Spring is on the way

In my last blog which seem ages ago I mentioned how the which hazel had come into flower and the smell was wonderful well this is a photo of the tree. The photo was taken in the morning but it is still looks like night, it was so dull and over cast. The weather is warmer and the mornings and evenings are much lighter, even the mornings I get up extra early to go swimming are lighter. Today in the shop I didn't have to wear my scarf and waist coat things can only get better. Spring has come to the shop, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths pussy willow catkins and broom are making lovely bouquets. There seems to be a lot of births since the new year and they have been nearly all boys, it lovely doing baby arrangements. Equally there have been a lot of funerals which can be a lot of work. A lot of people opt for donations not flowers and although not good for business I think its a good idea. Robert and I are having the week of from the 1st of March so this week at work it all go to get ready for mothering Sunday.

Working full time, a good active church life, keeping house, swimming 4 times a week my own garden you would think I had enough to do. But our old neighbour who moved last November got in touch with me to see if I would like to have a go in his new garden where they have moved to. When I say new garden its very old and neglected and over grown, but I could only see what I could do with it so said yes. Its an old rectory and a bit run down but the new owners are restoring it very tastefully. There is to much for me to do and some big trees to saw down so there is a man in the village who help around the ground and other duties. I made a start Monday forgot the camera whats new, and after 5hours could see a difference. I have started with the boarders ether side of the front porch. One side is full of chines lanterns I got two bags full of their roots, the other side border is full of butter cups both have got to come out, a long job. I enjoyed finding plants when I raked away inches of rotting leaves and dead foliage. I'm aching a bit today but felt better after a swim. I hope I can do the job quick enough for the owners once a week may not get the job fast enough.

Valentines day over

Well, glad that's over for another year. Its been a busy time, still the red rose proved to be popular. Its a nightmare deciding what to get in for people to buy for their loved ones. I made arrangements from as little as £12 with mixed bunches from £3.50. My most expensive thing was 50 red roses with teddy and chocolates and a balloon. I took my camera with good intentions of taking lots of photo's but after three the batters went flat, and after replacing them the next day just didn't get time to take any.

We had extra help from Cathy and Joan who are both at collage doing a florist course. As part of their course they have to do so many hours in a florist shop, a real eye opener for them both. I was so glad of their help and they both said they learnt a lot. Cathy has worked for us before and just gets stuck in.

Not everybody wants red, pink was a popular colour and this simple design seemed to pleased a lot of buyers. Its a good design for the forth coming Mothering Sunday at the end of March.I have Broom in this arrangement the smell is wonderful I have a large square glass vase full of it at home with some tulips simple but I love it.

Even though the mornings and evenings are getting lighter I seem to have spent all last week in the dark, up early and home late so with the sun out today I took the dogs for a walk at 9.30 and when I came back thought I would do some gardening and never went back in doors till 1.55. Had a great day did a lot of clearing. The which hazel scent was with me all day now that it wasn't frozen up.

the joy movie

http://www.thejoymovie.com/ click on this to get cheered up on these cold days. Enjoy Vicki

snow on snow

I know for a lot of people snow is common place but here real thick snow like to day is rare. They are saying the worst for 18 years. As it is my day off today I don't mind it but will think twice tomorrow when I try to get to work. I took the dogs out who didn't seam to mind it in fact scampi rolled in it and had one of her mad dash round. She doesn't look so white against the snow so later in the day I gave her a bath, I was going to do it yesterday but the day slipped by.

Scampi having a mad dash round with tom looking amazed at seeing her move so quickly

Scampi now lagging behind.

I saw the tyre tracks in the snow and wondered if it was Robert and as we got near to the farm he was coming through the gate. Tip who recons to be going deaf and loosing her sight was the first to spot him, its selective hearing. Tom was to busy with one of his many sticks (you can see it in the photo) trying to get scampi to Chase him, to notice Robert at first but when he did went running as if he hadn't seen him for a week. I thought he would want to go with him but he was having to much of a good time. Robert had been getting hay from the farm to feed the sheep he looks after for the estate. Its a wonder we get to go anywhere the amount of times the dogs stop to have a sniff.

