I had a bit of the Sunday blues last weekend after an absolutely fantastic Friday and Saturday. Tim came for a visit and it’s always a joy to have people over to the cottage. For all of its peace and tranquility, such things are sometimes only as good as the people you share them with.

There was a lot of good food (Tim’s rhubarb and apple crumble a notable highlight), drink (Pimms of course and a delicious Pouilly Fume), walking (a sheepish jaunt around Bibury and the River Coln), talking (about getting free) and film-watching (Angles & Demons oh my), but one of the more notable highlights took place in the garden.

Tim suggested that the cottage needed a splash of colour, and that a couple hanging flower baskets would be a good start. This is something I’ve often thought about doing – I’ve even looked at the hanging plants at the garden center. But then I get struck by analysis (and price tag) paralysis and go home with my measly pack of seeds of compost or whatever. But per Tim’s encouragement I dragged him with me to Dobbies and enlisted his help picking out a couple of baskets and some flowers to go in them.

So what do we have here. Lots of Violas, Arabis Rosea, Sedum Autumn Stonecrop, and Hutchinsia Crystal Carpet, most of which I hadn’t heard of before. My gardening efforts have so far been concentrated on the veg patch, but there might be room in my repertoire for flowers, too. I find I’m especially drawn to interesting grasses and colourful leaves. The only downside is that with these two hanging baskets, the entry to the cottage now seems to be crying for a whole lot more.

Another highlight from the trip to Dobbies was Tim’s generous gift of these Fiskars Weed Pullers, a product that does what it says with intention and anger. My lawn is fulllll of weeds, big knarly ones, and we had a cathartic time pulling out the worst of them after I got home. A very impressive gardening tool:

So, many thanks to Tim for enriching my garden (and my weekend) with his inspiration, encouragement and gadgetry. Sunday blues be damned – when I look around at where I live, what I have, and the people I have to share it with, I have all the reasons in the world to be happy.

Wow, and to think I said all that without barely a mention of food. Could I be expanding my horizons a bit? And if I’m ever in doubt, I need only watch this ridiculously cute lamb moment from our walk in Bibury to lift my spirits: