Sunshine and shadows

What a glorious day!
We started off by hacking out for an hour, in glorious sunshine, yet unbelievably with the snow still on the hills! The photo was taken on my phone, so not the best, but you can see my beloved Downs in the distance, and do you see the white house at the foot of them? That belongs to a friend of ours, and is actually on the canal. It is absolute bliss, like The Railway Children but with a canal instead!
Then my darling husband (despite its being his birthday!) tilled my veg plot for me, and it's wonderful to see it looking like a working space again


and I got seeds planted in trays in the polytunnel, and the onions and garlic which have overwintered, hoed.

Oh, and I need to introduce you to a new team member. It's kind of tricky, as he won't keep still but .... this ....


...is Cobbett. After William.



he's been hired in for our rodent control department. But he's in training right now.

Oh and the shadows are ... just thoughts, plans... possible callings ... work I may have to do, for our plan, our aim, our vision ... which maybe I don't want to do, but God wants me to do.

And the bigger shadow ...

Early Morning Walk

What next?

With the gentler weather, come gentler times.
Yesterday's springlike softness became todays grey haze, and some garden work got done, some ponies got tidied up for half term pony club rallies, and some laundry got hung out on lines to billow in the breeze.
Planting with the moon, today I planted some cabbage seeds and some celeriac seeds. In fact, I inadvertently planted far, far too many celeriac seeds, losing concentration at the potting bench, so shall have some to share or sell, come the time!
The ground was dry enough, just, to hoe around some thriving garlic plants.
It's a time for great thought, as well, for dreaming dreams and knowing the time to live them is limited. For praying prayers and watching for the light, the guidance that confirms your dreams. For holding life itself in your hands, and saying 'thank you, Lord. I promise to use it well.'
Is life too full of tasks and lists and pressures and needs?
Where is the creativity that once thrived in my heart, my head, my hands?
When spring comes, will we be wandering the lanes, exploring their bounty, and breathing the sweet air, or cross about unplanted seeds, unweeded paths, unfinished lessons, unachieved targets, staying up late to replan schedules, and chastising ourselves for our poor efforts?
And from this, how are my children learning to live? In a life affirming swirl of worship, praise and thanks? Or in a knotted frown of frustrated striving?
How much can we change? How far from the dream?
What next?

Good Gardenstuff!

Great place here to join up and chat about gardens and growing.

Darn It.

Tough day. Not as bad as expected. Got through it.
Came home. Slept well for first time in weeks. Determined to have nice day.
One person who isn't happy unless there is drama, laid low until late today, and rattled my cage.
And I snarled.
Darn it.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Let guard down for a moment.
Now going to disappear from public view for a bit.
And just enjoy real life.

Thanks Jane. It arrived safely.

(that second one's the same spot as the last entry, by the way)

Snow Fun!

 

Every time ...

every time, she does it!
Sidle on over to my sidebar and go over to Walk Slowly, Live Wildly or ....visit Sara's Open House Oh my goodness, I am battling with that green eyed monster again!