tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29981360703552092152024-03-04T22:21:32.589-08:00The House with the Blue DoorThe House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-91554861247477738052018-09-19T14:18:00.000-07:002018-09-19T14:30:46.582-07:00A New Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello there! I do love September: the first chilly mornings; zingy late summer flowers; bright berries and ripe fruits; that smokey smell in the air; new pencil cases and stationery; cosy evenings; warm, comfy clothing; the first colour-changing leaves ... the list goes on. Summer is drifting away and beautiful autumn has arrived, and although I will sorely miss those long evenings outside, I embrace this new season wholeheartedly.</div>
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In the garden the colours are no longer delicate and pastel, but bright and citrussy. There's lots of purple, oranges and bold pinks, all against a background of green.</div>
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One exception to this is this white phlox paniculata which has been elegantly flowering for weeks now. Not usually a fan of white flowers, I love the cool prettiness of this flower and plan to divide it next year.</div>
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Outside the back door, our little side-return area is a place to sit and eat, pot up plants or read a book. We have lots of pots here, as there is no soil, and there are herbs, honeysuckle and container plants, as well as a fig tree and a mini greenhouse. P says there are far too many pots, but I like to have greenery nearby, since we can't see our back garden from the house.</div>
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The mini greenhouse is where I grow seedlings in spring and over-winter plants, and in it is my little succulent collection which made it through the cold temperatures of last winter.</div>
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The roses are having a second flush now, and a moment of madness overcame me at the garden centre last week when I was there buying a friend's present. I bought two new roses at bargain prices and have no idea where I'm going to squeeze them into our packed little garden. Look, though - aren't they lovely? First a beautiful apricot-coloured rose, 'Southampton' named after my home town.</div>
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And next, dark red 'Souvenir du Dr Jamain'. Both are wonderfully scented and I was helpless to resist.</div>
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I've been busy preserving the produce I told you about last time, and made the redcurrants into twelve pots of redcurrant jelly,</div>
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and the blackcurrants into jam.</div>
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We had a cream tea in the garden to celebrate afterwards.</div>
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The garden thornless blackberries have been profuse this year, and I'm freezing them as I pick.</div>
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I made blackberry and apple crumble at the weekend which soon disappeared.</div>
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And thinning the apples on our little tree in June paid off greatly in the form of fewer, larger, sweeter apples instead of far-too-many little ones. I've been collecting windfalls and enjoying eating fruit straight from the tree.</div>
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At the end of August P and I had a little holiday together which I'll tell you about in my next post, as well as a couple of days out. The first of these was to one of our favourite National Trust places, The Courts Garden in Wiltshire. It's not too far away and we usually go there for an afternoon. It's a gorgeous small (by NT standards) garden which has an orchard, a water-garden, an arboretum and colourful borders.</div>
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There's even a lovely Monet-style bridge over the pond.</div>
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I completely fell in love with the water lilies. They're a plant which has never much been on my radar before, but I was smitten with the lovely deep pink and creamy yellow stars delicately floating on the glassy surface of the water.</div>
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Towards the end of August was our 30th wedding anniversary, and P and I celebrated with a family party, flowers, and a meal out at our favourite pub. I really can't begin to imagine where 30 years have gone, as it only seems like yesterday that we first met at university, and that's almost 33 years ago! </div>
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Another NT afternoon out was spent at Stourhead, an old favourite of ours. Our grown-up kids still complain that we had too many days out there! But it's a place I never get bored of and love it in all seasons of the year. Again, it was a warm but overcast day - perfect for walking.</div>
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I never tire of visiting here and walking around the lake.</div>
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Here at The House with the Blue Door some changes are afoot. This is how our living room has looked for most of the time we've lived here, with a little Edwardian cast iron fireplace that had been left in the garage of our previous house. We had it cleaned and fitted soon after we moved in. We knew, however, that there was a fireplace behind the chimney breast, and we've often tried to imagine what it would look like. Now we need imagine no longer.</div>
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Last month we had it opened up and, my, there was a lot of dust.</div>
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Our house, like most of the older properties in this area, is made of limestone and we'd expected a plain, straight stone lintel. Finding a brick arch was a lovely surprise and very exciting indeed, rather like being detectives and getting to know our old home's history.</div>
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Once it was plastered and the bricks were cleaned, it looked even better. Our builder also fitted a piece of oak to make a mantlepiece and I waxed it to bring out the grain. I couldn't help arranging things on it, even though the hearth's still to be tiled, and the walls de-woodchipped and painted.</div>
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And adding fairy lights. As we don't want to rebuild the chimney stack etc, we're going to buy an electric 'log-burning' stove and this will make the room more toasty in winter. I'll show you when it's all done.</div>
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And the little cast-iron fireplace? We had that moved into the dining room where it now looks like it's always been. </div>
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When it was first installed the littlest member of our household had a bit of an adventure. After my initial clear-up of sooty dust, I returned to find more on the floor and Clover running away from the scene of the crime on no-longer-white paws. Yes, she'd investigated up the chimney before the top had been covered and looked rather like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_the_Dirty_Dog">Harry the Dirty Dog</a>.</div>
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We had to wash her paws, which she really didn't see the need for, and later that evening she was sick. A quick call to a very helpful vet reassured us, since she'd licked decades-old soot from her fur, and by the next morning she was fine again. Her paws are almost back to normal now.</div>
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I shall leave you with some photos of the Walled Garden at Mells. P whisked me away there after work in the first week of term on a sunny afternoon for a toasted teacake and a pot of tea. The late-afternoon sunshine was golden, and the air was warm. It was one of those lovely late summer days.</div>
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If you've made it to the end of this lengthy post, thank you and well done! And thank you too for reading my blog. It's lovely to share the good things with you. </div>
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See you soon x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-67707090826664833822018-08-13T16:10:00.001-07:002018-08-13T16:10:24.660-07:00Slow Summer Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello again. It's three weeks into the school holidays now and I've been enjoying a much slower pace of life here at the House with the Blue Door. </div>
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Term time gets busier as the summer approaches, but as the six-week break comes into view I can feel my shoulders dropping and think of the time I'll have to do all the things I want to do (often an unrealistic expectation, as it's impossible to fulfill all my creative ambitions, as well as all my house-and garden-related plans). So I thought I'd have a little look back at what was going on here since I last posted. There were a lot of berries. An awful lot of berries. Almost every evening I went out with my colander and picked first of all the redcurrants. I don't think there have ever been so many! We only have one bush of each currant, but they have grown huge, as tall as me in fact. I gave the currant bushes a good prune yesterday and the garden is looking a lot less jungly now.</div>
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It was a very bountiful harvest, and they are now sitting in the freezer waiting to be made into jelly.</div>
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Then came the wild strawberries. Anyone who grows them will know that they love to send their suckers around the garden into every nook and cranny. I do love them for that. Such a pretty little plant, and the fruit are delicious. </div>
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I took them to work in plain yoghurt for my lunch each day.</div>
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Next came the blackcurrants, always a week or so behind the redcurrants. The foliage has a delicious curranty smell, but was absolutely covered in ants. Picking them was a tricky business as I picked a handful of ants each time, most of which decided to march up my arm and into my clothes. Ugh.</div>
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Then raspberries, one of my favourite berries. They were yummy, and it was lovely to pick them outside in the evening through the hot days of the heatwave.</div>
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I decided to make these lovely fruits into a summer pudding. I'd only made one once before rather unsuccessfully, so I thought I'd have another go. I followed <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2198657/classic-summer-pudding">this</a> recipe and used ordinary sliced white bread as well as frozen blackberries, and although it didn't hold its shape very well it was delicious with cream. A very summery treat.</div>
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Another harvest which I always enjoy picking is our lavender. We have one huge bush and a couple of small ones, and I pick and dry it it to make into lavender bags. The heavenly smell as I collected it is so relaxing.</div>
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I always leave some flowers for the bees though.</div>
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We had a heatwave here in the UK, with no rain for weeks on end and temperatures around 30 degrees. The grass turned brown and crispy and we watered the plants a great deal, but the endless sunshine has been fabulous. Clover has enjoyed it enormously, but at times has sensibly found the coolest parts of the house to snooze in.</div>
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How she can sunbathe on the roof of the shed in all that fur, I can't imagine.</div>
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The odd glass of fresh mint tea has cooled me down when the heat is too much. I snip it from pots outside the back door and take it out to the garden to drink.</div>
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This year I've got my act together and actually managed to feed the pots and hanging baskets weekly, and they have rewarded me with so many lovely flowers and herbs. There are scented pelargoniums - this one's called 'Orange Fizz' and its leaves have a deliciously orangey smell.</div>
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These pelargoniums over-wintered in my shed and are looking vey floriferous indeed (love that word).</div>
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This year our hanging baskets finally look full and flowery instead of a bit limp and sparse. Must remember to feed them next year.</div>
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This unusual peach-coloured verbena caught my eye at the garden centre. Such a soft shade.</div>
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Unusually for me, I've gone for pale shades on our windowsill, and I rather like them. It wasn't intentional, just what I bought on impulse in the supermarket.</div>
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However, out in the garden things have been hotting up, both in temperature and hue. Another supermarket purchase was a couple of packets of lily bulbs. I've never grown lilies before. My, they grew fast. And when they bloomed last week they were enormous! Great pink stars exploding like mini fireworks.</div>
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Their perfume was intense too, and drifted around the garden especially in the evening. It mingled with the scent of the phlox which are now in bloom and the sweet peas which I picked, and made a very fragrant place to read my book in.</div>
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At dusk now the self-seeded evening primroses live up to their name and open their pale four-petalled flowers to the insects.</div>
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I love how they look underneath our wonky rowan tree which is dripping with fruit this year. Yellow and orange together is such a late summer colour combination.</div>
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I'm often tempted to make some rowan jelly, but can't bring myself to deny the birds those orange berries. They always get eaten very quickly.</div>
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The fennel is now in bloom and is a magnet for all sorts of buzzing creatures. It's always covered in hoverflies, wasps and little flies of all sorts, a very wildlife-friendly plant.</div>
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Well, that's the end of my round-up of the last couple of weeks. I hope that you're enjoying the summer so far and finding time to relax and smell the flowers. </div>
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See you soon x</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-15579831191203946602018-07-01T07:08:00.000-07:002018-07-01T14:37:11.428-07:00Beautiful June<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hello again, it's been a while since I dropped by and in the meantime, the seasons have moved from spring to glorious summer. And I have to say it has been absolutely wonderful in these parts. The lack of rain has meant that watering takes up most of my evenings, and our new water butt ran dry over a week ago, but we can't say it wasn't a lovely June. The solstice and Midsummer's Day were marked by me as always with roses and candles, and I try not to remember that the days are now shortening, but prefer to focus on enjoying this fabulous time of year when the evenings seem to go on forever. </div>
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I've loved coming home from work every day and heading for the garden to potter about deadheading things and staking plants. But by far my favourite summer evening activity of all is smelling the flowers, especially the roses. </div>
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They have been beautiful this year, and fill the borders and walls with the most luscious blooms and perfume. Here's lovely Gertrude Jekyll filling the air with the smell of Turkish Delight.</div>
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This year was the turn of New Dawn to shine. We've lived in our house for 20 years now, and some of these roses were here when we moved in. I don't do much to them apart from pruning in spring, and New Dawn hasn't been touched all year. But it has rewarded us with a profusion of flowers this year, all scrambling around the front door and heading on up the wall. This photo was taken just before it got dark, when the pale blooms shone out in the dusk.</div>
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Here in daylight you can see the pretty soft pink of the petals.</div>
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It has a delicate tea-like perfume, quite different to Gertrude.</div>
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Many-petalled William Shakespeare was as richly-scented as ever,</div>
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and along with graceful Mortimer Sackler, </div>
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a rose which the label said was Guinee (but which doesn't seem to be dark enough), grows up the back of the garage. It's also flowered more than ever this summer.</div>
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Our garden isn't attached to the back of our terraced house, as a shared access way and garages lie between them, a common layout for Somerset cottages. So my first sight of the garden is always revealed as I round the corner of the garage. When the roses are in bloom they frame my shed prettily.</div>
