I feel as if I’ve been holding my breath for months, waiting for this moment. Waiting to open the doors and windows, to let in the sun and fresh air, to wander in and out without a coat…and here we are at last. I don’t want a ‘barbecue summer’, well, not one that will barbecue me, but pleasant warmth, sunshine and light, and just enough rain for the garden (only falling at night please, if we’re having a fantasy lets get it right).
I’m scuttling about a bit at the moment. A little bit of gardening, a little bit of sorting fabrics and yarns, some sewing, some knitting, symptoms of a butterfly brain. So excuse me if this post is a bit like that, I’ll settle down soon.
Firstly, the garden. You’ll excuse me if I don’t take you round the vegetable patch just yet. It needs a little more attention before I show it to visitors. Too many old bean canes and dead flowerpots. I do have lovely raised beds which I talked about in this post, and I have extravagantly enlisted the help of a gardening guru to make it look good enough for a photo shoot.
The wild plum is just bursting into bloom and I love the ‘spottiness’ of the buds just before they open. We started on the last of the wild plum jam on Sunday on warm scones.
In a couple of days it will just be a froth of blossom.
The forsythia is doing it’s thing, quite a bit later this year. Every summer I look at this unprepossessing nondescript shrub filling up the border and nearly give it it’s marching orders, and every spring I forgive it.
There are assorted daffodils…
…and other, less assertive, little lovelies hiding their light under the bushes…
Meanwhile, back in the studio, there is a very different tree…
The little red bird is feeling a trifle lonely now that his pink friend has flown off to live with Elizabeth, I must get felting again.
…and then there is the knitting…
Quite big knitting as Higgins will demonstrate…
The ball has a history – which I’ll tell you about another time – but it’s just had a colour revamp before going off to our local Farmers Market tomorrow where the Knit and Stitch group are hoping to spread the knitting bug, (whilst spoiling ourselves with coffee and and the delicious, and very naughty, bacon rolls.
So, before that happens I must don my wellies and gardening gloves and head back out to the vegetable garden and absorb a little sunshine…
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Isn’t Spring especially welcome!! Here, also, in the U.S… It is so nice to hear the birds chirping happily. Welcome Spring!
Spring is spreading! All over everyone’s blogs, and it’s wonderful, isn’t it! Just saw Higgins in his Batman outfit! Seems to be a lot of hiding in his bed going on, he really should make the most of his cuteness………………. Love Vanessa xxx
A lovely post … every photo is perfect !!
And am delighted to see that felted bird was only one of a ( growing ?) colony .
Do tell about your knitting installation , I love it !
As always , I leave feeling covetous ….
Oh Penny! that’s made me smile (and I’m having a week where those are thin on the ground). Dear little Higgins and the giant knitting – I’ll remember to pop back and have another look when life gets a bit… you know…
Celia
x
Hi Penny,
I know how you feel, I rushed out and, after years of procrastination, bought two loungers and comfy cushions! It’s supposed to be lovely until Wednesday, so all our gardens should be perfect by then…
I’ve fallen for Higgins, he’s gorgeous. Our cat, Wicket (long story), won’t sit in one place long enough for pictures, but our home wouldn’t be the same without him.
Hope you have a good time at the Farmers’ Market.
a-m x
You have a lovely garden – the first photo is beautiful, as are all the others too.
Hadn’t realised just how BIG that knitting is! What is it to be?
Ooh! Lots to drool over here! The felting looks amazing! The hat!the hat mannequin thingy! How? When? I’m still struggling with the handwashing felting wishing it would felt up entirely. Another struggle is in lining my little bags. I feel as if I always have to do things the complicated way and have vowed never to work with slippery satinny fraying material again! Still . . if a things worth doing! Hilx
Your garden is gorgeous. I miss my English garden so very much! Never know whether I’m on my head or my artichoke with the seasons/plants here.
Love the giant knitting! You’re not the only butterfly brain! It’s a gift – to fill your life with variety and colour!
Hi Penny
Loving the new Edible Garden TV series and your Wild Plum! There may be a new addition to our garden now…
Dear Penny, I love your felt-creations! And the big knitting is amazing! Love Teje, Nero sends hugs for Higgings and Henry