I felt the warm breeze yesterday after getting far too hot on the dog walk as the day before it was freezing point so I'd layered up again. I deactivated Facebook a couple of weeks ago, this week was half term and I felt much less guilt from not seeing what everyone else was doing 😂 just enjoying a week of no school run! in the kitchen we tried homemade kebabs with homemade beetroot hummus which went down a treat
In a sheltered corner of the churchyard on Lindisfarne the daffodils were out. Yellow bundles of sunshine on a very chilly day. And then yesterday on our dog walk a tree seemed to be shimmering. When I got closer it was covered in little silver furry buds waiting to burst open. Spring is definitely heading our way.
There’s always a day in February when spring feels closer and yesterday was it. The warmer wind felt wonderful and out in the garden I could smell the earth. The snowdrops were wide open and then there they were, the first frogs in the garden pond. Of course, things will change again, but that’s fine too.
A barn owl! Spied from my kitchen window as it drifted back and forth in the dusk across the field next door. I have never seen anything more ethereal and ghostly and I will never forget it.
No heated blanket required while I work this week which is an absolute bonus, although it’s still grey and windy outside. A deer walking up the middle of the road as I opened the curtains, which was a surprise to say the least.
Here in Norfolk, the snowdrops are out and the crocus' are bursting through. You can see the beginnings of daffodils, too. What really felt 'this week' in a way that has distinguished it from the rest of the gray and dreary year so far is there is now a slither of sunlight to walk home to when I finish work at 5pm! I was completely ecstatic!!
I might be in the minority here, but I don’t think our winters are anywhere near cold enough anymore! Maybe part of being in tune with the seasons is accepting six months of being slightly damp and sweaty any time I step out of the door, because I haven’t adjusted my clothing to the reality of the current climate of rain rain rain when I wish it was snow snow snow 🙃
Hi Becci, I agree with you. This week we had four to six days that were very cold, especially the nights when it went down to -8/-10, but has become quite rare. This is one of my most favourite weather and the smell of this cold but clear and crisp weather reminds me so much of my childhood when this weather appeared more often.
The sun came out on Tuesday and stayed all day. I used a pretend dog to slow my walking and soak it up on Hampstead Heath. And I found new views through the bare trees.
The show off heron was on top of his usual tall tree stump, with his back to the water as he surveyed the scene and the people taking his picture.
Gentle snow drifting down only to melt immediately. All the crocuses in the park starting to poke their heads above ground in clumps of purple, yellow, white. Daffodils in a jar on the kitchen table.
Such a lack of light but indoors daffodils & mimosa bring a deep yellow glow & waft perfume through the kitchen . I walk past a mimosa tree in full flower in a tiny courtyard such beauty glimmering against green swathes of leaves .There are treasures in these dark days as the buds form & curling up with good books in front of a fire reminds you of being safe & warm in our times 🙏🔥🌿
Primroses popping up in earnest now. And the first coltsfoot! A delight of early Spring.
[Coltsfoot is actually one of the species that The Woodland Trust record to help them track seasonal shifts. If you are interested in joining in with this Citizen Science project, then here is the link https://naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ It is a straightforward site to navigate.]
Enjoyed some dry days earlier this week and saw my first primrose which is always like receiving a smile from nature and the promise of spring around the corner. You're right we need to live in the moment and not wish time away - I enjoy the colder weather with bright frosty days being the best so I savour those days, but it has been the unremitting rain that makes the winter seem to drag on. So holding onto the little moments of joy at this time of year helps us to enjoy every day.
So tired of being cold and swaddled in layers upon layers of clothes all day every day, grateful beyond words to a visiting daughter who whisked me off to the reopened Turkish Baths at Newcastle's City Pool. Didn't even mind coming out into yet another wintry shower!
There was a warmth in the sun on my back, albeit through my raincoat and jumpers, on my walk this Tuesday.
My optimism and general outlook was instantly boosted but I fear that state is still quite tenuous. I think I need to continue to embrace fires with my book and a glass of red wine and welcome some Danish Hygge.
