Thoughts of Spring (in the depths of Winter...still!) and a meditation on Works in Progress

 I know that people in the UK are famed for their obsession with the weather.  This is a fact and one which I am not going to dispute.  I am going to conform to this stereotype and talk about the weather (briefly).  As I write, there is a covering of snow outside with a freezing wind coming from Siberia and winter has definitely decided to show it is not over yet.  So, to cheer myself up, I shall allow my thoughts to stray to lovely Spring-like patterns of material.

 As you know, I am someone who likes to have lots of hobbies and projects on the go.  This is all very well, but having so many things that I enjoy means that I have to spread my time between them and consequently, there are many, many works in progress.  I do occasionally finish some of them, but there are many more in my head as well as started and not finished.  You may remember that I did make some Christmas bunting which I actually finished and was pleased with, despite some slight problems with measuring.  I had a brainwave the other day and rashly suggested to Chris how nice it would be to have seasonal bunting to add some colour to our rather neutral sitting room.  He agreed and off I went to order some material to add to the rather interesting stash I already have (much of which is not suitable for this project).  These photos show the results of my internet shopping.

They are chintzy and floral and gorgeous! I am particularly fond of the paisley inspired one in the photo above.  Now all I have to do is to get on with the bunting making.  Oh, I also need to make some things for the Spring/Easter swap which needs to be posted this week, oh, and make some jewellery, oh, and then I would really like to learn to crochet so that I can make some flowers and then there is the Kumihimo braiding I need to do and the wirework...*Sigh*...rolls eyes heavenwards...

The Vagaries of Nature

 Anyone who is unfamiliar with England might wonder why we are all so obsessed with the weather.  After all, it happens, and there is nothing we can do to control it.  However, it is a peculiarly British trait.  The last two weeks illustrate this perfectly. Last week it was sunny and hot, with summer temperatures.  The farmers were worried about their animals and crops and gardeners were concerned about their plants.  A hosepipe ban was issued (starting tomorrow) in the worst affected places.

For the last two days, it has been raining fairly steadily.  In Scotland and North England they have had snowstorms, blizzards, power cuts and it is all really miserable for them.  Yes, the weather people predicted it, but funnily enough, we still seem to have been taken by surprise. The reason we are all so obsessed with our weather is because it changes so much!
Why, you may be asking, has she illustrated this minor rant with photos of a white grape hyacinth?  Well, I haven't planted any white grape hyacinths, so how has this white one suddenly appeared in the garden?  As you can see, I took the photos while it was still sunny.  Sometimes the vagaries of nature cause us worry and create havoc and then at other times, we get a little reward that makes us smile.

A successful plant (and thoughts about the weather)

Excuse me for feeling a little pleased with myself due to my successful growing of the above plant, Cerinthe Major Purpurescens.  I didn't plant the seeds until the beginning of June and they were saved from last year's flowers. However, they have been steadily growing too big and were desperate to be in the border, or a larger container at the least.  I kept seeing them and thinking, "I must get round to planting them", but never quite managing to do it.  Finally, on Monday, I decided enough was enough and planted them (rather unceremoniously, it has to be said).  They are quite sprawly in their habit but I like the combination of the glaucous green leaves with white ridges and the deep purple bell-like flowers.  Another benefit is that they are very attractive to bees - I think their common name is honey wort, which may explain why bees like them.  They are hardy annuals and hopefully I'll be able to save seeds for next year too.  They are also filling some gaps in the borders and help to keep the colour going for a while yet.
Incidentally, so far this summer has been 'typically English' with baking temperatures one day then downpours the next... Still, what would we talk about if we didn't have the weather?