Signs of Spring . . . .

. . . . but a big freeze is on its way from Finland.  Nice of them to share it! 

First, a Christmas rose . . .

. . .or two (or three) . . .

. . . food for the blackbirds  (these apples are all very small, that's why they didn't get eaten by the local humans) . . .

. . .touch of purple . . .

. . .  and of white . . .

. . . and two nice smelly ones, a sweet shrub  . . ( I can't remember the name of this one, though a kind blog reader told me it last year when I asked if anyone knew it.  Are you still there?)

. . . and a rose.

A very big thank you . . .

. . . . to everyone who has left a comment in recent weeks.  My apologies for not being able to cope with thanking each of you individually which I am sure I should really. Thanks especially to 'Cat', who has given me a sunshine award, but I've not been able to get to your blog, Cat, I get a page saying access is restricted.  People have said some very nice things.  I feel rather humble!  Unfortunately I've also had some very dubious links arrive, which have been rejected, and 2 in Chinese, which might have been interesting to put on, but Google translator didn't give me anything I could make sense of, so I am sorry, they do not appear.
I've been taking and uploading pictures lately, so will be doing a bit of catchup.
So some signs of spring to lift our spirits - things are alive out there, and trying to catch up the 2 weeks that they are behind apparently, compared to other years, because of all the cold weather the UK has been having.

This bush smells absolutely beautiful.  I don't know what it is called.  I've put some in the bathroom!

Next door's mimosa tree that hangs nicely over our garden and makes us believe it is ours.

And to feed the body as well as the soul - the rhubarb is looking promising!

After the paper making at the craft activities at our church I had a bit of pulp left over - only enough to make about 90 A5 sheets!!!!