Early February

Rooks are back in the rookery at the end of our cottage garden.

We have a lovely little spinney of fir trees where they nest each year, I love the noise & business of the birds making their nests.

They are such a chatty bunch, it is almost like they are having a good gossip while doing their work.

The garden is slowly coming back to life, the little blue tits are hopping about giving much amusement to George through the window.

One little animal has disappeared from the garden, all the squirrels must be nestled down somewhere warm.

~

Ginger Snap Biscuits to take with us to a friend for afternoon tea.

Kitty & I had a lovely morning making them, she does like to bake.

~

These are the girls favourite biscuits.

~

George wanting to come with us shopping.

~

Some fabric for patchwork.

I am working on some little Easter gifts for the twins.

We have bought the girls their first little set of knitting needles, some pretty rainbow wool & a learn to knit Ladybird book so I am making little knitting bags for them.

~

Tomato Relish.

I made the relish that Rhonda made on Down to Earth , the recipe was simple to make & smelt wonderful.

Instead of the curry powder & chilli I added paprika & mustard powder, the little ones do not like strong flavours. This way we will use it instead of Tomato Sauce, it has so much less sugar.

~

Six lovely jars for the pantry shelves.

~

Making a birthday card for someone special.

~

The pans in there new home.

~

The girls love making & decorating cakes.

~

Making Date Bread.

This is just a variation to the Tea Bread  recipe but with all dates.

~

Studying The Diary of an Edwardian Lady for home school.

The month of January.

Kitty painting Blue Tits & Great Tits.

~

Tuesday was a beautiful crisp day.

We took a short walk around the church yard, it was so sunny & warm on the face.

These are the graves that back on to our garden. They are very old graves so not visited which makes it a wonderful place for wildlife, we can often hear the pheasants calling.

~

The sun was so beautiful.

~

Flowers appearing, there are so many signs that Spring is on it's way.

~

Snowdrops on the edge of the church yard.

The church & our garden are full of them.

~

This is the old vicarage next to the church which you can see peeping out from behind the tall fir tree.

I do feel a little like Miss Marple some days with our garden hedge next to the church & the Vicarage next door.

~

Another pretty Spring flower.

~

The first crocus we have seen.

~

An old cast drain pipe added t the church in 1876

The church has so many beautiful features.

~

The side gate from the church in to the old vicarage.

~

This is the side door to the church which faces our cottage.

~

More early flowers.

~

Catkins in our garden.

They are so pretty with a silvery sheen.

~

Some of the hens enjoying the sunny day.

They have started laying a couple more eggs a day, sunshine is a wonderful thing.

~

The girls with their finished bow scarves.

I made myself one in a lovely teal colour which was slightly larger than the pattern. The pattern came up small around the neck so I made another navy blue one.

~

Victoria Sponge Cake for tea.

A family favourite.

~

Thank you dear readers for all your lovely comments.

I really enjoy reading them & hearing from you.

Fondly Michelle

~