After a break - what's happening in the garden

We've had a visitor for the last week or so and it was more important to spend time with them than try to keep up with the blog.  Actually, I think I learned a valuable lesson - sometimes things have to be put in hold.  It was important to us that we gave our visitor all of our time, not just when it suited us.  And when we embraced the visit whole-heartedly, well, of course, we enjoyed it so much more.  A few 'out and about' photos to follow, but first a quick re-cap in the garden.

We're certain now the bluetits have chicks.  Both adult birds are flitting in and out of the nestbox all through the day with insects and seeds so it looks like they've become parents :-)) 

These pretty pink flowers on the saxifrage are brightening up the rockery

The recent warm, sunny weather, and just a  little bit of night-time rain, has got everything growing well in the garden.  The perennials are bushing out (always exciting), and the shrubs have lots of new shoots.  The trees are well into leaf and the neighbours are cutting their lawns.

Purple flowers on the chives

Every Spring, we have a hunt around the flower beds just in case a rogue spud shows its face - and this year has been no different!  In amongst the grape hyacinths and perennials I spotted the tell-tale leaves of a potato that got forgotten at the end of last year:

We'll leave it and see if any potatoes develop; we might get enough for a meal!

Here's the pile of winter greens I picked a few days ago, a mixture from the cabbages, sprouts and broccoli plants.  These leaves were shredded and blanched and are now in the freezer.  They are a wonderful dark green, tasty, and rich in goodies and make a welcome addition to any dinner.

This evening I need to sit down and pick up the 'to do' list again.  There's a few things on the horizon and I think I'll be juggling quite a few lists.  More of that anon . . .