Blossom Time

I've been watching the ornamental cherry tree in the neighbouring garden for the past week or so, waiting for the beautiful blossom, and it's just about at it's best.  Sadly it always seems to happen when we have a spell of wet and windy weather and the whole lot ends up blowing off the tree like confetti and covering my veg plot for a few days.  

I managed to get some close up snaps yesterday when the sky was a beautiful blue, but had to dash out between rain storms today to get the other one.  I hope the wind dies down a bit or there'll be none left!

xxx

Spring Lambs

Out and about today, I couldn't resist stopping to take photos of these cute lambs . I'm no expert, but after a bit of research I found out that they are Black Welsh Mountain sheep.  The lamb's wool is quite black but as they age it fades to a gorgeous licorice brown colour.  

There were a few white sheep with black lambs too, lovely!

xx

A Walk in the Woods

It was so lovely early this morning we decided to go out to Micheldever Wood and enjoy the bluebells.  It's still a little early for the best show but we had a nice walk anyway.  It was a bit boggy so I didn't want to get down on the ground taking close ups but I took quite a few snaps. Sorry, I couldn't decide which ones to leave out so they're all here!  

Not many leaves yet, but lots of bright green moss and interesting tree stumps

And a great play fort for the little ones

I was surprised there weren't more bluebells open yet as the ones in my garden have been flowering for a while, but I guess it's shadier in the woods.  I'll be back again soon!

Have a good weekend

xx

Doll quilt finished

I had a break from cloakroom planning and being the gofer and tidy-uper to spend a bit of time in my workroom finishing the little quilt I started a while ago. 

I love it now it's finished.  It's sweet and simple, my favourite type.

It's about 18" x 15" and backed with a pale pink leafy print. For the binding I chose a pink and white stripe that finishes it off nicely. 

I'm itching to start some new projects but my sewing machine is still playing up :(  I managed to finish this ok but the top thread kept snapping.  It's being picked up again today so hopefully it can be fixed. 

Now I'd better go and check the greenhouse.  Everything is growing away too fast!  I've had to re-pot the beans as it's much too early to plant stuff  out.  You would think I'd have learnt after all these years not to start things too early, but obviously not!

xxx

A Bit of DIY

Hello, just popping in to say how much I've loved seeing all the lovely Easter decorations and lovely flowers around blog land recently.  The tulips are still looking cheerful in the garden, though they're getting a bit battered with the rain showers.  I love these wonderful parrot types, they make me think of old Dutch paintings

Also been picking the first rhubarb of the season.  It's such a beautiful pale pink when it's been blanched.  What could be nicer than home made crumble :)

I haven't had time for any crafty-ness this week.  Hubby's got some time off and we decided to tackle the little cloakroom that has sat un-decorated and very un-loved for years.  It's long and thin and  we always intended to install a shower at one end, but just never got round to it! I decided we don't really need another shower, but we could really do with more storage space so that end is going to be filled with shelves and drawers.  Anyway, I've spent the week visiting all the bathroom and plumbing places  looking for slim basins and trying to find design inspiration!  Now comes the messy bit of taking out the old loo and basin and knocking down some of the wall in the arched bit.

Do you like the rather groovy basin?  Apparently it was designed for the Barbican development in the 1960's and won a design award.  I'm not sure what to do with it (and matching pink loo). I wonder if anyone would want it if I put it on e-bay?

Bye for now

xx

More garden stuff!

Yes, I'm back with more garden and flower pictures!  It's that time of year when it's too lovely to be indoors, though it has turned chilly again this week.  While the weather was warmer we had balloons going over our garden a few times.  I bet it was still pretty cold up there though! 

Nothing happening with the wild flower seed I sowed yet.  You can just see the sticks with bits of foil I stuck all over the area to keep the pigeons away and it seems to have worked well.  It just needs a good downpour now.

We had a new fence put up at the end of the garden and I've got some cans of dark preservative to paint it with, but actually quite like it as it is.  It seems to reflect the light back and make the area much brighter.

The paths in the veg plot needed topping up, so we had a load of wood chippings delivered (free from a local tree surgeon). I made a start barrowing it through but there's a few more trips to go!

The plum tree is covered in blossom, hopefully there'll be a good crop again, though it is very old and diseased

The bluebells and whitebells seem to get earlier every year.  We've got a few patches round the garden, but I'm looking forward to seeing them in the local woods. 

There's also one solitary fritillary flower that pops up every year near the compost bins.  They usually like damp places, but I guess it's happy here as it's shady.

Last but not least, more tulips.  I love the ones with the red streaks. They always make me think of  raspberry ripple ice cream! 

Hope you have a lovely Easter break and don't eat too much chocolate :)

xxx