A snowy start to the new year

Christmas has now been packed away in boxes, except for the evergreen wreaths at the front and side of the house.  They are still fresh looking and I don't want to take them down yet. The house looks a little bare, so I bought some daffodils the other day, which bring a little brightness and cheer. Much as I love all the sparkle and glitter of Christmas, that's over with now and I want to look forward with hope to the Spring and daffodils give me that. Things are not good in the world at the moment, worse than they have been since the start of the crisis, so we all need a bit of hope to keep us going and to know that soon this shall pass. 

After Christmas we had snow here in Lancashire, lots of it and it's taking a long time to clear.  So there's no chance of doing any gardening jobs or going to the allotment yet. I have been feeding the birds, enjoying watching them on the feeders and walking around the garden spotting the changes taking place. The crab apple still has lots of orange/red fruit on its branches which the birds have been ignoring even in this cold weather. But now the fruit is going soft and mushy on the branches perhaps it will be more attractive to them. The brightness of the berries is a lovely splash of colour against the snow.

                                              

In the autumn I planted bulbs in pots, crocus, little tete a tete daffodils and tulips. Its lovely now to see little green shoots emerging from their snow topped pots on the patio and potting bench. This is my bit of hope that over the next few weeks they will continue to grow and will soon be flowering.                                   

Also in the autumn I planted up pots of hyacinths which I kept in the garage in the dark and brought out into the light in December to grow on. Some were ready and flowering at Christmas and some will have their buds opening soon. I bring them into the warmth of the house gradually so I will have a continuous display for several weeks. 

                                             

January can be quite a dreary, depressing month even when we're not going through these bad times, but I am trying to focus on the small, simple things which make me happy.

What's helping you at the moment during lockdown?

A happy, healthy and safe New Year everyone.

Snowdrops for candlemas

Today is Candlemas Sunday when we celebrate the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification of  Mary 40 days after the birth of her son Jesus. We think of Jesus the light of the world.

There is a saying:

If Candlemas Day be fair and bright
Winter will have another fight.
If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain,
Winter won't come again.

Today has been dry and sunny although very cold, I don't think winter has ended yet.

This time of year candles and snowdrops are quite significant for me as I think of certain family members  who have died around this time.

 Snowdrops are a symbol of hope, so although we may have more bad weather to come they are the first signs of new growth in the garden and a promise of much more good things to look forward to.

 There were snowdrops in church this morning picked from the church garden. I wish I had so many snowdrops in my garden.