Reflection at the end of a busy week...

The rose I was given in Intermarché on Valentine's day is still looking wonderful on our table.

The new-to-us stove (once belonging to Ange) is warming the back of the house (including the room where I teach),

and the big fire at the front is necessary too - it's -1.6° outside!

The hellebores don't like the sudden cold snap.

And the violets aren't too convinced, either.

Rosie, Holly and Annabeth are just fine in the cold,

but next door to them Valkrie is sulking, mainly because her friend China the silky bantam

 

has been broody all week! Pook, pook, pook, she says...

There are daffodil buds and a muck heap in the garden - lots of work to do!

Non-essential things (like housework) have been put to one side this busy week, which started with Son 1 and me spending three days in hospital, and has continued  with normal working hours, nurses' visits and new brace-care for Son 2, who has had his own medical intervention to deal with! Ben had a migraine yesterday - everyone has taken the strain in their own way...

But we're beginning to put it back together! The boys are on holiday now, Ben is taking some muck to a friend before starting to spread it on our own garden, and I'm off to keep on with the housework catch-up! Tomorrow or Monday - my first Pause in Lent. The catch-up continues!