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Temperatures have risen here to over 30 degrees on many days recently, and while I adore the sunshine I usually like to find a shady place to sit. On a bench just outside my shed is perfect, and it's here that I've squeezed in a bit of crochet when I can.</div>
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The roses inspire me at this time of year to be creative, and this year I made a pretty crocheted wreath to hang in our house using <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/may-roses.html">Lucy's May Rose pattern</a>.</div>
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I was very happy with the finished result, as I'd tried to match the colours to the roses that we grow.</div>
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Another rose-inspired activity was my annual baking of rose petal shortbread. I've made this for years, as you can see <a href="https://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.com/2014/05/this-week.html">here</a>, <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.com/2015/07/rose-lavender-shortbread.html">here</a> and h<a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-rosy-outlook.html">ere</a>.</div>
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I made a big batch and took some to work to share with my fellow teaching assistants at break time with our coffee. I had plenty left over to share with everyone at home too. There are five of us at home for the summer now, so the house is full again. J is home again before he starts post-graduate study next year, and B is here too. And our D, our youngest, is heading off to uni in September. </div>
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I always think that if each month has a colour, then June's is definitely pink, and a deep pink at that. So many of the flowers in bloom in June seem to be this colour, and with them comes the warmth. This rose campion is a new addition this year, and it's flowers are such a bright pink that they don't look real against their silvery foliage.</div>
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The peonies were wonderful, and over very quickly in the heat. Blowsy and abundant, they were glorious.</div>
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There have been other lovely perennials too: spotty foxgloves;</div>
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yellow flag iris;</div>
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Iris Sibirica;</div>
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pale pink oriental poppies;</div>
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sunlit chives;</div>
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my favourite allium, rose garlic;</div>
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delicate purple greanium;</div>
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pink and silver spiky astrantia;</div>
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my first go at growing helichrysums</div>
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and deliciously-scented pinks. Their clove-like perfume is so strong that it drifts around the garden on the evening air while I'm watering.</div>
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Back to roses again, and the stripy, raspberry-ripple petals of rosa mundi unfold as the other roses are past their best and extend the rose season in our garden.</div>
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And here's a warning - if you don't like creepy-crawlies, look away now. This little crab spider has been living in the blooms of rosa mundi for days now. It doesn't make a web, but catches its prey instead. I found it holding a dead bee last week.</div>
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And I found this gorgeous white ermine moth on the side of my shed. Isn't it a rather sophisticated and classy moth?</div>
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Our tiny pond has gone from strength to strength, as I've surrounded it with lots of foliage this year to make it more wildlife-friendly. You can just about see the water under the marsh marigold leaves. I'm hoping that the tadpoles that have grown from frog and newt spawn donated by a friend are growing into frogs now.</div>
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It's been 4 years now since I started blogging and, although I'm not as regular a blogger as I used to be, this little corner of the internet is still important to me as a place where I can share all the flowery and creative things that make me happy and that I know you get too, dear readers. So before I go I'd like to say thank you if you still drop by from time to time - it's much appreciated xxx<br />
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-38990442140460626242018-03-02T15:24:00.000-08:002018-03-02T15:24:50.554-08:00Snow Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brrrr! It has been very chilly indeed here this week, culminating in the arrival of snow yesterday morning. School was closed and so I have had two whole Snow Days off work, the first in 5 years. Hooray! We've all been holed up here with occasional trips out to the local shop (where the shelves are starting to look rather empty) or the garden, and it's been very relaxing. I'm aware that it's not so relaxing for others who've been caught out in it, or who have had no heating or power, and we count ourselves lucky enough to be able to enjoy the arrival of snow. </div>
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Not so lucky are the poor flowers in our garden which were just getting going in the sunshine I mentioned in my last post. After the first snowfall yesterday morning I found, along with some droopy hellebores and crocuses, this lovely double primrose,</div>
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and these brave little tete-a-tete daffodils. We've had a lot more snow since then, and they now can't be seen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-hSYhMHvRvNiX6kJzy6N5pp9OqzL81Opi33VpKPOEExp5WUnz-Ljd4dPNqp51OdxoHX8YIY7QxEK23GhvXNfKElWLlIIYc4U_NtN_ViNe_wehFwcc8iukewES-aPrTokXoG2k8Fl57yk/s1600/IMG_8305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-hSYhMHvRvNiX6kJzy6N5pp9OqzL81Opi33VpKPOEExp5WUnz-Ljd4dPNqp51OdxoHX8YIY7QxEK23GhvXNfKElWLlIIYc4U_NtN_ViNe_wehFwcc8iukewES-aPrTokXoG2k8Fl57yk/s400/IMG_8305.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Our windowsill hyacinths are faring much better in the warmth of the central heating.</div>
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Out in the garden, flower beds and pot plants have disappeared under a blanket of white. </div>
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And I'm making sure to keep the birds well-fed.</div>
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I've done a fair bit of staying indoors keeping warm, and baked brownies yesterday which don't last long in our house.</div>
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I love the way snow lights up the interior of our house and reflects back the light, and like to light candles which flicker prettily against the snowy background. However, by lunchtime today I was beginning to feel a little stir-crazy.</div>
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So this afternoon P and I pulled on our wellies and woollies, and set off out of the house into the cold air. It was strange to be out, walking along our road, surrounded by other walkers and virtually no traffic. Snow muffles sounds and I enjoyed that familiar squeaky sound of walking on snow. Soon we were into the countryside, in the same lane and fields we walked in <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/hedgerows-fossils-and-giant-dragonflies.html">here</a>.</div>
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The fields had been transformed into a bleak, white landscape.</div>
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Overhead flew fieldfares, and redwings chattered and flew in and out of the hedges.</div>
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Sheep bleated and occasionally leaped and jumped, a sign that spring is coming.</div>
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Seedheads made neat outlines against the snow.</div>
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A tiny wren and a blackbird hopped along the frozen stream, out of the wind.</div>
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Out of the trees and over our heads flew a barn owl, and we watched it fly in wide circles overhead, looking for food. It was magical.</div>
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As the light began to fade we walked home through the rutted snow, and I was very glad we'd ventured outside. Before long it'll all be gone and the landscape will return to normal again.</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-40823630098126464302018-02-18T14:27:00.002-08:002018-02-19T23:19:19.547-08:00Yarny and Flowery Goings-on<div style="text-align: center;">
Here I am again, as promised. Term begins again tomorrow, so I thought I'd do a bit of a round-up of the things that have made me happy recently. I spent half term being creative and getting together with friends and family, which really was a very relaxed and companionable way to spend a week. I got my housework and boring jobs done quickly, and then spent a couple of days chatting, drinking coffee, sharing cakes and being creative with friends. There was also Pancake Day and Valentine's Day, and a day out. It was wonderful to slow down and spend time doing the things that I really enjoy. In no particular order here they are:<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">*</span>Beautiful and sweet-scented spring flowers that P bought me for Valentine's Day. They are sitting on the table next to me as I type, and they do smell good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfME-6HN0ykqYylwZKk3hoQL0H6MlPbZzq_ehyphenhyphen9wmoGt1SGs4TgqO8iLephqinugfKOtDqyNNYKdFk0i3EhyphenhyphenBhgX-tfYjeCsaGKymt2I2lzTQi0aHB-efgZXqqAjsOUf2Gcw_ZMsGJitO/s1600/IMG_8196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfME-6HN0ykqYylwZKk3hoQL0H6MlPbZzq_ehyphenhyphen9wmoGt1SGs4TgqO8iLephqinugfKOtDqyNNYKdFk0i3EhyphenhyphenBhgX-tfYjeCsaGKymt2I2lzTQi0aHB-efgZXqqAjsOUf2Gcw_ZMsGJitO/s400/IMG_8196.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">*</span>Regular readers will know by now how much I love hellebores, and they are now blooming away in our garden for all they're worth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLSDeHy589vTJpmBcRuMVn62W-o60BRpEk6kGiL5Hx_XwjqHumkjupJO0KjSoPrw2fRK_fzsat7K7n-6O77H4H1-c2FEwJE6Tb4UcyuNuh1ycZQnQac4T_IZ3l1-MiV9863VgZFW9QVr2/s1600/IMG_7918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLSDeHy589vTJpmBcRuMVn62W-o60BRpEk6kGiL5Hx_XwjqHumkjupJO0KjSoPrw2fRK_fzsat7K7n-6O77H4H1-c2FEwJE6Tb4UcyuNuh1ycZQnQac4T_IZ3l1-MiV9863VgZFW9QVr2/s400/IMG_7918.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">*</span>I came up with the idea of crocheting a wreath of hellebores using <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-hellebore-flower.html">Lucy's</a> flower pattern. I made the hellebores <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/sunshine-outdoors-and-getting-creative.html">3 years ago</a> and hadn't yet used them for anything, so decided that a pretty spring wreath would be a good idea. I added some long, pointy leaves and grouped them in the shape of hellebore leaves. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XrYmKeYemEkFCA_CJdkxhoSP4bKVgkq8wYO6RHA6ITneewWIt267fsEOyuHsM-i4Ns5jXHEURBFZLXq0rbQ5qluDoa6XL2kUVm6sUbf1qk1Ua7fWGFdZLD1GZXAFoYlyJp9j7p3NCo21/s1600/IMG_8009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XrYmKeYemEkFCA_CJdkxhoSP4bKVgkq8wYO6RHA6ITneewWIt267fsEOyuHsM-i4Ns5jXHEURBFZLXq0rbQ5qluDoa6XL2kUVm6sUbf1qk1Ua7fWGFdZLD1GZXAFoYlyJp9j7p3NCo21/s400/IMG_8009.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The wreath is brightening up our dining room indoors while the hellebores are flowering outside in the garden.</div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">*</span>While I'm on the subject of crochet, I decided on the greyest of days that I needed to crochet something pink to counteract the cold, dripping rain. And so these little rosy cotton granny squares were born.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOf_KArZ3QmCPF0NoTXROTxm-0MCcL4QeYcr3gFT3h37N_ibsANPwLzlC841clFN1WUQZhQ0lOdlNddiJUiGQD2f4IQJITkg9astYhBFEsVTJHisl7yUQOvfjHvNsr5hZTqPaNS6WTM4_/s1600/28191016_957619494393773_476189701_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOf_KArZ3QmCPF0NoTXROTxm-0MCcL4QeYcr3gFT3h37N_ibsANPwLzlC841clFN1WUQZhQ0lOdlNddiJUiGQD2f4IQJITkg9astYhBFEsVTJHisl7yUQOvfjHvNsr5hZTqPaNS6WTM4_/s400/28191016_957619494393773_476189701_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I still have no idea what I'm making with them, but crocheting these tiny squares of pink yarn in bed and with a cup of tea has been a very warm and cosy project.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtVGavrh6KWjO3gj0S_Yvc7Q5TqPRKR_6WSpeKpWbo7DYsFBL_-p9GYjX7LAj1Lq8mrA7IiZQebvWWGQjpAzPowCotza-CUD413UkcKLKQdlr3b5iGxftGyqfngd1ytcucd3TEdEviUBU/s1600/28116970_957619444393778_1484044606_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="480" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtVGavrh6KWjO3gj0S_Yvc7Q5TqPRKR_6WSpeKpWbo7DYsFBL_-p9GYjX7LAj1Lq8mrA7IiZQebvWWGQjpAzPowCotza-CUD413UkcKLKQdlr3b5iGxftGyqfngd1ytcucd3TEdEviUBU/s400/28116970_957619444393778_1484044606_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">*</span>I've also started something new for my Esty shop. Spring colours and floral prettiness are calling me and I'm enjoying crocheting with pastel cottons. I'll reveal more later.</div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">*</span>A colleague at work has just gone on maternity leave, so I crocheted a little ball for her new arrival.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55EpjGFpnXLiRu6muvCZ7Th-COsrZY7qE8EvStOLmEA3wFFAc1g2o0IUxU1sn7T8apM3bfY0f6jyJKL1AKwDh_QtsxoNwYXFcF0mWY0MEyf9tJMEn76ALonLT53iQ4F46ZbycUPZUUW81/s1600/28175641_957619434393779_778903611_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55EpjGFpnXLiRu6muvCZ7Th-COsrZY7qE8EvStOLmEA3wFFAc1g2o0IUxU1sn7T8apM3bfY0f6jyJKL1AKwDh_QtsxoNwYXFcF0mWY0MEyf9tJMEn76ALonLT53iQ4F46ZbycUPZUUW81/s400/28175641_957619434393779_778903611_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">*</span>Work on D's university blanket has now begun, as she has chosen her Stylecraft colours and will be heading off there in September. I'd better get cracking!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_Us7ts7GUzB7n7LRKoAm_8ylfvl595oDEGUzZ1DsVd6fdVX9klQH6lej1LhWlx5pS1ddWqrxYCGJjl-cva2VAV5QLe2tCj9TWh9cGjyxahbJUurRAHTfOu8l75A1_U-MA_kII-31PErL/s1600/IMG_7933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_Us7ts7GUzB7n7LRKoAm_8ylfvl595oDEGUzZ1DsVd6fdVX9klQH6lej1LhWlx5pS1ddWqrxYCGJjl-cva2VAV5QLe2tCj9TWh9cGjyxahbJUurRAHTfOu8l75A1_U-MA_kII-31PErL/s400/IMG_7933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">*</span>This lovely Stylecraft Batik Swirl yarn will have to wait...I <u>must</u> not start a new project while I have other WIPs on the go.</div>
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<span style="color: orange;">*</span>At the start of the week I headed off to nearby Frome, feeling excited.</div>
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I was going to <a href="http://marmaladeyarns.co.uk/">Marmalade Yarns</a>, an inspiring and welcoming yarn shop which I've shopped at for years. On this day, though, I was going to a Fairisle Knitting workshop there with the talented knitwear designer <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/designers/mary-henderson">Mary Henderson</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc412zgASBrEWXoiatTJGfucEC1f_BKLIKJQcgdpwMGKgbFDrQOFJss3ztapcq3xOyzDd0y2aSdmdAn1PNo8PVVAABApAoZwR2hql2IK0KBKdB5_amadNCxWuYmJuzERPMVVIQfza2EcXP/s1600/28236743_957619367727119_1492116298_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc412zgASBrEWXoiatTJGfucEC1f_BKLIKJQcgdpwMGKgbFDrQOFJss3ztapcq3xOyzDd0y2aSdmdAn1PNo8PVVAABApAoZwR2hql2IK0KBKdB5_amadNCxWuYmJuzERPMVVIQfza2EcXP/s400/28236743_957619367727119_1492116298_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was a steep learning curve for me, but I've wanted to knit Fairisle patterns for a long time now and couldn't wait to get started. On a wet Saturday a group of us sat around a table and were kept well-supplied with tea and cake while we learned how to knit with several colours at once in the round.</div>
