Cottage Haven

January 2012

2012-01-14T06:21:00.000-08:00

Robin on home made bird cake

It is ages since I updated my cottage blog so here are some images form January 2012 to set the year ahead. I have been making bird seed cake with goose and turkey fat left over from all the Christmas festivties. They take seconds to make and the birds are having a great time enjoying the fare left for them daily.

Blue Tit enjoying his feats before Rocky robin chased him away

We have settled so well into our new home and the countrysde surrounding us is beautiful throughout the seasons.

This year I intend to try to log the wildlife visitors and keep up to date with my cottage news!

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Young To Feed

2011-05-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

It is so wonderful watching the wildlife from my art studio windows. A family of blue tits have taken over under the eaves of the roof. Each morning the parents gather grubs from the garden to feed their young and it is amazing how many flights a day they make to ensure their babes are well looked after.

This shot would make a great painting!.

Elderflower Cordial Recipe

2011-05-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

Elderflower Cordial,

So easy!

Elderflowers and lemons

I have made my own elderflower cordial for years now and it's always loved by family and friends. It now seems a very fashionable drink to buy in supermarkets and stores,often at a wonderfully expensive price. But it only costs a few lemons and a bag of sugar to make several bottles and its so easy too!

This is my own very easy version and it does taste delicious!

Ingredients

Five large sprays of Elderflower heads, the size of your hand. Make sure they are fresh, just open flowers and wonderfully perfumed. This adds to the experience of making your own cordial! Discard any flowers that are already going brown or dying!

One bag of granulated sugar 2lbs 2 ozs

2-3 lemons

Citric Acid Can be purchased from a chemist of pharmacy. Use two to three teaspoons.

Boiling Water

Method

In a large bowl place the sugar.. Next half the lemons and squeeze their juice over the sugar in the bowl, after that throw in the whole lemon pieces too! Now place your elderflowers on top. Add two to three teaspoons of Cirtic Acid and cover with hot boiling water. Stir well.

Now the hard part, cover it with a plate and leave it for 24 hours. It's that easy!

Toimorrow strain the mixture well and pour into bottles with tops.

Now your cordial is ready to drink. Pour into glasses on top of ice cubes, add cold water and sprigs of mint to decorate or add slices of fresh lemon.

Be warned the sugar content means this is not calorie free but you can add less if you wish. In fact you can vary the recipe however you like with more lemons, less or no citric acid which gives the sharp, refreshing, sherbet flavouring.

It's yummy,easy to make and so much cheaper than buying from a shop.

To me the very best part is walking my dog Bailey to look for the elderflowers at this time of year!

Have fun!

Ducklings 2011

2011-04-07T23:46:00.000-07:00

First Swim

Yesterday afternoon we saw the first ducklings of 2011 in our garden. It was such a gorgeous day with brilliant sunshine so perfect for a first swim. Watching the mother duck lead her offspring into the water from the bank was a very special moment.

She has thirteen tiny fluffballs at the moment.The sounds they make as they glide along in their family goup is wonderful to hear.

Now we feel we need to be vigilant as last year magpies killed all but one duckling from one brood. It was so sad to witness but the female duckling grew and stayed with us all summer becoming very tame to feed.

I can't help but wonder is this the same female as she does seem very familiar!

I will keep my blog updtaed with images because they are so cute to watch grow.

Last years ducklings

Tadpoles 2011

2011-03-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

Tadpoles recently hatched 2011

The tadpoles have almost all hatched now and are moving around quite quickly in our pond. This afternoon in sunshine it was fascinating watching the formations and clusters of black wriggling shapes.

I think they are line dancing in the photograph below!

Line Dancing Tadpoles 2011

Spring Garden 2011

2011-03-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

Spring Garden 2011

Just sharing a walk in my garden this afternoon. A wonderful place for inspiration as an artist and to paint.

Gorgeous Daffodils surround the cottage

Muscari line a border making a beautiful splash of blue.

