February always feels like the month where you need the most patience. The shortest day of the year may well be weeks behind us now, but February days can feel as short, dark and cold as it is possible to be and although we all know that Spring is on the way, concrete evidence of that is hard to find. The grey days coupled with lingering sniffles have us feeling a little blue here, even the mood-enhancing effects of cake seemed more short-lived last week and we've all needed a little extra comfort and cosiness.
Unsurprisingly I've been finding mine in knitting and I'd like to show you what I've been working on but I'm not quite ready to reveal, so that will be for another day. I have finished the Snawpaws mittens though and as today had the brightest start that we've seen in weeks I grabbed them and my camera and set off for an early walk (leaving the others to a half-term break lie-in).
We're lucky to have such a good choice of places to walk and today I chose the New River canal and Amwell nature reserve. Though the trees are still bare I've come home reassured that Spring really is just around the corner: there were plenty of catkins and buds; frilly anemone leaves underfoot in the woods and a feeling of renewed intimacy between the resident swans. The male swan spent a good deal of time thrashing the water with his huge wings and putting on quite a display for his mate and it's nice to think that there will be a new clutch of fluffy grey signets hatching out in a few months. A little robin was trilling away in the hedge and flew down to greet me, perching on a fence post just beyond arms reach. He was most amenable to being photographed and offered me several poses to choose from, such a bold and entertaining little chap as he was. It was a lovely morning to be out and I'm glad I made the effort and resisted that tempting lie-in.
I'm hoping to get out later in the week for a snowdrop walk because once they've emerged there's no denying that Spring has begun. 'Til then I'll be keeping Toby entertained and busy and hopefully squeezing in a few rows of knitting here and there. Hope the week ahead is good to you, see you soon.
little cotton rabbits 
You live is such a beautiful place! Your pictures are just gorgeous. I will share them with others; they’ll be a reminder that spring is coming to us too.
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What a beautiful place to reside. Your photographs are gorgeous what camera if you don’t mind me asking. Ah spring, we are awaiting here in the United States as well.
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Your mittens are lovely. What a beautiful place to visit, I love your bird and swan photos especially and the catkins’ color is so striking.
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You do have lovely places to walk and you share such beautiful pictures. I feel as if I am there in those beautiful places. You’re gifted in so many ways – knitting, writing and photography. I’m always thrilled to find a new blog post.
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Let’s hope the grey days are over for now Julie and you all start feeling better. I am sure your lovely walk will have left you feeling refreshed. Great photos as always, such nice memories for you. And your mittens are really beautiful. I am intrigued as to what your new project is, don’t keep us waiting too long. Sue x
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WOW! what a morning walk you had! My walk was nothing even near as beautiful as yours- snow and ice still cover most of the ground here for us. Thank you for sharing such gorgeous photos. And that little robin- the best! The photos are amazing. My 10 year old son will love to see them (he’s a young bird enthusiast and I am going to share your photos with him after school today!)
I always enjoy a visit here. Thank you!
Mauri
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Such beautiful photos. I think my favorite is the swan taking flight. February is a long, long month. Our snow is higher than the car and it’s been around for months. I’m very ready for it to just go away and have spring arrive.
Blessings,
Betsy
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Your photos are beautiful Julie, especially the swan with the outstretched wings and the little robin!! 🙂
It was brighter here today but my goodness very, very chilly.
Love your snaw paws, I have a pair too, they’re a fun little knit!
Enjoy the rest of your week…springs not far off.
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The light in your photos is perfect, what a beautiful walk! Thank you for sharing. Your mittens are lovely. I hope Toby is enjoying his holiday,happy and busy and you can take some time to knit! x Anne
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Beautiful photos Julie!! We had a small snowstorm overnight (but I am in Canada lol) so your view is very different to ours. We are anxiously awaiting spring too, and our robins are considered an early sign. They are not like the sweet English robins–they are HUGE and in the family of thrushes. Looking forward to seeing your mystery project unveiled!
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Funny that you call February the waiting month! We are waiting on one more college acceptance letter. Waiting is hard. Those were swan photos are amazing!
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Oh, I really do love your pictures, they are beautifull
With love Manon
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Julie, what part of England do you live in? Your photos are just lovely and I wonder if you live near either of my pen pals that I’ve had since I was a young girl. They live in beautiful places too! Love the mitts! The light blue color is divine!
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Thanks you for the beautiful photographs! My world is covered in about a foot of snow.😳⛄️⛄️⛄️
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What gorgeous photos, I can almost see a hint of spring. Hope you have a good week with plenty of relaxing knitting time. CJ xx
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Great pictures Julie, that looked like a smashing walk. Hope you get your snowdrop walk very soon.
