This and that

 A few crocuses are up, but none of the ones in the crocus field are showing buds. There are snowdrops in bloom, the cyclamen, winter jasmine.  The primulas, dutch iris, daffodils, saxatilis tulips and quite a few others have leaves up.  The hellebores will soon have flowers open. 

An overview of the front garden bones, showing the semi heart shape.. just in time for Valentines day.  Today has been a bit of a drippy day, so did not get out to do any more clean up or photos.
I have been adding photos to a few google plus communities.  There are, of course, more active people on the plus than there is on Megashot, so the communities are more interesting.  I managed to get some critiques done last nite and some meet and greet done today, on Megashot, before it slowed down again.  The people at the servers don't seem to be able to manage the site properly.  But Cyrus and his people are hard at work on Version 2, so hopefully it will solve these problems ... if ever they get it finished.
I am really enjoying my new little camera.  I have sent to Lensmate for an adapter that will hold my 58mm filters and the little Canon 58mm close up lens 500 D.  that I bought for the S3 IS.  I am lurking on the SX40HS group on Flickr and am thinking of actually paying up on Flickr again... but really, have so much to do now, that it makes no sense to try to do more.
Yesterday I made a parsnip soup and it turned out really good, so there is one package frozen for another day.  The soups I made last fall are down to about 1/3 of what I had made and frozen.  It is so nice to be able to just go to the freezer for these good, homemade soups.  They are very nutritious, tasty and no salt, unlike the bought canned stuff.  I also made up an extra package of apple sauce today, so will have a bit more of that frozen and on hand for when needed.  There is just one layer of apples left in the bin.(perhaps about 48 apples)  We have been eating them as fresh fruit and in cooking.