Four pm and the first flakes of a promised band of snow have started to fall as the light fades.  Higgins hasn’t been beyond the garden today because there’s so much ice about and I’m paranoid about slipping over, damaging myself and not being able to walk, drive and generally take care of my immediate responsibilities, namely my Mum, Henry and Higgins.  Snowy roads I can cope with, ice? No!

So I’ve been going a little stir crazy this week what with treacherous conditions and antisocial germs. I can’t imagine what it would be like without being able to reach outside my own little orbit and communicate in cyberspace.  It’s not like I haven’t been busy, it’s just a bit solitary round here.

Yesterday’s walk was very bracing.  Higgins has a new coat, just the same as the last one – red is definitely his colour – but a size larger.  You may have noticed the one he’s been wearing is rather Pooh Bearish, snug and a little too short.  I’ve been saving this one for the snowy weather, and it was perfect, reaching all the way down to keep his rump cosy!  I think he liked it too because he ran all the way out…

…all the way around the fields…

…and back home again!

Not the most attractive angle, but you try getting in front of him!

It’s been extremely busy in the garden.  I’ve put an assortment bird feeders just outside the glazed garden door and it’s been fascinating to watch the birds flocking to feed.  The house sparrows who live in the roof, the robin, a colourful assortment of finches, several blackbirds, blue tits, a thrush and a fieldfare.  I had suspended a wrinkly apple in the bush out of reach of a greedy dog, and there was quite a lot of kerfuffle as the fieldfare wrestled it to the ground, and then proceeded to demolish it whilst beating off any other bird that dared to come within pecking distance.  It was mainly the blackbird!

This morning the blackbird had decided to fight back and had eaten quite a bit of apple before the field fare turned up with a couple of chums.  The area round the garden door is a mass of bird prints and scuffles now, and I’m nearly out of apples!

I’ve had to abandon the studio this week alas, the snow on the skylights made it too dark, and it seemed silly to heat it as well as the house, what with all the to-ing and fro-ing and opening doors and letting in cold air so I’ve been crocheting in front of the fire quite a bit.

It might be  snowy outside but February and St Valentines Day is just around the corner so I’ve been revisiting my Hearts and Flowers Garland Pattern which is one of my favourites.

It’s quite versatile, the little hearts are pretty on their own…

…and the flowers are simple to make, are a great way to use up short lengths of yarn and make a simple but beautiful decoration on a polystyrene ring…

I’ve attached clasps on individual hearts too, they look pretty on a key ring or as a bag charm…

If you like the look of these you might be interested in the current Giveaway on the Planet Penny Face Book Page which is a sample pack of all the Planet Penny Cotton yarns with a crochet hook and the Hearts and Flowers Garland Pattern.  It’s running until tomorrow morning so you still have  time to join in!

I’ll leave you with the usual link to Handmade Harbour where there is a special Handmade Monday Linky running to celebrate the 100th Handmade Monday post.  There will be lots of goodies to win during the week too, so do pay a visit and find out all about it.

Wherever you are, have a lovely week, and I’ll be back soon…x