eight, and more

A run of home days, and they were sunny. Thinking how lovely it is when you can sit outside with a cup of tea in the sun. One of life's smallest and loveliest of pleasures. I have a favourite place to sit, on some steps across the bridge looking out at the garden. The morning sun hits that spot first once a certain point in the year is reached, and it's been so long since I sat there! The cat stretched out beside me on the warm enough stone and the little girl that is my daily shadow was not far away either.



I flung my windows open and let the pale warm sun and spring air move through.



Chives, so many clumps!



Wild garlic. I am LOVING seeing this tiny walkway by the stream fill up again with these tender pointed arrow-like-leaves. The Man was felling some dead trees there this past weekend and and the scent released as the wood hit the ground beneath was amazing!



Is it time again to start up Free Food Friday I wonder? It's profuse and amazing and just walking there fills the air with it's sweet onion 'taste'. What is so giddy and joyful and satisfying to me is having been in this one place now long enough to see it again and again and again.



In years past I have made garlic butter, garlic pesto, garlic bread, garlic soup.... and added it to salads, stews and such (at the last minute, bit like spinach). Since I don't 'do' dairy or grains any longer, I will see what else I can add it too this year. I have some ideas..... the crackers I made here might be good whizzed up with garlic leaves too before being spread to dry, or maybe in omelettes with chives?



Sunny Spring garden time. I cleaned up the pond and the cat was most interested. I do like cats. Never much used to until I had my own. They are much more human-like than dogs I think. They have this selfish almost self indulgent nature at times, but have such proud and graceful bearings with it that make you forgive the former less like able characteristics instantly. They say without apology, yes of course I shall bask in the sun, sleep and eat at leisure, shouldn't we all? Then rub alongside you with love, or curl up the chair you just vacated, almost trying to embody your warmth and scent. Such funny animals. But everyone here still lusts for a dog. The selfless, friendly love you to death sort, with mud and hairs and actual body odor. My mother's dog has such a malodorous odour that it might have put me off dog ownership for life had I not realised that *other* dogs actually don't smell. I am getting there I think. Probably before the year is out we may find ourselves with swelling number of bodies in this house.







Lastly, but the best thing of all, Felix turned eight! What a treasure he is. Such a gentle happy little boy. So easily excited and pleased. At the end of his birthday he said he was a bit sad that it was over, when it had been such a Good Day.

Happy Birthday Felix, we love you :)