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We all started on wrist warmers from Mary's pattern and, as I'd never knitted on more than two needles before, I had to concentrate hard. Back at home, the wrist warmer is growing as I work my way through the chart bit by bit and learn to hold a yarn in each hand as I go. My dreams of wearing a home-made Fairisle hat don't seem so far away now. Next time I'll show you my finished wrist-warmer - who knows, I might even make a pair!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BnnxkeP7ouTSbuz0BohDgXT1bTym6SKvzB-VDopNB-brLPxkFKCul7w0gZaX24dfIrx5zjodm_OOi6Jt6f2EYFmsAwqG-O1KZg69UUnWHHO1XJleiiV5LaBFIWNRSd53XzqSsFIkxkMb/s1600/28190725_957619397727116_1896155050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="384" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BnnxkeP7ouTSbuz0BohDgXT1bTym6SKvzB-VDopNB-brLPxkFKCul7w0gZaX24dfIrx5zjodm_OOi6Jt6f2EYFmsAwqG-O1KZg69UUnWHHO1XJleiiV5LaBFIWNRSd53XzqSsFIkxkMb/s400/28190725_957619397727116_1896155050_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are some of Mary's wonderful hand-knitted hats - aren't they gorgeous?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafDLO8AkUSWGnDms4LR1klBffnyYELzpYtOPai438ittmgPGRCk5TJJwF0P3dPWEZuUYV6mkDXmfBvXlbvYj4rtykHF2mwk-UOPCxUuKzlp_n-LNH_rv1jZQDK-LN1DL4RQTuQcdYVAzM/s1600/28117350_957619407727115_1229204272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafDLO8AkUSWGnDms4LR1klBffnyYELzpYtOPai438ittmgPGRCk5TJJwF0P3dPWEZuUYV6mkDXmfBvXlbvYj4rtykHF2mwk-UOPCxUuKzlp_n-LNH_rv1jZQDK-LN1DL4RQTuQcdYVAzM/s400/28117350_957619407727115_1229204272_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">*</span>On a non-yarny note I've really enjoyed indoor bulbs over the last month or two.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBeIUpBKClbRrmuOQ3DdR_XZg_yoBjatvX87BDG6plCXOdjs4MCHPdyQoCARFT4fI9jYbxS6uwpgPjx3cHWwuShyNcjDUUwPjokQ7Vdk4g3AJ34TQA0i6lXUcBfeijRLL7yDDfYyxAIgJ/s1600/IMG_7930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBeIUpBKClbRrmuOQ3DdR_XZg_yoBjatvX87BDG6plCXOdjs4MCHPdyQoCARFT4fI9jYbxS6uwpgPjx3cHWwuShyNcjDUUwPjokQ7Vdk4g3AJ34TQA0i6lXUcBfeijRLL7yDDfYyxAIgJ/s400/IMG_7930.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;">*</span>Snowdrops have been quietly blooming in our garden, and I've enjoyed snipping a few to bring indoors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-3zNMuoDDdDWN1ZA2zIIf5f7JuOV0lZmtxKqA9T-d6vGsFQ8FC_J7048NPKNSyleRHq0z7UwmdBWm6sXRo4fEwni1I6vn4pPvD_gkY1C2hSBEJ2cFWMHL9PEO9VKaDWgLu6wJfFZcwo4/s1600/IMG_7980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-3zNMuoDDdDWN1ZA2zIIf5f7JuOV0lZmtxKqA9T-d6vGsFQ8FC_J7048NPKNSyleRHq0z7UwmdBWm6sXRo4fEwni1I6vn4pPvD_gkY1C2hSBEJ2cFWMHL9PEO9VKaDWgLu6wJfFZcwo4/s400/IMG_7980.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">*</span>Our dresser has had a makeover too. It's still blue, but a softer, more chalky shade, and goes very well with the bunches of daffodils that I've been buying from the supermarket lately.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIpQvR_ynB-qHgE7ORTEzl7vEOJV6nRJHVK530X2e0I7HzrCyyVvPsSzqeEkpS2k7N7pGE0JHpiyq_XDfH31UNmg0SB5_KhUZQs4oXuid9daR3WsJg4S-9bPOgNzBmc3esMHVQ1p0eM-p/s1600/28233099_957619531060436_1768078352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIpQvR_ynB-qHgE7ORTEzl7vEOJV6nRJHVK530X2e0I7HzrCyyVvPsSzqeEkpS2k7N7pGE0JHpiyq_XDfH31UNmg0SB5_KhUZQs4oXuid9daR3WsJg4S-9bPOgNzBmc3esMHVQ1p0eM-p/s400/28233099_957619531060436_1768078352_n.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NXg7EmXtnp1o41wTvoid9oTaGhulgyQQw14Tw_1xDH2NyjrC-I76tbUDHxp3QNfZ0Jlz8bzke9EJ8Gwz8uUiacU596pfmOh9iW0wat8uFSFCZnVlsiH6lDcDo5rNaVF8-Ty8bZ70cUOy/s1600/28117377_957619554393767_173511633_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="384" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NXg7EmXtnp1o41wTvoid9oTaGhulgyQQw14Tw_1xDH2NyjrC-I76tbUDHxp3QNfZ0Jlz8bzke9EJ8Gwz8uUiacU596pfmOh9iW0wat8uFSFCZnVlsiH6lDcDo5rNaVF8-Ty8bZ70cUOy/s400/28117377_957619554393767_173511633_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">*</span>Finally, on the subject of blue, just look at this blue sky in Wells yesterday! It really was the most beautiful sunny day in Wells and brought with it a taste of spring.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfiRvgVKMJ9oLXlmB3fjPU62G-Ns3VQyGhTbRcBzv6vN5cTkLyHG1FoT6dOY8UKJcFrpjK1zr7a3cK6g2EsLzzd4G47qeda_TDr7he2oII6MNA_q8z2juMMyE3sluLypKTtQb86JmaAQt/s1600/28117669_957617904393932_331311168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="384" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfiRvgVKMJ9oLXlmB3fjPU62G-Ns3VQyGhTbRcBzv6vN5cTkLyHG1FoT6dOY8UKJcFrpjK1zr7a3cK6g2EsLzzd4G47qeda_TDr7he2oII6MNA_q8z2juMMyE3sluLypKTtQb86JmaAQt/s400/28117669_957617904393932_331311168_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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See you soon x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-2523000736701345352018-02-16T04:54:00.004-08:002018-02-16T04:54:55.079-08:00Sunshine At Last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's half-term here and I'm really enjoying a break from work. The grey rain and cold of January just seemed to go on and on, and I felt a great sense of relief when we arrived in February. I couldn't seem to get warm, and being without heating and hot water for a weekend didn't help, when our boiler broke down and had to be repaired. I've craved sunshine and warmth, and felt in need of being perked up. P and I have continued our runs/walks (more in another post), so I've been outside a good deal, but indoors has called me back inside to cosy up and knit or crochet.</div>
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However, a change is in the air and although there are still grey, wet, cold and very windy days, there is also sunshine. Warm sunshine. And I can't tell you how glad I am to see it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG7j61y1hqVTYQ6DHp6BUooqW9ssC39kVZ0WR-bzL7xh6T0Jz6DkZtc7goFcvQH08w0MhTqynBVD94U9ze22NdUGNg3Cx1Sx82IS6IFozq4Wym-j80aaQd_NPoXD1W-IOYuhHLzUwW59p/s1600/IMG_8069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG7j61y1hqVTYQ6DHp6BUooqW9ssC39kVZ0WR-bzL7xh6T0Jz6DkZtc7goFcvQH08w0MhTqynBVD94U9ze22NdUGNg3Cx1Sx82IS6IFozq4Wym-j80aaQd_NPoXD1W-IOYuhHLzUwW59p/s400/IMG_8069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yesterday P took the day off and J is home on a short visit, so we took ourselves off to Tyntesfield, a nearby NT property, for the day. It was a day of sunshine and showers, with a heavy hailstorm at one point, but when the sun came out, as it always did, it brought with it a breath of spring. The house is a recent NT acquisition and is still a work in progress. It's built in Victorian Gothic style, a mass of turrets, gables, pinnacles and so many architectural features.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejZNIJTZRZrrVyeUyatv7HOJCG_uVfhSfIrnxOLiPC-LFHvLLbi7rcm-A8Wh7rNVDWgXiudbuxkBbz_atFFjEO_hyphenhyphenUM3h0-ePlnNQBBoDkv0PLmEKuqDgqwFQ1VKhHOkC0jq3Bnu4oVBa/s1600/IMG_8168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejZNIJTZRZrrVyeUyatv7HOJCG_uVfhSfIrnxOLiPC-LFHvLLbi7rcm-A8Wh7rNVDWgXiudbuxkBbz_atFFjEO_hyphenhyphenUM3h0-ePlnNQBBoDkv0PLmEKuqDgqwFQ1VKhHOkC0jq3Bnu4oVBa/s400/IMG_8168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Inside it is stunning, with a light and ornate central hall which all rooms radiate from.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECXB5hzgQOzMMZLGvsuVOGyICMRLlTqhomZTDDDhyphenhyphenjZJU54r693s0PUylF2LcK0-QvwCWx5Vvs002Rb8MEcXjWlj-MB_1Rl-NahbTwVYnGIAJ4HU1uzuxmKG3NlAsWmcvHTIC-LCd5jFH/s1600/IMG_8088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECXB5hzgQOzMMZLGvsuVOGyICMRLlTqhomZTDDDhyphenhyphenjZJU54r693s0PUylF2LcK0-QvwCWx5Vvs002Rb8MEcXjWlj-MB_1Rl-NahbTwVYnGIAJ4HU1uzuxmKG3NlAsWmcvHTIC-LCd5jFH/s400/IMG_8088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was pattern and ornamentation everywhere in the form of stencils,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z2YAj1NpKq9ZdWTnnssnmw1TOlZqHBfHCupX_GheG5PriI8Kv9aRXdSoS-rjQQcs-Wn0BdUHDsUOxBApYaRsBM6inbmT8eIahZhGyJLb__oVKQugiCWA0hxNry062Za_vR6_Q5BaBh-F/s1600/IMG_8093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z2YAj1NpKq9ZdWTnnssnmw1TOlZqHBfHCupX_GheG5PriI8Kv9aRXdSoS-rjQQcs-Wn0BdUHDsUOxBApYaRsBM6inbmT8eIahZhGyJLb__oVKQugiCWA0hxNry062Za_vR6_Q5BaBh-F/s400/IMG_8093.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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carved wood and stone,</div>
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metalwork,</div>
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and lots and lots of colourful, intricate stained glass. Since I've been learning this art I'm fascinated and inspired by the windows I see in buildings around me.</div>
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The colours and traditional glass-painting are just gorgeous.</div>
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After dodging another shower, outside was just as lovely, despite there not being much in bloom. The orangery was a place I could've settled down in for an afternoon, surrounded by the colours and scents of warmer climes in the form of oranges, lemons and bright camelias. I could imagine myself whiling away the hours here in a rattan chair with a good book and a cup of tea.</div>
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Next came the greenhouses, most of which were closed to the public for maintenance work. I must confess I was disappointed as I would loved to have wandered through them, but I consoled myself with taking photos of the beautiful spring and summer flowers inside them through the glass. </div>
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The scent of these hyacinths was so strong you could smell it as it wafted through the vents at the top of the greenhouse.</div>
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Inside this one were fan-trained fig and apricot trees.</div>
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Next came the beautiful kitchen garden. I do so love the order and neatness of a walled garden with its rows of onions and netted cabbages. Here there was forced rhubarb and fan-trained fruit trees.</div>
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There's something so beautiful and well-tended about these trees. They have been carefully pruned and trained and, growing on this sunny wall, must produce delicious fruit.</div>
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The gardens surrounding the house were a mix of formal and parkland, with structure and symmetry.</div>
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The topiary holly trees were clipped to perfection and must be a job in themselves.</div>
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As we left the gardens we dropped by the rose garden where two gardeners were busily pruning, ready for the year ahead. In two corners were these pretty little arbours. We sat in one out of the cold wind and felt the warm sunshine. They were also heavily decorated with these pretty tiles. </div>
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I'd love to come back later in the year to see the roses in bloom and the fruit trees in blossom. I really can't wait for spring to get going now.</div>
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I've also been busy creatively in recent weeks, and plan to show you what I've been up to soon. Hopefully I'll post about that this weekend before I go back to work, fingers crossed.<br />See you soon! x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-42960644926033923512018-01-12T15:54:00.000-08:002018-01-12T15:56:41.609-08:00A New Year<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: magenta;">☆</span>Happy New Year!<span style="color: blue;">☆</span></div>
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I know I'm a bit late, but it is my first blog post of the year! I do hope you had a good Christmas. We had a great one here with all our youngsters together and my lovely sister-in-law, A. It really was one of the best I can remember with lots of laughter, chatting, games, seasonal fare and relaxation. It also contained some creativity. A is a talented embroiderer (-ess?) and designed and sewed this lovely fern while she was here. She is very crafty and only started embroidering last summer.<br />
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I even put my crochet aside for an evening and joined her in sewing a quick festive design. I've got until next Christmas to decide what to make it into.<br />
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I discovered a little seasonal project <a href="http://www.loopknitlounge.com/2017/11/mistletoe-garland-free-crochet-pattern/">here</a> at the Loop blog and fell in love with it - a mistletoe garland. I mentioned my love of mistletoe <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/midwinter.html">before</a>, so as soon as I saw it I had to make it, even though I had only a couple of days to go until Christmas and a to-do list as long as your arm. However, I was very determined and seized a few quiet moments here and there with a cup of tea to pick up my hook and get crocheting.<br />
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I finished it in the in-between period before New Year, and like how delicate and simple it is. All the decorations were put away last week but my mistletoe garland is still hanging on our back door.<br />
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I love having some books to peruse after lunch on Christmas Day when I feel full and drowsy, and this year I was lucky enough to receive some gorgeous reading material. A lovely book of poetry for the coming year, an almanac, a foraging diary and a book of mindfulness. I'm going to enjoy these.<br />
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Now we're all back at work and school (both for me - term started on 2nd January, so that put and end to the festivities!), and J has returned to university, it's time to look forward. Going back to work the day after New Year's Day felt like a bit of a shock to the system, but once we'd taken the decorations down it felt good to move into the new year.</div>
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At this time of year I'm drawn to anything that can replace the sparkle of Christmas. Something is needed to lighten the gloom of deepest, darkest winter, and for me that takes the form of candles, fairy lights and flowers - three of my favourite things in all the world. This little Christmas cactus has begun to flower and I'm thrilled. Last year I had one and all its buds dropped off, so I'm paying it extra attention this year. Isn't it the most beautiful pink?<br />
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The bulbs which I planted back in October have been in the dark of the garage until I brought some out just before Christmas. Now hyacinths buds are pushing their way up through the leaves and I can't wait for that familiar heavy, rich scent to waft its way around the room, giving a foretaste of spring.<br />
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Clover has been enjoying herself over the holiday and likes to spend the winter curled up in various places around the house, finding cosy little patches of warmth. It's nice to come into a room and find her quietly snoozing somewhere. Here she is next to the radiator in her basket with some of her Christmas toys. She so loves the heat.</div>
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I've realised that I have not yet introduced you to the newest members of our family, which is very remiss of me, as they moved in to The House with the Blue Door last spring. They are the sweetest little guinea pigs and go by the names of Luna (black and white) and Ginny (brown) and they belong to J, who loves animals. Although he is away at university for much of the year we agreed look after them when he's away and we have quickly become very fond of them.</div>
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Luna is very sweet and cuddly, the quieter and calmer one of the two - she can be quite feisty when necessary, though.</div>
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And Ginny is a skittish little adventurer with a quiff, and fur which grows in all directions. J named them after Harry Potter characters, and we already can't imagine life without them. These photos are of them enjoying the garden last summer.</div>
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See you soon xx</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-20061854908931090412017-12-25T11:33:00.001-08:002017-12-25T11:34:10.894-08:00Merry Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;">
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🌟🌲Merry Christmas!🌲🌟</div>
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Just dropping by to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Hope you're having a good one so far and enjoying all the festivities.</div>
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It's a lovely one here at the House with the Blue Door with everyone at home, sparkly decorations, scented candles, games and fun - here are a couple of photos from today.</div>
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Wherever you are and however you celebrate, I wish you peace and a very happy Christmas indeed.</div>
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Cathy xxx</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-53726526858451714212017-12-21T07:29:00.000-08:002017-12-21T07:29:24.777-08:00Midwinter<div style="text-align: center;">
Midwinter. There's something about this word that I love. It conjures up images of frosty days, glowing fires, berried greenery, dark woods, shadows, ghost stories and above all quiet. The winter solstice, when it comes is for me very welcome, and is a moment of stillness amid the madness of pre-Christmas celebrations. Having said that, today here at the House with the Blue Door is a busy day of tidying, cleaning and generally making sure that everything is ready for Christmas, and our guests. Nevertheless, I am making sure to light some scented candles and reflect for a moment or two on the fact that we're at the darkest point of the year, and that the days will now get lighter as the earth starts to turn towards the sun - hooray!<br />
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Yesterday P and I went shopping in Frome, a pretty town not far from here. I had a very productive time buying some last-minute presents and finally some berried greenery. There doesn't seem to be much holly with berries on it in the florists at the moment, but I managed to find some.</div>
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Here I am looking very pleased with myself after finding some mistletoe, rosehips and red-berried foliage.</div>
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As it was almost lunchtime, we stopped off for coffees, and a mince pie for P and a pastel de nata (one of my favourites) for me. Very nice too.</div>
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While we were shopping I bought this little collection of 10 poems with an evergreen theme, and am looking forward to reading them with a cup of tea later.<br />
