Scavenger Hunt

Hello there! I've hardly been in Blogland over the last two weeks and have been missing you all - how are you? It's been busy here and I'm very glad that it's a Bank Holiday weekend. Last week we had several seasons at once with snow, sleet, hailstones, rain and warm sunshine all in the course of a couple of days. That's April for you. This weekend I'm joining in with a photographic scavenger hunt hosted by Hawthorn at I live, I love, I craft, I am me... If you've never visited her blog, I recommend you take a look. Her photos are great and she always has something interesting to say. Over the last three weeks I've been taking photos which fit the categories she set, so without further ado, here they are:

1) Orange

I reached for a clementine after our meal and P passed me one of our old Ikea plastic plates. We bought these plates years ago when the children were little and we needed some unbreakable crockery. We've carried on using them, as we're fond their flowery shapes and bright, zingy colours. As soon as I put my clementine on it I knew that this was my 'orange' photo.

2) Feather

Our garden is regularly visited by pigeons and collared doves who like to peck the seeds I put out on the feeder. I know many people think of them as a nuisance, but I have great affection for them and love their rounded shapes and soft grey plumage. When I was gardening I found a feather and used it to mark where I'd planted some seeds. 

3) Something fresh

Two weeks ago I picked some rhubarb from our garden and within 20 minutes it was trimmed, washed, chopped and cooking gently under a crumble topping in the oven. Even I was impressed by my speed. As my friend said, 'That's quicker than Birds Eye!'.

(Here's the 'after' shot - we ate it with vanilla ice cream).

4) Horizon

We drove to Wells one evening recently and, as we reached the top of the Mendip hills, this view lay ahead. We take this road very often and as a result it's become very familiar, but I never tire of this wonderful view of the Somerset Levels and Glastonbury Tor. Magical.

5) Wet

I went outside after a shower of rain and stopped to look at raindrops which were caught in the new leaves of the aquilegias. The closer I looked, the more I could see. You can see our cherry tree reflected in this lovely, sparkly droplet.

6) Craft

I love going to craft workshops and learning something new. Still on my to-learn list are basket-weaving and stained glass-making, but one that I really enjoyed a few years ago was mosaic-making. I made a mat and this green and white daisy-bordered mirror which hangs in the kitchen (as it's a mirror I am making a rare appearance). Cutting up the tiles was easier than I expected and I enjoyed piecing together the design as I went. I must do some more one day. 

7) Growing

When we were at our local farm shop recently we stopped to visit the ducks and hens, and as we passed the pond we noticed the frogspawn. It's not the best photo, but you can see the hundreds (thousands?) of tiny eggs and a tadpole swimming by. In every egg was a miniscule wriggling black dot, each one a froglet in the making. 

8) Memories

This little milk bottle brings back memories of my infant school days. Back in the 1970s every child was entitled to school milk, and we would be given ours at morning break. If I was milk monitor I would count out the little bottles, which held a 1/3 pint, and line them up on top of the big old stove that stood in the corner of our classroom to warm. Then I would pop a stripy red and white plastic straw into the top of each silver foil topped bottle, ready for drinking. I actually didn't like warm milk, but did enjoy the ritual of having my own tiny milk bottle.

9) Sticks

I love a den. We found this one in the depths of Goblin Combe. We hadn't seen anyone for the whole time we'd been in the beautiful and eerie gorge, but here was reassuring evidence of busy human activity. Rather cosy isn't it?

10) Sky

This is my choice of category. At this time of year the skies are so dramatic, a fabulous ever-changing artwork going on above our heads as we go about our everyday business. I am a bit of a cloud freak and can't take my eyes off the silvery-lined, billowing cumulus clouds which tower high into the atmosphere. The beautiful dark grey parts of them bring rain and hailstones, and before you know it the sun is out again.

I really enjoyed doing this scavenger hunt and hope to visit you all in Blogland a bit more this week. Hope you've all had a good weekend. See you soon x

Autumn Equinox

Hello there! Despite my intention to catch up properly with blogging, the opportunity continues to elude me. I'm feeling decidedly under the weather, having caught a cold from one of the many sniffly teenagers at work, and yesterday had a cracked filling repaired at the dentist - ouch. It's not been the best of weeks so far. I feel sure it will improve. Anyway, enough of my moaning, and on to the subject in hand which is that today is the autumn equinox. This day is so-called because day and night are of equal length and it's the first day of autumn - yay! When I was about 12 I remember making my parents a 'Happy Autumn Equinox!' card decorated with carefully felt-tipped pictures of autumn leaves, squirrels, acorns, conkers and toadstools. I don't know why it never caught on!

