Almost Spring afternoons -

Yesterday I was able to cut the first small bunch of golden yellow daffodils

 for the house. . . . .how they brighten things up. 

These sunny days are special, the garden is coming alive, full of

 promises. . . . and a lot of work!

Afternoon tea on the porch has been so enjoyable this week. 

I used the spring colored citron colored Anthropologie mug. 

It's quote 'EXPLORE' has been on hold a long time, but surely days

 of getting out and about are coming soon. 

While shuffling through my 'tea box' I found some interesting tea bags to try.

This green 'Passionate Pear' from TEALEAVES was a pleasant change.

 I usually drink black tea but read that green tea is more healthy. 

Do my tea specialist friends out there agree with this?

My knitting was put away after several months early in winter when I made

 a few more cowls and scarves to warm cold necks. 

Today an email came from that wonderful yarn and haberdashery shop in

 London, LOOP, located in Camden Passage - take a look if you're a knitter, 

you will love their offerings. The colors for spring are just so beautiful I may

  be pulling out my needles again to knit something new.

If I ever get back to London this will be a go to shop for certain!

 

Have a fabulous weekend friends. . . . . . . .and a very happy 

Mother's Day on Sunday to all the UK mums.

Here in the US our clocks go forward on Saturday night!

Sunday stroll . . . . . . . . .

Yesterday was such a perfect day here.

We took an afternoon stroll with our daughter through her neighborhood, 

breathing in the air filled with the scent of freshly mown grass and blossom.

Daffodils and hyacinths everywhere - oh the perfume of the latter - always

 amazing.

Under a cloudless, deep blue sky, children were outside, playing - always a nice

 thing to see these days - riding bikes and motorized 'cars'.  Imagine driving

 your own tiny Land Rover or Jeep before you're even old enough for kindergarten! 

Their parents chatted with neighbors in the street, cute dogs were being walked, birds 

were singing and poking through mounds of dried leaves in the shrubbery

and woody areas. . . . . . . 

Spring is in the air!

A female red-tail hawk watched from the wood.

I want one of these in my garden.

Speaking of gardens - I've gotta go now - need to work in mine today, deadheading, 

pruning, and a lot of cleaning up awaiting.

Are you gardening yet?

March garden gifts -----------

"It is the first mild day of March

Each minute sweeter than before

The redbreast sings from the tall larch

That stands beside our door.

There is a blessing in the air,

Which seems a sense of joy to yield

To the bare trees, and mountains bare,

And grass in the green field."

. . . . . . . William Wordsworth 1770-1850

Still cutting daffodils - they really bring 'sunshine' into the house on these

 dull, overcast mornings.

Hard to believe February is already history, how quickly it passed.

Today, March has not 'come in like a lion' or even marched in . . . . . . . it arrived

 dragging damp feet through last night's puddles, huddled under a heavy, 

leaden sky.

But not all is gloom and doom. Birds are very busy and singing heartily in

 occasional rain showers. Early blossoms are opening so there are many 

neighborhood trees dressed in pink and white ball gowns - so pretty and uplifting.

I walked outside early morning in a damp mist to look around the garden as

 another month arrived. Full of promises as always, provoking thoughts of the

 soon to arrive beautiful spring. I must say the garden didn't disappoint at all, 

but of course will require a lot of tender loving care soon, sigh!!!

Have a lovely weekend. . . . . .

Just picked - for you!

It's Monday and the sun is brilliant.

Skies are blue again.

Birds are busy singing.

Winter leaves crunch underfoot as I cut

 flowers and refill bird feeders.

I'm listening to beautiful music for almost

 Spring - 'The Lark Ascending' by great

 British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Sometimes February isn't so bad after all!

Photo via iPhone

Have a bright and beautiful week.

Monday garden and thoughts. . . . . . . .

Wow, time flies!  Here it is Monday again and this will be a crazy, busy week for me.

I managed to prepare a few posts over the weekend.

 I was fed up with trying to decide what to pack for Patagonia. . . . . and how to fit 

it all into a large rolling duffel . . . . . so took short breaks from looking at piles

 of layering clothes and tons of toiletries all over the bed, shot a few photos 

around the garden, and wrote some posts to share this week. 

Last evening I collapsed in my chair with a glass of red and two chocolates!!

 To hell with the prednisone weight gain, I'm tired of fighting that issue for

 the past year. 

Absolutely loved watching that hour and a half series finale of VICTORIA

 which I thought amazing! Did you see it?

NO, your acorns are not buried here! Guess they'll continue digging in my pots of tulip

bulbs and pansies whilst I'm gone.

The saucer magnolia continues to brighten the February garden.

Plenty of garden chores will have to wait 'til April.

The daffodils and jonquils brought 'sunshine' to a somewhat cloudy weekend 

with a few showers.

So here's to the week ahead. Know you are freezing in the UK - even the

 English Channel is turning to ice along the Devon coast where my family lives, 

and severe storms caused by Siberian winds with snow and ice are heading

 across England from north to south for much of this week.

So take care wherever you are. . . . . . and do stop by tomorrow as it's a

 special anniversary for me!

Winter white and a promise of Spring. . . . . . . . .

Hoping those of you who may still be digging out and trying to stay warm in

 your snow covered homes up north in the USA, Canada, and perhaps other

 far away places, will find some respite from the storms as you go about

 your weekend.

