Feathering the nest

It's a common saying in British English. Well here is evidence of where the saying originated. Our Post Box starling has done JUST that. How beautiful and opulent is this nest?

Introducing Yulia and Marina

My two latest Russian ladies, in the "official" strawberry patch, which is now a buttercup patch.

Dusk at Coneysthorpe

The cats like to take us for walks in the evening. The Empress tree is an endless source of fun for them, a flowery climbing frame with bees thrown in as inflight entertainment.

This evening however it was our weeping mulberry that was the victim of Ruppin's vertical attack. First assess......

Then attack.

And the view from the Empress from underneath the mulberry branches.

Putting on the Ritz

The Paulonia "Empress Tree" is in full bloom and the bumble bees turn it into a humming buzzing happy tree every evening. I have just stood beneath it and counted over 20 bees coming out of the long horn like blossoms.

So here is Coneysthorpe, putting on the Ritz

N. African Coriander bread

Amazing smells wafting from the kitchen at Coneysthorpe. And tonight's dinner is Tagine Chicken with one of these loaves to pull apart.

Strayberries

About an hour ago I went into the garden for the third time today and pulled weeds. I couldn't believe my eyes as got to the end of our long lawn. There in the soil border was a long stretch of miniature strawberries, perfect in every way. They are growing in abundance about 300 metres from the OFFICIAL strawberry bed (which I have been trying to dig out). Perhaps they "berried" their way under the garage to escape and have set up an Independent Strawberry Colony - A red rebellion, what can I say?

Here are a few more random sprinkles of floweryness across the lawn.

Introducing Naina

Well, she's finished (see previous post). She is wearing her Sunday best including a pearl and rose brooch. For sale, so message me if you are interested. She stands 36cm tall, and has small parts which make her unsuitable for a child under 10.

From the sewing table, and a closet herbivore

This morning I set out to finish a matryoshka doll that I started to make MANY months ago. I only made two last year - it was too frantic and that always dampens my creative streak. Well today is ALL MINE and the weather is so gorgeous, I was up early to greet a "still hanging around" full moon, and much later a glorious sun. Here are the photos of the morning.

Oh, and as a result of having the doors open onto the back deck, I saw our large Old Aged Pensioner cat munching his way through a clump of flowering thyme. I had wondered what was happening to it......

That's my girl!

Jokes abound about those women who have a fabric addiction. I'm not an addict EXACTLY, but I do find it hard to walk past the fabric bin at charity shops. Some I use for making my Russian dolls, other pieces do get made into clothes. Others get sold off at fundraisers.

Yesterday I had a fundraiser at home, and put some fabric out for sale. After a long day of ignoring the crowds at the house, Cumin came in to the office, exhausted from bird watching. How kind of me to make her a personal bolster to rest her weary whiskers!

Mr Hoppilli

He hopped slowly down our driveway, looking from side to side before positively sauntering to the gate. I was in hot pursuit, trying to be invisible and silent (and failing on both counts).

I managed this shot before he vanished over the field opposite. He was larger than our largest cat.

Postmistress in residence, but please do not disturb