Dwarf Tulips giving a vibrant shock of colour in another border.

The old, huge Camelia tree that stands at the front of our home is now covered in amazing white flowers

Friendship Egg Tree

2011-03-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

Friendship Egg Tree

This is such a wonderful idea. Every year I hang egg ornaments on branches from the garden which I bring into my home to place in a huge vase or jug. This is my egg tree. I do this before every Easter and each year my tree gets prettier as the ornaments on it grow in number.

The painted eggs are often given to me by friends and stored safely until each new year. They are easy to make or buy from many stores. I used to paint goose eggs to give away to friends by painting them and decorating them with scenes of primrose or easter rabbits. Now I am sorry to say my free time is limited so I keep a look out for new unusual eggs to buy to give away each year.

It's rather a nice thought looking at a tree and thinking of people who have touched your heart. Buying eggs to remember special friends who can't be with us anymore is also a lovely way to remember them.

I think everyuone should have a friendship tree!

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Fruits of Cooking

2011-03-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

Fresh Fruit Salad

I have two rather poorly pets at the moment so I am finding myself spending time in the kitchen and near where they are rather than working in my art studio constantly. This morning I made a fresh fruit salad which led to an idea for my next dish and invention.

I placed pork steaks in a dish with slices of fresh pear, added seasoning and fresh ginger. Next I made a simple stock from juices of the pork and added a small amount of ginger cordial.The aroma is fabulous when combined. I've pre baked the dish so that tonight I can reheat and have a relaxed evening with my convalescing four legged family.

I feel as though I am turning into a Delia Smith or Nigella Lawson this week!

They are back!

2011-03-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

March 2011

This morning I looked out of my window to see two Canadian Geese on our lawn. Last year they had beautiful goslings that were so delightful to watch. I raced for my camera and one happily posed for me whilst waiting for food.

My joy was a little shortlived when I remembered how much mess they made but the happy memories to come I am sure will make up for it!

Pheasant Pate

2011-03-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

Pheasant Pate

Freshly made this morning

Having realised I had pheasant in the freezer that needed to be used I decided to cook pheasant pate. This recipe is so simple and very low in cost to make. A pair of pheasant cost five pounds at our local village.shop.

I roasted the defrosted pair until they were tender. I then took all the meat off the bones, which will be used for pheasant soup, and minced it with two chopped onions. Next I added one chopped hard boiled egg and some melted butter. Adding my favourite seasoning came next with lots of freshly ground black pepper. The last addition of sour cream until the consistency was just right left me with enough pate to fill six suitable dishes. Four will go into the freezer to be used when guests arrive in a variety of forms for appetisers. One is a gift for a wonderful friend and the other will be demolished pretty quickly by the look of it.

This morning I had banana and blueberry muffins in the oven which smelt delicious, the bones from the pheasant were in a large pot simmering in preparation for the pheasant soup I will make later today and I was in the middle of making the pate when a caterer arrived as I have a special birthday party in our garden this summer. They must have thought catering was my own profession as the kitchen smelt fantastic at this point!

Now it is time for me to enjoy the sunshine and paint in my garden,what I have been longing to do all day

Frogs 2011

2011-03-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

Frogspawn 2011

This time last year the pond in the woodland at the foot of our garden was covered in frogspawn.Unfortunately the pond was such a mess in our new home that we knew a decision to renovate was necessary. So at the end of last summer we completely changed the pond. It now has a waterfall which looks and sounds really beautiful.

Waterfall built to feed water into the pond.

My main fear was that the frogs wouldn't like it and not return to their annual centre for mating. But I needn't have worried. A few weeks ago the pond was full of toads and frogs all mating. Soon the masses of frogspawn began to appear. Once the base of the pond was covered the adult frogs and toads disappeared leaving their offspring to fend for itself as the creative circle of life began.

I have been watching daily as jelly like clumps start to float to the top of the pond. Nature really is incredible. I feel like a five year old as I eagerly make my way to the pond every day to see if there are any changes there.

