Yes, summer is coming!

We have several friends planning to visit us throughout the summer and I realized I still have a snow picture on my last blog entry.  

Yes!  Summer is on it's way.  

We've had some absolutely gorgeous weather lately.  

And we've just returned from another trip.  

I have several blog posts to catch up, but for now here is a glimpse at the beginning of summer.  

Apparently I was mistaken

Winter still has a firm grip.  

Just wishful thinking I guess.

Winter Begins to Turn to Spring

I really had good intentions of checking back in at least once a month.  

Then I let February slip by me and here it is half way through March already.  

Here's another quick pictorial catch up on life in our world.

We had some beautiful snows in January and February.

None of them lasted too long.  

Just long enough for a day or two of hibernating.

And it didn't really keep us from getting out to walk the footpaths.

And of course the pups LOVE the snow.

But as much as he loves the snow and his big back yard, 

MacGyver also likes to keep a close eye on me.

Over President's Day weekend we made a trip to the Lake District. 

It was a great day away and a beautiful spot.

And we began to get a little hint of spring with the blooming of snowdrops.

I started feeding our neighborhood song birds.

And spying on the others...  

in the reservoir...  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

on the river bank...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and in the farm yards.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the weather warmed a bit I took walks with the sheep.

Some are having babies.  

(more to come on this!)

I had an opportunity to visit Whitby Abbey.

Whitby is a lovely little seaside town.

And I made some new friends.

Every time I explore a new footpath, village, or historic site I learn something new.  

I'm loving seeing our new home through my camera's lens. 

As the weather warms up 

(And I'm hoping for dries up too.)

 I'd like to also do some sketching and watercolor. 

 (Don't hold me to that watercolor part.)

Excited to see what spring has in store!

Life is full

It's been awhile since I've posted.
I've been spending time getting settled and learning my way around.
There are so many things I need to catch up on, but I believe I'll begin with where we have been.
We did a lot of touring around through the holidays.
Here are a few of the places we have seen.

We toured Ripon Cathedral.

and visited Fountain's Abbey

 and Malham Cove.

We watched a lantern parade at the St. Nicholas Festival in Pateley Bridge.

We had our favorite of all visitors come to spend the holidays with us.

We explored new (to us) roads.

and had Christmas guests come from far away.

We took a walk around St. Mary's church ruins.

And with one more visitor the family was complete.

We explored Skipton Castle.

and we visited York Minster

and Fountain's Abbey again.

And more family came to visit.

We made a quick trip to Edinburgh, Scotland.

We strolled through Sherwood Forest.

And met Robin Hood in Nottingham.

Took a tour of Shakespeare's birthplace.

Had dinner at The Eagle and Child in Oxford.

We caught a glimpse of Stonehenge in the fog.

Took a stroll through Jane Austin's house.

Attended an organ recital at Westminster Abbey in London.

Strolled around the Thames taking in the sites.

Checked in on 221b Baker Street.

Rode the Tube all over (or under) London.

Explored The British Museum.

And the recreated Globe Theatre.

Toured the city and campuses of Oxford.

And wandered around the grounds of Bolton Abbey.  

And in between all the running around we had a wonderful time 

visiting with some of our very favorite people.  

We are truly blessed.