Our magnolia is a while away yet. But I was in London the other day and was so surprised to see them out there. Felt a bit like the city had preview tickets to Spring but we have to wait for general release out here in the sticks.
The incredibly beautiful but elusive Hair Ice. The conditions for this are very precise old damp broad leaf wood, jut below O° and the presence of a certain fungus.
The magnolias are still quite closed up here in Sheffield, but I can’t wait for them to burst. Driving down the road yesterday, I saw two wood pigeons crossing, one all puffed up as he trotted eagerly after the other one, at the exact moment that Bob Dylan sang “I’ll be your baby tonight” on my playlist in the car. The frogs are back making a racket in the pond again after going quiet during a cold spell and the male blackbirds are fighting in the garden. Definitely something in the air!
Magnolias are wonderful aren't they. There is something so dramatic about their huge, plate sized petals. There is one I drive past most days that's starting to come out, but not quite yet. Another week maybe
Absolutely love this time of year. Saw a beautiful little egret at my local pond here in North Bristol. It was very much enjoying the high water levels after all the rain.
That magnolia looks magnificent! Mine is a shrub in a pot next to my door, I noticed that the tiny silky buds are beginning to unfurl slowly 😊.
This week.......there be dragons 🐉, ice ❄️ and fire 🔥
I got up to it being freezing, I could see my breath as I went into the kitchen in the still dark (when my children were little this was a sign that we were dragons). When I got to the car to go to work it was frozen locks and ice on the inside of my windscreen. Driving to work as the sun was rising it was the most amazing ball of beautiful red fire.
How glorious March can be it made my day, and all before 7:30 😊
I’ve done some garden tidying up this week in a jumper and no coat which has been lovely but odd so early in the year. The school next door have been planting apple and pear trees as a mini orchard which was great to see. And a definite sign of spring, the Tesco delivery driver in short sleeves!
To all us “ living almanac tribe” who find such joy in nature and the outdoor world ….“ And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." - William Shakespeare
The weather held for a very grey walk along the coast earlier this week - long stretches of beach with Arthur's Seat and the Pentlands looming mistily in the distance, our breath pluming ahead of us. Of course, the day before, we'd had sunglasses on and had to take our coats off walking around town. Such is March!
I’m noticing all kinds of beautiful things which speak of this exact point in the unfolding Spring - primroses, magnolia, blossom - birds pairing up …. And the imminent bursting of all the blossom on my darling cherry tree in my front garden. But the truth is this has been - and still is - the toughest week, because last Wednesday I began being under investigation for a “ very concerning” breast lump. I had all the tests, scans, and biopsies and await results on Wednesday. I’m using all this beauty and creation around me to help keep me positive, hopeful and upbeat. I’m sharing this because this community of wonderful women is one of my joys in life.
Up on a bitterly cold Haworth Moor I chanced upon around 30 frogs, heads raised upwards and on guard around the biggest accumulation of frog spawn I have ever seen. I wished them all a prolific season and went on my merry way. Wishing all my fellow women here many bright blessings for today, International Women's Day, and for all the days ahead.
Still snowdrops nodding to themselves in the breeze and somatic wild garlic pushing up to beat the bluebells as their greenery plumps up 🌱🍃🌿
Our magnolia is a while away yet. But I was in London the other day and was so surprised to see them out there. Felt a bit like the city had preview tickets to Spring but we have to wait for general release out here in the sticks.
The incredibly beautiful but elusive Hair Ice. The conditions for this are very precise old damp broad leaf wood, jut below O° and the presence of a certain fungus.
The magnolias are still quite closed up here in Sheffield, but I can’t wait for them to burst. Driving down the road yesterday, I saw two wood pigeons crossing, one all puffed up as he trotted eagerly after the other one, at the exact moment that Bob Dylan sang “I’ll be your baby tonight” on my playlist in the car. The frogs are back making a racket in the pond again after going quiet during a cold spell and the male blackbirds are fighting in the garden. Definitely something in the air!
Magnolias are wonderful aren't they. There is something so dramatic about their huge, plate sized petals. There is one I drive past most days that's starting to come out, but not quite yet. Another week maybe
Absolutely love this time of year. Saw a beautiful little egret at my local pond here in North Bristol. It was very much enjoying the high water levels after all the rain.
That magnolia looks magnificent! Mine is a shrub in a pot next to my door, I noticed that the tiny silky buds are beginning to unfurl slowly 😊.
This week.......there be dragons 🐉, ice ❄️ and fire 🔥
I got up to it being freezing, I could see my breath as I went into the kitchen in the still dark (when my children were little this was a sign that we were dragons). When I got to the car to go to work it was frozen locks and ice on the inside of my windscreen. Driving to work as the sun was rising it was the most amazing ball of beautiful red fire.
How glorious March can be it made my day, and all before 7:30 😊
I’ve done some garden tidying up this week in a jumper and no coat which has been lovely but odd so early in the year. The school next door have been planting apple and pear trees as a mini orchard which was great to see. And a definite sign of spring, the Tesco delivery driver in short sleeves!
To all us “ living almanac tribe” who find such joy in nature and the outdoor world ….“ And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." - William Shakespeare
The weather held for a very grey walk along the coast earlier this week - long stretches of beach with Arthur's Seat and the Pentlands looming mistily in the distance, our breath pluming ahead of us. Of course, the day before, we'd had sunglasses on and had to take our coats off walking around town. Such is March!
Feeling the warmth of the sun on my face as I sat on my bench.
The fleeting fragrance of hyacinths borne on the breeze
I’m noticing all kinds of beautiful things which speak of this exact point in the unfolding Spring - primroses, magnolia, blossom - birds pairing up …. And the imminent bursting of all the blossom on my darling cherry tree in my front garden. But the truth is this has been - and still is - the toughest week, because last Wednesday I began being under investigation for a “ very concerning” breast lump. I had all the tests, scans, and biopsies and await results on Wednesday. I’m using all this beauty and creation around me to help keep me positive, hopeful and upbeat. I’m sharing this because this community of wonderful women is one of my joys in life.
My giant leaved primula is producing amazing purple flowers.
Daffodils everywhere - the first few opening outdoors, bunches everywhere in the house.
Light mornings, violets, daisies and celandines.
Up on a bitterly cold Haworth Moor I chanced upon around 30 frogs, heads raised upwards and on guard around the biggest accumulation of frog spawn I have ever seen. I wished them all a prolific season and went on my merry way. Wishing all my fellow women here many bright blessings for today, International Women's Day, and for all the days ahead.