Hello Everyone - well no doubt we've all survived yesterday. Ours was quiet but nice. This morning I was up with the lark. Once the sun came up the lure of the garden couldn't be quashed despite the fact I felt I should still be doing Christmassy things.
The sun was bringing out all the lovely colours in the garden - funny how as stitchers we empathise more closely with colour. I say to my husband 'what colour do you see out there' and he replies 'green' but to me there's yellow greens, grey greens, khaki greens, blue greens. Anyway, it was just too lovely to ignore. I pulled on my old fleece and tucked my trouser bottoms into the top of my socks (oh yes, this girl looks glamorous at Christmas) and went outside. There was a soft mild breeze blowing and I just felt 'at one' with something intangible. I was only there for about an hour but I raked up leaves and brushed down pots all crusted up with dirt, swept up a bit on the patio and the feeling of peace and satisfaction was beyond price.
I also felt pleased as I'd seen my little Robin after an absence of a couple of days. He's a sad little chap. I first noticed him about this time last year - wearing his brown coat and red breast but with his head absolutely devoid of feathers. As you will gather then, instantly recognisable. He's been with me all year and I've made a point of standing by his litte feeding station as he comes down first out of all the birds to eat something. Gradually through the summer his head feathers grew and he looked like a normal Robin. Sadly about September time he once again lost them and at the moment has this little bald head which is no bigger then a marble. I fear that either other birds will attack him or he will not survive should the weather get too cold. This little Robin has become so important to me! - bloody thing. If he desn't appear I worry that he's finally met his demise, but then, no - up he pops again a day or two later. I tell you, God needs to look after his little creatures a bit better than this!
Ah well, gardening over I came back inside and after lunch I sat stitching. All in all I feel like I've just described my perfect day!
I did manage to save Stitch That until after lunch yesterday and then slobbed out on the sofa whilst I had a cup of tea and read it. I absolutely loved Jane Napier's sampler; no doubt you all do. What talent she has - well done Jane.
Just briefly going back to the gardening though - Spring is surely on its way. Last year I was given some Snowdrops in the green which I dotted about in various places and already things are coming through. The Hellebore has got some chunky buds at ground level and I've even had (albeit a small and deformed one) a Clematis flower out! It's all there waiting in the wings. What a lovely thought. Brenda