Frogspawn 2010

I have also noticed Hector the Heron has begun to visit more frequently!

Cap'n Hector on our boat!

The next few months are going to be so fascinating as new life from ducklings,moorhen chicks and the frogs develop giving my camera wonderful memories to capture.

I hope to share many here!

A Sense of Home

2011-03-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Home Cooking..........Again!

Belgium Choc Chip Cakes

The cookery bug has hit me as the air of Spring settles on our cottage.This is the first year living here without the dreaded thought of unpacking boxes or moving. I have lived in os many countries but I am loving the feeling of being in a home which will be filled with many happy memories in the years to come.

Maybe it was typing about my step mother here that reminded me of my childhood. Fridays were always days of cake baking.The house would be filled with a delicious aroma from the kitchen where a variety of cakes were made to last the week ahead while my step mother was working.

Every Friday there would always be a home cooked large fruit cake, a Victoria sponge,Welsh cakes and small buns. These would be made, carfeully stored in cake tins and eaten with the sheer joy of knowing they were made with love for all who tasted them.

Today the sun is shining brightly, daffodils are everywhere in the garden and primroses really are looking beautiful in small clumps dotted here and there. The colour from my kitchen window is delightful. All that was missing this morning was the scent of home cooked cakes so instead of wielding my paint brushes I took time out to cook some small cakes instead. I have been preparing for two major exhibitions and a charity event so the break was a welcome change.

We went to Belgium for the Christmas Markets last year and I was given a gift by a wonderful chocolatier of a bag of gorgeous Belgium choc chips. I hadn't used them so it was a perfect excuse to try them out.

I know friends may want a recipe but all I did was place 300gms of Self Raising Flour in a bowl with 150 gms of castor sugar and 125 gms of butter. I mixed these ingredients together then added one egg mixed with milk to make a good cake consistency and then added the small choc chips. After mixing I placed spoonfuls in muffin trays and cooked for twenty five minutes.

They taste delicious but the next batch will be made with choc chip and banana. After that there is always that jar of ginger from Christmas that could make another wonderful version with apple..........

My imagination is about to run riot with combinations and flavour additions again!

Shepherds Delight

2011-03-18T04:03:00.000-07:00

Home made Shepherds Pie

I don't know whether it's being an artist that makes me enjoy being in the kitchen cooking just a little bit more. But I often find food combinations as exciting as the colour combinations when I am working in watercolour.

Yesterday was a typically dull English day with rain and grey skies. This is the kind of weather that seems to call for comfort food rather than anything more exotic. As I had cooked a lamb roast the day before I decided to make a wonderful mash topping for the remaining lamb which I used as a base in a tasty gravy with fresh vegeltables of carrots and peas. With just a touch of seasoning so as not to detract from the delicious tender fresh lamb this made a wonderful supper.

I remember my step mother who was a terrific cook always making three meals out of a joint of meat. Lamb would always start as a roast on a Sunday, turn into a shepherds pie on a Tuesday followed by amazing lamb patties on a Wednesday. Food in her home was never frozen as fresh meals were planned ahead, looked forward to and enjoyed. Different vegetables were used with each dish to ring the changes. It was a way of life in my childhood that I look back at and wonder how families of today will create memories from the many fast food and ready prepared meals now available in stores. These my step mother completely frowned upon because she was never convinced all the vitamins or goodness was in them. As a working mother she took a pride in what she placed on the table every day, how it was presented and how it was enjoyed. She was a humble lady from a large family of thirteen, mainly brothers who went down the mines as soon as they were old enough. She told many stories of hardship and making do. Creating culinary delights out of next to nothing was an ability she carried that I admired. Even potatoe peelings were deep fried, topped with salt and served as a side dish hot from the pan and delicious. Nothing was wasted. I had to smile when I saw these on a menu in an upmarket restaurant recently. The mention of a particular rock salt topping made them a speciality dish!

