Grumpy

I'm afraid I started today a little grumpy.

The wind and rain kept me awake through the night.

When I went outside to feed the birds this morning, it was FREEZING.

I then declared that I wasn't walking to school today.  Most unlike me, as I walk in pretty much all weathers.  But I declared that walking to school in wind, and drizzle and being frozen is what you expect in October, but I wasn't doing it in May.

When I got back, after a quick tidy up, there was nothing for it, but a cup of hot chocolate and a piece of home-made cake.  :)

 That's better!

Then a lovely surprise - the yarn from Suze at Simply Seeking Serenity arrived - all the way from Australia.  

Maybe it wasn't such a bad day after all!

(Although I'd still like to see some sunshine for more than 2 minutes between showers)

I'm off to try and "catalogue" my crochet now.  Update to follow - although I originally thought it would be a 5 minute job, but have a feeling it may take a little longer!

Sara x

Waiting for Rain!

Last weekend we had lovely warm sunshine.  I took the sun cream with us when we were out.  Matt sweltered whilst playing cricket and rugby.  The ground was far to hard to play rugby.

This weekend was somewhat different.

The school cricket match was played in the rain (rain did not really stop play!)
Cricket photos lack a certain something when the main focus is raindrops!

Today started with bright sunshine, and has got more and more blustery and now the rain has arrived.  I decided that the garden chores needed to be done asap (obviously leaving me more time to craft this afternoon! )

My poor garden is trying so hard, but Mother Nature has a different plan at the moment.  It would be so nice to see some warm, gentle sunshine to nurture the plants and flowers.  Even some of my roses have been "burnt" by the harsh winds and late frosts.  I have gaps in the borders and at the moment am a bit reluctant to fill them.  I'm trying to work out what can survive these extremes of weather.  I know my garden is exposed, but this the South East of England!  Any ideas for something pink and early flowering?

After I'd cut the grass and tidied up a bit, the rain hadn't quite arrived, so I took a few photos.  I thought I'd sit and have a cup of tea and try and get some photos of the birds in the garden.  They are still so noisy and busy at the moment.  I love it.  However, it was pretty much silent and none were around.  

This was why!  He flew in and landed in the apple tree!

I've no idea - kestrel, sparrow hawk?  It's difficult to tell as I couldn't see his head, and obviously I couldn't move as that would have frightened him away.

This is him in flight.  Any ideas?

Back to my garden - 

 Clumps of thyme

 Apple blossom

 Fire - something Euphorbia.  This photo doesn't do the bright colour justice.

 Cow parsley and forget-me-nots.  I'm trying to keep parts of my garden more natural - without things like the cow parsley taking over!

 Loving these white tulips at the moment.  The green vein detailing is stunning.  I admire them every time I walk up the garden path.

 The bluebells are wonderful in the hedgerows - but I can't seem to take a photo which shows are stunning and bright they are.

 A delicate pulsatilla

Best get the washing in before the rain then!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sara x

Tulips & Sunset

Today has been a good day.

The sun has shone.

I've watched Matt play cricket, and took some crochet with me.  I'm working on my Quite Contrary Wrap which is lovely.

The pitch was in a beautiful location.  Can you see the South Downs in the distance?

When we got home, I took my camera outside to take some photos of the garden.  It has changed so much in the last few days as there has been sun and warmth.

 The Ginny Gee azalea (I think that what it was called) is in full bloom

 Hostas - before the slugs find them!

 Tulips looking for the sun

 More tukips!

 Plum tree blossom

 The apple blossom is almost here

 Lots more tulips

 This one reminds me of a rose

 Aren't they beautiful?

 I was trying to capture a bee - but missed him, but I like the spots and stripes of the different leaves.

 The bee!!!

 There are still some daffodils

 Epimedium - I think?

 Cherry blossom

 Crab apple blossom

 And a beautiful sunset at the end of the day

Oh and exciting news - a friend and I booked Yarndale tickets.  I can't describe how excited we are.  A girly weekend - we live on the South coast so it is quite a way to go, a nice hotel, and yarn, and maybe a glass or two of wine!  What more could a girl ask for?!

Yes - indeed today has been a good day.

xx

Spring has (or had!) arrived

Yesterday was beautiful!

The sun shone, and it was wonderfully warm.

I even sat outside at lunchtime, and ate a sandwich and then crocheted.  Utter bliss!

Thankfully, I took some photos for my monthly garden colour album, as today has been 10 degrees colder and raining.  Not very springlike at all!  Oh well, there's always tomorrow.  Fingers crossed as Matt has another cricket match, and it would be lovely to watch him in the sun.  It lacks a certain something watching if you have to huddle under blankets wearing 5 jumpers!

Back to my garden - it has suddenly burst in to life.  At long last.

 Can you see "Hector the Heron"? - a birthday present from my sister last week.  He is made from recycled metals and looks very at home amongst the heathers and camelias.

 Beautiful primroses.

 Wide open tulips

 Forget-me-nots

 The last few daffodils.  I'm amazed how quickly they have finished.

 I seemed to wait ages for them to flower, and their time is over already

 Stripy hyacinths :)

 A carpet of grape hyacinths

 Bright tulips - these were tight buds in the morning and like this by lunchtime

 These are new tulips this year - very bright and zingy

 Acidic yellow of euphorbia bracts

 Cowslips.  :)  Very pleased to see these as I sourced them from a supplier of English country flowers.  They are doing really well now - but it has taken time

 This one is growing in my lawn and I couldn't face mowing over it - so I went round it instead!

And finally a mosaic in case you couldn't face all the photos along the way!

Thanks for looking.

Off to do some more camera / photography reading now.  I am getting a new camera - we ordered it yesterday.  It is my birthday present from Mark & Matt.  It should be ready for collection at the beginning of June - so plenty of time to read all about how to improve.

xx