It is really cold ......the sort of wet cold, that gets right into your bones. Mr P is snuggled in the conservatory, reading magazines but I feel restless. I tried reading, that didn't work.
I baked muffins. Went into the village and did some shopping. Had a coffee in the little café.....but still I am restless.
I feel like a caged tiger, I really do need to be in the garden .............
I was clearing the patio today when I noticed the dried flowers of the Hydrangea.
The skeletal leaves are so pretty.
The more you look, the more you find.
Nature's artwork, for me, is the best.
The last two days have been wet and windy to say the least.
I thought I would pop out and take some images of the garden as it is today.
The woodland area at this time of year brings much pleasure to the gardener.........she just wishes the sun would drop by :)
The sun shone today, although it was chilly, it was perfect weather for gardening.
Decided to cut back the elder, willow and several other overgrown shrubs/trees.
Put the cuttings through the shredder, then placed them on the pathways that run along the back of the garden. Nella, of course, inspected the pathway when work was completed :)
It was a good job done............and it was great to be working outside in January.
I was thinking of my father as I worked today. Tomorrow will be two years since his passing.
I remember blogging friends saying it gets easier. At the time I could not see that.
Of course, they were right. I still miss him but more often than not, I find myself thinking about him and smiling.
When a New Year arrives I tend to start planning my gardening projects.
Sometimes I forget what is in the garden until I look back at photographs or gardening journals.
Also it is a good time to reflect on things that have happened during the period and how they are looking now.
When I saw the image of lemon roses and salvia, it reminded me to remove some of the old plants from the patio barrels and replace them with said plants.
I was so pleased with this combination......both plants flowered from May to October, the scent from the roses in the evening was quite lovely.
Before Spring arrives I must remove some of the lower branches of trees.
It will allow more light in, to encourage better flowering in the perennial borders.
A difficult task, and I wonder when I will have to let Mr P have his way and bring in a tree surgeon to do the job. NOT this year, because I like the work and still feel young and fit enough to complete it.
My lovely Nella daydreaming on the patio....surrounded by Mexican fleabane. I love the fact the little plant seeds itself amongst the cracks in the patio slabs. Mr P does not.......we will compromise I will remove some but not ALL :)
Dominic turned two........I so enjoy parties.
I would like during 2015 to have more of these celebrations.......and will make a concerted effort to do so. Spending time with family is so important.
You may remember that Poppi changed schools in September due to bullying.
All has worked out well.....she has made many new friends at her new school and is very happy.
She is doing exceptional well in her studies, loves her teachers.........she is now in the school choir and after school drama classes :)
Ragwort......a great love of mine purely because it attracts so many insects.
Also it is the host plant of the Cinnabar moth.
BUT it is toxic to livestock so I must make sure it has not escaped the garden and seeded itself on neighbouring land.
And finally I will not forget my wasp sting......a severe allergic reaction is something you do not forget. Regardless they are very welcome here......but I have a lot more respect for them these days :)
I wish you all a very healthy and happy New Year and am so looking forward to reading your blogs as we stroll through 2015 together.
