When I wandered around the garden early this chilly morning I watched the overnight frost dripping from the touch of the sun making its slow climb into the branches above and listened to the rhythmic patter as it beat a tattoo on the leaves below.
Sugar-frost remained in the unshaded beds and bejewelled foliage reached by the rising sun.
Camellias and irises reticulata are beginning to bloom.
Although she does not yet have balanced coordination to stand without support Ellie has the strength to do so with it, as she attempts to turn her multiple choice toy into a teething ring while running her tongue over her first burgeoning gnasher. Her mother stands poised in case of slippage.
Beginning early this morning,
and with the aid of his saw horse,
Martin spent much of the day fixing sleepers around the perimeter of the new patio paving. Each piece is measured meticulously and levelled with the aid of a spirit level.
After lunch I completed the recovery, made possible by the help of SueW, of the pictures to the following posts:
This evening we all dined on toothsome roast beef; crisp Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes; firm Brussels sprouts; crunchy carrots; tender runner beans, and tasty gravy, with which Jackie drank more of the Grüner Veltliner, I drank more of the Syrah, and Flo and Dillon drank fruit juice cordial. Ellie chewed at and sucked on a piece of carrot and screwed up her face in lachrymal complaint when this was removed.
Love the new pictures of Ellie. Also loved your frost description. Hurray for Marti.
Thanks very much, Pat
I can’t believe our big Ellie has grown up. Our youngest granddaughter Ellora or Ellla/Ellie for short, start big school on Monday. Time seems to reflect more when we watch our Grandies grow up.
Thank you very much, Chrissy. For me it is the first time I have been able to watch this 24/7
Yes, it’s special.
Hi Ellie, you are growing rapidly. Such lovely photos of her Derrick😘
Thank you so much, Arlene
I love the phrase “lachrymal complaint,” in the best tradition of Charles Dickens himself!
I can’t wait to use that phrase in casual conversation Liz.
Oh, yes!!
I do like to follow conversations between my readers 🙂
🙂
Thank you so much, Liz. I do hope he didn’t use it himself 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick. Fingers crossed that the bon mot is original to you. 🙂
I just googled it. I think I am in the clear. Although there are a number of medical complaints concerning tear ducts.
Whew . . .
Martin is making a fantastic job of it all !
He sure is. I had no idea what he would produce. Thanks a lot, John
Martin sleeper installation work is typically superb, Martin is definitely a “Jack of all Trades”
He sure is, Ivor. Thanks very much
I cannot believe how well Ellie is doing. By my calculations she’s not yet six months! Wow!
Your calculations are correct, Sue. Thanks very much
Ellie is so adorable! She’s got one tooth (gnasher) already! Martin is going a beautiful job, Derrick, the patio looks great! I’m glad that your website photos are complete now, it’s a lot of work running a website/blog isn’t it? Jackie’s dinner sounds delicious as usual! 😊🇬🇧
Thank you so much from us both, John. two gnashers this morning
Another tooth says hello! ❤️ You are very welcome, guys. ☺️
Morning frost… sun … and melting are always appreciated now. So glad the patio is progressing. 🥰
Thank you very much, Val
Thinking … I appreciate nature, patio building and wee ones … but maybe because I don’t have my own I tend to overlook how important the next generations are they are for others.
Ellie is awesome … in her own special way. Not just because she is a wee one, but because she is already showing up as she is. A very special human being ❤️
Thank you so very much, Val X
There’s a lot of ‘completing’ going on around there: blog photos, patio, and infancy. It won’t be long before Ellie won’t need those supports; she’ll be off and running — quite literally!
Quite so, Linda. Thank you so much
Ellie has too much cuteness for one post. The patio looks marvelous. Lots of action around you Knight.
Thanks very much, Flow
Beautiful morning light photos. It’s fun to watch Ellie get bigger. What a great toy! Thanks to Martin for being dependable and doing good work!
And thanks to you for your regular support, JoAnna. I’ve never been in a position to watch a baby’s progress 24/7 before.
It’s a wonderful gift to be able to watch and record with your camera!
Ellie is so photogenic! Martin is doing a great job. It looks like the weather is cooperating.
Thank you very much, Jill
It feels so ‘right’ to be able to peep into your garden daily once more and to enjoy your lovely photographs.
I’m so pleased, Anne. Many thanks
Your garden has charm even in the depths of winter
Thanks very much, Sheree
Thank you very much, Sheree
Work/life in progress. Little Ellie is adorable and I like her toy too. Quite unique for me at least.
Thanks very much, Rupali. We have never seen such a toy before. It came from Lidl
Wonderful beautiful photos, but they pale in comparison to wonderful beautiful Ellie!!! She’s grown so much! 🙂 YAY for first teethies! 🙂 And, yes, something to gnash on helps! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️🥕❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Martin is such a hard, meticulous worker! Frosty foliage to angled late winter light on leaf and stone, the garden is a delight to see.
Little Elowen is growing quickly! I love her expressive little face. ❤️
Thank you so much, Lavinia
So gorgeous. Our little Ellie (Eleanor) is not far behind… adorable.
Thank you so much, Gwen
So much progress–patio, spring flowers, attempts at standing, and teeth! There’s a lot going on at your house, Derrick, and beautifully documented.
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick.
A wonderful recovery and great work by Martin!
Thanks very much, GP
This gentleman is doing great job for you. It looks like he is doing the project with love. The patio is looking beautiful already.
You are right, Alexander. Martin really loves our garden
I see.
Love those shots of Ellie. She is growing so fast! And joining the nightly repast too! Martin, of course, is a phenomenon.
Thank you so much, Sandra. I do pass on the compliments to Martin
Look at Ellie! Standing already. How she is growing. The patio is coming right along. Soon you will be out there enjoying a drink and summer breezes.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Very cute baby! I love how your patio is coming out!
Thanks a lot, Dwight
You are welcome!
The patio is coming along beautifully! The pictures of Ellie are precious. She is such a beautiful baby and growing so fast.
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
That is a very fine patio.
Thank you very much, Andrew
Have you a name in mind for the patio area? Versailles perhaps?
Could be as splendid, Tootlepedal. Thank you very much.
Wonderful pictures, Derrick. My goodness, Ellie is pulling herself up already! And Martin is doing a fabulous job.
Thanks very much, Jodie. Two toughies
Your camera skills were working overtime on this one! Thanks for sharing Ellie’s growing with us. And your “bejewelled foliage” is wonderful! What a great job Martin is doing. God bless him!
Thank you so much, Jan
Gorgeous photos!
Thank you very much, Ribana
Derrick, I must have “commented in my head” though I would have sworn otherwise. In any event, i enjoy your wonderfully descriptive prose, today and always. Ellie is a charmer. I love that age and stage, with so much of life to discover. Martin is a great talent with a warm smile. He must enjoy his work. Spring is just around the corner.
Thank you so much, Alys. All good observations
Thank you, Derrick.