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I do so love the different shapes and colours of winter greenery. It's just as lovely as spring and summer flowers, but is very different - more structural and striking, and the berries are so bright. I'm especially fond of mistletoe. Its simple green and white combination is a beautiful contrast to all the rich and sparkly colours of Christmas. I also like its connections with our distant past, and the fact that it grows in orchards on apple trees. It's a fascinating plant all round. </div>
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In my little midwinter arrangement is also some winter-flowering honeysuckle which I grow in a pot next to our back door. When the year is at its drabbest and spring still seems so far away it's gorgeous scent is a treat when I'm popping outside for something. I stop and inhale its sweet scent on the cold air and think of warmer days to come.<br />
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Here's some more winter greenery, spotted on a recent run in the woods. I love the shape of ivy very much and was particularly taken with this rather pointy-leaved plant. There's still so much to enjoy outside at this time of year if you look for it.</div>
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Right, better get back to the Christmas cleaning now! See you soon, and happy solstice! x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-90696110607952748232017-12-18T15:55:00.001-08:002017-12-18T15:58:09.962-08:00December So Far<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello there! I really can't believe we're so far through December already. The madness of the final weeks of term has ended and at the weekend we collected J from university, so I am finally breathing a huge sigh of relief and feeling able to focus on our own home preparations for Christmas now.<br />
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Winter has arrived, and we've had some of my favourite weather of all recently in the form of cold, cold days full of bright sunshine and frost. I've loved my walks to school in the mornings wrapped up in scarf and gloves along frost-sparkled pavements being dazzled by low winter sun. It makes me feel so alive and zingy. Afternoons are short at this time of year, and it's dark by 4.30 now. It makes the evenings feel long and I'm enjoying switching our fairy lights on as darkness falls.</div>
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I have found time to make some of our own Christmas cards this year, in the form of lino printed ones (remember the <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/spring-thoughts.html">workshop</a> I did last spring?).</div>
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Here's my first run of prints. The design depicts frosty fields on a starry night, and they turned out pretty much how I'd envisaged, so I'm pleased with them. </div>
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I added glitter to them to make them extra sparkly.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Two weekends ago I went to a carol concert at a church in Bath which P's choir performed at. While I was waiting for it to start I sat and looked closely at the stained glass windows. Since I've been going to stained glass classes I find I look more at how they are designed and made, and these were gorgeous. Listening to Christmas carols was a magical and very peaceful experience, made even better by the fact that outside the snow was falling. It settled on the hills around the city but turned into rain in the centre. It certainly was a very festive experience!</span><br />
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We walked past the Christmas market as we returned to the car and this sparkly, twinkly paper lantern stand caught my eye in the dark.</div>
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The Christmas market in Bath has been bigger and better this year, but absolutely packed with people and almost impossible to get close to. It's over now, but I don't recommend visiting next year on a Saturday afternoon!</div>
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One evening after P and I had been to the cinema it was lovely to just stand in Abbey Churchyard after the market had closed for the evening and enjoy the space after all the rush and bustle.</div>
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On recent shopping trips to Bath I've stopped and stared at this gorgeous window display. It's in Waterstones bookshop, and I just love the white paper snowflakes, doilies and beautiful cut-out designs. I felt a bit self-conscious taking a photo of a shop window, but it was only after I got home that I realised that the Georgian buildings opposite were reflected beautifully in the glass, so I was glad I did.</div>
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On one of these Saturday afternoons as the light was failing we walked up to Royal Victoria Park after shopping and had a wander around one of our favourite haunts, the Botanic Gardens. I loved these fatsia japonica flowers which are so very structural and wintry,</div>
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and a little robin waited for us on a bench looking suitably fluffy.</div>
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We rounded off the trip with a coffee. For me my favourite festive hot drink, a gingerbread latte, the first of the winter (I'm not having too many of these since I discovered how many calories they contain!).</div>
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I shall leave you with a photo of Clover taken a few days ago. It must've been cold because instead of snuggling into her cosy basket, she decided it was much cosier to be squished between it and the radiator. Silly creature!</div>
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Hope you're enjoying the winter so far - see you very soon x</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-28472842230781941682017-11-22T14:31:00.000-08:002017-11-23T09:23:53.792-08:00Yarn Therapy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello all, and thank you for your positive and encouraging comments on my last post. It does feel good to be blogging again.</div>
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I've been quite busy on yarn-related projects recently, mainly as a result of having been laid low for several weeks with flu and a respiratory infection. After the initial phase of being stuck in bed wore off, I had some time off work which I spent sitting around coughing a great deal and generally wondering if the lurgy would ever go, with my ever-constant companion my little furry friend Clover.</div>
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I decided that this was a good opportunity to stave off boredom by keeping my hands busy, and managed to complete several little yarny projects. First was this dark blue mandala mat for my table. I've made lots in pastelly colours, but felt in need of an autumnal one to complement the rich shades of seasonal flowers like these and remind me of the deep blue sky which comes at dusk at this time of year.</div>
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Then I finished this little crocheted wall-hanging - a bit of an experiment really, based on the colours on Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, our holiday destination this summer. I think I caught the colours well, even if the crochet is slightly wonky.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRB7MAsLos3UJGkNRtXpMZA5xXEQimZkuVBRyIV-b11Wc_bfeP-c62Jjq1v1bj2UXzKicIE99VtZSUO5yklIyVf7x7XjKshyIzmHYbO2gY-_njMnBzKsnQrq4o0tuYEfC5vLevproE6-yj/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRB7MAsLos3UJGkNRtXpMZA5xXEQimZkuVBRyIV-b11Wc_bfeP-c62Jjq1v1bj2UXzKicIE99VtZSUO5yklIyVf7x7XjKshyIzmHYbO2gY-_njMnBzKsnQrq4o0tuYEfC5vLevproE6-yj/s400/IMG_6350.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I've loved having my new yarn bowl which I bought from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ThrownInStone">ThrownInStone</a>. It arrived in time for my birthday and I've been using it each time I knit a few more rows on my yellow woollen scarf which I began last year. Isn't the bowl a thing of beauty?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue3nbc6Upftbsf7f5gN8BVIbfSUsx1A5XgPzGBXIrRf3vOXi0nA5GvXvLA5Jf3h4I2MX8n-3-Jq5S3f5maHo53M2vgX314yKheJJRsAv4feliqzcbb2yO4YYDQA6wrLEMZskqdxFMZnvW/s1600/IMG_6411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue3nbc6Upftbsf7f5gN8BVIbfSUsx1A5XgPzGBXIrRf3vOXi0nA5GvXvLA5Jf3h4I2MX8n-3-Jq5S3f5maHo53M2vgX314yKheJJRsAv4feliqzcbb2yO4YYDQA6wrLEMZskqdxFMZnvW/s400/IMG_6411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next up were these little cotton pumpkins, courtesy of <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2017/10/crochet-pumpkin-patch.html">Attic 24</a> and <a href="https://www.planetjune.com/">Planet June</a>. As soon as I clapped eyes on them I had to make some, and as I already had oddments of cotton yarn in all the right colours, there was no stopping me.</div>
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I enjoyed giving the pumpkins their own photoshoot. Now that I've typed that sentence it sounds weird, but I know you know what I mean, don't you, dear readers?</div>
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On a roll now, and starting to feel a bit better, I wrapped up very warmly and headed out into the garden to pick a few twigs, and did something that I've toyed with doing for a while - some twig weaving. I've seen lots of twig or branch-weaving on Pinterest and fancied having a go, but something has always stopped me. What are they <i>for</i>? What do you <i>do </i>with them when you've made them? This time, though, I ignored such thoughts and got to work. I used wool to keep a natural feel, and really enjoyed a freestyle approach to weaving. They now stand in a stoneware pot on our shelves, and I may well be tempted to make some more. </div>
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As William Morris said, "Have nothing in your house which you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". They're not useful, but to me they are beautiful.</div>
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Finally I crocheted this little poppy in cotton for Remembrance Sunday from <a href="http://kandipandi.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/lest-we-forget.html">Kandipandi</a>'s pattern. I gave it a felt leaf and finished it in time to wear it.</div>
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I've taken out these two crocheted pots for use in my shed too. I made them both a year or two ago, and like their earthy and jewel-like colours. They're just right for keeping odds and ends in - I think I put some conkers in this woolly brown, orange and green one.</div>
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This little very fluffy pot was made from recycled sari fabric and is very tactile.</div>
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Well, I'm feeling better now, and the cough is almost gone, definitely helped along by all that yarny creativity.</div>
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I'll leave you with this gorgeous perennial wallflower which I planted back in April, and has been blooming ever since. Aren't these rich, velevty colours just gorgeous?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr70zw8_2gF0ALuBwREv_N4NbK2PeN1c9Hkz7SXEeBYTeMFdsfxHssURkf6XGT9_CEo05JHrS4BHGxCP7QjxQpJiX_MxZlu_-5kS1OU9NETum4ZfOZg9FFXgv4iQw971I6WYug-g_-Z8i/s1600/IMG_6710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr70zw8_2gF0ALuBwREv_N4NbK2PeN1c9Hkz7SXEeBYTeMFdsfxHssURkf6XGT9_CEo05JHrS4BHGxCP7QjxQpJiX_MxZlu_-5kS1OU9NETum4ZfOZg9FFXgv4iQw971I6WYug-g_-Z8i/s400/IMG_6710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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See you soon x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-22632345252077811852017-11-01T09:51:00.000-07:002017-11-02T01:59:30.051-07:00A Return and A Fresh Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello again - remember me? I have been an errant blogger haven't I? I can't believe that we're on 1st November already. It's been months since I've posted and in the meantime the summer and a good deal of the autumn have passed by. All is well here at The House with the Blue Door, and I'm pootling along as usual, but I have very much missed blogging, and sharing my thoughts and photos with you - Blogland is such a warm and friendly place. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUhy622BH7M_tPMl1o8d-kFN9j5dQKiKCmGSzrqwUZo9RMYWhVZ3XWNGOteLlbcAQvSt_oiYJhzBBGas5ulIZbTvhY8IAZoCbAEyTvJa4XBGEh_ACTdJnRDFltf0mgKgp1tz3EstG5NDG/s1600/IMG_6134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUhy622BH7M_tPMl1o8d-kFN9j5dQKiKCmGSzrqwUZo9RMYWhVZ3XWNGOteLlbcAQvSt_oiYJhzBBGas5ulIZbTvhY8IAZoCbAEyTvJa4XBGEh_ACTdJnRDFltf0mgKgp1tz3EstG5NDG/s400/IMG_6134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I realised though, that working full-time is just not conducive to frequent blogging, not to mention actually finding the time to be creative, make things, stay active and run a home. So I reluctantly stopped for a while and as time passed I got a sort of blogging block. Every time I thought about posting it felt like too much time had gone by. I have now decided that this is nonsense and I need to stop thinking about it and jolly well just get on with it. So here I am.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS4V2Kn18agfrgr5xS34HhWcgj_C-o8psPS6x3CaA6kzqRs3m7e5sicff1GFjtrQgOCePNAAt1BzHom5lkNMEX68CgLErknbsEEXHfwEboxqxjrPAJSH1-2RyI90tNRJGkN-SIxIq_8fw/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1322" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS4V2Kn18agfrgr5xS34HhWcgj_C-o8psPS6x3CaA6kzqRs3m7e5sicff1GFjtrQgOCePNAAt1BzHom5lkNMEX68CgLErknbsEEXHfwEboxqxjrPAJSH1-2RyI90tNRJGkN-SIxIq_8fw/s400/IMG_6482.JPG" width="330" /></a></div>
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It has been a full house here with our three young people in residence again. B returned from New Zealand in the spring and is now working, J is back at university and D is in her final year of 6th form. It's been a busy house full of comings, goings, friends and visitors, a pleasant buzz of activity. Now that we are in a house of adults, you'd think that I would have more time to myself, and I suppose I do in many ways. This year, though, many weekends and holidays have gone on DIY and house-related stuff, kind of catching up with ourselves. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiz2xvJ3rWVT_bSUxduxvzC1XRhyphenhyphenrZzd1Wl40ObM19Ahg7KAc7s6ZdpDv2je_npswNtjAmMnzqopK5R2LQrZd5Ts9Wu00Qv7LJb2B9yNWHeOGROho73cYOkT4QlRK8c9mpTize5XT03s3p/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiz2xvJ3rWVT_bSUxduxvzC1XRhyphenhyphenrZzd1Wl40ObM19Ahg7KAc7s6ZdpDv2je_npswNtjAmMnzqopK5R2LQrZd5Ts9Wu00Qv7LJb2B9yNWHeOGROho73cYOkT4QlRK8c9mpTize5XT03s3p/s400/IMG_6412.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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However, some changes have been made in the time I've been away. One is that I've made a change to my fitness routine. I still have weight to shift, and whilst I've been a frequent visitor to the gym, after almost 2 years I was becoming very bored with it. I am quite an outdoor, seasonal sort of person, and need a daily dose of fresh air and to be surrounded by greenery and nature, even if it's just the garden. After a busy day indoors at work, I need to breathe in the outside: touch leaves and flowers; feel the rain, sunshine, or cold air; smell the soil and vegetation; listen to birds. I don't feel right if I don't do this. And I felt stifled at the gym: the same view every time I went; breathing in re-circulated, air-conditioned air; watching the little numbers on a screen ticking away the time as I exercised; my only idea of what the weather was doing was a view through a skylight. The people there were lovely, but I couldn't justify the monthly cost. </div>
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P has been a regular runner for years now, and in the last year or two has taken to running in the countryside around us. He often returned with tale of places 'you'd love', and suggested I run too - remember the <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/across-fields.html">poppy field</a> he showed me? Now I haven't run for years (make that decades!) and scoffed at his ideas of me jogging along behind him, gasping for air and red in the face. However, I knew I had to make a change. Then two things happened to make my mind up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuZ5pXnJDFYVeTKAy0yWpFCZeZm5TbZgamEnlT_Uynl5hGiwD2KdePPyxoIIC8l-rNtsZMPzNyie5JKmkhKD3yPTuKMLRPxdLN-GiRh8wsn0X-lLCndMWHDeRXqWIOQ2eM8CAh18KDZKu/s1600/IMG_6528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuZ5pXnJDFYVeTKAy0yWpFCZeZm5TbZgamEnlT_Uynl5hGiwD2KdePPyxoIIC8l-rNtsZMPzNyie5JKmkhKD3yPTuKMLRPxdLN-GiRh8wsn0X-lLCndMWHDeRXqWIOQ2eM8CAh18KDZKu/s400/IMG_6528.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Firstly I went to cheer P in his most recent half-marathon, and noticed that not everyone taking part was a super-fit, highly-polished, Lycra-clad athlete. Secondly I started to wonder if I could actually run, so a few weeks ago I put on my T-shirt, leggings and trainers and cast aside all feelings of embarrassment and self-doubt. We went to a lovely spot in local countryside and went for a walk/run. I ran when I could, and walked the rest - and surprised myself. It was a warm day and now and again we stopped to admire views and take photos. We went 3 1/2 miles up and down some big hills and even explored a prehistoric long barrow along the way. It was heaven! I was tired when we got back but happy, so happy <span style="color: magenta;">♥</span> and P didn't mind going at my pace because he runs with a running group and on his own. Here are some photos from our first run/walk.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKRLNH_1AT2yx0zERHTNyfiAOLNj5YofWW7ZW-6D-MycE6u5hwwg4y4uz5z1b9hTk4EebLiVS__DyTPwZOG7i_CqPJxm_E_uiFWvgxG88b136odW7tsohqLgrB_30iVUhbZxYWlUQ6Box/s1600/IMG_6252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKRLNH_1AT2yx0zERHTNyfiAOLNj5YofWW7ZW-6D-MycE6u5hwwg4y4uz5z1b9hTk4EebLiVS__DyTPwZOG7i_CqPJxm_E_uiFWvgxG88b136odW7tsohqLgrB_30iVUhbZxYWlUQ6Box/s400/IMG_6252.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Since then there have been more walk/runs in other lovely local places, sometimes with my camera and sometimes without, just to see how far I can run without stopping. </div>
