Monday 11 February 2008

Darling buds and beautiful skies



Hope you all had a good weekend. We certainly had more than a taster of spring here over the past couple of days. It was more like the tail end of summer, beautiful, warm, bright days and cloudless skies. A little premature to believe that spring has sprung but enough to keep me going for a few more weeks.



M and I spent Saturday afternoon in the garden - tidying up and fixing things. M was intent on fixing a broken bench which had originally been earmarked for firewood. I should have guessed by the amount of mutterings that he was having one of his Caractacus Potts moments (you know, the inventor dad in Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang) when out came the power tools and he declared that the bench was to be saved but it had to be dismantled, sawn into pieces and drilled before it would all fit back together again. I'll let you know ...



It was so good to be in the garden again, lopping off the branches from the fig tree and rescuing it from the ivy that threatens to strangle it every year. Look at that sky, not a cloud all day, a brilliant blue, you can't fail to be just a little optimistic on days like these.



I dug over some beds and cut away some of the wintry staggly bits. I'm saying this as one who loves the smells of roses, hyacinths and honeysuckle, that one of the best smells there is is the smell of freshly dug soil, soil that is still wet and sleepy from its winter rest and still manages to excite. Amongst the plants were plenty of signs of new shoots and in the trees were the sounds of the birds singing and, amazingly, two enormous bees buzzing around.



So Spring is on it's way and we're not just talking birds and bees - remember these two? Well look at them four weeks later!



We went for a very long walk yesterday with friends - look at that sky.


Six hours later we came home to much needed tea and cakes, I can't believe how many cakes and packets of biscuits we got through, but it was good.



This morning I was looking through some of our gardening books and found this old book that I love.



It's full of the most wonderful engravings by Agnes Miller Parker depicting the English woodland over a course of a year, written by H E Bates. I reminded myself of just how unnaturally early this weather is and not to get too carried away with my gardening plans. But there's no denying that those buds show promise.

27 comments:

Janette said...

I really hope that spring is here to stay it is absolutely beautiful weather here - looking just the same as in your photos. It just makes everything seem so much more 'do able' if you know what I mean.

Janette

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

oh I am so happy for you that you have spring on the way! It is still very much freezing cold here today with record lows. I am so delighted to see these photos this morning as I am longing for it to come! xo

Nonnie said...

Sounds like you had a perfect weekend. The weather really was fantastic wasn't it. I read that Kew Gardens was the hottest place in the Country yesterday but unfortunately I wasn't there. Luckily it was just as lovely in Marlow where I was. I love all your pictures today but particularly the view along the path towards the hills with the blue sky above. Just gorgeous.

tess said...

blue skies and lots of cake, sounds like the perfect weekend to me!

Garden Girl said...

Hey Kim, I know what you mean about not getting too carried away- I am desperate to start planting seeds NOW but know it will be a fruitless exercise that will end in tears! Not long to go though, hopefully! Beautiful photos xx

Heidi said...

It has been the same thing here in Holland but this is supposed to be the last day. We are to get fog tomorrow and the temperatures will drop once again. I really don't mind the cold but all this rain lately is old news. :) I am so glad we have had three dry days.

Jos is just like M. He will not give up on old junk and will mess with things he has no idea how to fix even. The worst thing is often it does work then for him. It makes him think he can 'branch out' which could become dangerous. LOL!

I hope you have a glorious week dear Kim! Any special Valentine's Day plans?

Hugs ~
Heidi

Anonymous said...

There is nothing like the smell of the earth in spring! I've forgotten that scent until you mentioned it, Kim! I'm so longing for spring right now. Everything is frozen solid here and I'm afraid will be for sometime yet ... but I can dream. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. ~ Lynda xox

Tracy said...

All those signs of spring have my heart a-flutter! So glad you enjoyed a tiny taste of spring during the weekend. No signs of spring yet here...I can't wait! Happy week, my friend ((HUGS))

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Hello Kim
Doesn't it make the world a happier place with some sunshine thrown in!?
It looks like the birds and bees have been busy in your household.. a baby squirrel and deer??

