Embracing the new year ....

Can't believe January is already over.
Though I see myself as quite a down to earth person , starting a new year always feels a bit like taking a (hesitant) step into a whole new chapter without knowing what it will have in store.
I know .... isn't that what live is all about, luckily that feeling never last very long.

Well January wasn't that bad at all, here it is in pictures ....


Starting with a lovely walk on the beach ....

Bought myself already many bunches of happiness ....

Inspired after watching The Great British Garden Revival I made a (bit late) attempt for some own tulips in my garden this Spring ....

Accompanied by my little friend ....

And in the meantime brought a little Spring into the home ....

This was on "blue Monday" ....

Gorgeous sunrises ....

Lovely frost ....

And even a bit of snow ....

It was so much fun to join the Birdwatch and to count the regular visitors in my garden ....

Sometimes even a little overcrowded ....

But this little cutie remains my absolute favorite ....

Just love the contradictions in nature right now - frost on the leaves ....

And in the same week - spot that new leave in the making in the background ....

While the hellebore flourishes again ....

This arrival last week makes me already dream about my future flower beds in the garden ....

And all set for next month ....

Couldn't wish for a better start of the new year .... have a great one!

Happy February

Anita

~xo~ 

A very special Christmas greeting by a lovely messenger....

Just like every year I've been making Christmas cards to send to family and friends. Gathered with all I need around me at the dinner table the creative process usually takes off.
But this year I've never been so distracted as ever before - all by the view through my french doors into the garden.
Since a couple of weeks there's a Robin who visits my garden very frequently during the day and has never before made its appearance.

It's a lovely thing to happen after what has been quite a memorable year with a loss without a proper goodbye.
For those who follow my blog for some time now will know that I've lost my mum last May but actually lost her long before - as you can read here in a previous post ....

Because it was her Birthday recently, Christmas coming up and by some other recent events my mum was more on my mind than usual.
I think that is why I'm very sensitive to the visits of this beautiful bird and the myth that goes with it.
The story goes that when a Robin visit you often, a loved one in heaven is trying to say
"hello - I'm with you "

This is the little one ....

Not shy at all ....

Takes a bath in the pond ....

And possession of the garbage bin ....

Checking out the house facilities ....

And even doing a bit of sunbathing ....

I think after reading my post about my mum you won't be surprised why it's such a comforting thought - that little Robin that feels so very at home in my garden ....

Despite of being very fussed with making pictures (it's so very addictive) I miraculously managed to finish my cards in time so everyone luckily received theirs before Christmas.
Although I've got lovely comments on my handmade card I couldn't resist to share this cutie instead.

Wish all you lovely people a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

And let's be honest - isn't she picture-postcard ....

Have a lovely Christmas Eve! 

Anita
~xo~

Bringing nature indoors ....

We're already in the second half of October and still we can enjoy beautiful weather conditions. So all the more reason to spend most of the time outdoors while we still can.

This is the view from the terrace at the end of my garden. I love having my first cup of coffee here while the sun enters the garden and watch all beauty that goes around .... 

even when it rains ....

But for me it's a walk in the woods what really makes me enjoy all the beautiful colours of this season ....

And look what we brought home after our lovely walk ....

To bring these beauties indoors I did a little crafting and added these adorable toadstool lights ....

And made this garland which I personal like best when the lights are off but would be very cosy lightning in a children's
room I think ....

I love to watch the blackbirds in the hedgerow from this spot - thanks to this beautiful 'Blackbird and Bee' lampshade from Kettle of Fish now I have a blackbird that lives in my windowsill ....

Another addition from the garden to my windowsill is the dried hydrangea who turn out almost copper ....

All this makes me ready for a cosy Autumn indoors ....

Wish you a lovely Autumn.

Anita
~xo~

My annual escape ....

I love this season of promise, and the following pictures shows why ... 

Blossom at the corner of my street

The snowball in my rear garden in its full glory

Clematis in the front yard

Strawberries on the way

My favourite visitor in the garden

Who really likes to take a bath in the pond

Which often means a queue for the other visitors

How much I enjoy it here, there's one thing that really requires a trip abroad. This picture from last year tells you why ....

Bluebell wood  ~  Fairlight, Sussex , England

Three years ago I renewed my love for this beautiful country and  since then it feels like a second home , my beloved England.

So I will return again this year, to be exactly today .... my annual escape to the (English)
country, looking for bluebells in the Cotswolds!

Happy Friday .... happy weekend.

Anita xo