Saturday 5 January 2013

New Year optimism

I was having a wander round the garden today, making the most of the winter sunshine and blue sky and I felt quite optimistic on seeing all the plant growth.  I know we are not through winter yet and I am sure that we shall be getting snow, but I enjoyed the moment.  Above are some crocuses, planted in a pot with alliums and narcissus.
There really was a blue sky today.
 The first signs of some snowdrops.
 The curled buds of sedum leaves, waiting for the warmer weather.
 Magnolia 'Susan' with the start of fluffy buds against the blue sky.
 Winter flowering jasmine, giving a cheerful and much appreciated splash of yellow.
 The yellow echoed in an early primrose.
Even Scruffy made the most of the mild day and observed me while I looked at my plants, also keeping an ear out for birds or marauding cats.  Days like this, after all the grey, dull, wet weather are such a tonic!
(My optimism nearly didn't last as today's post almost didn't happen due to Blogger not letting me upload any photos for some reason.  I then saw that Liz from Shortbread and Ginger had exactly the same problem, had posted about it and had been advised to change to Google Chrome as it seemed to be a problem with Internet Explorer.  I used Google Chrome for this post and the photos have uploaded as usual, so thank you to Liz!)

10 comments:

  1. Ellie, I am very, very jealous as we are buried under at least, 2 feet of snow. I am not kidding either! I can't see any of the garden, but I am sure under the insulation of the snow, something may be stirring...

    Julie

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    1. Dear Julie
      Thank you and I am really sorry to hear about the snow you are suffering with. My friend, who lives in Edmonton, rang me at New Year and said they were also under feet of snow too. You seem to be able to cope with it much better in Canada than we do over here. Somehow, snow always seems to take our transport network by surprise! I am sure we will get some snow before the winter has finished, but we don't know when, so no doubt, it will take us all by surprise again. After such a lovely day yesterday, today is murky, dull and foggy - the Great British Weather strikes again! Jewellery making, reading, hot drinks and eating chocolate are definitely on the cards for me this afternoon.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. I've found some snowdrops coming up too, and Cassie has been out lots more than usual with the temp. being up one or two degrees. I sowed some tomato seeds yesterday!
    Happy garden for 2013 xx

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    1. Dear Joy
      Thank you and well done on the tomato seed sowing. I am going to have a go at sowing sweet peas next month because last year I left it too late, decided I needed to buy some and the quality of the plants availale was not brilliant in June! So, I'm going to give it a go myself. I am really looking forward to Spring because I have lots of flowers I'd like to grow as well - annuals mainly, for insects, butterflies and bees to enjoy, and cosmos again, of course.
      Happy gardening for 2013 to you as well - and successful veg growing too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Do you know I was wandering around in the back garden yesterday thinking the very same thing! Some primroses and bulbs are starting to show and it was so mild it was quite pleasant. I bought some tete-a-tetes yesterday and put them inside in pots - it's so nice to bring some early spring into the house.

    Gillian x

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    1. Dear Gillian
      Thank you - it was a lovely day, wasn't it? I planted some narcissus bulbs I got as a Christmas present yesterday too (I know it is really late, but they've got two chances!) Spring bulbs really do lift the spirits.
      Best wishes and enjoy your tete-a-tetes.
      Ellie

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  4. It is great to see the garden coming to life again. Best wishes for 2013

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    1. Dear Cookie
      Thank you - it certainly is lovely to see signs of life. All the best for a happy and successful 2013 to you as well.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. What a delightfully hopeful post, it is lovely to see the new growth beginning again. I am looking forward to seeing my Hyacinths emerging.

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    1. Dear Toffeeapple
      Thank you - it is at this time of the year that we need to keep positive feelings going the most, isn't it? I love looking for signs of Spring. I haven't got any hyacinths at the moment so that is something I need to remedy at the earliest opportunity I thnk.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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