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And I have so enjoyed it! It's made exercise into a fun activity that I look forward to, rather than a chore which hangs over me and which I invent reasons to escape. There are at the moment no targets or goals, other than to get out weekly and do a bit more than last time. I get out of breath and hot, and know that it's doing me good, and we get to chat along the way and stop and look at beautiful sights like these orange, gold and green beech leaves.</div>
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And this delicate tracery of tiny silver-grey seed heads which made me want to go home, grab my knitting needles and cast on a delicate lacy shawl.</div>
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Or make a necklace like this gorgeous garland of bright red bryony berries adorning the hedgerows.</div>
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Back at home I've been busy too. There's been a fair bit of crochet going on - lots of little woolly flower brooches for my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShopWithTheBlueDoor?ref=ss_profile">Etsy shop</a>, as well as sewing and embroidery too. I've had an Etsy shop for years, but have recently spruced it up a bit, given it a new name to match my blog, and generally brought it up-to-date.</div>
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There's been knitting too, in the form of a heathery hills wall-hanging.</div>
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In the kitchen I've managed to keep up with our modest harvests, producing through the summer rhubarb and vanilla jam, redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant jam and most recently blackberry jam with berries I'd frozen as I picked them. They were all a success, with no runny or over-cooked batches among them. I think I've got the hang of this jam-making lark now.</div>
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I've loved gardening this year, and have moved plants around and introduced some new ones, like hydrangeas and heathers, as well as planting more fruit - blueberries and gooseberries in pots. The Japanese anenomes have only just finished flowering.</div>
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My shed is looking suitably autumnal now, and the evenings are really drawing in.</div>
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Reading-wise, I've been enjoying natural history books lately, and have just finished this one which was a brilliant and very seasonal read about apples and orchards. I got it for my birthday a few weeks ago, which was apt because my favourite birthday tea has been in recent years what P has described as a 'large cheeseboard' involving local cheeses, lovely grainy bread, appley chutney, quince jelly, posh crisps, and delicious local apples.</div>
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I started the book in the garden and finished it in bed with a dose of flu, followed by a chest infection which I'm still trying to get rid of (ugh, that's the only downside of lovely autumn - the return of the horrid bugs). But that's enough of that.</div>
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Thank you if you've taken the time to read to the end. I really do appreciate anyone who reads my blog, and I am so glad that I've posted again. It just feels right and makes me happy, however infrequent it is <span style="color: magenta;">♥ ♥ ♥</span></div>
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See you soon x</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-588541140059685522017-04-30T11:54:00.001-07:002017-04-30T11:54:09.846-07:00Into the Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Over the last couple of weeks we have been out and about locally enjoying the arrival of spring, and there's no better place for this than woodland. I love to be in green places surrounded by trees and growing things. Woodlands are very much three-dimensional places, with interest all around: above in the tree canopy birds sing and squirrels climb; at eye height there is blossom, bark and new leaves; at ground level there is a carpet of plants, rotting wood, fungi and tiny creatures. Woodlands are places where you can lose yourself and still your thoughts.</div>
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Recently after work we walked to our local nature reserve. It's only little, but there's so much to see. I looked, listened and use all my senses: warbling birdsong trilled around us; the tiny white and pink stars of wood anenomes dotted the green of the floor; frothy white blackthorn blossom decorated the trees; a soft breeze touched my face and the pungent, appetising smell of wild garlic rose up from the ground and wafted around our noses. </div>
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The wild garlic was yet to flower,</div>
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and wood anenomes covered the ground.</div>
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Many of them were a soft pink.</div>
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New leaves glowed in the light of the setting sun.</div>
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And as it set, bats came out and swooped over our heads, some getting very close indeed. Such a lovely evening.</div>
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Last weekend we went to a larger ancient woodland which is a short car drive from here. It was a sunny afternoon, and as the bluebells were at their peak there were families there enjoying their beauty on a Sunday afternoon.</div>
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There were celandines and wood anenomes too, amidst the green.</div>
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Streams and gullies babbled away,</div>
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and we climbed the side of a very pretty waterfall which cascades over the rocks below.</div>
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Bright green ferns pushed their way up through the leaf litter.</div>
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Overhead the sunlight shone through the leaves above, making patterns of light and shade.</div>
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Best of all, of course, were the bluebells. Such a heavenly shade of blue, and so many of them.</div>
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I stood and drank them all in, inhaling their delicate scent which hung in the air. </div>
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Nothing can match the spectacle of them shimmering under the trees. They epitomise late spring, and I wait for them eagerly every year. It's always hard for me to keep walking when I come across a clearing of bluebells.</div>
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Other flowers were there too, like this pretty red campion,</div>
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more wood anenomes,</div>
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bright dandelions,</div>
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and delicate lady's smock, which I also know as milkmaids. I found out it's also called cuckoo-flower in some parts of Britain and is related to wallflowers, which I often suspected.</div>
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Thank you for coming with me on my ramble. </div>
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Woodlands are indeed magical places x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-2501347942771223682017-04-18T14:48:00.003-07:002017-04-24T14:11:51.330-07:00Tulip Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's the second week of the Easter holidays here and today the weather has been absolutely lovely. Despite a chilly breeze there was bright, warm sunshine, and I engaged in one of my favourite spring activities of recent years - tulip-picking. I've posted about it before <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/tiptoeing-through-tulips.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/tulip-love.html">here</a>. Our local farm shop has a PYO field and I think we're a bit earlier this year as there weren't quite as many in bloom yet as usual, but they were still absolutely glorious.</div>
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See you soon x</div>
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<span style="color: purple;">*** Edited to add: Here's a <a href="https://www.farringtons.co.uk/pick-your-own-tulips-3/">link</a> to the tulip-picking field is if you're nearby and able to visit x ***</span></div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-66142450896125989922017-04-16T09:57:00.005-07:002017-04-16T09:57:44.075-07:00Spring Thoughts<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Easter!<br />
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I hope you're all well? Here at The House with the Blue Door time seems to be flying and life is busy, busy, busy. Since I last posted I've decorated three rooms and P has made countless trips to local charity shops and the refuse tip, as we've embarked on a huge decluttering project in our house. Our three youngsters are well and truly grown up now and as a result they come and go. Sometimes there's two or three of us, sometimes four or five. Our lives have changed and it's time for our home to reflect that, so we have been re-organising and streamlining things. As well as all this P and I have had a little more time to follow our own pursuits. P's been following his musical hobbies, and I've been trying new crafts. I have so much to share with you but will content myself with giving you the edited highlights of what I've been up to lately. Grab a cup of tea, pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable.<br />
Something that I really enjoyed was a day's workshop in lino printing. Being a big fan of the art, I've enjoyed artists like Angie Lewin and Mark Hearld for years, but have never tried it myself. My friend J and I spent a wonderful day at an old barn in the Somerset countryside with the lovely Toni at <a href="http://www.the-barn-studio.co.uk/">The Barn Studio</a>. The surroundings were peaceful and pretty, and her studio was just stunning. J and I were in heaven all day!<br />
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Equally good was the very warm welcome she gave us, not to mention keeping us well-supplied with coffee, cakes and a delicious lunch. I loved making a design, cutting it into the lino and then printing it in different coloured inks, and used some of my favourite photos to make spring-inspired prints.</div>
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Here they are drying,</div>
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and here are the finished results. I'm definitely going to do more of this!</div>
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I've been enjoying my stained glass class too, and have done a little more fused glass (below), as well as starting my first leaded piece.</div>
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Crochet has been going on in the background too - I made this little corsage from some soft pink Welsh wool I discovered in our clear-out.</div>
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My love-affair with hellebores continues, and two double ones were added to our collection after a visit to a garden open day in Bath.</div>
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I've never seen so many different varieties in one place.</div>
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I get out to my shed as often as I can, and it's lovely to spend time there now that the weather is warming up and the sun is stronger. A few weeks ago I went out one wet Sunday afternoon and got out my watercolours.</div>
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I painted a crocus and listened to the patter of rain, a truly meditative and mindful activity.</div>
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I've been out and about too, to some lovely places. One of my favourite work trips is the yearly visit to Chepstow Castle in Wales. It's always a breath of (very) fresh air in March and a welcome break from the classroom for everyone.</div>
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A Mother's day walk along the River Thames to Sonning on a gloriously sunny and blowy spring day was real treat. The colours on that day were so bright and the floral world had properly burst into life (we even saw George Clooney's house from a distance!).</div>
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A fortnight ago we went to Winchester to see Angie Lewin's <a href="https://hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/event/angie-lewin-printmakers-journey">A Printmaker's Journey</a> exhibition which she curated herself and which contains her own work as well as pieces by Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Mark Hearld.</div>
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Oh my goodness, it was so inspiring my head was positively buzzing with ideas afterwards! You know that feeling when you feel really inspired to make things, but aren't quite sure where you want to start and what to make? I certainly had that. The exhibition is on until the end of this month and if you're in the area I can recommend it. A bit of a wander and lunch with family in Winchester afterwards helped to calm my creative excitement.</div>
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This week we visited lovely Lyme Regis, a favourite Easter outing. A chilly day, the soft Dorset countryside was beautiful and the hedgerows as we drove down were full of primroses, wild garlic and the first bluebells. The little town was as jaunty and pretty as ever.</div>
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The sea air did us good, and we ate pasties from our favourite baker on the sea wall while listening to the gulls above us and looking at the calm sea. We didn't mind when the sun went in and after a wander around the shops and an ice-cream we went for a walk around the harbour.</div>
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Walking on the famous Cobb is a bit vertigo-inducing for me, so I walked around the bottom of it and enjoyed the boats at low tide.</div>
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Now that spring has sprung there is floral gorgeousness everywhere. This ornamental cherry is on my walk to work. I did feel slightly self-conscious taking a photo of it, but it had to be done. You get that, don't you, dear reader?</div>
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Our own native cherry tree has grown bigger than ever and is covered in white blossom at the moment. It looks like the birds will have lots of little cherries to feast on this summer.</div>
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The fritillary on our rockery flowered its socks off and was a chequered delight.</div>
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When the sunlight catches the tulips in our garden they glow and I'm always glad that I planted them back in the autumn. They're such vibrant, happy flowers.</div>
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It seems to be all about blues, greens and yellows at this time of year, with the garden exploding into zingy colour.</div>
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Last weekend was so warm the temperature went above 20 degrees, and it started to feel like summer. I sat in the garden and wrote in my beautiful new journal, a Mother's Day present from J with Van Gogh's almond blossom on the cover. </div>
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I'm really enjoying writing, planning and doodling ideas these days, and have missed blogging. It's been a place to mark and enjoy the seasons, everyday life and creativity, and I'm not exactly sure why I've neglected it for so long - just lost my blogging oomph as well as struggling to find enough time in the day to fit everything in, especially in term time when I work full time. I have considered giving up completely and just Instagramming instead, but my blog calls to me and I have missed it, as well as reading all my favourite bloggers. I do appreciate anyone who finds the time to visit me here. </div>
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I hope you are enjoying the spring too and having a good Easter break x</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-24138434359441520612017-01-22T10:59:00.001-08:002017-01-30T13:19:39.127-08:00Enjoying Winter<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello again, and a Happy <span style="color: magenta;">✩</span> New <span style="color: magenta;">✩</span> Year to you! </div>
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I hope you had a great Christmas - it does seem like quite a while ago now, doesn't it? We had a lovely one here - just the four of us, P, D, J and I. We missed B but she is having wonderful adventures on the other side of the world, so we enjoyed Skyping her instead. It takes me a while to adjust to the routine of everyday life after all the sparkle of Christmas, so I keep twinkly fairy lights up all year in the dining room and kitchen. You really can't have enough fairy lights in my opinion. It's been good to catch up with a bit of crochet in the evenings accompanied by candles (of course) and a cup of rose tea.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCW-VD7SU-WVfvyRgQ_LHsA7sMNDw4SMmlr0E1PYVClLU3vVpqyQeC-i6lw776mGQtef23dAJxnnJ2uqBeJdrSLj51VM7JpWmnAOAXPOVZE5tqN9rsTU5nXjlAXSzPaNCJT2jS5su1Abu/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCW-VD7SU-WVfvyRgQ_LHsA7sMNDw4SMmlr0E1PYVClLU3vVpqyQeC-i6lw776mGQtef23dAJxnnJ2uqBeJdrSLj51VM7JpWmnAOAXPOVZE5tqN9rsTU5nXjlAXSzPaNCJT2jS5su1Abu/s400/IMG_0819.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
