We had a family get together yesterday to mark a milestone in my Mum's life - her retirement. And what better way to mark the occasion than with flowers and homemade cupcakes.

Snowdrops are my favourite spring flowers, so simple and delicate, yet so strong to push their shoots through the cold winter soil - for me they are definately a plant to be admired.

The sun shone in my kitchen at least today as my daughter and I got creative making brightly coloured tissue paper flower pictures!

I am ploughing on in believing that spring is around the corner, despite the weather and trying family circumstances. This beautifully bright golden yellow bloom certainly helps.

Even though the weather is not particularly spring like, I do have the urge to start my spring cleaning!

Isn't it lovely to go out and eat something that you wouldn't normally have at home, one of life's little pleasures I think? Have a good weekend.

I have no concerns that my extensive shoe collection will go to waste later in life when I am unable to make good use of it...!

I know it's another floral post, but my valentines flowers are just too pretty not to take some lovely pictures!

Gerbera's have been a fashionable flower for several years now, I have tried arranging them in different ways with other flowers, but think they look best on their own.

Happy Valentines Day! This day is not normally one that we 'celebrate' very much, however our daughter seizes every opportunity to want to decorate the house and bake appropriate goods for various celebrations, we even had lanterns hung from the light fittings for Chinese New Year! Who am I to argue with such enthusiasm - besides I think she probably gets it from me anyway!!!

I hope your valentine weekend will be full of sparkle!

Today has been cold and wet with a grey saucepan lid sky, so I decided to post a little glimmer of sunshine taken earlier in the week.

An early and very special valentines card made at pre-school by our daughter - we love it. As for the pink heart shaped doily - I want some!!!

I took this shot at 5.10pm this evening, am loving the extra daylight time creeping in each day. I can't wait until the warmer months, I am definately done with winter now.

Upon reflection, January has been a month I would prefer to forget for several reasons, none more so than my family seemed to be overwhelmed by illness. But as February is marching on and the hours of daylight are increasing I feel a glimmer of spring is on the way and time to begin blogging again...