Shoots

Hello........ With yet more icy rain lashing against the windows I've decided to try and find the positive, yes it's all going to turn out OK because there are signs of the Spring to come, we have Shoots.  

I've had enough of the rain now and for certain the washed out Summerhouse garden has had enough too. It's no wonder I always love to have bulbs inside the house this time of year.

We have mini Tulip shoots..........

The story of these is, I wanted to get some Tulips at the weekend but by the time we got to the shop they had sold out. So I guess everyone had the same idea as me. I was not to be stopped in my Tulip mission though, just a little delayed. 

As I found this lovely little pail of mini tulips reduced to the bargain price of £1.99, I think I like the thought of growing my own even better, as they will last for longer and a surprise awaits me as to what colour they will be.

The mini Iris shoots are growing too

Just look how much bigger they are from last week.

We also have Amaryllis shoots this is supposed to be a pastel 'Apple Blossom' so I'm looking forward to seeing what the flowers are like.

Out in the garden:

Nature is trying her very best, just look there is still so much colour to be found out in the Summerhouse garden.  We still have some summer flowers trying there best Marigolds, Roses, Fuchsia and Geraniums. Winter Jasmine, Holly and red berries and Ivy are to be found and the hope of Spring with Polyanthus, the Camellia in bud and bulbs coming up everywhere, even the night scented Jasmine is in bud, lets hope the frosts doesn't knock them off.

There are also some shoots of hope for a very ongoing WIP, I've been making my Purple Leave Cushion for nearly a year now, yep you heard me right! It seems a never ending  project that  keeps being put on hold. Partly as I'm so easily distracted by other makes and also as I struggle a bit with knitting I find it much more painful on my joints and muscles.  

This week I've picked it up again and have made a few more leaves.  You can read more about this make 'here' .This year I'm really trying not to start anything new until I finished some WIP's

As for my Spring time throw I've only managed another two squares this week but I'll get there.

  The year in books : January

I have however finished something, January's book 'The Colour' by Rose Tremain, I'm not entirely sure what I think of this book. I loved the main storyline and central character Harriet but her husbands character, there is nothing at all to endear you to him and as for some of the subplot's I found them a little scattered,  never really meeting up with the main plot. This is not a book with many happy endings. Being a writer of Folk songs I thought this story would be right up my street with a strong female character set against the backdrop of the 1860's New Zealand gold rush , but all in all it's left me a little undecided.

Has anyone else read it? what did you make of it?

So here's February book ready and waiting on my bedside table,  it's 'Earthly Joys' by Philippa Gregory. Join in with  circle of pines, year in books

Joining in with Ginny's 'yarn along' and Nicoles KCCO so why not check out what everyones been making.

Happy Crafting

Clare xx