My life is very different now but I never forget all the wonderful lessons she taught me especially in the kitchen. Cooking meals like shepherds pie brings my feet firmly back down to earth and gives me time to reflect on how lucky I am.

All from one simple meal.

Living in a cottage I will look forward to making the popular cottage pie which is the same but with beef as the base in the coming months.

I adore cooking but looking forward to eating this was even better!

Home Cooking

2011-03-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

Goodness it is ages since I have been on my cottage blog but I will try to add more now that spring is here!

Home Cooking at the Cottage

Yesterday was so cold that I really found myself thinking of classic warming puddings. I love cooking! I had some beautiful bread that was begging to be used so I made a quick Bread and Butter Pudding. Time was short as I had a busy day ahead. However the minute I mentioned this pudding to friends I was asked for the recipe.To be honest it is so easy to make!

Bread and Butter Pudding

Years ago this recipe was mainly for using left over bread. Stale bread was often used which is why milk is added to soften it and make it more palatable. It was a pudding that was cheap, filling and comforting on cold winter days. But today it is taking on a rather more elgant role as leading chefs add their own interpretations to make it more "posh"!

Let's start with the basic ingredients

A few slices of bread

Butter

Sugar

A handful of Sultanas

Milk

Cinnamon or Nutmeg

Butter the bread, layer it in a bowl with the sugar and sultanas. I break the bread up into pieces using sliced white or even a broken up fresh baguette as seen in the photograph above. Use as much butter as you wish remembering that it will be very rich if you use too much! When you layer add as many sultanas or as little as you like. I prefer to use only a handful interspersed at random through the layers. The amount of sugar to be used is personal.Too much and the pudding is too sweet,too little and it's boring in flavour. A few spoonfuls should be enough,one for each layer! Next I use two eggs and beat them before adding half a pint of milk. This mixture I pour over the ingredients in the bowl and leave it to stand for a few minutes before placing in the oven at 180. Sprinkle the nutmeg or cinnamon on top or in the layers. Then I forget about it for about half an hour to forty five minutes by which time the kitchen starts smelling rather yummy.

The amount of cooking time and the amount of liquid you need varies depending on the size bowl you are using and amount of bread. It is so easy that you can't really go wrong!

You will know when it is cooked when the top if slightly golden and the pudding seems almost set.Don't overcook it as there is something extar yummy about eating a desert that is nicely soft and custardy! Even so the bread should be solid in the mix not mushy!

You can play with the basic recipe and design a Bread and Butter Pudding of your own. Try making it with croissants which is my favouriteversion! Add Baileys Irish Cream for a more decadent result, add lemon zest or orange peel. For youngsters as in adults who haven't grown up yet add choc chips in the layers or cocoa powder to the milk and egg mix.

There are a million ways you can make your own interpretation!

Like my art my cooking is often unqiue without measuring. I just go with my heart on what feels right and it somehow luckily works!

Have fun and enjoy!

Now who thought I had forgotten to share the recipe? Hands up!

Sidney is back!

2010-09-21T01:54:00.000-07:00

Sidney graced us with a visit this week and has taken to preening himself on the lawn daily in the Autumn sunshine. Yesterday I was amazed at how close I could now walk to this friend to take photographs without him seeming to even ruffle his feathers!

Goodbye Sweet Taffy

2010-09-21T01:50:00.000-07:00

Taffy in snow last year.

It has taken me ages to come into this blog because my Summer has been so busy and my heart has been with my dear faithful companion Taffy who I knew was nearing a stage of his life where we could be losing him. I wanted to make his last year wonderful, full of the love he has given to our friends and family and I didn't want to leave his side unless I had to.

On my Bearded Collie Blog I have shared the news of losing Taffy and how Bailey our younger Bearded Collie has been so lost without him.

In our lives they say we have one special pet that will touch our heart in a way no other can. In my life I have had two such dogs. One was a rescue in China who saved my life when I was attacked. Buddy passed away at thirteen. The vets expected him to not even pass four years old but he did.

