Saturday walk in the park

It was such a lovely, day yesterday, even if it was rather cold!  The rest of the house were sleeping so I took myself off to the park with Percy.

Some flowers left on a memorial bench.

Percy on alert.

I was amazed to see blossom coming out on some of the trees in the water garden.

I am sure they are far too early, but this is probably a reflection of the weather & temperatures we have been having.

Oops, he almost fell in here!

What?  My tongue ain't long!

See...it isn't long at all!

Ducks on the lake

Sitting down taking in some of the sunshine while Percy has a look at his surroundings.

Such a fun little companion.

More birds on the water.

Some geese enjoying the water.

It is another lovely day here today as well, although must be a lot colder as there is now frost on the ground!

A Pause in Advent - Two

Joining Floss from Troc Broc & Recup  and friends in taking time out from the rush and panic of Christmas to pause, reflect and enjoy Advent.  

Today is the second Sunday in Advent,and we have been continuing to take things fairly easy, although have a fairly busy week ahead.

I have been enjoying the daily little ornaments to hang on my little wooden Advent tree, and having fun with the Christmas Elf.  Surprisingly even my husband has got into the swing of things with that little Elf.  

The Community Choir I belong to and the Wednesday afternoon singing group have been full of preparation for Christmas Carol Concerts and I am looking forward to these.  We had an impromptu performance last Wednesday afternoon which was very enjoyable indeed.

No real profound words of wisdom or advice from me, just moving through the days with a gentle casualness that I hope will extend over the whole of this season.

I was watching a squirrel in the garden today getting on with his business...and marvelled at the wonder of nature and wildlife so thought I would share these pictures with you.

A few roses, some not at their best but still bravely flowering.  Most have been pruned back, but I try to keep a few flowering all year round to add a splash of colour to brighten the darker days.

Some more decorating will hopefully be happening this week.  There is no rush, what will be done, will be done.

Advent Day Seven

The little ornaments are increasing on the wooden Advent tree.  Today's was a little snowman.

It seems that finally another member of the family has got into the spirit of the Christmas elf, as today when I got up to move him, he had already moved!

I discovered him sitting on the roof of the dolls house.

A rose for December...I braved the cold this morning to take this photo.

Oh and the woodpecker came back for another visit yesterday afternoon.

Last week in November - Gosh!

We still have a rose bravely flowering, which is nice considering how awful the weather is at the moment. A little bit of colour and brightness to light up the grey fog that seems to surround me at the moment.

I am working on my clearing, sorting and paying off still, albeit very slowly having been waylaid slightly by, first my surprise trip to Paris and secondly by the dreaded lurgy that struck me a few days after my return.   Hopefully on the mend now, just need to find some oompf!  I think I used up all my energy stores on my weekend away.

I have listed another 16 or so items on Evilbay last night so hoping they will sell and have a box of 'stuff' to take to the local CS.

I am joining in again this year with Floss and her 'A Pause in Advent' which starts next weekend.  I think this will do me a world of good this year especially as we are hosting Christmas at our place for a change as my MIL is finding it more difficult to do.  Of course that also means I have to clear space for a dining table, as we cannot really all fit round our little kitchen table comfortably!  Hopefully the thought of this will inspire me and give me some of that oompf I keep looking for.

 DS1 is doing very well at his cadetship course and has passed all of his exams with flying colours so we are really proud and pleased for him.  The next few weeks he is working on all his short practical courses such as first aid, fire fighting etc...  

It is strange the things that suddenly fly past you as you are typing on the computer!  This must be a first...

Yes that is right, a butterfly...now how often do you see these in late November I wonder?  Not sure how it got inside the house.