sowing time

The sun hat got his hat on, hip-hip-hip hooray, so we went out to play.
My it feels good to get outside again. I have missed the fresh air so much this winter. We sowed out first seeds today, Little Missy loves to garden and she got to try out their new tools. She very carefully helped fill up the plant pots and toilet rolls with compost and patiently made a hole for each seed and tucked it up to sleep.

As you can see 4 toilet rolls fit perfectly into the bottom part of a 4 pint milk bottle. We started off most of our crops this way last year as they are so easy to move on - no untangling roots from seed trays. And of course we seem to have hundreds of them so they are put to good re-use. 
And once cut up the top half of the milk bottle makes perfect labels, I use a sharpie to write on them, the pen scrubs off / fades away by the time you can recognise your plant so you can re-use them again and again. 
Can't stop a little one removing them though - any tips?

Don't forget to sign up for the book giveaway if you want a free book in time for World Book Night. I will be getting lots of copies to pass onto people so don't miss out!
 

10.10.10 day 7

I know I'm lagging a bit behind with this now, but at least the rain stopped today long enough to get out into the garden for a play and a bit of a tidy up. 

Somebody who lived here long before us planted it very well, it's green all year round - but it doesn't have many flowers and because we have more trees than necessary nothing much grows in the soil. So I'm slowly filling it up with bits and bobs to make it a little more interesting. 

  
I love our garden, it's a bit dishevelled, I can barely keep on top of it, it's very private and attracts so many birds it's amazing. 

Every year the blue tits come and nest in the wooden bird box, it's on the side of the garage and quite close to the house so we get to watch them bringing in the twigs and moss for their nest and patiently wait for the chirping of the babies. Mum and Dad then spend many days back and forth with food for them and they eventually come out and learn to fly. It's such a pleasure to have them for a few weeks.
Sadly the cats and crows around here are quite sharp and I'm constantly on edge, last year a crow swooped in and took a parent. I was heartbroken, I know it's nature but it seems so cruel.

I was so pleased to see the snowdrops today, they always make me feel like spring is on it's way and we're past the worst of winter - not always true but I like the promise it gives me.

 

my creative space

I've been a little busy on the allotment this week to get much done creatively but I did have a go at some very simple crochet flowers. I'm planning on making some summer dresses for the girls and thought some little flowers would be a lovely detail on them - so I had a go at these simple ones and had great fun - I've even ordered a couple of crochet books dedicated just to flowers and motifs, so watch this space for some more.

See more creative spaces at Kirsty's.


Meanwhile the garden is looking happy, this is my favourite tree, I have no idea what it is, but every year for few weeks it is this beautiful fluff of pink.
It's a fairly spindly tree and once the pink has gone it looks a little whispy.
Here's a close up of it's tiny delicate flowers, some are yet to reveal themselves.


If you know what it is please tell me, I'd love to know.

happy weekend x