Taffy passed away in my arms at thirteen which is young for a bearded Collie. It broke my heart and I haven't been the same since. My cottage feels so empty without him but his spirit is all around me and I find myself imagining him nudging my arm or genlty ambling towards me in the garden whilst I plant the bulbs for Spring.

I am still tearful when I think of him but I am trying to remember it is more important to look back on the joyous days of owning a pet and Taffy certainly enriched my life in so many ways.

Rest in peace dearest Taffy, I miss you.

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A walk in my Summer garden 2010

2010-07-24T04:42:00.000-07:00

Summer roses are in full flower creating a heavenly scent .

I am not the only one enjoying the white cosmos, the bees are really happy with them too!

Gorgeous Day Lilies are giving a show of glorious golds.

Echineacea, such a gorgeous flower to paint in watercolour.

I could spend hours just sitting in my garden listening to birdsong and enjoying the beauty of so many flowers.

Life is such bliss living here especially as an artist.

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Our Swan Family.

2010-07-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

Watching these cygnets interact is mesmerising. As siblings they seem genuinely fond of each other.

Daily a family of swans visit the cottage and seem to wait for food. The swan and duck feed mix I have at hand seems to disappear far more rapidly when the cygnets are around as they are really greedy.

I woke yesterday morning to a beautiful sight as I drew back the curtains to see them all sunning themselves in the early morning sunshine.

"Preening just like Mum"

The cygnets look so clumsy compared to their graceful and obviously proud parents.

Waiting for me to appear with their food in our garden. The proud parents happily look over their young.

Proud Dad

"Dad" at the moment is continually attacking another male swan but he hasn't yet worked out it is his own reflection on the hull of our boat!

Standing is quite a task when you are this shape!

I watched one young cygnets so eargerly preening his wings while standing which seems a really difficult task to master at this age.

Camera Shy!

They are so cute and it won't be long before they start looking more like their parents.As gangly "teenagers" they are completely fascinating to observe!

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Whose Watching Who?

2010-07-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

A collection of photographs taken in our cottage garden. These moments gave me a smile, I hope I pass the smile on to you when you see them!

Have you ever had the feeling you are being watched?

Sydney the Swan watches the mother duck while she take a well earned rest.Both were watching m ehoping I may decide to feed them.

"Put the camera down and feed me!"

The ducklings have grown and are now getting very demanding when it comes to meal times!

" Is there Food inside that camera!"

Oops maybe the duckling was a little too close to the camera in this shot!

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Life here is magical with wonderful days spent feeding the wildlife and simply enjoying each special moment one after the other.

I am so lucky!

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Bottoms Up!

2010-06-27T06:04:00.000-07:00

Bottoms Up!

I can hardly share this image for laughing.The ducklings are learning how to go under water so at the moment I see this view of them almost more than their cute faces!

And again!

Luckily they do come up for air at times!

So adorable and I am spending far too much time watching them each day but it is so much fun!

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The Cygnets Are Back! June 2010

2010-06-26T05:02:00.000-07:00

This mornings visit, how they have grown!

This morning was so exciting because very beautiful visitors brought their young back.

The last time they were here, so tiny!

A short while ago a pair of swans brought six cute little cygnets to the cottage. I was enthralled by how sweet they were but I hadn't seen them since. Because so many young do not survive I began to imagine the worst as another pair of swans have been visiting minus any youngsters.

But this morning after I had fed the ducks and ducklings along glided the swan family. Regally moving towards me with such pride and grace.

The young eagerly devoured the duck and swan food I now keep at hand. Sitting with my camera poised and just enjoying their antics has been bliss. In any family it seems there is ALWAYS one child who will show off to the camera and here he is............

The Show Off! This one poses non stop for the camera!

And now getting really carried away with himself.........

So cute, I am thrilled with this shot!

Mum watched and then a second cygnet had to follow and shake too.........I love the expression on "Mums" face!