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I'm making another mandala mat for the table in the soft cotton colours I liked so much last spring,<br />
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and here's a wintry one I made in December. I have no pattern to share, as I make them up as I go, frogging back here and there to make them how I want them, and each is different as a result.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgmleeMBpwVNFaKpBVVQg40pMOPy7_WTgNmrWlkDkoT0zyF8O3cp02dcZrHPz6RLCbksI74f1ER1CaWLkNh2X-3T_CJk4xXaXDmvBkKJWDSP4mQNw9lEZE1BFhrrvAwqStLEVmwOryhiZ/s1600/IMG_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgmleeMBpwVNFaKpBVVQg40pMOPy7_WTgNmrWlkDkoT0zyF8O3cp02dcZrHPz6RLCbksI74f1ER1CaWLkNh2X-3T_CJk4xXaXDmvBkKJWDSP4mQNw9lEZE1BFhrrvAwqStLEVmwOryhiZ/s400/IMG_0551.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAY3O0zMNcvBfycjx1mM0EbXGOeTk7-ETF1PG3v5sv1qhdanfko2LpG-7R8UyjC2wrvNxEY24eYuAenRrvuCgV5mePLrGM-OquPl_VFe1zmNwnUjCwvfX8JW29sbZm792_T1kFx7PVugoa/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAY3O0zMNcvBfycjx1mM0EbXGOeTk7-ETF1PG3v5sv1qhdanfko2LpG-7R8UyjC2wrvNxEY24eYuAenRrvuCgV5mePLrGM-OquPl_VFe1zmNwnUjCwvfX8JW29sbZm792_T1kFx7PVugoa/s400/IMG_0553.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Back in November I did a fused glass workshop one evening, which I told you about <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/wintry-walking.html">here</a>. I'd had a go at this a few years ago, making myself a pendant and promised myself I'd one day do more. Cutting tiny pieces of glass and laying them out like a jigsaw puzzle was such fun. My fused glass pieces came back from being fired recently and I'm thrilled with the results. Here's the sun-catcher that was inspired by heathery hills and blue skies.<br />
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And here's the hare coaster that I made using powdered glass. As a result of doing this workshop, I've finally realised one of my long-held ambitions and have started a stained glass course. I love the wonderful colours and light-changing qualities of glass and am so enjoying my weekly dose of glass-related creativity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tWPZqmfAzszhblGZc2IjT9-d6d5CIJQX6p04LKjlwbN-wNZZaYXGW7oDh32TkTfrYT_2EGD_YDpcogJBBk8NaPf4FKPgnD1gms8gX8OiZ5RIB7ryRerKWD3N1GL6oSPciArXWNvsQN4a/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tWPZqmfAzszhblGZc2IjT9-d6d5CIJQX6p04LKjlwbN-wNZZaYXGW7oDh32TkTfrYT_2EGD_YDpcogJBBk8NaPf4FKPgnD1gms8gX8OiZ5RIB7ryRerKWD3N1GL6oSPciArXWNvsQN4a/s400/IMG_0751.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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A week or two ago there was snow for a good deal of the country, and we were greeted one morning by this not-very-spectacular sprinkling of icing sugar. It looked more like frost than snow, and despite the inconvenience it causes I must admit I do yearn for a bit of proper snow. It's been 4 years since our last snowfall here.</div>
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Once the festivities are behind us I start to look for flowers, and love the sight of them in the garden, on windowsills and in shops. Our hellebores aren't out yet, but this one called to me in the supermarket last week. I'm not usually a huge fan of white flowers, but the purity and simplicity of this flower was irresistible.</div>
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The little violas on our outdoor windowsill have been blooming away all winter, and in my parents' garden last week there was bright yellow winter jasmine and richly-hued skimmia, as well as heavenly scented viburnum. I'm crazy for its pastel-pinkness and talcum power fragrance.</div>
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The outdoors is calling more and more and yesterday was my favourite weather of all, crisp, wintry sunshine and sparkling frost, so we set off for a walk at Stourhead, a place we have been to many times, and which formed part of our children's lives when they were little. As the National Trust's nearest large property, it was a great place to take them to burn off steam, so much so that it got to the point where the suggestion of a visit was greeted with wails of "Nooo, not Stourhead again!" Luckily, that response is long gone and J, who was home for a visit from university, accompanied us yesterday. Annoyingly by the time we arrived the sunshine had disappeared, but it was nevertheless a perfect day for a walk.</div>
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On such a freezing day it was sheer delight to discover that these hot pink rhododendrons were already in flower. They looked almost tropical against the frosted lawns.</div>
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The first of the snowdrops had emerged too,</div>
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as well as some very early primroses.</div>
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All around us the palette was one of white, green and brown, but on closer inspection the delicate details of moss, bark and leaves were very beautiful, despite their subdued colours.</div>
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Classical Greek and Roman-style temples abound around the lake, making beautiful reflections.</div>
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Inside the temples there are impressive statues, but we didn't stay there for long, much preferring to be outside.</div>
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My favourite building at Stourhead is the sweet, tiny Gothic cottage.</div>
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In the winter a log fire is always lit inside, and you can buy a hot drink or a snack there. It was bliss to stand for a moment or two to warm ourselves in front of the flames.</div>
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There are man-made features all around the lake, including this 'ruin', and a grotto.</div>
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Deep in the grotto Poseidon was looking suitably imperious, if a little chilly. </div>
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This view was taken yesterday, and on the right 3 years ago on a warm early October day. How the colours change with the seasons.</div>
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The upper lake was frozen over and looked beautiful, edged with faded bullrushes. J enjoyed skimming stones across the ice, creating a weird sci-fi sound effect (there are lots of videos of this effect on the internet, but I don't know if it has a name).</div>
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After our walk around the lake we stopped to warm up with refreshments in the cafe - hot chocolates and flapjacks, which were very welcome. We drove home as the sun was setting, looking forward to more of these sorts of days in the coming year.</div>
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After all that wintry scenery I shall leave you with this lovely little iris which opened on our kitchen windowsill last night. </div>
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Its deep, dark blue flowers are best photographed from above, I discovered.</div>
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Hope you're keeping warm and enjoying winter too. </div>
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See you soon x</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-11687251728903671092016-12-21T06:40:00.001-08:002016-12-21T06:40:56.724-08:00The Shortest Day<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello again, and thank you all for your kind comments - it's very nice to be back. Now that we have broken up for the holidays a sense of comparative calm has descended, and already we have reached the shortest day. I love the winter solstice, with it's cold, clear skies and promise of longer, warmer days to come. You can read about why I enjoy this time of year so much <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/solstice.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/midwinter.html">here</a>.</div>
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It's all about light and the celebration of its return at this dark time of year, and I do love to light candles, making the house cosy and warm.<br />
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Returning home on a dark afternoon, putting the heating on and switching on the Christmas lights is such a pleasure. I love to make things look twinkly and welcoming when the light levels are so low outside.</div>
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There's some greenery and foliage too, to brighten our home with growing things. The hyacinth smells wonderful.<br />
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This week I've had time to concentrate on home life and have been busy with our Christmas preparations. At the weekend we went shopping in Wells, and I felt the usual sense of peacefulness that this beautiful place induces. It's medieval architecture is just right for me at Christmas time.<br />
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I imagine centuries of people sitting on this worn window seat.</div>
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Above our heads starlings were chattering and roosting in the trees as light levels fell.</div>
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I hosted a little get-together earlier in the week with four of my best friends who I've now known for over two decades; a festive craft session in which we made some table decorations and clove-studded oranges. I gathered lots of greenery from the garden, having already bought some mistletoe and crab apples. Here it all is ready for my guests. </div>
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I added heather from the garden this year, as well as purple callicarpa berries, cranberries and some bright red and white candles.</div>
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We drank mulled wine and ate mince pies and snacks, and it was all very jolly and convivial. </div>
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So jolly and convivial, in fact, that I completely forgot to take any photos of the event itself! Here instead is my finished table centrepiece, with some added feathers brought by one of my lovely guests. We made clove-studded oranges too. Their fragrant, spicy scent is the smell of Christmas for me. And with the left-over foliage I'm going to make a wreath for the front door.</div>
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Hope you're finding some time to relax during your festive preparations too x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-42955108096316113732016-12-04T14:23:00.002-08:002016-12-04T14:23:47.739-08:00Wintry Walking<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hello! Me again, back after my break, although in truth I haven't been anywhere at all. I've been pootling along here at The House with the Blue Door, busy as usual and noticing how life here has changed since I started blogging. Now that there are just three of us at home, and very often just the two of us, I find that I have more unexpected free time, and I've been using it to look after myself. Eating healthier food, getting lots of exercise, going to bed earlier, having time away from screens, that sort of thing, and I'm feeling better, and lighter, for it which makes me happy.<br />
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One particular joy is that I've started to have violin lessons again after a 4-year gap, and it's lovely to be playing again. P has been learning guitar, ukelele and now banjo over the last year, and we are now at a stage when we can play together, which is the best fun.<br />
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I've also found time to be creative, knitting myself a charcoal grey scarf in double seed stitch (you can't have too many scarves in my opinion),<br />
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making jewellery from semi-precious stones (citrine, amber and garnet),<br />
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and trying a new craft - a fused glass workshop which I absolutely LOVED. Here are the coaster and sun-catcher that I made: a running hare and heathery moorland. They will be fired in a kiln and I will have the finished items back soon. Can't wait.<br />
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As well as all this I've got myself organised a bit earlier than usual and have managed to make both the Christmas cake and pudding ALREADY. This is a first for me, and I am enjoying a slightly smug feeling as a result. If I write Christmas cards soon too I will be amazed at myself.<br />
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Over the last couple of weeks the weather here has turned very chilly indeed and we have had some wonderful frosts. I took a few snatched photos in the garden before work last week when the sun had just risen and Jack Frost had worked his magic over night. How I hated tearing myself away to go off to work and return just as dark was falling! The sunshine and sharp, tingly air called to me to walk for miles, rather than spending the day indoors in centrally-heated classrooms.</div>
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After a busy day of Christmas shopping yesterday, my wish came true this morning when P and I set our alarm early, ate a quick breakfast and, suitably wrapped in warm coats, hats, gloves and scarves, set off into the bright cold air. After clear skies last night there had been another sharp frost, and the world around us had turned white, as we headed up the hill.<br />
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Our shadows looked like those of creatures with tiny bodies and long legs.</div>
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Once we were at the bottom of the hill this gorgeous spotty pig came up to us hoping for food, and grunting loudly the whole time.</div>
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Although the sun was quite warm, the places where it had not reached stayed in their own little frozen worlds of white.</div>
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A bright, translucent amber leaf hung on, a reminder of autumn,</div>
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and these congealed brambles on an old sleeper looked as if they'd been artfully brushed with ice.</div>
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The path follows an old railway line, which we have walked many times and which ran along beside us as we strolled.</div>
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Trees cast long shadows across the furrows of undulating fields.</div>
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And here and there a splash of brilliant red as rose-hips glowed against the blue sky.</div>
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I love the edges of fields where the trees start, and this hedgerow looked especially beautiful decorated with rime.</div>
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The brook babbled away to itself, keeping us company as we walked and seed-heads grew everywhere, looking very sculptural against their surroundings.</div>
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With no leaves to obscure them the lichens on trees come into their own at this time of year, twisty and mysterious like tiny grey seaweeds</div>
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and emerald stars.</div>
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When we got home we'd walked about 4 miles and only been gone a couple of hours. Being active in the bracing air and soaking up vitamin D was the best way to spend this Sunday morning in my favourite of all weathers.</div>
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Hope your weekend has been a good one too x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-232024941000471182016-10-10T13:52:00.001-07:002016-10-10T14:00:40.653-07:00Time for a Break<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello there, I hope you're enjoying this rather lovely autumn so far. Here there have been golden days with chilly mornings and evenings, bright flowers, fruit and foliage and shorter days. A wonderful season, rich with things to feast the senses on. And yet in my head it's still summer. I can't quite get to grips with autumn this year and am unwilling to let go of those long, light-filled days.<br />
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This term has flown like never before, and life has been very, very busy. Our weekends have been as busy as the weekdays at work, full of lots of lovely visits and celebrations. Life has changed again for my little family in recent weeks. J is going to spend an extra year at his university, D has started her A levels in 6th form and last week B set off on a long-planned and saved-for adventure on her own, beginning with Thailand, Hong Kong and then New Zealand. She will be gone for up to a year and will, I am sure, have the most wonderful time. Staying in touch on Skype and instant messaging has been a godsend, and already we have heard from her and seen her fabulous photos. The house seems quiet again with just the three of us here.<br />
On the day B left P took me to the <a href="http://thewalledgardenatmells.co.uk/">Walled Garden at Mells</a> for an end-of-season cup of tea after work. I was feeling a bit sad and the beautiful early autumn colours were soothing and beautiful, like a rich tapestry.<br />
