As winter calls for snuggling up with a good book, I thought I'd share a few of my personal favourites. With common themes of nature, gardening and seasons, I love these books for their storytelling, illustrations, language and photography. 1.The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett I'm sure many of you will already know this…
Normally, in July, at the height of summer, we can expect some decent downpours here. Just as the schools finish and the holiday season gets underway, the rain usually pops by to say hello just when we want it the least. Not so this July. The heatwave, which started some time way back when I…
I came home from work the other day and noticed that the first daffodil had finally flowered in my garden. Living where we do, it takes them a little bit longer to appear and with winter digging its' heels in, they were perhaps more reticent than usual to say hello. They were right to hesitate...as…
Sometimes, good things happen just by chance. As luck would have it, I had to take two days off last week as I am having to get a series of steroid injections in my hand and the doctor advises rest for 48 hours after each one. I know that doesn't sound like good luck, but…
In that lazy, hazy period between Christmas and New Year, me, hubby and Boris bundled into the car and took a drive to Rowallane Gardens, a National Trust property in Saintfield a few miles outside of Belfast. Having been 'cooped up' in the house for a few days, we were in need of some fresh…
It's dark and misty outside as I write this post late on December 21st, the shortest day of the year. Boris is snuggled up beside me on the sofa, the candles are lit and there is a lovely stillness and slightly melancholy feel to this time of day, a quiet moment of calm before we…
Can I let you into a little secret? ...I am not a huge fan of Christmas. I'm not entirely sure why, to be honest. And so, when we discovered earlier this week that our heating had stopped working at the coldest time of the year, the little festive cheer I had evaporated rather quickly. Thankfully,…
