Scenes From A Cotswold Spring

Oilseed rape flowers are peaking right now. In America this crop is called canola. 

Blackthorn blossoms mixed into the hedgerows.

Fields of wheat. In July they'll be golden.

Not sure who lives in here-a badger or a warren full of rabbits?

Bluebells and Greater Stitchwort.

Bluebells are carpeting the woods right now. 

 I love this humble yet elegant cow parsley.

It looks particularly striking along the hedgerows, with blackthorn blossoms and dramatic English clouds in the sky.

More Piglets!

What better way to follow up on my last post about our little piglets growing up than to introduce you to these TEN new baby pigs, who were born last month while we were away on a ski holiday in France. We had no idea these piglets were even coming, and their arrival was met with squeals of adoration from the kids (okay, and me, too). They were born to Kitty and James' sow and boar that live in our field, so lucky for us we don't have to find homes for them. Phew!

They grow very fast, these little sweeties, and they're luckier than their friends next door to be growing up in the sunshine of the field (the winter piglets were semi-sheltered in a barn at Kitty's). They also get plenty of shade if they need it, since we extended the pig pens into the woods behind the field. This lets the pigs root up all sort of other goodies, like acorns in the fall.  

Here you can see them with both their mom and dad, and also next to the teenage piglets, which gives you an idea of their true size. 

Not sure what we're going to do with all of these babies-we finally managed to find homes for six of the first litter of piglets. Anyone want a Gloucester Old Spot?

The Piglets Grow Up!

 Remember these guys?

Back in October our Gloucester Old Spot sow gave birth to a litter of ten little piglets (top photo). Now, five months later and a winter that feels like it's mostly behind us, the little ones have moved out of Kitty's barn and into our field. They have been weaned from their mama, and are eating solids, including the (vegetarian) scraps from our kitchen. This week about half of them will be going off to new homes. My, these babies grow up so fast!

If you look in the distance of those last two photos of the piglets you'll see a big sow and boar belonging to Kitty and James, and beyond those two we've just finished building a big new chicken run, which we'll be populating with brand new hens soon. Beyond the chickens are Henry's bees, which have been moved from the garden just outside our front door up to this field. We've got three hives now, with plans to add a couple more later this spring. They're definitely getting excited about the change of season; there is lots of visible activity around their front doors. There aren't quite enough flowers out of sustain them yet, so Henry has to feed them a bit until they can find enough food on their own. In addition to lots of daffodils, crocus and the like, all the hawthorne trees are in bloom, which have the most lovely white blossoms.

Has spring sprung yet where you live?

Super Easy Ikea Teatowel Hack

Now that they're playing outside a whole lot more, my three little boys are dirtier than ever. I always seem to be short of clean flannels at bath time (those are wash cloths, my American friends), so today I made some. In less than an hour and for under £1 (less than a buck fifty) I made these very chic wash cloths from two Ikea Tekla tea towels. 

These towels measure 20"x26", so first I cut them into four 10"x13" squares. 

 Next I cut out the tag and the little loop for hanging on the underside of each.

Then I folded down the first raw edge by about a quarter of an inch and pressed it. Then I folded it a second time, pressed it again and pinned it into place.

Then I sewed along the edge of each of my newly folded hems, and voila! Four cloths from each of the tea towels.

 They look so pretty now. I'm sure they won't stay white for long! Happy washing up.