Little Wandering Wren …. chats!

It's such a beautiful time of year. Take a look at this tree out the front of our house It's bare leaves, standing stark against the blue sky Just waiting to burst forth into spring! Out in the back garden, it's anything but bare Things have gone bananas! Actually, the growth makes me smile.  It seems so immediate,  so free, so easy in the garden. It's almost a pain, it needs tending and care. Warning - deep and meaningful alert... You see my day job is all about growth. My work with people seeking asylum is all about personal growth. The challenges of that when you may not have work or study rights, when you have fled unimaginable horrors, when you have left behind family and friends... I see such immense courage, resilience, strength. Just look what's appeared in my jungle! Aren't these Arum Lillies beautiful? Peaceful, calm and strong. I'm working long hours.  The work feels never ending,...

It's all in the preparation... Some worms on an ice cream! If you only knew the hours of work  that goes into organising a  flower festival for the village, then you'd understand perfectly how this lady, Jesse Cox came to be collapsed  in the front of my car last Friday. Driving Jesse to church. Jesse Cox started life as a papermache balloon head, some wool hair,  and a body stuffed with plastic bags! She was created, last year by my Parents  along with her soldier husband,  and a bridesmaid or two  for her 1918 Church wedding at St Mary's Longcot. 2014's Flower Festival was a World War 1 inspired . 2014 Long Church Flower Festival This year's theme Painters in Flowers is an interpretation  of the style,  colours and work of famous artists.  Each theme is meticulously planned by my Mother and her  wonderful band of local Oxfordshire flower arrangers. Mum has the vision,  but turnin...

Drumroll please... For 'It's Pink Saturday' on Sunday morning some breaking news out of the UK Shock 'In The Pink' winner... At the local Somewhere-Shire Produce show my Mum (who wishes to be known only as Mrs Tickled Pink entered a few flowers from the garden into the 2013 ' In the Pink ' Flower Arrangers United competition. She has just won first place!!! The judge Mrs Mind-Your-Own-Beeswax said, 'A wonderful interpretation - very clever - immaculate material beautifully arranged' Mrs Tickled Pink when interviewed by local Press said 'I can only boast to you, as I think there was a bit of muttering by some as I didn't use pink flowers in the design like everybody else'. 'Please note home-grown grapes'! My Mum has now gone into hiding, along with my Father, her winnings and a large bottle of Rosé to celebrate. Note: Names have been changed to protect the identity of the Judge... Well done Mum!!! Hell...