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P and I went away to London for a weekend for his company's birthday celebrations and enjoyed a fabulous dinner in the Science Museum followed by a sunny day in Bushy Park watching the rutting red deer among the oak trees. It really is a beautiful place, and we were there on a lovely golden day. We ate breakfast in the park's cafe, a place we've been many times with the children. This time we sat eating toast and drinking coffee while watching the squirrels and wild fowl around us.<br />
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In amongst all of this excitement I turned 50 last week and was treated to a lovely family celebration at a beautiful pub in Hampshire (my home county) next to the River Test. It was a warm day filled with flowers, laughter, good food and stunning scenery. Those clear chalk streams are something I miss in Somerset.<br />
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P presented me with these lovely flowers in shades of purple and dark pink, and some lavender too. I was thrilled with them.<br />
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My birthday itself was spent at work where I was spoiled by some lovely colleagues, in between breakfast in bed from P and a delicious birthday tea at home. I felt very happy and lucky indeed.<br />
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So many lovely things and so much change. It's been a bit overwhelming, in fact. I have to admit that I am frazzled and have lost much of my oomph. For the first time ever I am finding it very difficult to blog or find anything to say. I've run out of steam, and I'm afraid that I've not really been around at all in Blogland lately (despite having things I made in the summer still to show you). Instead in my time away from work I'm trying to concentrate on things like going to the gym (which I've managed to do all year), keeping the house relatively clean and tidy, and being creative and musical when time allows. That's enough to be getting on with for now. I hope to return when my batteries are recharged and I can blog properly, visiting your lovely blogs as well as writing my own.<br />
If you're on Instagram you can find me here:<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bluedoor5/"> https://www.instagram.com/bluedoor5/</a><br />
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I find the combination of photos with not too many words about right for me at the moment!<br />
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See you all in a while x<br />
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-26397501069191968872016-09-21T13:40:00.000-07:002016-09-21T13:40:00.893-07:00The End of Summer<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hello again! I'm a bit late perhaps with a post entitled 'The End of Summer' but I thought I'd post it before the autumnal equinox tomorrow, which is when autumn most definitely begins. It's been a lovely summer this year, and I must confess that, autumn-lover though I am, I have been rather reluctant to say goodbye to it. The heatwave of the last two weeks was a bit much for me, but I have enjoyed the golden sunshine - we had some this afternoon - and the rich colour palette that goes with it. </div>
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There have been the deepest blue skies.</div>
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The cultivated blackberries have been the best I can remember for a long time, and I have picked punnets and punnets of them. We've eaten some straight away, cooked with them and frozen the rest. For me they epitomise early autumn with their perfumed flavour.<br />
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In contrast the sweet peas haven't been great this year. I picked these magenta ones, and with the berries they made a darkly purple harvest.<br />
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The flowers have just kept going in the garden: tall, pale evening primroses,<br />
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sweet-scented phlox,</div>
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peppery nasturtiums</div>
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and a bright pink (yes, pink) strawberry.<br />
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We were busy outside this summer. P put a new edging around our raised flowerbed,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4boJdtnSi9m2REVr8iocgirttH_9YS-vGlAS54Xfls9iXB-fJlc670WfrsXaQrAGckJuL8HcpfpEUui2B45d9tjrrk4hYnnvShno5y3YURhUvd0EngF6kus2wspLDTpkOxZgdyFnSunPf/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4boJdtnSi9m2REVr8iocgirttH_9YS-vGlAS54Xfls9iXB-fJlc670WfrsXaQrAGckJuL8HcpfpEUui2B45d9tjrrk4hYnnvShno5y3YURhUvd0EngF6kus2wspLDTpkOxZgdyFnSunPf/s400/IMG_8848.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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and I gave our table and chairs a makeover with antique white metal paint. Here they are before ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIjg1T-8h-oIj41PruyNMpThksDegS744GzbBvH62KejyPYvyZfmmTnRlMvf4XDMPlPGdZnTAuJfMVcxrp6hLtqarfJ8mkXS_3jSylIWMiQ8UNHTls7gSkLfZygpGJCz8JRp0t30ElEzu/s1600/IMG_8097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIjg1T-8h-oIj41PruyNMpThksDegS744GzbBvH62KejyPYvyZfmmTnRlMvf4XDMPlPGdZnTAuJfMVcxrp6hLtqarfJ8mkXS_3jSylIWMiQ8UNHTls7gSkLfZygpGJCz8JRp0t30ElEzu/s400/IMG_8097.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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... and after, looking much smarter. My goodness, it was fiddly work - I'll use spray paint next time, I think.<br />
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I'm really enjoying putting cut asters from the supermarket on the dining table at the moment.</div>
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I love their soft pastel and jewel colours.</div>
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I've not been around much as life has been getting in the way lately, and opportunities to open my laptop have been few and far between. I do have lots to share with you, though, and will try to catch up with you as soon as possible. Happy autumn for tomorrow! x<br />
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-1323226610288014652016-08-31T05:13:00.000-07:002016-08-31T05:13:34.899-07:00Willow, Wild Places and High Hills<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of weeks ago P and I had a wonderful day out. We felt like exploring somewhere new, so decided on the Somerset Levels, an amazing watery landscape, low-lying, drained and managed by humans over the centuries. It is criss-crossed by channels of water and is prone to regular flooding.<br />
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There are little hills like Glastonbury Tor, or this one, Burrow Mump, which used to be island settlements in a swampy landscape. </div>
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Nowadays the land is used for grazing and apple-growing, and is full of little orchards like this one.</div>
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We visited the Willow and Wetlands Centre, and I was amazed at the sheer number of uses that humans have woven willow for: eel traps, fishing baskets,</div>
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bird cages, furniture,</div>
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household storage and containers,</div>
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bath chairs, mail sorting boxes, and even coffins and plane seats. The list went on and on.</div>
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There were so many garden supports and sculptures, that I came away with a bundle of withies, inspired to do some willow-weaving myself.</div>
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We walked through the woods underneath a stunning willow hawk</div>
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down to the willow beds, waterlogged fields full of this year's withies.</div>
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Water channels known as rhynes were crossed by little bridges,</div>
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and all around was lush and verdant, dotted here and there with spires of purple loosestrife.</div>
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Such a different landscape.</div>
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From here we drove on to Fyne Court, a National Trust property to the west. Once a large house and landscaped garden , the house burnt down many years ago and the grounds remain.</div>
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The courtyard houses a cafe and the place was full of families with children, as there is something very different about this property.</div>
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It has been allowed to remain in a state of wildness, carefully neglected so that visitors can walk, play and picnic there. Fallen trees were climbed upon.</div>
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The walled kitchen garden was strangely bare, in the process of a change of purpose.</div>
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Ruined steps led to an overgrown terrace.</div>
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Plants grew out of walls.</div>
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Ferns, moss and ivy proliferated.</div>
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Above a pond-dipping area which was full of delighted children with nets, another pond lay still and bright green, eerily quiet.</div>
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A ruined boathouse was being reclaimed by nature, the leat running past it full of water mint. There was a silence punctuated only by the quiet passage of people walking through the pathways, exploring.</div>
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I have never been more reminded of one of my favourite poems, Walter De La Mare's 'The Listeners':</div>
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''Is there anybody there?' said the Traveller,</div>
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Knocking on the moonlit door.</div>
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And his horse in the silence champed</div>
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The grasses of the forest's ferny floor...</div>
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But no one descended to the Traveller;</div>
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No head from the leaf-fringed sill </div>
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Leaned over and looked into his grey eyes,</div>
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Where he stood perplexed and still.'</div>
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Before long the sun came out, shining through the beech, sweet chestnut and horse chestnut leaves overhead and lighting everything up around us a luminous green.</div>
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We were glad we'd visited this unusual and interesting place.</div>
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We drove further westwards, on into the Quantock Hills near the border between North Somerset and Devon, and came to Great Wood, an old hunting forest, full of towering Scots pines.</div>
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In a central grassy area there were many families enjoying the holidays and warm weather having barbeques and splashing in the little stream.</div>
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We sat on the bank, eating apples and took off our shoes and socks for a paddle. It was rather stony, but the water was so cool on a hot day that we didn't mind at all.</div>
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The stream babbled its way down from the hills and lulled us as we sat and listened to it.</div>
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The sunlight filtered through the trees and lit up the little grasses all around us.</div>
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By now we were hungry and stopped at a shop in a nearby village for provisions, heading on up into the hills to a viewpoint we knew would be a good place to stop, Staple Plain. Up and up we went away from the sweet villages and wooded valleys with a steep drop to one side, and arrived on the top of the hill. </div>
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The landscape had changed again to beautiful wild heathland. It was early evening on an overcast but warm day, and the hillside was at its best, covered in heather and gorse in bloom.</div>
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Here we sat and ate bread rolls and cheese on a bench, with the most glorious view to feast our eyes upon.</div>
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I love this kind of landscape in late summer, high moors and hills stained with purple and yellow, and everywhere the bracken turning rusty colours. It epitomises late summer holidays for me, and makes me realise how much I love days out and holidays in these sorts of places.</div>
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We walked to the top of the hill and stood and drank in the scenery.</div>
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A few woolly inhabitants passed us by, going about their everyday business.</div>
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Solitary windblown silver birches and rowan trees dotted the hillside.</div>
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And all around heathery hues and bright coccnut-scented gorse. Heaven.</div>
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It was past seven o'clock now, and the horizon was becoming hazy. Time to wend our way home again. We said goodbye to the Quantock Hills and were home again just as darkness fell. It had been a truly lovely day out, a special one we'll remember.</div>
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These high moors and hills inspire me hugely, and the heathery late summer colours make me think of tweeds and tartans in soft greens and mauves, russets and deep blues. I'll leave you with a little watercolour painting I made a couple of years ago after a visit to Exmoor at this time of year. I painted it in a rush, trying to capture the colours of heather-clad hillsides and blue skies. </div>
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I hope you are enjoying the end of your summer too, and will see you soon x</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-302256414707965312016-08-24T01:36:00.002-07:002016-08-24T01:36:30.860-07:00Hydrangea Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Every summer I fall in love with hydrangeas. I love their papery, multi-flowered blooms.</div>
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I seem to forget about them a bit during the rest of the year and then, when we get to mid-summer, I start to notice their huge pom poms blooming everywhere and am smitten again. </div>
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They come in such a range of colours too. Pale vintagey shades,</div>
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soft pinks,</div>
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violet purples</div>
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and those intense blues that I see when we go on holiday to Cornwall.</div>
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Gillian Clarke's description in her poem 'Blue Hydrangeas' really captures them, I think: </div>
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'You bring them in, a trug of thundercloud, neglected in long grass and the sulk of a wet summer ... a load of night-inks ...their lapis lazuli, their indigoes tide-marked and freckled'.</div>
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They can be delicate and lacy.</div>
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Or have cupped petals.</div>
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Planted en masse they are a glorious sight.</div>
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For a while I've been thinking about make something yarny and hydrangeaey (think I just invented a word).</div>
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Last year I started to make some little hydrangea flowers. Do you remember me crocheting with my feet in the cool, crystal-clear river at <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/somewhere-special.html">Watersmeet</a>?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP46Shs8wFue3GfDFAClG9CINEOJbi_erLlIBVylM8nbDVvT1BnRuFXm3b3vnuZAfCTyNvuTuJ1mVzu1-qAJjc9tJ6aMNWzbAyqrdR-WftRj8gEFFPudjOzr-1EMCOKQ8YUE139MKqvmw/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP46Shs8wFue3GfDFAClG9CINEOJbi_erLlIBVylM8nbDVvT1BnRuFXm3b3vnuZAfCTyNvuTuJ1mVzu1-qAJjc9tJ6aMNWzbAyqrdR-WftRj8gEFFPudjOzr-1EMCOKQ8YUE139MKqvmw/s400/IMG_0463.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lots of little four-petalled flowers.</div>
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But I just couldn't decide what to do with them .. a purse or bag, maybe a hat? I put them away for the winter and forgot about them. I got them out again recently and decided that I must make something with them. No more shilly-shallying. Sitting in my shed last week I got some more hydrangea-coloured cotton yarn out, matched it to my photos and decided on a hydrangea wreath, rather like the <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/leaves.html">autumn one</a> I made and the <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/eastertime.html">Easter one</a> too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9uWM9gm4SnnZien2zKyB39Hvgft7fsorQxQbftqn4m9rTzBA90bFu2E_TCpd6kQ5qYcEZ902u-OpwzRp8gnQzHISPPr3yFBtNxO6Ist7VQO_S0N1OySZWFPqbmtyEd3HHJ4lo0h8LJkU/s1600/IMG_8379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9uWM9gm4SnnZien2zKyB39Hvgft7fsorQxQbftqn4m9rTzBA90bFu2E_TCpd6kQ5qYcEZ902u-OpwzRp8gnQzHISPPr3yFBtNxO6Ist7VQO_S0N1OySZWFPqbmtyEd3HHJ4lo0h8LJkU/s400/IMG_8379.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found some deep green yarn too and a polystyrene half-ring that had been hanging around. I crocheted a long rectangle in green cotton yarn to match the size of the ring and wrapped it around it, sewing it into place. It's on the left of the photo below.</div>