I felt the warm breeze yesterday after getting far too hot on the dog walk as the day before it was freezing point so I'd layered up again. I deactivated Facebook a couple of weeks ago, this week was half term and I felt much less guilt from not seeing what everyone else was doing 😂 just enjoying a week of no school run! in the kitchen we tried homemade kebabs with homemade beetroot hummus which went down a treat
In a sheltered corner of the churchyard on Lindisfarne the daffodils were out. Yellow bundles of sunshine on a very chilly day. And then yesterday on our dog walk a tree seemed to be shimmering. When I got closer it was covered in little silver furry buds waiting to burst open. Spring is definitely heading our way.
Lindisfarne, such a beautiful place.
There’s always a day in February when spring feels closer and yesterday was it. The warmer wind felt wonderful and out in the garden I could smell the earth. The snowdrops were wide open and then there they were, the first frogs in the garden pond. Of course, things will change again, but that’s fine too.
A barn owl! Spied from my kitchen window as it drifted back and forth in the dusk across the field next door. I have never seen anything more ethereal and ghostly and I will never forget it.
that is so special! what a treat.
No heated blanket required while I work this week which is an absolute bonus, although it’s still grey and windy outside. A deer walking up the middle of the road as I opened the curtains, which was a surprise to say the least.
I was also celebrating a no heated blanket moment!!! Much as I love it I can’t wait to packing away for the year
Excellent! 😄
Here in Norfolk, the snowdrops are out and the crocus' are bursting through. You can see the beginnings of daffodils, too. What really felt 'this week' in a way that has distinguished it from the rest of the gray and dreary year so far is there is now a slither of sunlight to walk home to when I finish work at 5pm! I was completely ecstatic!!
The first very tiny green buds on a hawthorn and the blackthorn I mentioned last week is now half covered in flowers. Spring is springing.
I might be in the minority here, but I don’t think our winters are anywhere near cold enough anymore! Maybe part of being in tune with the seasons is accepting six months of being slightly damp and sweaty any time I step out of the door, because I haven’t adjusted my clothing to the reality of the current climate of rain rain rain when I wish it was snow snow snow 🙃
Hi Becci, I agree with you. This week we had four to six days that were very cold, especially the nights when it went down to -8/-10, but has become quite rare. This is one of my most favourite weather and the smell of this cold but clear and crisp weather reminds me so much of my childhood when this weather appeared more often.
I envy your outside space for a washing line.
The sun came out on Tuesday and stayed all day. I used a pretend dog to slow my walking and soak it up on Hampstead Heath. And I found new views through the bare trees.
The show off heron was on top of his usual tall tree stump, with his back to the water as he surveyed the scene and the people taking his picture.
Love the pretend dog idea 😄
I walk a bit fast so decided to try slower and softer 🙂
Gentle snow drifting down only to melt immediately. All the crocuses in the park starting to poke their heads above ground in clumps of purple, yellow, white. Daffodils in a jar on the kitchen table.
Such a lack of light but indoors daffodils & mimosa bring a deep yellow glow & waft perfume through the kitchen . I walk past a mimosa tree in full flower in a tiny courtyard such beauty glimmering against green swathes of leaves .There are treasures in these dark days as the buds form & curling up with good books in front of a fire reminds you of being safe & warm in our times 🙏🔥🌿
Primroses popping up in earnest now. And the first coltsfoot! A delight of early Spring.
[Coltsfoot is actually one of the species that The Woodland Trust record to help them track seasonal shifts. If you are interested in joining in with this Citizen Science project, then here is the link https://naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ It is a straightforward site to navigate.]
More and more green shoots piercing the sleeping soil...pretty sure I saw a tiny leaf of wild garlic. Almost my favourite part of spring!
Cannot wait for wild garlic pesto season! 🤞🤞
Enjoyed some dry days earlier this week and saw my first primrose which is always like receiving a smile from nature and the promise of spring around the corner. You're right we need to live in the moment and not wish time away - I enjoy the colder weather with bright frosty days being the best so I savour those days, but it has been the unremitting rain that makes the winter seem to drag on. So holding onto the little moments of joy at this time of year helps us to enjoy every day.
So tired of being cold and swaddled in layers upon layers of clothes all day every day, grateful beyond words to a visiting daughter who whisked me off to the reopened Turkish Baths at Newcastle's City Pool. Didn't even mind coming out into yet another wintry shower!
There was a warmth in the sun on my back, albeit through my raincoat and jumpers, on my walk this Tuesday.
My optimism and general outlook was instantly boosted but I fear that state is still quite tenuous. I think I need to continue to embrace fires with my book and a glass of red wine and welcome some Danish Hygge.