she is not dead but sleepeth

Despite the recent lack of posts, I'm still here, taking things slowly, recovering from a cold and spending a few days in beautiful Richmond, Yorkshire, where we had the great pleasure of staying at Millgate House with its beautiful garden.

Although it had only just emerged from several weeks of snow, the garden was a delight, and we were lucky enough to stay in the garden apartment which has its own little door onto the terrace.

Everything in the apartment was understated elegance...

It was a very nurturing place of warm fires, old wooden furniture, linen armchairs, worn stone flags and shelves full of books... even the kitchen drawers were lined with more and more and more books.

Unfortunately the cold virus prevented me from doing much other than drink a lot of soothing tea and work my way through the library. But that was fine.

Now we're back in Manchester I'm spending my time getting to grips with my birthday present, spring cleaning, crocheting (a new project... news of that soon), making time to continue my experiments with drawing and embroidery techniques and cooking delicious things to eat. I always feel that spring arrives with my birthday and so I will hear no more of winter. Green things are unfurling and poking their noses skywards, the birds are singing until nearly 7 o'clock and it's getting lighter every day...