Thursday 20 March 2014

Spring has sprung.

It's been quite a week so far.   It was my birthday a few days ago and my husband gave me this very smart and comfortable if rather scary chair - it reminds me of the Mastermind one.  My old one had become very wobbly and I was convinced that if I kept using it the seat part would snap off and I would end up impaled one day!   We took a trip to Ikea to buy it and in true Ikea fashion it had a name - Malkolm.  It was love at first sight and I soon found that Malkolm was the most comfortable of all those on display.    My husband, who shuns modern trends,  found the experience quite traumatic and vows never to go there again!   The trauma was not quite over, as he had to assemble the chair when we got it home, but all's well that end's well and here I sit in splendour.


Other gifts included this beautiful machine embroidered blackbird..........

................. some lovely balloons ....................


and this beautiful box.
I had various other gifts including scented candles, art supplies, and chocolates from two of my grandsons.   My children called my grandmother White Granny, my own mother was Sweetie Granny and my husband's mother was Granny Dolly.  I think I'll probably end up being known as Fat Granny!

Even in the garden there were treats waiting for me.    Frogspawn at last - I had begun to give up hope of having any this year.  I hope the newts don't eat it all.

The kingcup is blooming with at least two more buds to look forward to.  I divided it a couple of years ago and it has taken a while to recover.

And the pulmonaria is out - always a welcome sight.
I have also seen buttercups, daisies galore, dandelions and even forget-me-nots in bloom.  It seems a bit early for them and I always think of them as April or May flowers.  Everything is bursting forth.

We have had some lovely days and I've even had lunch in the garden two or three times though I did need a jumper and jacket to ward off the chilly breeze.   There have been loads of butterflies - Clouded Yellows and Small Coppers I think and even a couple of Peacock butterflies - ladybirds, and plenty of bumble bees so I think it's official and whatever the weather does now, Spring has really arrived.

I think that my second cold virus, which came hard on the heels of the previous one, is on the way out and the awful lethargy which came with it is beginning to lift at last.   Hopefully I'll get the greenhouse up and running this weekend and do a bit of tidying among the herb pots on the patio.

12 comments:

Ro Bruhn said...

So glad you had a lovely birthday Heather. Love the chair, Ikea really has improved dramatically over the past few years. I visit there on a regular basis and always come home with something. Your other goodies sound good too.

sharon young said...

Sounds like you had a very happy birthday, Heather, love the chair, we've been looking for one for my DH but haven't found the right one yet, maybe a trip to Ikea is overdue.
Love the pics from your garden, Spring must have arrived.

Robin Mac said...

What a great birthday you had. That looks a very comfy chair. We don't have Ikea anywhere near us, so no hope of shopping there for me. Thaank goodness spring has arrived at last for you, your winter weather has sounded so miserable. Cheers

Maggi said...

What lovely birthday gifts Heather. I share your husband's aversion to Ikea but they can be so useful.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Happy birthday Heather - I have a very similar chair - mine came from the army at the Garrison, where it was army surplus and they sold them off cheap. It is very comfy at my computer.
Lucky you having kingcups out - ours are only in bud and today it is very cold indeed here. The cold weather is set to cover the whole country, moving in from the North - so get your winter woollies out.

Julie said...

Lovely birthday presents Heather for a lovely lady xx Your chair looks very comfortable. I noticed our wallflowers are coming into flower today and I have some lovely dwarf daffs out too. It's lovely to feel the warmth in the sun at last. I'm glad you're shaking off the awful cold viruses. My DH has been coughing for 3 weeks now and seems to have picked up a second virus. Have a lovely weekend and keep warm in the cold snap that's coming. x

Carol Q said...

your family do get you some lovely pressies for your birthdays Heather. I seem to remember you had some gorgeous gifts last year too. I have the same problem with Ikea- perhaps I'll pick you up and we'll go together next time lol. It is lovely to see the flowers coming out. My fave thing is being able to watch a local pair of peregrines who have returned again to Gloucester and that I can watch on a local webcam.

Kat Mortensen said...

I love pulmonaria!

That chair is fit for a Queen! Tell your husband I agree, Ikea IS a traumatic experience!

Those are lovely gifts. I bet I know who gave you the blackbird😉

Glad you had a good day.

Sara lechner said...

Dear Heather, a late happy birthday from me!!! In Austria I was last Friday at Ikea too. Such a pity we don't have it in Argentina, specially now that I'm getting the new studio. I dismissed the working (or NOT working) people I had and now I hope that a new troupe will work at finishing it!!!! a big hug from Sara

Linda Vincent said...

Well spring has definitely arrived for you Heather! You must have a delightful garden and I'm jealous of the frogspawn.
Looks like you had a good birthday with lots of treats and I hope Malcolm provides comfort and support for many years! :-D
I almost bought a pulmonaria yesterday....I think you have inspired me to go back and get one...love those colours.
X

Aussie Jo said...

I'm a bit late catching up with your news, hope you had a wonderful birthday and were spoilt completely by your family and friends. I think your birthday is a great chance to justifiably indulge yourself!

Maureen said...

Belated Happy Birthday Heather, that chair looks very important, I'm sure you'll spend many happy hours in it ( or him).