We have snow here in the Castle. We woke up to it early yesterday. What a shock. Snow in November. It’s much too soon. I’d seen the weather forecast of course, but was expecting only a spot of sleet that would soon melt away with the global boiling, not several inches of real snow, the sort perfect for snowballs.
Anyway, it’s not the snow I’m grateful for, but I do love the brilliant blue sky it’s brought with it. And also this golden Rowan tree in its white cocoon. It stands just outside our garden, and provides us with some borrowed treescape. And it, in turn, has recently been much loved by the birds, especially the blackbirds. Before the snow came they were busily stripping the stems.
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I’ll miss the berries when they’ve gone. On bright autumn days they light up like jewels. This is how they looked in early October. A tree full of joy. Thank you, Rowan.
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The snow fall also focused my eye on the latest garden addition: a Jelly King crab apple tree. Yesterday morning while sitting at the kitchen table eating my porridge, I could see its clutch of red apples glowing like little beacons at the bottom of the garden. Time for a photo then, and to say how very pleased I am with this Halloween birthday gift from my other half. Thank you, Graham.
It came a few days before my birthday, delivered in a tall box to the front doorstep, whither I was directed to investigate the new arrival. Once I’d broken through the cardboard, I was surprised to find the little tree had come with eight tiny apples still firmly attached. There were also a dozen loose ones in the bottom of the box, sadly not quite enough to make crab apple jelly, but filling me with high hopes. I decided to keep them as a spur to locating a wild tree. I thought I knew where there was one. And so it proved. Last week I found a fine crop of fallen apples in a patch of woodland on the way to the builders’ merchants. We now have crab apple jelly. No need to wait for the little tree to do its stuff then.
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And speaking of stuff – we still have some of the salad variety growing outdoors and in the greenhouse.
This year I’ve grown Red Radicchio endive. For the past few weeks it’s been growing fatter by the day, and as temperatures lower, the more red it becomes. I’ve been plucking the outer leaves with hopefully plenty more to come. In the greenhouse I have tubs of red Chinese mustard, Moroccan Cress which grows like a cut and come again lettuce and a few oakleaf lettuces. Also some lettuces out in the garden, though they may have succumbed to the snow. Likewise the marigolds. But it makes me very happy to find a bowl full of fresh salad leaves in late November. Thank you, garden.
And one little plant that is standing up to the snow, once I’d dug it out it earlier today:
These sweet little hearts ease type pansies have been flowering for weeks and weeks in a pot on the garden steps. And they’re still going strong. They were a gift from my sister. Thank you, Jo.
Lens-Artists: Gratitude This week Tina sets the theme, both timely and thoughtful. Please visit her ever lovely blog.
Marvellous, I love this post and its paean to productivity. Such envy-inducing photos too!
A paeon to productivity – I love the way you put that, Margaret. Thank you.
Lots to be grateful there Tish. And I’m grateful for the lovely photos you share.
Aw, that’s v. touching, Jude. But you put your finger right on why wordpress keeps so many of us here – the sharing of the good things in life. Tx
I agree. We all moan a lot about WP but I’m so grateful for the virtual friends I’ve met here. Jude – you’re among the next I hope!
Well said!
I saw a post from Chester… Snowing up there as well. Someone even posted a video. Yes, unusual.
Nothing to keep my mother from taking the dog for a walk though!
Was in the mid thirties here in Johannesburg. Way too warm to garden. 😉
A warm garden would be lovely, though to be fair we did actually sit out in the garden to have our elevenses a week ago. Sun was blissful. Down to minus 5 tonight.
22:06 and my phone says the temp outside is 22 degrees.
Celeste has just made some tea and there’s some orange cake so we are going outside for our ‘tenses’
😊
Our tenses are involving bowls of hot porridge. Celeste’s orange cake sounds v. appealing 🙂
It was…!
Beautiful images of a beautiful bounty Tish! Love the snow pictures.
It’s hard to beat a few snow pictures. The light today was glorious. I need to get up in the hills. Maybe tomorrow.
If you do, please share your pictures.
