A Happy Mothering Sunday to all mothers out there, especially mine, wherever she is in spirit. And to all cake bakers of all kinds - this little bear was a very special commission for my friend Miskellaneous, for her mother based on her own idea - I couldn't even begin to needle felt a tiny wooden spoon, so I had the 'onerous' task of buying a doll's house one, measuring a wee 2.5 cm.
It's been such a gorgeous day, and Spring is putting a very vigorous foot forward. My walks are full of activity and surprise - this is such a lovely and accidental shot. Not lovely because of my limited camera skills, but in the natural composition of the birds, two crows mobbing a buzzard who has infringed on their nesting area. It reminds me of a Chinese print in its perfect, graphic simplicity, (due entirely to fluke). The birds on the left with the downwards wings are the crows, bravely chasing off a bird of prey three times their size, on the right.
I seem to have developed a fairly vigorous foot myself, being up at 7.30 this morning, and quietly leaving a very tired Andy sleeping, to scurry off into the fresh sunshine. Recently I've been scouring the fields for hares, and this morning I caught my first one, a big chap dozing quietly on the sun baked earth. He blended in so well, that unless you were actually looking for him, you would probably not realise he was there. Lain like this, he looks exactly like a Victorian jelly mould. Alas, my zoom, as ever, is never long enough, so do click on the picture for a closer look.
Not content with my usual trot round the village, we went up to the Barrington and Sherbourne Estates, to see what was happening there. No hares, but a large gap where a much admired something used to be...
Notice anything missing? It's my nice green metal barn, possibly considered an eyesore by some, but a favourite landmark of mine on one of our regular walks. Andy says the farm is more in keeping with the landscape now, and I daresay he is right. But I loved that old carbuncle and its faded hideous green.
Last but certainly not least, many thanks to My Bella Bleu for featuring me on her blog, I have to admit I sometimes forget I sell cards and all that, but am always highly flattered when people say such nice things about my work and she has been very kind indeed.
