This year it has felt like winter has lingered longer than usual, but there is at last a feeling of seasonal change here. Spring is definitely in the air, which has warmed appreciably from two weeks ago, when there were still traces of snow on the ground, showing up the tracks of Kit the fox all around the chicken run. On my walk today the touch of the breeze was pleasant rather than painful, with no need for bundling under woolly layers to keep out the chill and the bright sun was warming and very welcome. Although the woods are still wreathed in browns and greys and remain bare twigged, the leaf buds are starting to swell and it won’t be long until they burst open with joyous green.
Birdsong is building in the early mornings, which is a lovely way to greet the day and is usually started by high clear notes from the robin. The pigeons bill and coo along the length of the fence and the bluetits are darting to and from the nest box, not yet bringing in nesting material but definitely behaving like prospective buyers.
Spring feels especially welcome this year and I’m daydreaming about the longer days to come, picnics, knitting in the garden, wearing short-sleeves and enjoying the feel of the sun of bare skin. Winter hasn’t been all dull and dismal though, the skies have provided lots of splendid colour; whether it’s been tightly focused in the curve of a rainbow or splashed across the whole sky in technicolour sunsets. And there is always colour inside in my knitting bag. I’m working on lots of new patterns at the moment, cabled sweaters, new animals and a few other ideas are being played around with. As always I’ll keep you posted with more details once they’re all further along and ready to share.
Lastly there’s foxy news from the garden. Kit has had her third litter of cubs. We don’t know where her den is but it must be close by as she’s popping in daily for snacks. I knew that she was pregnant as I saw (and heard!) her mating in the early morning light on December 19th and throughout February she has grown obviously and progressively more bulbous around the middle. It’s most likely that the cubs were born between February 10th-14th as she didn’t come to visit at all on those days and when she arrived on the 15th she was no longer looking pregnant. It was the worst possible time of the year as Feb 10th was the coldest night for quite a few years with temperatures down to -7. I’m hoping that the cubs have all survived and are flourishing now the days are warmer and I’m wondering if we’ll get to meet them later in the spring once they’re old enough to venture out of the den. I shall make sure that I have my camera battery fully charged and ready, I’d love another morning like the one I had last year when Kit brought her cubs to visit for the first time 🙂
I hope there’s a little in your life right now to lift your spirits and that you have a good weekend ahead. See you soon xx
little cotton rabbits 
I so enjoyed your beautiful photos of sunsets, rainbow, hints of spring and especially your gorgeous fox Kit! I always look forward
to your posts whether knitting and/or your wonderful pics. Thanks for sharing!! 😍
LikeLike
Beautiful, calming pictures as usual Julie. What’s that… new patterns you say? How exciting. xx
LikeLike
You have described the beginnings of spring beautifully Julie, so much to look forward to. How lovely that your little fox has a new family, fingers crossed she brings them to ‘meet’ you.
Looking forward to seeing your new designs!
Happy weekend,
V x
LikeLike
How exciting, I hope you get to see them soon. It was glorious outside today, loads of birdsong as you say, and plum blossom and frogspawn in the pond, all wonderful. I hope you have a lovely weekend. CJ xx
LikeLike
I’m always excited when I see a post from you. Your writing is as beautiful as your photography, which is as beautiful as your little cotton rabbits and all their finery. Always a pleasure to hear what’s going on in your neck of the woods. In the US mid-Atlantic area we are only just about to shake off our deep mantle of snow, weeks old now. I’m longing to see what eager spring flowers will be popping up once it’s all gone. It seems that no matter what comes your way, you are always cheerfully resilient, and it lifts my spirits. Thanks. (Also grateful, oddly enough, that you don’t post every day–social media can be overwhelming at times and I have to unfollow people I like very much because it is simply too much to absorb it all.)
LikeLike
Your pictures are beautiful – thank you
LikeLike
I so enjoy your little insights to your daily life amongst the hedgerows, woods and fields to say nothing of the antics of your Kit! I love it when I see in my inbox that there’s a missive from you!
I must tell you that your patterns and inspiration have spurred me on to do much knitting over the last few terribly cold weeks. It suddenly dawned on me that my youngest granddaughter is going to be having her 7th Birthday in mid March and won’t be able to see or visit her. With that in mind I have set about making her a series of knitted animals – all your designs of course! So far she has 2 teddies – a boy and a girl with their own wardrobe of clothes, a soft as butter bunny, knitted in the most beautiful Alpaca yarn and I’m about to begin a little girl elephant. All these will be posted to her in their own carrying cases, animals in one and clothes in another. I’ve now got to make sure that I manage to complete them all in time to send and arrive in time for The Birthday! They have given me immense amount of pleasure and a great amusement for my husband as he watches the efforts of stuffing teddy tummies and positioning ears exactly in the right positions! Thank you so much!
LikeLike
Wonderful photos as usual! Love the trees!!
xxx
LikeLike
I always love hearing about your latest adventure. You write as beautifully as you create animals and take lovely photos. I am excited for your new patterns and projects.
LikeLike
I love your photos just as much as I love your knitted critters. You have a good eye and capture the beauty of nature so well. Mahalo!
LikeLike
I look forward to your beautiful photos and the long lovely description of your forest come spring time. You’ve never failed me yet. I love the Fox photo. I’m hoping for her puppy pics soon and hopefully a new puppy pattern!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for sharing yourself. Every time that I look at your photos and read your blog a sense of peace and calm washes over me. My blood pressure lowers immediately. Knitting your critters is also a source of calm and joy. Kindest regards to you and your family, looking forward to more news of Kit and her family.
LikeLike
Beautiful photos as always.. love all your blog posts. I did email you to ask which crochet stitch did you use to join your misty morn blanket squares, which I want to make for a friend please?
LikeLike
Beautiful photos, but I especially enjoyed reminiscing with Kit. I had missed those picture. Wonderful!
LikeLike
I found your blog late last year and was delighted and touched with your beautiful photos, as well as descriptive and poignant writing.
Thank you for sharing parts of your life, your words and photos (both of nature, the garden, and knitting) make me smile and just appreciate everyday life.
There’s a sense of tranquility, beauty and courage in your work, and I feel positive and appreciative of life whenever I get to see them.
I feel you’d be a great author too, your writing is elegant and I can imagine myself in the garden. (You’re a little like Beatrice Potter with the fox!)
I hope you can take photos of Kit’s pups again, I’d love to see them.
Love from Japan 🙂
LikeLike
Sorry, when I wrote “poignant” above, I meant “emotionally touching” and not sad. (I had a feeling the meaning of the word was a bit different from what I wanted to say, should have checked the dictionary before posting….Just wanted to clarify as I couldn’t find the edit button.
LikeLike
How fun to go back and re-read your post on Kit and her cubs — I so hope you’ll have another experience with this new batch of cubs. I can’t wait to see what you are working on. I’ve just finished three little mice for my granddaughters for Easter — they’re so darn cute. I’ll never in a million years imagine how you’re able to knit so many animals though! Have a wonderful week! XO
LikeLike