First Snow

The first snow of the winter is falling in Virginia and David has sent these photos of the birds enjoying the food put out for them (and the squirrels too of course!).

Festive Baking

Theo had great fun helping his Mum to make mince pies today.

The results were pretty good too!

Christmas in Herndon

David has put up just one Christmas tree this year - the big one in the hall.  It is hard to believe that it is a whole year since we took family pictures around it.

As usual our tree is a eclectic mix of decorations - some from the Bargain Loft, some acquired when visiting different places, given to us by friends, or bought in Christmas shops.  

Each year there are a few new ones.

Poppy in the Turnip Field

Before we visited Mum together this afternoon, I had lunch with Maggie at the farm.  This was my first chance to meet Poppy who is a few months old now, growing fast and absolutely gorgeous.

We took Poppy for a short walk into a field of turnips which seemed to be a great playground for her..

She is hard to spot amongst all the leaves but she is there..

So much energy!

Fireworks

This hydrangea in Mum’s garden is one of a family of hydrangeas known as ‘fireworks’ for their clusters of tiny flowers and then large satellite florets around the edge.

When the flowers are newly out they are a delicate pale pink and the leaves are a soft green, but through the Autumn both have turned to a deeper red.

Roses and Lilies

Last week I bought some flowers for Mum, even though they were not permitted in the hospital.

They are at the house and coming out well.

This apricot rose is both a beautiful colour and now a lovely shape too.

Festive Sunday

An encounter with Father Christmas today and a happy time with Daddy at the turning on of the Christmas lights..

Meanwhile at home all was quiet..