of spring is what I was after and I found it in these clusters of primroses



The winter flowering cherry is very late this year, but looks so beautiful now with its froth of blossoms.



Forget-me-nots scatter there vibrant blue throughout the borders



and will eventually entwine with the myriad tulips now showing promise despite being planted so late (February!!!). Just goes to show it is always worth a shot doesn't it?



Inside, the window is lit by this pretty miniature rose



Such swirly skirts and even a delicate waft of perfume.



All very lovely, but in truth I want the sun to accompany me, warm on my back as I plant these little beauties.


I can't wait.



Have a lovely Monday x

Things To Make Me Smile.

I thought I would share some of the things which are bringing a smile to my face and making me think how the simplest of things are what make life so good. First up are roses - beautiful, wonderful roses in delicate shades of palest pink flushed through with a deeper rose as in the bunch I bought for Mr Davey for no other reason than I love him.



Or the sumptuously layered rose with its petals of cream tinged with soft butter and almost-caramel, the type of rose that makes me think of Edwardian ladies and the richness of fabric revealing its many colours in the softest of folds. I am well aware I may be the only one who knows what I am rambling about, but do speak up if you understand so I don't feel quite so alone in my meandering imaginings!



This creamy flower was delivered to my door yesterday as the center of a gorgeous tied posy nestled in a pretty vase containing hyacinths and gerbera and daisies. It also came with a box of the most rich and amazing chocolates, the whole a present for me from our beautiful daughter, Lauren. I can't tell you how surprised and thrilled I was, but for once I was rendered speechless and that truly does not happen often. In fact the last time was when Davey proposed in our garden by a the light of a lantern hung from the cherry tree with almost all our children with us, some friends and the loveliest, most beautiful of speeches from Dave leading up to it, so thank you my lovely Lauren for managing to silence me once more and for making your Mama's day x



Other things to smile at? Well, this mess is only a part of our garden and my goodness does it ever need sorting. It makes me smile though because I am desperate to get out there and hack away; one of my favourite tasks is to bring an overgrown flower bed back to order, albeit a loose version of order as I can't bear rigid, formal borders. I like them to flow and gently tangle, so as soon as I can I shall be out there with my secateurs as this is just a little too much flowing and tangling even for me.



A clear out of my over-burdened coat pockets brought this sea treasure to light. How many times I find pockets full of such finds.



I so love the sea and the changing shades of blue and green. Two necklaces hang on my dressing table where they remind me daily of the ever-changing ocean, both Christmas presents, both oft worn and both very lovely. This dainty one is from sweet Matzen



and this long rope of turquoise wooden beads is from dear Tom and his lovely girlfriend, Lynne.



I love them both.



And lastly in today's list of things to make me smile are the delicate snowdrops outside our kitchen window. Dainty, pure, serene - I just love them (though honesty impels me to say this is a photo from last year as I just cannot seem to get a decent picture of them this year...yet!).



What's making you smile today? x

Noticing, good and bad.

I'm tired. No reason, no big deal, but I am so tired this week. Still, the upside of going a little slower is that you notice things, though truthfully I am one of life's noticers anyway and have always loved to spot treasures to bring home or espy the berries ripening in hedgerows. Still, just now I am finding myself sitting on the bench or strolling around the garden when I should be hanging washing, and noticing all sorts, some good, some not so. Here are a few things I noticed today: roses...



This one is called Ballerina and flowers almost all year.




Typially I have forgotten the name of this one, but it is twining its way through the bay hedge and lighting the darker leaves with its creamy blooms outside Davey's writing room.



This one cimbs through our tangled border in the front garden



Then I notice these three chaps, for chaps they are. They are cuckoo maran chicks which we will be eventually having for the pot. I realise some may find this not to their liking, but it is best to be honest. We have reared and eaten our own ducks and hens in the past, feeling that the main point here is to ensure they have a good, well-cared for life before-hand, which they will. These arrived yesterday and have settled well so far, scratching around and scoffing as much food as they can get their beaks on. The children have no allusions as to their eventual fate and understand that this is part of the way we choose to live; I hope the notion of taking responsibilty will always be with them.



Of course, that does not mean Isabella should take it into her own head to feed the animals without being asked - how many times she has been told! I see even Tiger-Lily is doing her bit.



although it has to be said, Tiger-Lily does enjoy a ride in the doll's pushchair



Hmm, and then I noticed this all over the plum tree...yeuch!



Truly gross.



One of my daughters took this photo of my new haircut (about 6 months overdue I might add) and I notice the silver threads beginning to wend their way through...sigh.



But never mind as I am also noticing this is almost ready to quaff - my very most favourite drink ever....eldeflower champagne.



Scrumptious!


Have a lovely weekend x