Friday Bliss # 21

We have snow, but so far not as heavy as in other regions.

Early morning it was just a sprinkling, but by mid morning it was.....

.........like this.

It stopped, the sun came out for an hour or two and

Mr P managed to clear the flat area of  paving stones 

leading up to the front door. 

The back and side gardens are sheltered by the hedges,

  the garage and adjoining covered yard.

Mr P received a couple of gardening books for Christmas

 with good photo illustrations and he sat

 in the warm kitchen with a mid morning coffee reading them.

I'm sure the information has given him ideas

for growing some different vegetables this year.

In the covered yard/conservatory there are a few wallflowers 

in bloom and the mixed narcissi are in bud.

This variety is called 'Orangery',

but I don't remember what else was planted so there will be 

a surprise when they flower.  There are also tulips planted

deeper down in the soil in the pots and planters.

The shlumbergera is just about to burst into bloom again.

Our daughter who came to stay during the Christmas holidays has left

us a box of herbal and fruit teas which is handy as our other daughter

prefers them to ordinary breakfast tea.  I like breakfast tea, but I've been 

trying the many varieties in the box.

DiL gave me tea related items for Christmas with this lovely

knitted tea cosy and a small tin of English afternoon tea leaves.

I know the ice and snow conditions are causing major problems 

whilst in other countries the heat and lack of water is a hardship.

 There are events we would like to go to, but we shall have to give them

 a miss until the weather improves.

Joining Riitta's Friday Bliss #21 linkup

Here and there

Another frosty day here today although no snow just some sleety rain yesterday.  On Monday I took a walk up the hill to the parish church specifically to take photos of the snowdrops blooming in the churchyard. There are hundreds of daffodil plants too and they'll be blooming later on. Even though the weather has been so changeable; mild or cold, rain or sun, plants seem to be further forward in flowering for the time of the year.

On Monday afternoon I went to the monthly meeting of the book group in the library, but before that I walked down to the pond in the park. I had to be careful as I took a short cut across the grass as the

grass was soggy in places.  I didn't want to arrive back at the meeting with muddy shoes!

Some random photos taken as I walked back to the meeting -

crocuses, Winter jasmine and some huge rose hips

on a rambling rose hanging over the walled garden.

We had a good meeting discussing last month's book chosen by the librarian.  We get sets of books especially for the different library groups that take place around the city.  Sometimes we even get new publications, but mostly the books are novels that have been in print for a while. This month's book is The Thread written by Victoria Hislop which I've read and enjoyed, but shall reread for our group discussion.  It's set in Thessaloniki in 1917 and 2007 and I found it informative about how people groups and individuals have to leave a place during a time of upheaval and make a life elsewhere as well as being a good story.  At the end of the meeting we celebrated a member's birthday with gifts of flowers, chocolates and a cake which had been made by another one of our group.  I'm trying to be good and only eat cake now and again, but who could resist? I took my slice home to share with Mr P when we had  a nice cup of tea together and the Victoria Sponge was delicious. 

I've started crocheting blankets again.  I haven't got far with either of them.  I need to match up some wool for the granny square one which is a throw to match the colours of the settee and cushions.  I'm making the other one to use up some yarn.  Several of the throws are used on our beds and certainly keep us warm when the temperature drops at night.