A small bird twitters on a leafless spray,

Across the snow-waste breaks a gleam of gold:

What token can I give my friend today

But February blossoms, pure and cold?

Frail gifts from Nature's half reluctant hand.....

I see the signs of Spring about the land.....

These chill snowdrops, fresh from wintry bowers,

Are forerunners of a world of flowers.

~ Sara Doudney, "Snowdrops (Consolation)," c. 1881 ~

Sending warm thoughts your way.
I don't have any snowdrops in bloom, but these daffodils are
 peeking out on a chilly but sunny morning here.

Daffodils and Rabbits. . . . . . . .

Don't worry, no real rabbits spotted in the almost Spring garden yet!  
Did see one a few nights ago on the driveway, but hoping his/her taste for
 nibbling doesn't extend to my now lovely clumps of bright daffodils scattered
 everywhere. I almost hesitate to cut them for the house, I love to see them
 wafting in the breeze on these splendid sunny days we're lucky to be blessed
 with this week. 

But cut a few I did. I'm moving just one vase about the cottage, enjoying them
 today in the dining room where I'm now displaying my white rabbits, whom
 I must point out are very well behaved and nibble on nothing! 
Easter will arrive early this year. I love looking at these rabbits so moved them
 from the confines of their attic storage boxes a little early.

During a stop at Tuesday Morning this week following a doctor visit 

nearby - shopping is always a pleasure following that hassle - I purchased

 these three resin Easter/Spring eggs with black graphics . . . . . plum blossom,

 butterfly and dandelion. Being flat-bottomed they can stand up which is a

 change from the usual eggs which are inclined to roll about!

They are the only additions to this season's decor - remember I'm trying to downsize!

Oh those glorious golden daffodils, how they bring smiles and happy thoughts!

Leap Day and early Spring mornings. . . . .

I enjoy posting a seasonal something or other on the refrigerator. Usually it's a tear sheet from a magazine, and almost always it will be from UK Country Living. . . . . because I think it's one of the very best magazines out there!

Today I decided to display this page again because it's one of my favorites for Spring.

The mornings are looking brighter since last week's damaging storm front passed through, and over the weekend I cut the first few daffodils for the kitchen window. Healthy looking green leaves are shooting up everywhere since those heavy rains, even in the window box - though I can't recall just which bulbs I planted there . . . . . a senior moment, but a surprise to come! I did run outside before the rains came and sprinkled a lot of bulb fertilizer where I planted in Fall, looks like it's paying off. Hopefully I'll soon be cutting more blooms to enjoy in the cottage.

Don't have many spare/bare walls remaining to display

 art so the refrigerator door comes in handy

 and, as you can see, magnets are at the ready.

Happy Leap Day - happy week.

Edited: Thank you all SO MUCH for the outpouring of wonderful comments 

on my ninth blog anniversary post yesterday. I appreciate every kind word.

Language of flowers. . . . . . . .

 Yesterday we headed to the garden . . . . . . many hours of hard work, not play. 
Bob was more diligent than me, I had to give up and let him carry on alone
 until supper time.
Sun shining, slight breeze, temperature actually reached over 70F by mid-afternoon. 
We have a lot of damage from the recent ice storm, split branches on small trees and 
shrubs, the worse being a large and lovely variegated privet, which has to 
come down now. 
We let it go with only minimal pruning over 10 years and it became a tall tree.  
Located behind the gazebo it gave us privacy. It became a favorite perching place 
for the birds on their way to feeders and bird bath.
It will be missed, a lot.

The first daffodils were a shock - they were all lying on the ground. Stems bent 

from the ice were unable to hold up their golden heads.

I cut them and brought them in the cottage, looked for a short vase and decided 

two of my favorite mugs would be perfect.

 . . . . . . and today is the day for changing the magazine tear sheet on the 
refrigerator door. Remember I shared this easy display location a while back.

Winter is on the wane and I'm now enjoying this beautiful display of daffodils.

Daffy-down-dilly 

Has come to town

With a yellow petticoat 

And a pretty green gown
~ Nursery Rhyme ~

A Touch of Yellow. . . . . . .

There were just two in bloom, gracing the bare and dull garden yesterday.

The first daffodils of this new year.  

Pushing up through the cold earth to add a little color to my week ahead. 

I cut them, added a few stems of fragrant rosemary, knowing freezing rain, sleet, 

and perhaps some snow will be arriving later today. 

A house with daffodils in it is a house lit up, whether or no the sun be shining outside.

                                                                                                  ~ A. A. Milne ~

Heartfelt flowers and more. . . . . . . .

Especially for those of you in northern climes, dear friends all, 

a little almost Springtime color - I just know you're tired of being

blanketed in white!

This is my garden today. Little gems of early Spring are peeking from the ground, 

flower pots, and the kitchen window box. Pansies and Violas, bless their heart shapes.

Daffodils, just showing yellow petals, will soon be dancing in the breeze.

However, before all that happens, COLD, very cold bitter weather is expected

over the weekend - record low temperatures for this area in February - however a
promise of brilliant sunshine at the same time, for that we're grateful.

Mother Nature, you sure know how to flirt with our senses. . . . . 

and this weekend, our hearts.