Some dry, sunny weather has meant that I've been able to do some walking around our neighbourhood.. I've found the best short cuts to get from one road to the next through the several alley ways in the area. On one occasion I got a bus to the local library.
It's a delight to see the birds out-and-about during the sunnier days either on my walks or from the back windows of our house. I've seen the usual doves and pigeons, blackbirds, jays, magpies, robins, sparrows and tits. We had one morning of sleet when they were no doubt huddled in the cover of our neighbour's 'wilderness garden'.
There are daffodils just ready to burst into bloom in the garden and some new irises, 'Harmony', are looking beautiful among the tulips that will be something to look forward to later on.
In the covered yard the nectarine tree flower buds have appeared and there are other signs of plant life. A primula that didn't flower last year, but only produced monster leaves has produced purple flowers that hopefully will grow up towards the light on tall stems.
Some time ago I found a small linen tablecloth packaged as new at a charity shop together with needle and embroidery threads that had an easy transfer print on it. During January I've worked on one of the motifs and will then start on the other. I'm not using the pink thread, but instead I'm using greens, blues and also yellows inspired by the Chinese design on the above bowl and by the colour of Springtime flowers.
Another cake was made, this time an orange cake using a recipe from an old recipe book - orange with a pinch of mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) and grated orange peel in the batter before cooking and orange juice icing in the filling and on the top. I only used two eggs and less flour and golden sugar so it didn't rise as much as most of the cakes I make, but tasty none the less.