1. The buds look like french knots tied to branches. Heavy drops drip onto the snow below.

2. After three years of wanting, I finally get a little shelving unit for my side of the office. The files, books and seed boxes that have cluttered up my desk for the interim time fit perfectly into their new home: they’re still accessible but I no longer have to worry about being buried under a paper avalanche.

3. Lily sniff-sniff-sniffs the air, the ground and the usual hiding spots until she finds her treat.