Love
Mx

Betty said...

Kim, What a beautiful post. We are having spring temperatures here too. The trees are blooming. I want to go buy some flowers and start planting. I know that the weather is just teasing us though. I love your rag balls in the spring colors. Maybe I should "plant" some of those in my house.
Thank you so much Kim for your sweet comments to me about my mom. They were much appreciated!

Sal said...

What great photos.The colour of the sky is amazing! Sal;-)

Emma Herian said...

Hello, looks like you have been to that mount! We went there for the first time last weekend - it was really windy but well worth the view! A hearty Bills Veg breaki was a welcome on the way home!
Sorry, I can't do Fri morn as its Wills assembly, how about.... oh, its half term, mmmm, get back to you on that one!
Lovely pics! x

Sea Angels said...

Yes Kim of course you can share, but only on condition you dont try to dust or tidy......That book of yours is a real treat, I love it. It really is not fair that Spring arrives south so early, but thanks for showing it at least I can see what it is supposed to look like when it arrives here ha ha.
Hugs Lynn xx

Susan Tuttle said...

Hi Kim,
Ah such beautiful weather you are having - and getting your garden ready - how joyous!! I too love to garden.

Those stuffed animals are so incredibly adorable!

Susan
xo

cd&m said...

Hasn't it been wonderful all those blue skies? The weather usually turns foul in our part of the world when the Mart arrives, that is a travelling fairground. It will be here in a couple of weeks so we'll see.

mollycupcakes said...

Beautiful photos sweetie, isn't it lovely to have some sun, but shhh we'll all scare it away lol
I love the smell of freshly cut grass, you know that spring is nearly here when the grass gets cut.
Hope to see more gorgeous photos of your garden soon.
Hugs
Catherine x

periwinkle said...

Im loving the sky at the minute--like you said it's so blue. Just walking around permamantly looking up. Doesn't it just make you feel happy, spring has to be coming :-)

kari and kijsa said...

What a wonderful post...as we sit here in the middle of an ice storm...like a breath of spring! LOL! Have a blessed day.
smiles,
kari & kijsa

gayle said...

Love the pictures. We had a nice weekend too but I didn't get a chance to enjoy it. Looks like it is going to stay nice this week though in N. Ireland. Gardening, I think is a very spiritual thing. I feel close to nature, and more in tune with things, but I really need to get myself out there!

Carol said...

The waether has been so glorious. The sun does make us feel so much better. Those green hills look like Telly Tubby Land!
You have made me fell like getting the garden for a bit of tidying-up too.
Hugs,

Carol xx

Ruth Ann said...

When you mention having 'tea and cakes', I'm always curious as to the recipes you use for your cakes and other goodies.

Do tell!
Ruth Ann

Thimbleanna said...

Uh-huh. Don't you be trying to act all innocent about that reproducing squirrel and deer little missy. I suspect you had a large hand in the hanky panky going on over there. Very envious of your nice weather -- we're currently under a snow advisory here.

Pretty Practicals said...

Lovely pics Kim ~ the sky has been just incredible this weekend! I'm looking forward to tackling our jungle like garden soon and I agree with you about the aroma of freshly dug damp soil; it is wonderful.
Chat soon, Liz

meggie said...

Ah the promise of Spring. We are just about to go into Autumn here, but I love Autumn the best of all the seasons. It is usually long & warm in this Southern land.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Lovely day you had! It is sunny and getting warm here in Califoria - much needed warmth! Hope your week is great!!

Becky

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Kim, it's great to have some decent weather isn't it, and good to make a start on the garden. I'm afraid all our gardening falls to me and I'm not the most enthusiastic gardener, I like it to look good, but would rather someone else did the work!
Lucy x

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Kim,
It certainly was a glorious weekend wasn't it? Quite a bit of heat in that dear old sun, too! Glad you were able to get outside and enjoy yourselves.
Niki