HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR AND PLEASE MAY 2016 BE MORE PEACEFUL - BUT THAT MIGHT BE TOO MUCH TO ASK.

Is it really Christmas?

It doesn't feel a bit Christmassy to me, but I've done this ............

and this ....... (My daughter made me the felted crow in the twigs)

and this ..........

and this ........... 

as well as this, to get into the mood.   I prefer the garland to go round the bannister rail but when you are old codgers - as we are - you need the rail to hold onto.

I took these photos at 9 o'clock this morning.  It was so dark and gloomy I needed the light on for some.
It's a bit brighter now and not raining for the moment, but we had a torrential shower not long ago and everywhere is once again sodden.   I keep seeing wonderful pictures in magazines of seedheads, etc., sparkling with frost.  Ha!  No chance.  We do have a cherry tree almost in full bloom, polyanthus and buttercup in flower.   I have seen daisies in lawns, primroses, daffodils and all sorts of things that shouldn't be awake yet.  I hope there will be some daffs for Easter and with the lack of frost I wonder if we will get any crocus or snowdrops this year.  The snowdrops are usually the first to poke their leaves out of the soil but there is no sign of them yet.  Magazine editors will have to restructure their contents if this weird weather continues.

Whatever the weather I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.   Keep safe and well.