I could sit here for hours just watching the family

They really are simply adorable.

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Ducklings in June

2010-06-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

The ducklings are growing so quickly now and seeing away any mature ducks who dare try to steal their food. It is amazing how fast time has flown since these were just cute little tiny things. The ducks along the waters edge are so used to being fed from passers by they seem far too tame in many ways but their parents seem to have the intelligence to know where their young are safest.

This family live at the foot of our garden by a pond which they often stay on.

This has been a joy to witness and I know I have enough information to paint these little ducklings soon now. That is when I stop watching them!

Moorhen Chicks.

2010-06-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

"What big feet you have!"

The seven moorhen chicks have survived the magpie attacks thanks toa very watchful Mother who still feeds them individually although they definitely look big enough to feed themselves now. I wonder if she will feel sad when they leave the nest or relieved?

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Ducklings Galore

2010-06-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I was thrilled to observe and photograph the ducklings in our garden whilst feeding them quietly in sunshine. The Mother stands proudly by guarding her young from the other mature ducks who wait patiently for her offspring to finish feeding. Only three ducklings have survived from this group of six that have been such a treat to enjoy watching as they grow. Magpies seem to be the biggest threat to their safety.

I sat quietly with my camera and placed food around me. They happily took soft bread and duck food allowing me time to catch them in these images to share with you.

Side by Side.

A painting just waiting to happen!

All alone, so feed me first!

This little one is far too brave for his own good.

Tucking in!

Being a little greedy!

Lunch is served!

I am so blessed to see such gorgeous wildlife and be able to enjoy it daily. What a privilege and a joy to share also.

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Missed!

2010-06-16T01:55:00.000-07:00

This mornings greeting!

I have been away filming a DVD to go with my first book " How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" which comes out in July this year. This morning I was thrilled to recieve a rather noisy welcome home from my feathered family who seemed to have genuinely missed me. They hurriedly raced to greet me whilst quacking loudly and wagging their tails. I now feed the ducks on the lawn and watch while they gather around me to greedily tuck into their meals.

I have easily discovered where the term "Pecking order" comes from as it is obvious there is a priority of who in the group is allowed to eat first. Anyone who dares to step out of line is quikly pecked back into their place!

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Moorhen Heaven

2010-06-14T03:03:00.000-07:00

Brave Moorhen Chick!

I start and end each day by feeding our feathered family which grows daily in number.

So far we seem to have only lost one duckling as all the others have survived. The mother moorhen is fantastic feeding her young with tidbits throughout the day. Even though they are growing at such a rapid rate they look almost ready to feed themselves. They often walk in lines like small soldiers but one is a rebel and constantly wanders off alone which drives his poor Mum nuts! Here he is on his own again trying to see what I am doing with my camera. I was taking photographs of flowers at the time!

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2010-06-14T02:57:00.000-07:00

Cosmos

Beautiful flowers are now shining in the flower beds and tempting me to paint non stop which is wonderful. I have so much choice I don't know where to start first but these stunning white cosmos in strong morning light are really delightful. No cottage garden should be without them!

More Ducklings!

2010-06-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

A second batch of six ducklings have just arrived at the cottage. The Mum of this little group is loud and making sure the " previous tenants" know she wants her young to eat first.

We now have eighteen young altogether living on the water and in the garden here!

An Ever Growing Family

2010-06-10T23:33:00.000-07:00

Every morning I have hungry mouths to feed!

The six new cute ducklings are growing and becoming far more confident by the day. It is so comical to see them literally race to reach their breakfast. They seem to almost come to a skidding halt as they eagerly speed along the waters surface to reach their goal of food.

They now come right up to me and seem to know each will get a fair share.

I have been really impressed with how the adults seem to sit back and allow the young to feed quietly before they too join in. Now however the drakes seem to follow me around the garden expecting food all through the day.

The minute I appear they waddle towards me and wait. As their number continually increases I am convinced they must be spreading the word that there is a new restaurant in town!

