February 2023 - A Seasonal Diary
Hello February!
Oh February or Solmanath as the Old English called you. (Mud Month -That makes perfect sense, the Old-English were a literal kind of folk) you are neither wanted nor despised, there is nothing remarkable about you, you do not carry with you the complete misery of a long January but you’re not exactly a piece irresistible chocolate cake either. You are short which I suppose is a blessing. But, thankfully this year you have brought us much in the way of distraction. (I’ll not mention the awful news and devastation you’ve brought around the world, lets stay in our cosy little bubble whilst we can.) Your first week or two were spent hunkered inside keeping toes warm and decorating the hallway / studio area. I have a blog post here if you would like to see it. My entire card collection has moved to a printers so an awful lot of time was spent bent like quassy modo over the computer changing website info and organising the files. I’m so glad that’s over but I have it all to do with the prints next. February, you have brought us another baby boy, thank you! Our little family is expanding and we can’t wait to meet you in the summer little one.
At least now finally there are flowers, our bulb bed in the allotment has gone from a few poking leaves to a glorious display of white crocus. The 3 Helebores have all flowered in the front garden, the primrose has been out giving it a good go all winter and for some reason the Brunera has shown itself already. The lighter mornings have been such a blessing, a long walk to the beach before Ted and The Farmer wake is the little gift I’ve been giving myself most mornings. Trying to catch the sun rise and see the view go from dark to dawn is magical. I’ve also caught a good glimpse of a hunting barn owl and a bunch of deer running accross the field. (Bunch is the collective noun for deer, I googled it.) We spent a lovely Saturday at Dayne’s Dyke (An ancient woodland by the beach near where we live), there was snowdrops and lots and lots and lots of fairy holes in the trees. Ted was upset to learn all the fairies were sleeping. Oh and how could I forget! We welcomed our first lambs this month! We have 4 so far, it’s so exciting. My favourite day of the month though had to be the Sunday, The Farmer worked all day which left me and Ted fending for ourselves, we spent the whole day in the garden, it was blissfully calm and not that cold, we fed and played with the chickens and lots of mud, we weeded paths and put potatoes on the windowsill to chit. We watched the birds and ate chocolate biscuits and we rounded the day off with a coffee and choccy milkshake sat on the outside step watching the blackbirds call out bed time.
Things I’ve been enjoying and buying this month…
The Library - I discovered a small book of poetry by A.E. Housman and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. His rhyming-song-like poems are profound yet soothing to read, there are lots of sad ones about the war but also a very cute one about spring which made me happy.
Three Ridings Coffee - I love a coffee made with our new-ish smug person barista machine and I’ve found a local company to Brid that roast beans just down the road from where I buy our food. I couldn’t be happier about it.
S.W. Botanicals - I’ve just ordered some new scents for our home diffuser to carry us into spring by my fabulous Instagram friend Phoebe.
Katie’s Bookshelf - I’ve treated myself to 3 books from Katie so i’m not low on bed time entertainment for a while. At £4 each you can’t go wrong.
What has Mud Month brought for you? I would love to know, tell me in the comments below...