Simple Saturday

I spent all day in jeans and a fleece. It was great :) I enjoy getting dressed up when the occassion calls for it but, if I'm being honest, I'm often happiest gadding about in casual clothing.

The car boot loaded up with goodies

Today I finally got round to tackling the garden. It was hard work, partly because we were racing against the clock (we're back to GMT here, which means pitch black by 5pm) and partly because it had been neglected for so long.

The mangled beans that, if picked on time, could have made some tasty chutney were a sad sight. But it's a new season, and I have to move on. And on a cheerier note, I got to use the new gardening tools and gloves that my workplace gave me for my birthday.

We planted red, magenta, pink and white cyclamen in the main flower bed; beautiful, delicate flowers that herald colder days ... and Christmas. And we got the bulbs in - a new tulip bed, with funky pastel shades instead of last year's classic brights; and a variety of hyacinths in containers. I'm hoping the daffodils will bloom again, along with the mixed bulbs patch where our cherry tree used to be.

I love cyclamen

We went all the way to Stanmore to get our bulbs, from specialists Jacques Amand, as I figured local garden centres would be running out by now. But when we popped into one of the two we frequent to get the cyclamens and pansies, I saw that they had a wide selection - and they were cultivated especially for small gardens like mine. Oops.

As gorgeous as last year's tulips were, they flopped over prematurely as they were so tall - and they were from Jacques. Next year I think I'll keep it simple and stick to my local. Ah well - the drive there was gorgeous, thanks to autumn and its heavenly colours, so I maintain that it was worth it! It actually felt as though we were in the countryside until we were rudely awakened by a roundabout.

Winter pansies to bring some cheer
on dark days

I've still got some winter pansies to plant, which I'll tend to either tomorrow or Monday morning. They're hardy little things and I'm sure they'll be quite happy under our garden bench for a day or two. And the mixed patch needs weeding. The leaves I don't mind so much - it's the blotches of unwanted green that concern me.

On a random note, I found rosehips in my garden! Not enough to do anything productive, but it was exciting because I'd always wondered what they were ...

Me sparkling away - and looking
a little Michelin in my fleece!

In the evening we had a few sparklers to toast (yesterday's) bonfire night. It's not a big celebration for us but sparklers are always fun. We stood there in the cold, trying to write and draw with them while more impressive fireworks lit up the sky around us.

I managed to get some knitting done in between. It's a secret project so I have to find creative ways to work some rows, but my beloved needed a couple of hours to go home and get some work done so I took the opportunity to get out the knitting bag and wind some love while watching The X Factor (I know, I know - but it's good knitting TV!)

All in all, a good day. Simple, quiet and productive - the perfect Saturday after a stressful week.