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Blue Haven

2010-06-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

This morning we have heavy rain. Instead of my heart sinking I am thrilled because all of the new plants in the garden need moisture. I am really thankful that someone else has taken over the responsibility of keeping them all alive. I will paint in my studio and from all around me I have a million subjects to choose from today.

I often think about wild flowers. How they grow naturally year after year without anyone caring for them. They survive summer droughts and long cold winters. Year after year they multiply and give spectacular shows. Without any human intervention.

And yet keen gardeners can give too much attention. Pulling out beautiful seedlings by mistaking them for weeds. Or they can often over water or forget to water enough.

Nature is a miracle when you come to think about it. A true mother caring for her charges. Creating colour throughout the seasons in a way that is not designed. Just natural and free with no restrictions on what is right or wrong. Plants just grow where they want to grow.

I have just described how I work in watercolour. Freely allowing the pigments to flow into each other minus restrictions enjoying all that can happen as if by a miracle.

"Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings."

Patience is a Virtue

2010-06-07T02:59:00.000-07:00

At the end of our garden near the woodland is a collection of neglected shrubs that looked so sad when we first moved in. There were a few rumbling suggestions at the time that maybe digging them up and starting again might be a wise move. Instead I chose to simply prune a few and see how they came along with some tender loving care. Removing all the weeds around them and allowing them to see light by taking away overhanging branches and dead wood from above has really paid off.

This morning I was thrilled to find the air scented with the sweet perfume of mock orange blossom which now covers the plant that could have been so easily discarded.

"Not everything in life is instantly beautiful"

It takes time, patience and care to gain a lovely sight sometimes. Just like learning how to paint. Taking time and having patience really does have its rewards.

Not throwing away anything too early helps too!

"Patience is a virtue, possess it when you can"

There's Always One!

2010-06-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

The poor parents of the young moorhens in our garden are having a task keeping a watchful eye on their chicks. One this morning has been playing up by being very brave.

Luckily Mum came to the rescue to help them into the water!

Poppy Heaven

2010-06-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

No cottage garden should be without poppies. I was delighted to find clumps of oriental poppies growing in an existing flower bed but had no idea what colour they would turn out to be. I have wished and wished for birght red ones to paint and this morning I was greeted with gorgeous flowers standing proud and shining in sunlight.

As an artist I am thrilled! I wonder how many of my friends will be painting these for years to come on visits here but for now I am not alone as the poppy has attracted other admirers!

Thank you for following my blog. I really just wanted to share the beauty of my surroundings as it is so pretty here.

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My Stalker

2010-06-06T00:46:00.000-07:00

During the first week we moved to the cottage a swan appeared that looked in such a sorry state. I couldn't help but offer it food and it soon became a regular visitor on a daily basis. In fact he almost moved in. Casually throwing bread or whatever was at hand to "Sydney" as he came to be called fell into the daily routine. He would wait patiently while the ducks had their meals and he ate far more.

As thedays passed by things started changing. Trust was growing on both sides. It was obvious Sydney was lonely and looking for company. He was possibly a young male from last year now looking for his own mate. He became very attached to us and the minute the doors opened in the morning he would be there waiting.

With two dogs and having heard stories of how aggressive swans can be I was very wary of this new "guest".

Bailey our younger Bearded Collie has a habit of happily running along the waters edge. Before long Sydney started to follow him up and down , back and forth. This becoming a game and form of communication between them. If Bailey ventured into the water to cool down Sydney would circle him and almost protect him minus any of the usual hissing.

The pair often sat looking out over the water. Whenever Sydney appeared I would always keep watch because my own instincts tell me clearly dogs and swans cannot be friends but these two seemed to be.

Bailey came back from the groomers on one occasion and his whites were brilliantly gleaming. At this stage Sydney became decidedly more fascinated in Bailey following him absolutely everywhere which made me wonder if he was looking for a mate. If Sydney was Bailey definitely was not "it"!