Things are feeling more autumnal now. Dawn has been arriving later these days, and I have seen a few lovely sunrises. This was couple of days ago.

The conker tree opposite our house is yet to give up its bounty, despite the longing glances of school children on their way to and from school. Soon, I think.

One of my colleagues at work has a quince tree in her garden and has kindly given me these gorgeous quinces. The honeyed smell is wafting around the kitchen this evening.

 Clover has found some very warm spots of late-afternoon sunshine this week. Basking is definitely the word.

In their pot outside the back door the calendulas are resplendent in their orangeness (not sure if that's a word). They're perfect at this time of year.

Hope you've had a 'Happy Autumn Equinox!' today x

A New Kitchen and Summer Skies

This week life has been returning to normal here at The House With The Blue Door. Busy, but normal again - phew. After five weeks our new kitchen is finished. Hooray! It's been a long haul and we are delighted with the result. It was finished almost two weeks ago and we've been gradually moving everything back in to the new cupboards and finding new places for things. It's meant that we've had a big clear-out and got rid of lots of stuff along the way which has been a very good thing. So, at long last here are some photos ... ta dah!

This is what it looked like after the walls were damp-proofed, a few weeks ago. Clover seemed to enjoy exploring in here and quite liked sleeping in a basket on top of the washing machine.

I've really enjoyed having our room back again, cooking and using the new sink. It shows how much we take everyday objects for granted when we don't have them for a while.

Whilst I was washing up a few evenings ago I caught sight of the sky and went outside with my camera to record it. After a very hot day the clouds were being illuminated by the setting sun.

The bright blue sky was full of soft grey cloudlets with silver edges. 

It was beautiful, and unusual.

Dramatic.

It reminded me of one of those skies you see in Renaissance paintings.

After a very hot week it's been a cooler day today, with warm sunshine and some very heavy showers. The weather's been wonderful lately, but I'm not a fan of very hot weather so it's relief to feel a bit more comfortable. Hope the week ahead isn't too hot or cold for you, and that you have a chance to stop and notice the good things x

Dropping By

Hello there! Just dropping by to share some of the things that I've enjoyed over the last few days in what has turned out to be a rather busy week here. I did some sewing over the weekend - I'll post about that soon - but seem to be taking a little break from yarny things in the evenings. It's been cold and wet here with several hailstorms, sleet and snow flurries, so we've done a lot of cosying up indoors, as well as heading for bed early with plenty of blankets and hot drinks.

Outside in the garden there are few flowers to be seen, but this winter-flowering heather is putting on a good show. Its tiny pinky-purple bells are very hardy in the cold, and make a real splash of colour in the border.



In a pot outside the door is an ornamental cabbage. Usually I choose purple ones, but this year I decided on white. Its paleness emphasises and defines its frilly edges, making it look as if it's made from icing.



In contrast the edible cabbage I bought from the farm shop was a delightful mix of green and purple, and looked almost too pretty to eat. As soon as it was cooked, however, it lost its purple hue and transformed into a more run-of-the-mill green cabbage.

There have been some gorgeous skies this week. This was a glorious gold and pink sunrise ...

... and this was a heavenly lilac and pink sunset. The colours are exquisite, and watching them lighten, deepen and develop before my eyes is enthralling and quite meditative.

Indoors I've been enjoying some pale yellow daffodils along with one of my favourite magazines. I usually read my magazines in bed just before I go to sleep, as I find them relaxing and soothing. Sometimes, though, I'll read abut something that inspires me with an idea to make something, and it starts to buzz around my head just as I'm nodding off.

 On the windowsill is a pot of hyacinths which a friend potted up for me last autumn. I kept them in a dark shed and brought them out just before Christmas as they began to send shoots above the soil. The blooms are opening now and I can see that they will be my very favourite shade of mauve, somewhere between pink and purple. You can see the blue bases to the florets.

Equally exciting is my amaryllis which is beginning to open. It's tantalisingly revealing a glimpse of red petal between its green leaves, and looks like it will be a beauty.

The 'Bridal Crown' narcissi are open now, and smell wonderful, fresh and full of the promise of spring. I had to photograph them against the blue wall to bring out their soft, creamy shades.

Finally, I so enjoy having Clover around the house curled up on beds, sofas, her baskets and occasionally the floor under radiators. She sleeps soundly for a good portion of the day and snores quite loudly for such a small and delicate cat. She has very little interest in going outside at the moment, and her presence makes the house feel very homely indeed.

