Imbolc

Imbolc.... The first day of Spring......


This year, there are snowdrops in bloom in my garden. Last year, we had snow, and I could only find a very few snowdrops, and they were merely spears. The year before that, the snowdrops were almost over.
The birds have already paired up. They are flirting and collecting nesting material. The Bluetits are seriously engaged in courting activity. At the same date last year, they were all busy trying to stay alive.
Each year different.....a Blessing, surely!

Growing...

The pups are eight months old today.They are now much bigger than Poppy. Quince is also rather taller than Barley. They all still cuddle up and sleep together, though.
We had a bit of a time of it with them, in the run up to Christmas. Quince had to have some work done on her eyelids. The edges were turning in, and causing the lashes to rub on the eyeballs. The Vet was brilliant - very neat. The work is not visible any more. A couple of weeks later, we had them both speyed. I don't want to breed from them, so it will spare them all the discomfort, and help deter mammary tumours.
The first day I could walk them off-lead after all the above, I was doing a one- on- the-lead,-one-off walk, so that they didn't go mad. Put Quince back on the lead, let Barley off. She shot through the hedge after a pheasant. Came back, and just sat down. Odd. She had ripped around the top of her leg (on barbed wire). Straight to the Vet. Ten stitches! We are getting to know the staff at the Vets well.


My sister in law, Deb, gave ma a lovely book for Christmas. The Handmade Loaf, by Dan Leppard. It was recommended by Nigel Slater. I had a lovely time making the sourdough starter, and then baking a loaf.


It has really reminded me how I enjoy yeast/bread baking. This was the first loaf.....there have been a number since.
Deb also gave me a set of V.H.S. tapes. 'Gone to Seed'. Not available at present on DVD. Why did I want it ? It contains a young Rufus Sewell.

Knitting

A few sunny days, although cold, make such a difference to ones' outlook. A little sun also makes a difference in the garden. Suddenly the daffodil spears are showing several inches of growth. The snowdrops are beginning to show their flower buds. And this witchhazel, covered in flowers that look like an accident in a tissue box, but are a spicy, fragrant delight. It is in the front garden, which is enclosed by high Yew hedges, so the perfume is held, not dissipated by the breeze.
There was a lot of knitting done for the Festive season. These pale lavender fingerless gloves were for my Mother. Made in pure merino, they were trimmed in the same lace weight yarn that I made her scarf from. The surlpus, in fact.
The next pair was made for (sister) Nicky.They were also made from surplus yarn. This time from the waistcoat that I made for her some time ago. The contrast was from scraps.

And finally... This lovely cap is called Seamans' Cap, by Brenda Zuk (Needlebeetle). This was in an Aran weight pure wool from Coldharbour mill. A very easy pattern which knitted up quickly over a few evenings. Russell, Nicky's husband, was the recipient. My own Best Beloved then demanded I make him one, too!
My next project is already in hand....a hat for myself, with a braided brim. The pattern is in the current issue of The Knitter.

I would like to show some pictures of the pups, but at the moment the computer is saying that I 'don't have authority for the action' , so I'll try again tomorrow.

Ladybirds, and excited pups

Ladybirds are not a common sight, these days. And yet, there seems to have been a population explosion, locally. I saw these on nettles, along the banks of the stream in our garden. I started counting them, but when I got to one hundred and thirty-three, I realised there were many more to count than I had already. After that, I saw them everywhere. Welcome visitors.

Well, Barley and Quince are now allowed to walk in public. When they first came to us, Quince hated being in the car. She cried, and when we went to the vet, was sick in the car. So, every day, we have been taking a short (half-mile) trip in the car, and having a lovely (little) walk.

They both race Poppy to the car now, and try to jump up. Still a bit small for that, though.

They both love Babur's old bag bed. (There are two pups in there!)


Life is so exciting. Sometimes they just have to stop, because exciting is exhausting!

Introducing....

I had intended to have a few weeks, quietly catching up, and resting, before looking for a new dog. (I haven't taken any leave this year, and was feeling the strain.) But the right thing happens along, and we have to take it/them as given.
Best Beloved and I drove over to Williton, to look at a litter of puppies. Working Cocker Spaniels. Four female, two male. I was looking for a female, not black and white, which left these two. After a little to-ing and fro-ing, we decided to have them both.


This is Quince. Lemon and White. I think she is the best of the litter. Somewhat quieter than her siblings. Likes a cuddle.


And this is Barley. Golden. She and B.B. fell in love straight away. As soon as B.B. sat down, Barley climbed onto his lap, and stayed there for our whole visit. She repeated the excercise at our next visit. How could we not take her?
Poppy has been wonderful. She has been very patient with them, lets them jump all over her, shares everything with them. When the puppies crash out, after playing, we have a heap of dog in front of the Everhot, toasting tummies.
They all had second vaccines on Friday. So, a few days, and we will be out and about!

Special Days

It has been an unexpectedly busy few weeks. July is always full, as Best Beloved has his birthday, and we celebrate to the full. Lovely Lisa also had a significant birthday, so we all had to help celebrate that. One of the many trips was to the Woodland Fair, held on the Blackdown hills. It was a very Eco-friendly event, and great fun. The adults (!) in our group enjoyed tea made over a wood fire, the two small girls were entranced by everything. I got to drive a logging horse. Yes, a real heavy-horse, pulling a large log on a chain. I couldn't stop grinning, it was so exhilarating.

B.B. and I also went to Horner Woods, for a walk. This was on his birthday day. We had beautiful weather, despite the forcast. On the walk, we kept seeing large numbers of a very attractive Butterfly. It was unknown to us, and we were delighted to find on our return home that it is a Silver Washed Fritilary.

This dish of cherries is our first cherry harvest. Such a glorious colour. The Blackbirds and Thrushes had a good share, too. We have been delighted to see Mistle and Song Thrushes around the woodland and orchard this spring and summer. We do encourage the wildlife, so can't moan when they share the best bits.
Life in general is in the process of changing quite significantly. Over time, my job has changed from something I enjoyed, into something I really did not want to do. Pressed to work in a way that I was uncomfortable about. So, I resigned. My notice period will be taken up with using accrued leave.
Time to watch the swallows. Smell the Roses. And plan the next step......

Midsummer

This summer has been beautiful, thus far. More continuous sunshine than we have seen, for several summers. Today has been 23 degrees celcius. The roses are wonderful. The honeysuckle, too.The garden is a pool of perfume. So, take time out to savour it all, and give thanks for Midsummer.


The bees have been busy...we are up to twelve colonies. Not only are the colonies expanding, but it looks as though we may get a reasonable crop of honey, too. Although it doesn't do to 'count your chickens', as the saying goes. I live in hope!


It was Mother's birthday last week, so Nicky and I, and our menfolk, gave her afternoon tea. (Her choice). Freshly made sandwiches, cheese scones, fairy cakes, and strawberry-and-cream sponge sandwich. We managed to find some of the old-fashioned cake stands, to dress the table nicely. ( As a family, we have lots of that sort of thing, it's just a matter of rounding them up). A very summery thing to do, and such fun.
I have been looking at Puppy adverts in the local press, and Gun shop window. I miss not having several dogs around, and Poppy is getting lonely. She was always the 'little sister', after all. Springer spaniels, working cockers. Hmmm.