Hellebore time

I love Hellebores - so elegant , dark and mysterious.

They look wonderful with dusky pink.
Graham Rice has a fantastic guide book to Hellebores and also produces these striking cards .

Check out his Blog - transatlanticplantsman.typepad.com

People keep popping in to the shop and asking `When are the workshop?` They are coming , very soon, honest!! I'm still painting -well ,that's a lie , Rick is now painting. I over stretched and hurt my back. Didn't help that I was digging away , like a mad woman yesterday!! The sun was so warm, it was too tempting!!
Please Tel or email me ,if you want to put your name down . I will post details of workshops very, very soon. Iv got a very big wedding , next Saturday ,on my Birthday!
Have a good weekend .xx

2011 Yellow book

Hot off the press-This years NGS ,Yellow book. A wonderful way to see lots of interesting gardens and make some money for charity too.

If your tempted its £9.99 for the book.
Our garden is featured .A good write up and 2 photos.

We are open on May 30th (Bank holiday Monday) 11-5pm. £3.00 pp Children free. Tea and cake . The shop will be open and Lots of plants to buy.

Visitors also welcome by appt- Group visits welcome .

Last year -The weather was amazing and we had lots of lovely visitors.

Where is the sun?

I love England but this greyness ,I'm tempted to up sticks and live somewhere hot! I'm craving some colour and warmth on my bones. Hurry up Spring and get a move on.

More painting today ,in the workshop.

I must clean out the poly tunnel but I'm not tempted outside.

Colour

Whenever I go away ,I love taking pictures of tiles and old doors. I have a `thing` about colour.

Old peeling paint to paint swatches. Colours are more intense in sunny climates and so sing out more. Feeling like I need some colour at the moment -too many grey days here!

Chickens....

I want to get some more Chickens. Humbug are last remaining hen died last yea.Humbug was a Chinese pecan ,she had lovely fluffy legs, missing her running up in the garden. This fine chucks were in the souk in Marrakesh -not long for the pot??

Did you all have a `Loved up` Valentines?
My daughter`s Boyfriend said `you are a great girlfriend but the only trouble is I cannot get you flowers` He brought her the latest Vogue-she was very happy indeed,something she loves and he`d realised this and put some thought into it. Young love!!
Valentines out of the way,I can get into the garden-when Iv finished painting the workshop floor and filling in holes etc, etc.....

Hearts in Sunday paper

Mentioned in today's paper. I forgot ,it was going to be in .My friend text me .

pics of my hearts .

Hearts and flowers

Lots of goodies for your loved ones.

Ede in b&w no2

Ahh-reminds me off my student days.... 90% of our work was black and white and I had my own darkroom in the attic room in Nottingham where I was studying documentary photography. I haven't took any B&W in a long .long time. Something raw and story telling about it.

We had a stray Lurcher appear on Sat eve ,for a while I thought we may have a new resident but we located his owner -his name was Stan, he was brindle ,lovely nature and Ede was NOT at all pleased to see him! Perhaps getting another mate for Ede will be put on hold??

Have a relaxing weekend .xx

Pehaps its not Spring yet, but we can make it feel like it,with planted up bulbs and Primroses.

Work in progress - on the barn . Workshops will be announced when it is complete.

I purchased these lovely old coloured glass bottles at the fair -not sure where they will go? 60s/
Iv had a thing about old coloured glass for years-not so keen on the 60s/70s glass (my mother-in -law collects) Then again I'm really not keen on 60`s /70`s decor anyhow ,may be hip right now but I'm really not into liking a trend because its of the moment. Wouldn't work in my old house.

shopping

Shopping for the shop-A good old rummage on a brisk cold day,you can`t beat it.

Oh, you would get some looks driving along in your camper with these on the side!!

We had a big bouncy pram for our wee ones, they snoozed away in the garden on a sunny day .

This would scare you on a dark night!