Beautiful photos of Ambar and Tila Past

Daffodils

From olde English affodyle, early arrival.

I have filled the cottage with bunches of daffodils! It looks so lovely, spring-like and fresh.Yellow is the colour of hope.
Outside it is frozen and cold with white sheep pastures all around. Inside is yellow daffodils.
Yesterday was a very nice day in Hexham. Thank you Noah! I had lunch with the best cook I know and then we did errands around town in Hexham.
Noah found a small bed for Sofie! It was a former doll's bed.When we got back to his flat he made it up and added her special knitted blanky and she promptly plopped herself on it and loved it.I took a photo, it was so unbelievably cute a wee cat on a wee bed.
We then made an outing to Prudhoe a town further down the river Tyne. Noah had heard about a salvage place and charity shops...we were a bit disappointed but still we saw an amazing castle ruin on a hill by the river which we shall return to and explore in spring.
I bought duck eggs and daffodils in the market place, and a nice big baking bowl.Duck eggs are especially suited for baking. My specialty is Swedish visiting cake!

Winter weather

Dr Robert Woof

Tony Harrison

Last night an event was canceled due to winter weather. We were meant to go to Dove Cottage in Grasmere to see Tony Harrison read poems by Dr Robert Woof and his own poems also. An event to honour the late Dr Woof by a poet/playwright who very rarely makes appearances. A unique and special opportunity. Needless to say we were very disappointed BUT it has been re-scheduled to a month later which actually means that it will be lighter and will make travelling over to Cumbria nicer.So all is well so far...
The drive over there is gorgeous; first along the Roman road which follows Hadrians Wall then through the lake district with its high hills, valleys and lakes.The small sheep farms dotted around the place are very enticing and you cannot help but imagine yourself living there.

Snowstill

For the past couple of days and nights Britain has been brought to a standstill because of snowfall, airports closed, no buses running in London, motorways gridlocked for hours, schools closed...It was about 1 foot of snow at the most and lots of ice on the roads too.
I am laughing at it because after living in the States for as long as I did, at the most the children would get a snow day, buses still ran and trains and cars were on the roads the next morning. Okay there was a lot of shoveling but snowploughs had been out all night usually and people could get to work.
I love seeing the children sledding and having fun and it was on the news as quite an extensive report!
Snow is childhood. My memories just welled up of Swedish winters with plenty of snow and playing outside until toes froze and cheeks were bright red. So much fun and now I want to go out and play, see ya!

Imbolc

Today is Candlemas or St Brigid's day and Imbolc.
Brigid was the goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft.
Groundhog Day in the US comes from Native American traditions.
I am taking out the Solstice greenery and the Christmas cards come down! Finally.
Many do it on Twelfth night but I have heard it is bad luck and one should take it all down on Imbolc...Fire is a vital part of this day too and candlelight.
We have a strong Easterly wind blowing in from Siberia with masses of snow and ice. A blizzard! London has come to a standstill-no buses running,delays on underground and all roads chaotic. They say the worst in twenty years.
I will be going out later today to film in Tarset.