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Snowdrops is our London garden always signaled to this child that my birthday was coming !!!
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Thank you for sharing the beautiful swans. You really got some great pictures. Your mitts are very pretty. I feel better about February now as I sit on a cloudy day myself knitting wishing Spring was here. I do have a dandelion blooming in my front yard so it is not far away.
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Again, beautiful photographs and scenery…
Had to laugh at “snowdropping walk” Over here that means stealing ladies knickers off their clotheslines. LOL Usually done by adult males.
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These pictures are beautiful. I enjoyed going on the walk with you.
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Your photos are lovely! The robin makes me think of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Thanks for the peek at spring,
Mary Kate
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After a hectic of snowy weather and big snowdrifts I love taking a walk with you in your photos.
Lovely and peaceful.
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Such a beautiful place to walk and work, just breathtaking. I bet your son enjoys going there too. Thank you for sharing your world with us, I love your blog. Have a wonderful February.
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Wow — so beautiful Julie! Thanks for the reminder that there is beauty to be found if we’ll just get out there and discover (ok, to be fair, some of you have more beautiful places than others of us LOL). Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!
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stunning photos! I just looked up Amwell nature reserve…an old gravel pit, it’s wonderful that it now gives so many birds and wildlife a place of refuge. How lucky to have that area near you.
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I just love your blog posts! We could all use beautiful walks with nature and knitting to get us through till spring.
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What a beautiful walk you had Julie. Your photos of the robin are lovely and I’ve noted the ‘proper’ outdoor gear and those finished mitts. I’m sorry you’re still not feeling well. I doubt the tooth has helped! But E and I will do our best to make you smile next week. See you then. Xxxx
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Hello Julie, I live in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. We have suffered a long drought but at last we have had some good rains and the gardens are looking good again. Your website is a delight. I was brought up with Beatrix Potter’s animals , Rupert Bear, Pooh and Friends , Little Grey Rabbit and all the other animals of the World of Literature of my times. How lucky we were to have those gentle images. Little Cotton Rabbits reflect my childhood and those times. Thank you. I have bought several of your patterns and hope to make them for our annual Show in May. It is an agricultural show but there is a craft section which is a popular way of competing hopefully for the coveted First and Special prizes. I so enjoy the photos you post. With very best wishes from Jennifer
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Lovely photos of a peaceful morning and a robin is always such a cheerful sight. My Mum tells me that the crocuses are out at home, so spring is definitely coming! Marie x
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Ah Julie you live in such a beautiful place! It’s been ages since I last grabbed my camera and had a wander, maybe this weekend when I’m off work 🙂
You’ve captured the birds beautifully – the swan at full stretch is stunning (and you’re brave for getting up close!) and who can resist a chubby little robin!?
Thank you for sharing and for giving me a shove to get out and enjoy these grey waiting days xxx
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What beautiful pictures. Wish I could walk with you!! Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Oh I do love a friendly Robin! Beautiful photos as always
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Your posts always make me smile. My, but you do live in SUCH a beautiful place!! Sigh. Wish I was walking with you instead of sitting inside an office. Love your mittens and everything else you knit/create.
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Oh Julie, your photos never fail to inspire me!! Love your beautiful new mitts, they look so soft. And how envious I am that spring is pepping out where you live!
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I’m so glad you blog! What a lovely walk you had! I believe spring is well on its way to your house. Here in Spokane, Washington (USA) we’re still under feet of snow – but the sun is shining here too today! Thanks for the inspiration and hope for spring.
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Julie…I have Spring envy! We are still crunching through deep snow and bundling up to keep warm. Just last week we had two “Snow Days” where buses were cancelled & we were scrambling for coverage for Jack. Jack loves staying home but I still had to go to work. On the upside the sun does shine on the really old days when the skies are clear. Your spring looks like it is well launched & gently rolling out….I can feel the warmth. Thanks for giving me hope that we’ll get there.
As always, Lori from Port Perry
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Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing! I’m here in Canberra, Australia, waiting for the hottest summer on record to subside into Autumn…
And thanks for your patterns, I have made several gorgeous animals that make me smile 🙂
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Beautiful photos, especially the swan in action. Thanks for sharing.
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So beautiful! I especially like the pictures of the little robin! Sometimes I find one in my little backyard where I put a bird fat ball on a bare elder bush. Though I love winter I can’t wait for Spring now to arrives but the days still feel dark and cold. I am so happy that I am able to have a short vacation on a sunny spanish island where Spring is already in full bloom.
Best wishes
Christine
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beautiful photos, Julie
still snow on the ground here so your pics really cheered me up
love the mittens, too
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Lovely photos and pretty mittens. You are clever 🙂
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