New neighbours

Sadly, during the last year we lost the vacant lot next next door to us. For 10 months we've had to put up with the noise and general intrusion of construction. The worst day was the first, when a massive machine tore down a lovely old apple tree in full bloom. The next worst was just a week ago when the new house got a coat of very dark blue paint which makes our rooms facing that way feel as if we forgot to raise the blinds. Fortunately, there's only one such window on the main floor, but it's a big one. In the basement we have three windows facing that way so it is now very dark down there.

The house is attractive enough, but shades our front garden much more and extends further into the backyard than ours does.

Here is how it used to be in 2010, with green space and the old fruit trees to the left of our house:

Those orange barriers intended to protect at least a couple of the old fruit trees didn't last long. The lot was scraped clean of all vegetation.

Here is how it looks today, making our house look quite small:

Sunlight makes the colour look paler than it actually is. In the shade along the side wall, it is the colour of a thundercloud. Michael's room, which faces it, used to look like this:

And now, on a similar sunny day, looks like this:

New neighbours

Sadly, during the last year we lost the vacant lot next next door to us. For 10 months we've had to put up with the noise and general intrusion of construction. The worst day was the first, when a massive machine tore down a lovely old apple tree in full bloom. The next worst was just a week ago when the new house got a coat of very dark blue paint which makes our rooms facing that way feel as if we forgot to raise the blinds. Fortunately, there's only one such window on the main floor, but it's a big one. In the basement we have three windows facing that way so it is now very dark down there.
The house is attractive enough, but shades our front garden much more and extends further into the backyard than ours does.
Here is how it used to be in 2010, with green space and the old fruit trees to the left of our house:

Those orange barriers intended to protect at least a couple of the old fruit trees didn't last long. The lot was scraped clean of all vegetation.

Here is how it looks today, making our house look quite small:

Sunlight makes the colour look paler than it actually is. In the shade along the side wall, it is the colour of a thundercloud. Michael's room, which faces it, used to look like this:

And now, on a similar sunny day, looks like this:

Hawk sighting

The little birds at the feeder across the street were making such a fuss the other day that it drew me to the window. It was all about a young hawk that had perched nearby. Of course I ran for the camera and took several photos, gradually edging closer. I had to discard most of them because of intervening branches, but when the bird moved into a large maple, I did get one opportunity for a reasonable shot before it flew away.

Hawk sighting

The little birds at the feeder across the street were making such a fuss the other day that it drew me to the window. It was all about a young hawk that had perched nearby. Of course I ran for the camera and took several photos, gradually edging closer. I had to discard most of them because of intervening branches, but when the bird moved into a large maple, I did get one opportunity for a reasonable shot before it flew away.

Signs of Spring At Last

It's been a couple of months since I added to this blog. There's been nothing eventful to report on either house or garden. However, in spite of one of the gloomiest Februaries I can remember, there's finally a bit of action in the garden.

Snowdrops are out regardless of the rain.

And snow crocus are popping up too, although I've had to wait many days for an opportunity to photograph them with open flowers.

This is Crocus sieberi 'Firefly':

When 'Firefly' opens, it will reveal its deep orange stamens that are, I assume, the reason for its name.



And this is Crocus chrysanthus 'Gipsy Girl':

One of the best things about 'Gipsy Girl' is that when the petals fold up in cloudy weather, those tiger stripes on the undersides become more visible. This makes it a great choice for climates where the sun rarely shines in February.

Hellebores are already preparing to take over as the stars of the late winter garden.  We are promised sunny weather on the coming weekend, which should give them the encouragement they need.

Signs of Spring At Last

It's been a couple of months since I added to this blog. There's been nothing eventful to report on either house or garden. However, in spite of one of the gloomiest Februaries I can remember, there's finally a bit of action in the garden.
Snowdrops are out regardless of the rain.

And snow crocus are popping up too, although I've had to wait many days for an opportunity to photograph them with open flowers.
This is Crocus sieberi 'Firefly':

When 'Firefly' opens, it will reveal its deep orange stamens that are, I assume, the reason for its name.

And this is Crocus chrysanthus 'Gipsy Girl':

One of the best things about 'Gipsy Girl' is that when the petals fold up in cloudy weather, those tiger stripes on the undersides become more visible. This makes it a great choice for climates where the sun rarely shines in February.
Hellebores are already preparing to take over as the stars of the late winter garden.  We are promised sunny weather on the coming weekend, which should give them the encouragement they need.

White Christmas – almost

We woke up to snow this morning. Not very much and it's a week too early for Christmas, but it's probably the only snow we'll see before the end of the year.

 Temperatures are forecast to rise slightly tomorrow and we'll be back to the familiar clouds and showers for the rest of the week.