Category Archives: Uncategorized

Halfway through January and time to use some of the stored fruit and preserves. I brought some apples from the shed and made my apple and cinnamon squares. These make a lovely pudding on a wintry day and freeze well so there is always cake available. Although the apples look blemished they are good underContinue reading “Preserves and Painting”

The first Snowdrop to show its lovely head has appeared in the garden. So pure and redolent of the beginning of a new year. Seed packets have arrived so lots to look forward to. The beautiful Hellebore which always flowers first is bursting with blossom. Others are showing fat , lovely buds. The Garrya catkinsContinue reading “Fresh Flowers and Food”

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone. Time now to believe we can make a new beginning, shed the old life of last year and look forward to a fresh start, renewed optimism and determination. Of course, it’s not always easy but “hope springs eternal” as the saying goes and it’s this renewal which lifts our spirits andContinue reading “Old Life and New Life”

Another Christmas is over but the enjoyment lingers. The food was delicious, the wine was full of fruity notes and warmth and love completed all of it. But there is still time to savour the pleasures of the season. My lovely husband surprised me with a bouquet on Christmas Eve. He’s not usually one forContinue reading “Christmas Past and Pleasures Yet to Come”

We’ve had a lot of rain recently. The garden was dripping, raindrops were glistening and the windowpanes were being hammered. I managed to catch a few glimpses of how it fell on leaves, twigs and other surfaces. The fruit trees are bare now but beautiful, silhouetted against the sky and revealing the many lovely birdsContinue reading “Cushions and Coffee Cream”

Haven’t been able to do much outside. It’s been so wet. Dreary old perennials need trimming back to remove their soaking leaves. This is when the evergreens in the garden really earn their keep. No matter what the weather they always look beautiful. I’m especially fond of euonymous. We have the green and white andContinue reading “A Quiet Garden and a Busy Home”

We’ve had snow, stormy winds and lashing rain in the last week or so. The garden has taken a battering yet still manages to surprise and often please me. I’m not a fan of snow but it does look magical as it falls silently over everything it touches. It only lasted a day for usContinue reading “Winter Weather and Christmas Ideas”

We had the first hard frost last week. The few flowers still clinging on were huddled against the cold but everything looked beautiful with their sparkling edges. The winter lettuces and salad leaves will be fine in the greenhouse. It’s not heated but offers just enough protection from the biting wind and scorching frost. TheContinue reading “Frost and Fire”

It was quite a week. I had two beautiful bouquets for my birthday. So welcome with the fading colours of the garden. A lovely reminder of the show over the last few months and now that the garden is almost asleep a sharp contrast with the softer tones outdoors. There are a few hardy flowersContinue reading “Flowers and Festive Fun”

Planted Lilies this weekend. I wasn’t impressed with the bulbs. I hope they grow. A variety called “Brasilia”, very pretty with delicate colours, favourites of mine. I grew them a few years ago, as you can see from my photo, but they died out. Trying again. Meanwhile the garden has its blazing Autumn shades andContinue reading “Crackers about Christmas”