Rainy Day

It rained again today. For a short while it was less heavy and we were able to go walking with the dog in the park but for most of the day the rain pelted down, bouncing off the streets.

I baked cinnamon buns. They turned out quite large but no one complained! DH always reminds me to put lots of raisins in and I do except for the ones for the grands because they prefer no raisins.
 

And now the day is done and the lovely evening stretches ahead. I'm reading a Maeve Binchy book of short stories. She wrote such interesting books and I think I own most of them. 

I hope your weekend is a peaceful and happy one.
                                                                                               
        Granny Marigold

SPRING

I know, I know.... it isn't even the middle of February yet and I'm convinced it's almost Spring!  

Are you a Wind in the Willows fan?  I discovered this delightful book when my children were small.
I am particularly fond of Mole. He seems like such a homebody  
    ( like me).


"Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing."
  Mole in The River Bank chapter of Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham.


My  yellow crocuses are up... that is a sign that the ground is thawed.  The yellow ones are always much earlier than the purples and whites.

I really didn't have much to blog about today. I just wanted to say hello.

   Thanks for coming by,         Granny Marigold
 

TEA CUP TUESDAY

I love pretty tea cups, tea pots, plates and dishes in general. If this subject bores you, don't continue to read,  please.
This little cupboard that my DH built a few years ago holds some of my favourites. ( As you can see, I seem to be collecting little jugs as well),

I thought I'd write about the four cups on the bottom shelf today. The one on the left has a grey border with assorted flowers on it and is slightly scalloped. Underneath is written 'made in England'.
The next one is a Queen Anne. Both the cup and saucer have pretty roses in red and almost orangey tones.

The delicate grey one on the left below was made in Japan. The circles have brightly coloured scenes of ladies and troubadours.
The last one is  made by Royal Chelsea and has a border of gold leaves on both the cup and saucer.

             This old sewing machine drawer holds a trio of cups that have no saucers.

                  Another small drawer holds napkins.

This gorgeous tea pot is my latest prize. When I saw it in the thrift store I fell in love with it. It is quite a big one and is in perfect shape.  Underneath it has the words "Arthur Wood & Son    Staffordshire, England

              As you can see, I've begun decorating for Valentine's Day.

Thanks for dropping by.   

  Granny Marigold

CANDLEMAS

If you were reading my blog a year ago you might recall me posting very much the same thing as I'm posting today but I think it is worthwhile, and, well, it is my blog.

Today, February 2, is Candlemas. Candlemas is one of the great cross-quarter days which make up the wheel of the year.  It falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and in many traditions is considered the beginning of spring.

A time of new beginnings
Main element of decor is obvious ( I couldn't find a photo of candles  so I chose one of Hellebores. They're very much a sign of spring.)

This is a photo of last year's Hellebores. This year's are only about six inches high yet but show promise of lots of flowers!!

Thanks for visiting.  It's always lovely to read your comments.  ..... hint.... hint.....

     Granny Marigold

Anjou Pears

Are you familiar with the variety of pear called ANJOU ?  I have very occasionally bought one or two when I've craved pears and found that the Bartlet often disappoints. By the time the outside is yellow the inside is too ripe. The Anjou stays firm, almost too firm.  The internet describes the Anjou as " egg-shaped, having almost no neck. The flesh of the Anjou is white and dense having almost a citrus flavour. " I don't know about the citrus flavour but it isn't a bad-tasting fruit at all.
Son #2 had a box of these pears given to him and not being a fan of pears at all he passed them on to me. I foresee more than a few Pear Pancakes in the weeks to come.

Here, in the background ,you can see that my two .99 Primroses are still looking good!!

Walking in the park I discovered clumps of moss that someone had gathered and then discarded. Of
course I had to pick it up and bring it home. I had enough to fill this shallow dish...

and also to put under this cloche with some of my Quail eggs. I hope by misting the moss daily it will stay nice and green for a while.

Almost looks like an Easter display??  I'll have to look for more moss come April. In our damp climate moss is not hard to find. 

                                                       Granny Marigold

WELCOME FEBRUARY

Some pages from The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden. She quotes
"One month is past, another is begun,
Since merry bells rang out the dying year,
And buds of rarest green begin to peer,
As if impatient for a warmer sun."

Aren't we all impatient for a warmer sun!!

Have a Magical Weekend

                                                                                              I HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A MAGICAL WEEKEND.