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I hadn't written down my flower pattern last year and couldn't quite remember it, so improvised a new one to make little squarish four-petalled flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49s36foDYwe8xTrLswf_VljrW1ZV5CNVeXxXnDG6Uknwst22soZbTuUtTaQtjGjqirtwk2VECsXbRsCFRzJZgaAkenYvogdCmCzaAsJyMeL6cTAK1uPF3h-Ut8C2QO9ckcozeAVmB8UYu/s1600/IMG_8392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49s36foDYwe8xTrLswf_VljrW1ZV5CNVeXxXnDG6Uknwst22soZbTuUtTaQtjGjqirtwk2VECsXbRsCFRzJZgaAkenYvogdCmCzaAsJyMeL6cTAK1uPF3h-Ut8C2QO9ckcozeAVmB8UYu/s400/IMG_8392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then I sewed tiny glass beads into their centres.</div>
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Before long I had 22 little hydrangea flowers. </div>
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I carefully arranged them in groups of colours and sewed them all into place. Here it is, my hydrangea wreath - ta dah! I am very pleased with it, and have included all my favourite hydrangea colours in it: bright blues, intense purples and mauves, warm pinks and those pale lilac shades.</div>
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I've hung it on the door of my shed and am very happy with it.</div>
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See you soon x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-79922580115464352792016-08-23T01:58:00.000-07:002016-08-23T01:58:00.894-07:00Fragrant Blooms and a Cream Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A few weeks ago just before the summer holidays P and I met up with my parents for the afternoon at a really delightful spot - the New Forest Lavender Farm. It was the most heavenly flower-filled place, and I think I got enough of a flowery boost to charge my batteries right through the winter! Let me show you.</div>
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There was a pretty garden, full of perennials where we sat outside to eat our lunch.</div>
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I wished I'd tried my mum's lavender cream tea, it looked so pretty. The lavender cordial and tea was pretty good, though.</div>
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Past the drying lavender, we headed through rows of blooming purple plants and inhaled the perfume.</div>
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My favourite bit was this wonderful scented area which was full of annuals. I could have stayed here all day, surrounded by buzzing bees, butterflies and wonderful perfumes. Pathways of grass led through huge swathes of riotous colour.</div>
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It was a hot day and the scents wafted on the air, making me feel drowsy and very happy indeed.</div>
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So much colour.</div>
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Just look at this gorgeous wirework bench. I could just imagine sitting there with my crochet for an afternoon. Bliss!</div>
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Everywhere I looked the blooms jostled with each other, and reminded me of one of those <i>millefleur</i> Medieval tapestries where green backgrounds were stitched with many tiny colourful flowers.</div>
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This restful, tranquil white garden was calming after all that fabulous colour.</div>
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One last sniff of the lavender fields before we left,</div>
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and at home I arranged my souvenir on our table - a dark purple bunch of lavender flowers which I later hung up to dry. Wonderful.</div>
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<br />The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-56485700678543781352016-08-19T01:47:00.000-07:002016-08-19T06:26:39.354-07:00Lavender Bottles<div style="text-align: center;">
Lovely lavender is in bloom at this time of year in my part of the world. Our own is just about over now, but there's plenty of it still around in gardens, blooming away and smelling wonderful on the warm late summer air. This was ours about two weeks ago. It did smell good, and was full of bees most of the time.<br />
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Most of it is now cut and dried, and ready to make lavender bags and sleep pillows with. I've blogged before about my love of lavender <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/lavender.html">here</a>, <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/things-i-make-with-lavender.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thehousewiththebluedoor5.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/rose-lavender-shortbread.html">here</a>, and showed you some of the things I've made.<br />
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This year I thought I'd try a tutuorial-style thingy, and show you how to make something a bit different - lavender bottles. Here are some I made 2 years ago, and they still scent my drawers beautifully. They're called bottles because of their shape, and are sometimes called wands too. They are quite fiddly to make, so I keep mine quite small and short, but you can make them as big as you'd like.<br />
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First you need to cut some fresh lavender with stems as long as possible on a warm, dry day, ideally before the buds have opened. I usually use 15 stems for a bottle. Always make sure you have an odd number, as you'll be weaving in a spiral.<br />
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I use a length of fairly narrow ribbon about a metre long and cut off any I don't need at the end. Firmly tie one end around the stems just below the flowers.<br />
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Gently bend the stems back on themselves all around the flowers, trying not to break them.</div>
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This is why they must be fresh and not dried, so that the lavender is nice and flexible.</div>
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You should aim to make a little cage all around the flowers, holding the stems gently at their base.</div>
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Now comes the fiddly bit. Space out the stems evenly and pull the ribbon to the front so that it comes to the top of the bottle.</div>
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Once it's through, very carefully start to weave the ribbon under and over each stem, turning as you go.</div>
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It's most fiddly at the start, but gets easier as you go, and is important that you try to keep the stems in place as you weave.</div>
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Round and round you go. Each time you weave the ribbon under or over a stem it should be opposite to what you did last time you went round. That's why you need an odd number of stems.</div>
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Tuck any stray flowers in as you go. You can see it's coming together now, wrapping the flowers tightly inside.</div>
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As you get closer to the base of the flowers, pull the ribbon a little more tightly to make the neck of the 'bottle'.</div>
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Now wind the ribbon tightly around the stems in a spiral until you reach the ends. It needs to be tight because as the lavender dries it will shrink and the ribbon will loosen.</div>
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Tie the end up very tightly. You don't want all that hard work to come undone!</div>
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Snip the ends of the stems neatly.</div>
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And make a hanging loop with the ribbon.</div>
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Finished - ta dah! It's all ready to use to scent your wardrobe or drawers, and will gradually dry on its own. I like to make them in different colours, and often give them as little gifts. Purples, blues and greens work well. I always keep a few for myself, though!<br />
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If you decide to have a go at making one, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.<br />
See you soon x</div>
The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998136070355209215.post-36853282060111324422016-08-17T00:39:00.001-07:002016-08-17T00:39:32.883-07:00The Lost Gardens of Heligan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here I am again! I have lots to share with you this month and am making sure to fit it all in before term starts again and I'm back at work (I won't think about that yet).</div>
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One last bit of our Cornish holiday that I'd like to show you is a place I've long wanted to visit - the Lost Gardens of Heligan. We stopped there on our way home for a few hours and it was certainly worth a visit. Make yourself a cup of tea, pull up a chair, and I'll take you with me. There are lots of photos.</div>
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I'd expected a National Trust-style place with a big house, grounds, tearoom, etc. Delightful, and at times a little formulaic, but the reality was quite different. It was beautiful, grand, quite quirky and at times very poignant. The gardens, which were part of an estate and were attached to a large house, were 'lost' when most of the gardeners did not return from the First World War. The house was divided into flats and the gardens became overgrown and neglected. They were rediscovered in the 1990s and the restoration process began - it's come a long way since then.</div>
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The quirky Mud Giant greeted us as we entered the gardens. I love his orange and green crocosmia hair.</div>
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Too big a place for us to do in one visit, we started with the Woodland Ride and came across the famous sleeping Mud Maid. </div>
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I think she's rather lovely.</div>
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Further on the Grey Lady stands and is hard to make out in the trees. Can you see her outstretched arms?</div>
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This wonderful field was full of pale blue linseed flowers.</div>
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In complete contrast to this tranquil meadow was the fantastic Jungle Valley, with its own micro-climate which was crammed with tree ferns, gunneras, palms and all sorts of lush, shady vegetation. </div>
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The gunnera leaves were the biggest I've seen, and made us feel like Borrowers.</div>
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There were plenty of bananas too.</div>
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We followed a circular wooden walkway which took us high above the valley floor at times.</div>
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You can get an idea of the scale of the plants if you look at the person sitting at the side of the pond on the far right.</div>
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The few flowers were suitably exotic-looking.</div>
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I found the bananas' unfurling new leaves fascinating; they reminded me of rolled newspapers.</div>
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Everywhere there were patterns and textures: stripes, fans and lines in all shades of green.</div>
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And cool water reflecting the green-ness of the place.</div>
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There were stepping stones too. and a rope bridge, although the queue for it was enormous.</div>
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Another natural sculpture, this time made of charcoal.</div>
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We emerged from the jungle feeling hungry and made for the lovely cafe which sells delicious food made from the gardens' produce. I was very taken with the wooden furniture painted in shades of pink, lilac and yellow, and the sweet peas on every table.</div>
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After lunch a gentle wander took us past a few of the garden's feathery, furry and hairy inhabitants, like this sweet highland calf and an apple-stealing goose.</div>
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Pathways took us past hot, zingy herbaceous borders, full of primary colours.</div>
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On we walked under the Apple Arch to the walled vegetable and flower gardens.</div>
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The rows of vegetables were inter-planted with flowers. I have never seen so many snapdragons in one place!</div>
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Now I will confess that I took so many photos here that if I showed you them all we'd be here all day, so I have put them into mosaics to make them more 'user-friendly'. The squashes and courgettes made a very attractive display.</div>
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There was an impressive array of produce in beds and greenhouses, and a quietly busy army of gardeners working hard to tend the gardens.</div>
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So much fruitfulness!</div>
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Next came the flower gardens. They were just stunning.</div>
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I absolutely loved the helichrysums. There were many in shades from apricot to deep pink, and I resolved to grow some myself next year.</div>
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There were hot oranges and reds,</div>
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soft pinks,</div>
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cool blues and purples,</div>
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and even cooler whites.</div>
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The Melon Yard was interesting, with its neatly ordered rows of glass, and a Pineapple Pit too.<br />
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There's a memorial to the men who worked here and lost their lives in WW1. The Thunderbox was the gardener's loo and carefully preserved on its walls is their graffiti.</div>
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It's now registered with the Imperial War Museum as a 'living memorial'.</div>
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In another shed was a lovely collection of vintage tools.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZA7NAoAS0LAX3HuS0F1jOxIvfR1IfrpkKHTapOUQSZlq0EQ8fTVWTSJ80ioeWgeN80VZgeEltvF8JVn0n8i2etehcVcWtyvbwPRcBhyphenhypheneS4__KdoRQmJKvxtXGdB21s99cCSE3D9hC7DH/s1600/IMG_7335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZA7NAoAS0LAX3HuS0F1jOxIvfR1IfrpkKHTapOUQSZlq0EQ8fTVWTSJ80ioeWgeN80VZgeEltvF8JVn0n8i2etehcVcWtyvbwPRcBhyphenhypheneS4__KdoRQmJKvxtXGdB21s99cCSE3D9hC7DH/s400/IMG_7335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And finally a wall with niches for bee skeps, baskets which were traditionally used by beekeepers to house their bees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavU6Y_ay52V-ryQmGcXlxy9Oj9QsxWuh58W1kbRDiG5mxYSBjQLMYXcpwYXheQAk3vYqAtxu6AnQAy72nWXUJUqQLVO1uWD9putI_4Awd7tlRPUyR-s9P-CRuz5b_oqJwBxcIb5C6NUZj/s1600/IMG_7340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavU6Y_ay52V-ryQmGcXlxy9Oj9QsxWuh58W1kbRDiG5mxYSBjQLMYXcpwYXheQAk3vYqAtxu6AnQAy72nWXUJUqQLVO1uWD9putI_4Awd7tlRPUyR-s9P-CRuz5b_oqJwBxcIb5C6NUZj/s400/IMG_7340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think they are a thing of beauty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo2x7ukFJjN15IUx_Txut7X07L7Qe8uILVCt5wfGixE2WP5TvlyC8rC4W6zfDY3b1YFWzef-SdIN3KLc4MuXXLr_ovURiKRz_b17Q-kTnEHDvd4gL21VuFTvl5xVg0F_tyfvM8OyiKMIL/s1600/IMG_7342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo2x7ukFJjN15IUx_Txut7X07L7Qe8uILVCt5wfGixE2WP5TvlyC8rC4W6zfDY3b1YFWzef-SdIN3KLc4MuXXLr_ovURiKRz_b17Q-kTnEHDvd4gL21VuFTvl5xVg0F_tyfvM8OyiKMIL/s400/IMG_7342.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well, that's the end of my trip to Heligan. It was a surprising and very beautiful place which I hope we'll return to before too long. Thank you for coming along and keeping me company.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhONyhaIZSa4feGxLmCHFXw903D15i0BB93QGesEoqbUdkwLqfN7k_qtQ2oE_2Oiwc-iw-pZ9W0FWpAs7pRIXCdEWISWVojw4v4tJGQKhRlFmaxut3318DTembal4mbsp9AaH-kyUN490/s1600/IMG_7339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhONyhaIZSa4feGxLmCHFXw903D15i0BB93QGesEoqbUdkwLqfN7k_qtQ2oE_2Oiwc-iw-pZ9W0FWpAs7pRIXCdEWISWVojw4v4tJGQKhRlFmaxut3318DTembal4mbsp9AaH-kyUN490/s400/IMG_7339.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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See you soon x</div>
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The House with the Blue Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14427149486706803890noreply@blogger.com8