Walking in Beauty.....

There were so many footprints in the snow this morning that I could not tell one from the other. I felt sorry for the creatures that would have struggled to find food last night. The snow has stopped but more is heading our way....

The little snowdrop bowed her head..........reminding me how life can change in a single moment.......

The snow and ice had left exquisite creations,

each one telling a story of its own.....

Some were so beautiful that I became lost in the moment, and I forgot the passing of time, and the freezing temperatures.....I was walking in beauty.....

Iris Katherine Hodgkin had grown overnight and is ready to burst. I was not impressed with this bloom last year, I feel differently now........somehow I know, just know, that she will captivate me.....the weather is right for her. The rain last winter damaged her flowers and her true beauty had not been seen....

Daffodils have appeared all over the garden as if by magic......there is a lot to be said for a little snow and the sun appearing the next day........slowly melting....taking this precious elixir down to the roots of the plant..........

Everywhere I looked plants had put on growth and blooms looked healthy and happy.....

I really did walk in beauty today.....it left me feeling calm and peaceful and full of hope.......

As I walked back to the house, the doves flew in....I have not seen them for a while...........they looked incredibly beautiful today.......

and if you would like to see my two grandchildren playing in the snow...... please click Poppicrafts.

It's still snowing...

As soon as it was light I was out in the garden to feed the wildlife.

Birds and other creatures will struggle in these conditions. We have not had snow like this for around 18 years....... our winters are generally wet ........

They are saying the snow will continue for another 24 hours.......

I am snug and warm inside..........I think of the wildlife and the night ahead. I shall be up early tomorrow and have plenty of food waiting for them.......

Was it a dream......

My gazing ball told only half a story this morning..........he had acquired a hat during the night. Quite beautiful don't you think?

The wind had changed direction....a strong north easterly.......where did my brief encounter with spring go.....was it a dream.......

The sky was beginning to darken and looked quite angry......

The rooks had gathered in the old oak, waiting for the feeders to be restocked......

The robin looked up letting them know he was first in line, and they would have to wait their turn.....

that was after little Blue Tit of course.......

The Great Tit had a few words to say.....but waited patiently.......

Two hours later it started to snow.....the old seats in the copse looked as though they belonged to a bygone age........

My garden chair is such a beautiful piece of art.....I think the light snowfall suits it well.......

More and more birds arrived as the snow increased.....and my favourite song thrush came back....she had left during the sunny spell........

The blackbird sitting in the middle of the garden showed well against the white background.......

And finally two gentle birds feeding together...........the forecast is for prolonged snow overnight..........and I apologise to those living in the United States and Canada, I know many of you have REAL snow, and to you this must seem almost laughable...........but indulge me just a little bit please !!!!lol

Solitude......

Another sunny day gave me the chance to work in the garden again. I love my own company and am by nature quite solitary.........

Being alone in the garden gives me time to be at one with nature. To see the changes each day, never knowing who might visit........

The robin is never far away.....he has become a firm friend.......his sweet serenade never fails to move me. Just look how colourful he is......isn't he a handsome little chap........

I am preparing the soil for my golden hops. Mr P is in the process of making two obelisks for them to climb. They will be large structures.......sited either side of the pathway, that takes you to the spring garden.

This is an area that the blue tits enjoy. It is very secluded.

I know I will always find them there.

Weeding is on the agenda for tomorrow.......although it is chilly, another sunny day is forecast........long may it last.........

Warmth of the sun.....

After two days of rain the sun eventually came out. The little bit of warmth was so welcome......

As I walked the garden I could feel the sap rising.......my head tells me it is January......

but my heart tells me that spring is around the corner. I have itchy fingers......

I need to be doing.........

I had a few projects that I could do today.........it was good to be out in the fresh air and amongst the plants......

I cleared some of the debris that had accumulated in some of the beds......

The dogwoods need coppicing, but that can wait until another day. I love the lime green of this one.

The ivy in the copse has grown well. Mr P has put an arch up for it to ramble over.

I shall let it do its own thing for a while and then when the time is right I will clip it.

If you go through the arch it takes you to this little pathway. I have mulched it today with bark. Foxgloves, ferns and pulmonaria will cover the end of the path in springtime......

Snowdrops......
and daffs are showing all over the garden now......

In other areas of the garden Skimmia Japonica and Hellebores are ready to burst.......

Whilst some of the Mahonias have finished flowering, others are just getting ready to open. So useful for the bees if they appear in this warmer spell.....

Hey Gail, look, see that little tiny bit of yellow.....I think my witch hazel is going to bloom in the not too distant future.......

Rosa rugosa is showing a little too early........but you cannot stop nature doing its own thing.....can you?

The greenhouse has been cleaned inside. I am going to use it a lot more this year.

I have collected lots of seeds from the garden and have been given some to. Magazines also offer free seeds so I have more than enough to be going on with.

Mum and Dad are going to come and help. I have noticed that they are both lacking motivation....and I could feel them sliding away. I have asked them would they like to help and they jumped at the chance. I think we are going to have way to many plants for the garden, so I have decided to sell some at the front gate. I shall get Dad a comfortable chair and a sun hat.....he will enjoy sitting by the gate and chatting to people who stop to buy. I think it will be a bit of fun for us all. I have a lot of projects for this year, so I may not be able to post as often as I would like. Be sure that I will visit your blogs when I am able.

I am looking forward to working in my garden this year.........are you??