The big chestnut tree looks very grand covered in snow, the ground beneath is covered in snow drops all out of sight at the moment.

Walking back, Tip is always in front on the way back

The back of the big house looks good in snow

The front of our house, Fallon lives in the tower above the old horse carriage stables, Tip still in the lead stopping to make sure we are all coming.

Back home in the garden. I don't often watch the news on the TV but at lunch time turned it on to see the weather. It seems the snow has caused a major stand still in the whole of the country. Dispite the weather warnings we are not ready or prepaired for adverse weather , no trains, buses, planes, schools are off ,work force hasn't turned up and the lack of road clearing equipment makes you not want to venture out. I should be going to church tonight to my foundation course but I hope its cancelled as I don't trust the roads to be clear. Its not stopped snowing all day and the weather man tells us there is still plenty on the way. Watch this space.

God lives in the post office

My friend Lynda sends me lovely things all the time, thought I would like to share this with you.

God lives in the Post Office This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words: Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.
A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , ' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I' m easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God

A day out with baby Hannah

I can't believe its a year since our lovely baby Hannah was born where has the year gone. Her mum and dad had a party for her but I was unable to go as I was at work, so on the Sunday after the wedding Fayre I headed of to Coventry to my sisters where they were having a party and Hannah was staying the night so we could have the day together on Monday.

After a lazy start to the day playing and opening presents, we decided to go to Coomb Abbey a 450 acres country park, woodland, lakes and beautiful gardens. Its origin is 800 years old a cistercin abbey, after a very exciting history its now a very expensive hotel. We took Hannah to the children's park and she had her first swing and squealed with excitement. We took bread for the ducks and swans that surrounded us so noisily Hannah's eyes were as big as saucers. We strolled through the park Hannah in her pushchair holding my had as we looked at the birds and squirrels. They were so tame they took bread from my hand. we had a late lunch in the cafe cheesy chips and a bacon sandwich, Hannah had puree veg and a treat of a small piece of baby chocolate. I think there was more on the floor and table than actually went down her throat, but she seamed to enjoy it giggling and smiling the whole time. My sister is so great with her you can see the love she has for her every waking moment, Nikki (her mum) is very lucky to have such a good Nannie. We visited the shop. Julie brought her a soft toy of a blue tit that made the song of the tit when you pressed it. We had a lovely day and I was sad to leave after tea.

Hannah in her new coat, it was a cold day but the sun did come out for a short while.There was so many more birds than this the seagulls were a pest pinching as much bread as they could.

The gardens, hotel and lake.

January wedding fayre

Last Sunday one of the large hotels popular with weddings held a wedding Fayre and we were asked if we would like to take part. It meant all day Saturday I could play about making brides bouquets using lovely flowers. (I have a great job). At these events there is so many styles and designs you could do and there is always somebody wanting to see something you haven't done, but I take our photo album where there is a large variety of photo's from my past work. I like to have a look around at the other traders, some of the cake stands are amazing the designs so delicate. There was a fashion show with most amazing dresses and they asked us if we would let some of the girls walk on with our bouquets and I must admit it showed them off much better than just on a table. I always make myself a wrist corsage out of fressia so I can have the lovely smell on me all day. to promote our shop we give all the brides who take an interest a pink Gerbera with our shop name and phone number on as our business card. Its quite tiring and I must say I get a bit frustrated with some of the people when they are not getting married until 2011, its such big business.

This was a simple design large red rose with some feathers and pearls around the outside

Pink rose, baby calla, fressia and gray eucalyptus

White rose, white lily with dimonties and again fressia and a darker foliage french ruscuss.These were stunning pink roses no foliage each one had a pearl in the center and edged with a pearl ring.

I made this one a heart shape with St Valentine day ever approaching, with red roses with dimonties in the centre and gave it the rustic look with soft twigs from the silver birch tree.