Of course 🙂
Lovely. Just lovely. Even the sight of snow! Mostly, though, the reminder to be thankful.
Thanks, Sarah. Yes, being thankful – to be our first, rather than our last resort. Not always easy of course.
Great great photos. I love that snowy tree shot. 👏
It was a VERY snowy tree! Thanks, John.
We had our first dose today just as I was about to pick Mrs H up from work. Within 5 mins everywhere was covered and the temperature dropped from 2c to zero, hate the stuff personally!
Yes, it’s not good if you need to get out and about. V. cold outside tonight and all the half melted stuff turned to ice.
Tish, what a lovely post and beautiful gallery. I loved the photos.
Many thanks, Egidio.
pretty
Thank you.
It’s snowing here today and I agree, much too soon. Snow should be banned until December. The day AFTER Thanksgiving is permissible. However, your photos encourage me to see snow has an upside. 😉
Hello, Pam. Happy to provide an upside 🙂
Beautiful shot of snow on the shrub.
Thanks, Rebecca.
You’ve been busy!
🙂
What a thoughtful present, Tish, and a belated happy birthday from me. I know you didn’t enjoy the snow, but I love the beauty of it in your photo. It made me smile to see the other things that have kept on growing and providing you with beauty and/or food. ❤️
Many thanks for the birthday good wishes, Janet. And you’re right about the snow’s beautiful moments. V. frosty here this morning and the remaining snow all iced up. Warmer days ahead though.
A lovely post for this challenge, Tish. I love the red berries in the snow. A beautiful photograph that deserves a place on a wall.
Last night, we received our first snowfall of the season. Judging from your photos, you received a lot more snow than we did.
Many thanks, John. Yes, we had quite a snow fall, so early in the season too. If they’re going to happen at all, late December-January are the more usual times for the first winter snowfall. The weather gods are very confused. The temps are shooting up several degrees later this week.
It’s lovely to see your new garden thriving under your care and bringing you so much joy!
Many thanks for popping by, Sarah 🙂
This is the sweetest post Tish! I loved every one of your examples and your gratitude for each of them. The snow is gorgeous altho I doubt it lasted very long. And your little tree story and image brought me a big smile. Wonderful response!
So pleased you enjoyed this piece, Tina. Many thanks.
I’m relishing looking at that snow – 37C (98F) degrees in Melbourne today. Lovely photos.
Gosh, Flavia, 37C, that’s hard to imagine here in Bishop’s Castle, although the snow is almost gone now. In fact I don’t think we were ever that hot in Kenya.
It’s not pleasant Trish but luckily only a day or two and no humidity. It’s a few degrees cooler up here on the mountain thankfully. Have a good weekend. xxx
We missed the snow, again… everything seems to just pass us by, not that I’m complaining this time. I love your post, Tish although it made me realise I don’t get plants as gifts since I killed the two bonsais I got for my 40th… Beautiful Rowan too 🙂
Ooh, Sofia, I think I’d struggle with bonsais, fascinating though they are. I should think watering regimes must be problematical.
That is where the problem lies, usually… and also in my case.
A lovely post with lovely photos of fruit in the snow – just beautiful. I am grateful for that first snow, because everything becomes silent and serene. I walked for an hour tonight in the first falling snow, knowing it will be gone in a couple of days.
Thank you for sharing the loveliness with us, Tish.
That’s a lovely description, A-C – the silence of snow. Many thanks.
I’ve been saying the same thing about November, but instead of snow we are getting mid 30’s days, it is too early for that kind of stuff. I love the close ups of the snow on things, really beautiful.
Many thanks, Leanne. As to odd weather – maybe too much wobble on the earth’s axis 🙂
We’ve now gone back to wet and mild, and 10 degrees warmer.
oh this has cheered me so much – need a bit of positivity today
PS and a belated Happy Birthday!
So pleased to provide a cheering up, Becky. And a big thank you for the birthday greetings 🙂
Your blue skies, white snow, and colorful flowers are a delight.
Many thanks, Jennie.
You’re welcome, Tish.