Another Slice.......

Hello girls, hope you all enjoyed the Easter break.

It was a very relaxed time in the Sweet Birdy Love household.

The weather was perfect, although I did find it cool enough on Saturday that I needed (most definitely needed, hehe) to light the wood stove for the first time this year......love it.

And the biggest thrill of all was spotting the first Flame Robin of the season. Actually there were 3 of them, 2 males and a female.

 I had to look twice, they're rather early, but very welcome.

In fact there were several sightings over the weekend.....

I also watched some of the 'Cranford' series with Judi Dench and I think this, along with the cooler temps has influenced my latest little stitchery......

'As the harshness of Summer gave way to

mellow Autumn days she found

 herself dreaming of evenings spent

by the fireside with nothing 

more than a ball of yarn

 and the rhythmic clicking 

of her knitting needles for

company.....'

Guess what I'm going to be doing soon?

This gorgeous, green blanket is one of my latest op shop finds.

 The green is somewhat brighter than the photo shows.

I couldn't resist making a little sewing needle book in between other projects today.

My bulb order arrived yesterday, prompt service I must say.

I'm quite pleased that I got my order in before it was too late.

I ordered Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, Freesias, Dutch Iris and received a bonus of some extra Daffodil bulbs.

Now I just have to figure out where I am going to plant them all, but I think I'll find room!!

Our little op shop has moved into a larger room and seems to be getting quite alot of attention.

It's open 3 days a week but hours will increase when there are more volunteers to man it.

I picked up this sweet little leaf dish for 20c, it's fine china and made in Japan.

After a long, hot Summer, the cooler temps and recent rain have made gardening an option.

 So, Easter Monday, armed with my rusty I mean trusty secateurs I got busy and once I started pruning, I couldn't stop.

Green against green it's a little hard to see how much I cut off the shrubs, but there were 3 groaning barrow loads taken out to the paddock.......

I certainly felt alot better after spending a couple of hours in the shrubbery.

Cattle moving from one property to another had me watching carefully as they wandered along the verge.

We planted 2 young Liquid Ambers as part of No. 1's 21st. birthday pressie last year and I was a little concerned these rather large beasts would take a liking to the greenery.

Fortunately, they weren't interested, but a well placed hoof would've been all it took to do some serious damage.

I love the times when the local farmer moves his stock.

 Often he is on horse back and cracking his whip.

 The noise alone keeps them moving, but he had roped in family members home on holidays to help out.

The Camp David roses are putting on a final Autumn flush.

Can you smell the perfume?

It's intoxicatingly beautiful.

Think I might have to bring  a couple inside so I can enjoy their beauty......

I also managed to crochet 3 rounds on my granny square blanket which I started oh, about 2011 I think.

It's been slow going I know.

A bout of RSI due to my over enthusiastic crocheting technique calmed me down at the start.

 I hope to finish it in the next few weeks....it's large enough to throw over my legs, but I want to curl up and snuggle underneath it, so more work required...

So a little bit of crafting, gardening, relaxing and chocolate eating has been going on here....and now here we are in April...

So what did you get up too over Easter?

Did you eat too much chocolate?

Thanks for coming over to visit, it's always nice to hear from you......

Take care,

Claire

 x ♥ x

P.S. my latest stitchery and sewing needle book are for sale on my Facebook page if you are interested. Just pop over there for more details.....