One afternoon I was gardening and separating oriental poppies in a long flower bed well away from the water. I was so engrossed in my task. So much so that when I looked up from a kneeling position to see Sydney had waddled up from the bank and was happily stood right next to me watching my every move I was more than a little shocked. Literally face to face with him and in awe of exactly how large he was. Feeling intimidated I softly talked to him and moved through the flower bed back to the cottage. I wondered if my white dress had attracted him. He seemed to be drawn to anything and anyone in white!

The only time Sydey has over stepped his mark was when he waddled onto the patio near to the kitchen when he couldn't wait for the normal feeding time. Both Beardies fell into full sheepdog mode and herded him back into the water. They as always were protecting me. Sydney seemed to understand this. There was a little hissing but he went calmly as if he knew this was not good etiquette!

Fully recovered Sydney has left us and I hope he finds a mate. He desperately needs company that is more suitable than the four legged and two legged family he found here. What a sheer joy to have experienced his company and enjoy his beauty during his stay though.

We never know what tomorrow may bring.

Here it always seems to be something wonderful.

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More Young!

2010-06-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

Young Moorhens

Yesterday morning I found myself racing out of the cottage to chase a magpie away who was determined to harm the young of a family of moorhens. The group had been sunning themselves on the lawn. Curious of their surroundings the babies had ventured onto the bank and were running here and there looking at everything in sight . Sadly this activity was making them perfect open targets.

As the magpie swooped repeatedly the parents of their young fiercely guarded their territory whilst the babies hurriedly made their way back to their hide in the reeds on the waters edge.

Watching nature is such a learning curve and so fascinating. The parents would not give up and with my help on a few occasions the magpie left having lost the " battle".

I spent time watching the little ones explore throughout the day. Their quick movements are so comical. They literally dart here and there like my brush when I am painting to fast music. I thought how could I capture them in watercolour because their fluffy forms make interesting subjects. I see a painting from the above scene and I know I am going to need 48 hour days to paint everything I see whilst living here!

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Heavenly Iris

2010-06-05T05:22:00.000-07:00

Bearded Iris

"Blue Shimmer"

I adore Iris. They make beautiful subjects to paint and add a sense of majesty to a garden. This variety carries a sweet perfume and when hit by the morning light just begs to be painted.

I have a feeling my floral artist friends will be eager to join me on fine days to paint in the garden.

At the moment I am planning the landscape and planting very much with years of painting ahead in mind. Each plant will serve a purpose of adding colour and shape to the kaleidoscope of patterns in beautiful flower beds and give many hours of pleasure to all who see them.

This beauty surely is a painting waiting to happen.

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Cottage Life : The First Ducklings

2010-06-05T03:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my cottage blog which I have opened purely to share my joy at living in such peaceful surroundings. I adore wildlife, gardening and painting in watercolour. Living here I have subjects galore to capture with my brush but I never once imagined how blissful life could be. It is far too gorgeous not to share so wherever you are in the world please feel free to take time out to relax here whenever you wish.

Mother and Young, Our first duckling family.

When we first moved in we heard six ducklings had been taken by a magpie and only one survived. This duckling has grown and now become a family favourite. I have been feeding all of the ducks daily. They now come when called. If I am late with their food they are eager to call me so I am now not sure who has trained who exactly! But we have become firm friends and so my journey into having ducks around me begins. Amazingly my Bearded Collies sit next to the ducks and act as though they are all one big family. The ducks seem to not mind being herded from time to time and my younger dog feels that is his daily chore. However he has sensed with young around a certain respect is entitled so for now he leaves the family very much alone which is quite sweet.

The excitement this week of a female duck bringing her young to proudly show me was such a touching moment. Without invading her space I took a few photographs. And I will be watching eagerly to try to make sure the magpie does them no harm.

Our first duckling family,

Really cute and very time wasting as it is impossible not to watch them and just love them for their fluffy forms.

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