Winter wonderland.

 We had a hoar frost last night.     

 This morning every twig and stem was rimmed in ice.

 Is there anything more beautiful.

 Wondrous works of art.

 I became totally lost in the moment......

 My camera and I become one.............

This is a morning I will not forget..............

Looking forward to Spring

 Christmas was a joyous occasion.....Poppi sang carols as we all gathered around the table. 
A game of hide and seek in the garden was such fun.   Although it was cold, wrapped in woollen jumpers and bobble hats it did not seem to matter.   To see the Grandchildren laughing, cheeks rosy ............a family coming together, at this special time of year.

 The garden does not have much to offer.......but what it does give, is especially beautiful, at this time of year.    The berries of our native stinking iris  are a good example.

 The lemon - yellow flowers of Mahonia have such a powerful scent.......a wonderful lily of the valley fragrance.   Planted along the woodland walk, with Christmas box, it is pure joy to walk each day and take in the heady scent.

Helleborus Niger is top of my favourite plants.   I have dozens in the garden.   During the cold months of winter they are an absolute joy to behold.   Although they appear to be fragile, they are survivors in this garden.

Anna's red is showing, it will not be long before she displays her beautiful burgundy blooms.

When I planned the garden 13 years ago, I wanted a garden that had flowers all year.
Not for me, although I love my plants, but for the bumble bees that nest in the garden.
I was fortunate just before Christmas Day to see a queen bumble bee feeding on the Mahonia blooms.   I cannot describe the absolute joy this brings.
To help nature survive these cold winter months is a privilege.

I am now looking forward to Spring.     As each day passes we are given a little more light, and to any gardener that is something to look forward to.

Cold and frosty morning

 It is early, a cold and frosty morning.

 A winter garden, silhouettes..................

 and ghostly forms.

 A time to stand back and just enjoy one's hard labour.

 A time for me to sit in the conservatory, with my little dog, a cup of coffee and my gardening books.

And to look upon a garden lovely enough to lift  my spirit even on the most sombre and overcast days of winter.

Looks are deceiving........

Yesterday, as the sun was setting, I managed to capture the robin amongst the bare branches.    During the Summer, this youngster, tried to chase his parents from the garden.
To say he is aggressive is an understatement........he frequently pins other birds to the ground, and tries to peck at their eyes.    I know that robins are very territorial but I have never seen such an aggressive bird.     Have you ????  

Looking up to the sky........

I walked the garden today camera in hand.   I was thinking of my Gt Grandmothers favourite poem God's Highway.    I can remember the first two lines:

Some people pass through this wonderful world,
And never look up at the sky.........

So, I took random photographs, pointing the camera to the sky.
Most were erased but this one I really like.

This really was a secret garden.............

 While Mr P was sleeping yesterday I decided to look through my treasure box.   I cannot remember the last time I did this.    There is nothing of great monetary value, just a box full of memories.....my memories.        At the bottom of the box I discovered some papers tied together with a piece of green ribbon.       Amongst them were the following images of my last garden....taken by my father.   I did not own a camera in those days and have no other photographs of the garden.

 It took me back to the tiny walled garden.     Sheltered, and secret.....it could not be seen by anyone, the walls kept it just for the family.   A blank canvas when we moved there.   Oh boy did I enjoy planting this tiny plot.     

 I was, at that time, a novice.   I knew the basics......my father taught me well.   Putting them into practice was another matter.

 You can see from this image and the writings, my love of bees goes way back.....in fact, to childhood. 

 Another memory.....one of my darling Cavaliers....Ellie a rescue dog.    I wish I could share more with you....the tiny pond.....the balcony garden.....the old wall.......sadly this is all I have.
Apparently when the new owners moved in within a year the garden had been cleared.....minimal was the new owners preference.   I can remember feeling so sad when I was told.    What about the wildlife that lived amongst the ivy....where would the bees go.....would the thrush find a new nesting site.    Nothing stays ours forever, everything changes.

Where is heaven?   Is it not
just a friendly garden plot,
Walled with stone and roofed with sun,
Where the days pass one by one.
Not too fast and not too slow,
Looking backwards as they go
At the beauties left behind
To transport  the pensive mind.

Bliss Carmen.............Where is heaven ??

A garden is always full of surprises..........

 Leaves of Arum Italicum have emerged.   The beautiful marbled leaves are a bonus to a Winter garden.    They sit beautifully among the ferns in the woodland area.

 Prunus Autumnalis flowers from Autumn till Spring.    I love the weeping form.    Flowers are small but plentiful and stand up to the weather well.

Candelabra Primula is in bloom, such a surprise.   The exceptionally mild weather has given it thoughts of Spring.

 Pots full of fuchsia are still giving beautiful displays..............hard to believe really.    I  am not complaining......

I love the mini forest in the copse.   Surely this must be faerie land ?

Each day I have walked the garden.     Much needed at times.   It has been a difficult week but the news is good, Mr P is home.    He is recovering slowly...........we do not know what the future holds but we are positive and strong in mind.   I personally feel the worse is over and the future is bright.   

Thank you all for your words of kindness and compassion.   
They have helped me get through this week and I am grateful to each and every one of you.