Sunday 29 January 2012

Starwberries

Tuesday 24th January 2012

Tablet sorting time again

Monday 23rd January 2012

My Cookery Bibles

Sunday 22nd January 2012

Grey Squirrel

Saturday 21st January 2012

Red Roses

Friday 20th January 2012

Saturday 21 January 2012

Narcissi

Thursday 19th January 2012


I saw my first Narcissi in flower today - outside the library.  It is certainly very mild at the moment though we did have a couple of frosty days during the week.

Bark

Wednesday 18th January 2012


The willow and cherry bark are among the splendid sights in th3 garden that can be appreciated when there are few actual flowers out.

Friday 20 January 2012

Hart's-tongue Fern

Tuesday 17th January 2012


Whatever the weather or time of year there are ferns looking wonderful.

Snowdrops and raindrops

Monday 16th January 2012


The snowdrops are not quite out yet but there are plenty of raindrops!

Feng Shui

Sunday 15th January 2012


We have a number of 'tortoises' around the house, not just because I like them but because they are good Feng Shui according to Partner-who-loves-tea.  This one guards the front door.

Books to be Read

Saturday 14th January 2012

Thursday 19 January 2012

The Last Post

Friday 13th January 2012


An ironic date - Friday 13th - for the last issue of the Daily Post.  The 156-year old Liverpool Daily Post has been transformed into a weekly paper to be  published every Thursday in Merseyside, Cheshire and West Lancashire.

A sad day for Merseyside but the bad news was compensated for by Steven Gerrard re-signing for Liverpool for the rest of his playing career.  He and Carragher and the manager, Dalgleish, ARE Liverpool FC.

Chicken soup

Thursday 12th January 2012


It's rare for me to make soup with meat in but today I added some chicken wings to my usual vegetable soup.  Though I says so as shouldn't, it was delicious.

Roses

Wednesday 11th January 2012


It's so mild that there are even patio roses out.

Primroses

Tuesday 10th January 2012

Learning Literature

Saturday 7th January 2012

One of my favourite Christmas presents - I'm aiming to read it cover to cover and hopefully still recall a few of the entries in a year or two!

Saturday 7 January 2012

Hazelnuts

Friday 6th January 2012


I love cracking fresh nuts at Christmas. These hazelnuts were ones that Helen and Ian collected from beneath hazel trees in Devon. I need a better nutcracker. My ambition is a cast iron one so it has gone on my wishlist for next Christmas!

Friday 6 January 2012

Florentines

Thursday 5th January 2012

I know I go on about Florentines a bit but getting these fromn Helen and Ian was a real Christmas bonus.  Although nothing like the ones at The Woodlands they are wonderful.  The only problem is keeping Jo from eating them.  I keep telling her they were MY present!  Her philosophy of 'What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine' comes into play again.

A flowering succulent

Wednesday 4th January 2012

Usually my cacti and succulents don't flower until around Mother's Day - if they flower at all.  This one decided to choose New Year.

Thursday 5 January 2012

Reading time

Tuesday 3rd January 2012

Amused

Monday 2nd January 2012


Helen is amused at Ian's resigned look as I take the fifteenth photo of the evening - having half blinded them with the flash!

New Year's Day

Sunday 1st JANUARY 2012


We watched the New Year come in on television with the fireworks by Big Ben.

New Year's Eve drink

Saturday 31st December 2011


As usual I brought in thr New Year with a non-alcoholic drink but this time it was dandelion and burdock.  I loved this as a child and haven't had it for decades.  |the smell and taste were as good as I remembered.  (Which is a good job as it cost £1.00 for a half pint bottle!)

Robin

Thursday 29th December 2011


I'm cheating - this was taken on Christmas Day, but our Robin is still singing very loudly.

Cheese scones

Wednesday 28th December 2011


Christmas is an excuse for doing some baking - normally there is only me that eats cakes, scones, biscuits, etc.

Christmas presents

Tuesday 27th December 2011


 Still admiring Christmas presents.

Bryony and Mark

Monday 26th December 2011


A Boxing Day visit from Bryony and Mark.

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Unwrapping presents

Sunday 25th December 2011


You're making a real mess there!

Getting tthe table laid

Saturday 24th December 2011


I love getting the family crockery and cutlery out for Christmnas dinner.

All dressed up for Christmas

Friday 23rd December 2011



This reindeer was a present from Helen and Ian some years ago but we like him so much he stays on the window-ledge all year.  So this year we thought he ought to be dressed up especially for Christmas.

Christmas cards

Thursday 22nd December 2011


Why is it that the last two Christmas cards through the letterbox are from the only people to whom you haven't sent cards?