Loopy Willow and Home-made Soup

We woke to a very cold day and were delighted to watch a sprinkling of snow falling, as we lay still snuggled in bed this morning. It was a day for soups and stews.

We went to the garden for the morning, wondering what we would be able to do, due to frost. We were well wrapped up.

Half the garden was in deep shadow, so after pulling out helichrysum, I was glad to get back to the sunshine for the following jobs. 

 I did a little weeding in the asparagus bed....the frost was melting in bright sunshine. Interestingly, the worms were very close to the surface, which in turn meant the robin wasn`t far away.

I weeded the path in the fruit net. The original chipped bark had completely rotted down and had made lovely rich loam. I threw this round the fruit trees and Steve replaced the chipped bark.

I found forgotten dahlia tubers still in the ground, rescued those and covered them up in the polytunnel.

All the garden furniture is now inside.

It was also a day to sit inside for a teabreak.

 

Now the leaves have dropped, it was possible to see the loopy weaving of the new willow growth.

The pond was frozen over.

Rabbits are digging everywhere, trying to get into the flowerbeds.

Not much growing there now anyway..

 Steve dug out more compost. It has rotted down really well but the present system is not nearly big enough for the size of the garden.

At least the huge pile is sinking down as it decays.

 This is an area for redevelopment in 2018.

 

I guess visitors who follow this blog, will be surprised to see what the garden looks like in winter.

Here are a few views.

 The little fairy yurt is stored indoors over winter.

We came home for very welcome home-made soup using one of our soup packs. Soup packs are made up of a mixture of veggies from times of plenty.

I can`t tell you how satisfying it is to follow up a morning of gardening, with soup made from our own vegetables.

It feels like a full cycle.

In the afternoon we went to a local beauty spot to collect pine cones for our wreath making. It was bitterly cold.

I

In this photo it is possible to make out the ribbon development of our village, Pett.

 

The craft fair in the village hall, last Saturday, went well. I had a stall and enjoyed it all. 

Anne came to help me and we spent a pleasant day catching up with friends, neighbours, ex-colleagues, ex-pupils and villagers. 

And there`s plenty planned for December.

I am excited about it all.

Our family celebrations start this weekend.