blossom, bluebells and bunting

It is just so lovely to be outside in the sunshine. J and I went to his mums, we cut the grass and tidied the garden a little and it was so nice to be able to sit out and have a cuppa.  The crab apple tree in the garden was covered in blossom and looking really grand. We stood and looked and listened and the sound of the bees rushing from flower to flower was incredibly noisy.

 I'm so hoping there will be a good crop this year and I can make crab apple jelly again. Last year I made many jars gave them as gifts to friends and family, but now we are down to our last jar so I'm trying to save that for just a little longer. I think J may want to make some wine this year, but I'm sure there will be enough crab apples to go around!

The bluebell wood near our home has been rather disappointing this year. I keep hoping that there will be the usual blue carpet, but I think all the rain and wind earlier in the month has upset their growth. However, although a little later than usual,  looking up on the hill behind the cottage the field known locally as the 'Cathedral' has now come into bloom and is looking fantastic. A bluebell field!

and just look at that blue sky....

.....  and catching the evening light

That view is a real treat that I look forward to each year, the blue is so intense it is really amazing.

Other news, I had a stall at a small craft fair recently, which was fun!  I had a little Jubilee theme going on with some bunting!

I seem to have solved my problem with up loading photos, so I have a rush of postings to catch up on! 

Grandma's button tin

Taking the photo's of the little foals reminded me of my Grandma's button tin. I don't know what made me think about the tin as it has been tucked away in a cupboard for years. I think the last time we searched through it was when M and C needed buttons or beads for an art project at school.

It was always a treat when I was little to be allowed to look through the button tin, sorting them into colours and types, counting them and just turning them over in my hands - it kept me quiet for ages! I'm sure it was a great ploy by my Grandma to keep me occupied so she could get on with other things as she knew I would be quite happy for a while. It was a lovely walk down memory lane seeing all the buttons there in the tin!

I picked out a few of the more interesting ones

There were coat and cardigan buttons with lovely textured shapes ......

sorry the photo is a little fuzzy

..... and more functional work wear buttons with little loops on the back for a split pin or ring. I can remember my Grandad having these type of buttons on his work coverall jacket. I can remember the buttons having to be taken off the jacket before it went in the wash as this job was sometimes given to me.  I guess these are called 'warehouse jackets' now, but they have poppers as closures - so disappointing
.

Sweet memories.

Just waiting for the sun!

Here in the UK we are having a little sunshine and good weather at the moment. It makes such a change to be able to go out without a coat! and to be able to sit in the garden - and look at all the things that need to be done! One of the things that I had just done in time for this lovely weather, was to clean up the bench and re oil it, so now we have a much cleaner bench to sit on in the shade and enjoy a cuppa!

The warmth has also bought some of the flowers out and we now have some magnificent red poppies which grow a little wild in the garden. They have such papery petals, so thin but bright poppy red, its a shame they only last such a short time.

But more exciting news, as I looked out of the kitchen window this morning whilst making my morning cup of tea, I saw a wonderful sight. The Dales Ponies in the field behind the cottage have produced their foals - I glance out most mornings to see how they all are, and this morning there at the far end of the field were two little foals. I'm sure the warm weather has helped their arrival! At lunch time, I took my camera and tried to get a little closer so I could take some photos. Still a little wobbly on their legs, but they are beautiful, and still very shy. However, I'm sure it wont be long before they come up to the kitchen window and look in!

I have lots of other news to catch up with, but I have had problems loading my photos - I will persevere!