Friday, July 24, 2015

The First Signs of Spring


This winter has been one of the coldest I can remember. It was a little delayed in arriving but then came out of nowhere with a chilly blast that had us keeping the fire in the stove going all day and night. The morning chores were a bulky affair with layer after layer of clothing being required, including scarves, gloves, beanies and hoods. We came close to frost, and whilst those of you who have experienced snow are probably laughing, for this coastal raised girl it was way too cold.


But now winter seems to have deserted us. Packed up overnight.
The last day or two has been mild, sunny and even a tad warm whilst working in the sun in the middle of the day.
We haven't lit the fire for a few evenings and yesterday at my potting table I put in capsicums, zucchini and tomato seeds. By the time the seedlings are big enough to be planted out I believe the ground will be warmer, and I'll have a head start on the Spring garden.


These snap dragons are providing beautiful winter colour in the vegetable garden at the moment. They've long been on my wishlist and I am so happy with them, I think they'll have to make an appearance every year.



You'll remember our egg drought? Well it ended a few weeks ago when our Sussex hens and the Plymouth Rock crosses started laying. It's so enjoyable checking the nest boxes once more and having cartons of eggs in the fridge whenever we want them. I plan on setting some in Spring so hopefully we will have more Sussex pullets by next Autumn.


The Autumn chicks are growing, with this little chap being selected as a replacement Rooster when he grows up. Keeping young roosters in with the hens seems to boost their morale and productivity.

This place will be bursting with babies in a few months time with the cows due to calve next month, and the sheep following a month or two after that. I'm hoping for Spring rains so that the new babies will have green grass to enjoy, and I'm also hoping the babies will be safe from predators like they were last year. 

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Is the weather being crazy at your place or are the seasons as they should and changing slowly?
What are you up to on the weekend?
You might like to bake this lemon slice (like I hope to), check out this creative new blog Dolly Henry (in the age of Instagram I feel it's important to support new blogs) or get out into the garden and enjoy the sunshine.
Whatever you chose, enjoy! x


12 comments

  1. Hi Sarah, I've just received this post via my e-mail account which I was so delightful to read. I purchased about 18 months ago two little hand knitted ponies from you (pink and blue) which we treasure. How wonderful to see you have a blog, I certainly will be reading as often as I can. Just love the gorgeous photos of your precious babies, I'm so envious as I've always wanted to have some chickens, perhaps one day..... Hope to pop by very soon. Have a wonderful weekend, very mild on the Coast today:) Linda (Parkwood Gold Coast)

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    1. Hi Linda,
      It's so lovely to hear from you! I'm so glad to hear that you are still enjoying those two little bamboo ponies :-)
      Chickens are great fun, I hope you get to own some one day! Xx

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  2. Look at your happy animals Sarah! Oh and that lovely light! The mention of your potting table has given me itchy fingers to get my spring/summer vegetables seeds happening. Normally I wait until later but something tells me I need to get planting early this year. Perhaps I am just impatient. Wishing you a lovely weekend x

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    1. Thank-you Jane! Yes I have that same urge with the veggies this year too and I've taken the plunge and planted the seeds. Although the cold has returned so I'm wondering if my ability to predict the weather is very poor? :-D

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  3. Beautiful snapdragons and lovely for you to have in the winter. Over here they're summer flowers and the garden is pretty bare.

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    1. Further south they are Spring flowers here too, just up in the North it doesn't get that cold. (so they tell me, I still feel it terribly!)

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  4. I'm just catching up here and as ever enjoying everything you share.

    It does seem odd that we have identical snap dragons in our gardens, given that it's summer here and winter where you are, but then it's only been 15 degrees centigrade today, we aren't exactly enjoying seasonal weather!

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    1. Oh it's interesting to hear that the weather is being unseasonal on your side of the world too! Snapdragons are Spring flowers further south, we are lucky that we get to enjoy them in winter up our end of the country :-)

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  5. Snap, I have a 'first signs of spring' post sitting in my drafts waiting to be finished! It is so exciting to have the warmer weather on it's way. Visiting your blog is one of my favourite things to do over my morning coffee. Love your photos and the way you write. I checked out Dolly Henry, it's lovely!

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    1. Oh thank-you so much for your delightful comment! It made my day when I read it! Dolly Henry is lovely, I'm looking forward to watching it grow :-)

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing Sarah! :-)

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Maira Gall