Looking out

on the Feast of Stephen.

The Holly and the Ivy

They decorated every room, from the kitchen 

where every lustre jug had its sprig in its mouth, 

every brass candlestick had its chaplet, 

every copper saucepan and preserving pan had its wreath of 

shining berries and leaves,

 through the hall, which was a bower of green,

to the two parlours which were festooned 

and hung with holly and boughs of fir,

 and ivy berries dipped in red raddle, 
left over from the sheep marking.

Holly decked every picture and ornament.

Sprays hung over the bacon and twisted round hams 
and herb bunches.

the clock carried a crown on his head,

and every dish-cover had a little sprig.

Susan kept an eye on the lonely forgotten humble things,

the jelly moulds and colanders and nut-meg graters,

and made them happy with glossy leaves.

Everything seemed to speak, to ask for its morsel of greenery,

and she tried to leave out nothing.

from The Country Child by Alison Uttley

Last minute forgetting

Up early

and down to the pine scented hall.

Out into the still quiet street.

Off to Borough Market.

Forgot the figs.

No matter.

Found these growing

outside Southwark Cathedral.

White stripes

Clean, clean, clean, clean

clean, clean,clean.

Clean, clean, clean, clean, clean.

And a dish of kumquats.

This was going to be

a bird boast post,
to show you the huge variety we have visiting our feeders.

wren, robin

bluetit, starling

magpie, blackbird

goldfinch, greenfinch

great tit, coal tit

house sparrow, tree sparrow

rook, goldcrest

even a greater spotted woodpecker.
Not to mention redwing, wood pigeon, ring necked parakeets.
But the one garden bird that remained elusive,
was:

the thrush.


Until today when I found

this.


We think he flew into our window.
So sad.

 First, Second and Third Ladybird Books of British Birds

illustrated by Allen W. Seaby and Roland Green M.B.O.U.,F.R.S.A  

Snow Ball

One of us

is preparing for a dinner party tonight.

A lavish menu has been planned

and every pot, pan, chopping board, knife,

ladle, worksurface, gadget,

and recipe book has been pressed into service.

The scene is set.

Guests to be seated by 8 p.m.

His younger brother's special champagne jellies

are in the fridge.

There may be dancing.

The rest of us are going out.

 It's pretty cold out there.

We hope that the Snow Ball will not go on until dawn.


Brambly Hedge Winter Story by Jill Barklem