Jewels

I am drawn to growing all these little bulbs by their jewel-like beauty.  Often fleeting like these crocuses but that almost adds something to the fascination.   Maybe this snapshot of just a few of the many that are in flower at the moment, gives you an idea of the attraction.   An extra of three (of 12) trays of spring crocuses that I have at present.   The numbers are much reduced from the days when I was a National Plant Collections holder (!)  This is a good moment to thank everyone who has left presents for the crocus blip of three days ago which reached the front popular page.  The same flower, fully open is shown centre top in today's collage.

A lovely sunny day saw C & I take the Megs up the lane at Rhydyronen.  Still chilly in the wind, it was a little warmer when we turned to walk back down, the wind and the sun at our backs.   I spent the rest of the morning looking over the crocuses and taking photos to add to my records ... and for Blip :-)

After lunch I did a bit of cleaning while a large part of the afternoon was spent preparing a special meal for tea.  Jamie and Chris joined me for a roast turkey crown with all the trimmings.  It's Candlemas tomorrow, a Christian feast day, a festival of light and forty days since Christmas .... and in my mind the beginning of the end of winter.  The crocuses certainly agree :-)    I keep my Christmas tree up until Candlemas, it brighten the house through the dark days of January, so now I will pack all away until December.   

The food was delicious.  Clean plates all round.  Later I watched the latest Throwdown with Ruth.  Bedtime now and looking forward to many more bright sunny days ahead.