Hope you're somewhere warm and dry today too x

December Skies

I have to say there have been some absolutely stunning sunrises recently, and this morning was no exception. Quite a chilly morning, but bracing. Our bedroom is in the loft, and has windows facing roughly north and south, so I can get quite a good view out. As I was getting ready for work I had my camera at the ready to capture the changing sky. 

Here it was at 7.43am ...

... 3 minutes later at 7.46am ...

...and at 7.58am.

It's amazing how fast the colours of the sky changed from deep blue, pearly pink, lilac and silver tones through to dark grey-blue, orange and gold - all in the space of 15 minutes. Looking south this deliciously lilac/pink combination took my breath away and made me want to get my watercolours out.

However I had to go to work, so tore myself away from the spectacle outside to go and make sandwiches, but I was pleased that I'd managed to squeeze being mindful into the start of the day. I'm looking forward to seeing the moon accompanied by morning star (Jupiter, I think? or is it Venus?) which I have always associated since childhood with opening advent calendars and cold dark December mornings. Skies like this definitely make getting out of my warm, cosy bed so much easier at this time of year!

Pottering

Pottering ... I do like that word. The dictionary defines it as 'to move about without hurrying, and in a relaxed and pleasant way'. Doesn't that sound appealing? I've been making an effort to spend at least 5 minutes a day pottering around, and noticing what I do in a mindful way. Doing things like this:

Making myself a cup of tea to take into the garden for a few minutes. Here are my favourite mugs on the kitchen shelves. I've already admitted to having a thing for candles, lanterns and baskets - I think mugs could be added to that list. Which one today?

Remembering to look up. A couple of nights ago, I saw that the setting sun had illuminated the contrails across the sky, making a large 'X'. Looking at the sky is something I like to do, and I always make time to notice at least once in the day what it's doing.

Having British-grown seasonal flowers around the house. I love all flowers, but like it best when they are in season, and reflect what is growing in people's gardens at this time of year. These Sweet Williams were from the supermarket - just £1 a bunch!

As well as redcurrants, picking raspberries, blackcurrants and tiny wild strawberries from our garden, and freezing them. Once I've got enough, I plan to make some jam or jelly. Picking them is a task that cannot be rushed, but it's very calming after a day at work. Looking for the bright berries amongst the green foliage is like looking for treasure and is very engrossing.

Going for a short walk along the local cycle-path which has been built along the old railway line. On a summer's evening the setting sun lights up the leaves, making the vegetation look verdant and lush.

Smelling the flowers. In this post I mentioned that my parents had recently given us a William Shakespeare rose. It's blooming at last, and it's gorgeous. It's a deep crimson colour, cup-shaped, with a lovely rich scent. I've noticed in recent years how much rose perfumes differ between varieties.

And finally, Clover lying on the rug in a patch of warm sun. Her fur is incredibly warm and soft as she dozes. She really knows how to relax!

Walt Whitman stated that we can find “Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.” I think that's what being mindful is all about, and when I can manage it life is the richer for it.

Shades of blue

At this time of year there seems to be so much beautiful blue around. As you may have guessed, purply-blue is a colour I love. Our front door and gate are painted this colour, as are the bathroom, our dresser and the back of the house! The garden is also full of blue. These grape hyacinths, or muscari, have frilly white edges to their 'bells', and I love the way the stem turns from green to blue as it reaches the flowers.

It's so good to be able to look closely at tiny forget-me-not flowers and see, not only their yellow centres, but streaks of pink in their petals.

Here is a rosemary flower in close-up. The flowers are surprisingly complicated. Because our garden is quite small, space is limited, so I bought a variety called 'Mrs Jessop's Upright' in the hope that it wouldn't sprawl across its neighbours. It's still attempting to, though!

This a gorgeous early-flowering clematis. It grows up the side of our shed (I forgot - that's blue too), and is a delight in April. The colour is truly heavenly.

Below is a little primrose that I bought last year. It's called 'Zebra Blue', and you can see why. Look at those amazing stripes!

Of course, I mustn't forget bluebells. These are the most common garden ones, Spanish bluebells. They aren't as delicate as their wild relatives, but the colour is still intense.

And here is something altogether more purple ... violets.They self- seed around my garden, and are so sweet, but often easy to miss. Wordsworth described them in his 'Lucy' poems:

.

'A violet by a mossy stone

Half-hidden from the eye!'

And now a bit more blue - that fabulous spring sky.