Amaryllis time again!

I was checking new amaryllis bulbs at the store this week and shocked to see how much they've increased in price this season. These are the old amaryllis bulbs planted in the garden last Spring after perhaps the third or fourth year of indoor blooming. They didn't bloom again in the garden as they did last year, but grew tall, healthy leaves all Summer. I dug up the bulbs and trimmed the leaves and roots in September, then kept them in the potting shed until repotting again early in November. Today when I raised the dining room blinds to let the lovely sunshine in, I saw a change. Tinges of green again!  They won't bloom for Christmas, more likely in mid-January. I'm so excited and grateful. Sometimes I lack patience, waiting about bothers me and I just want to get on with things. Perhaps the couple of pandemic years changed much of that. Having more time I am more attune to waiting for things to happen. Or am I getting old and slowing down?  Have to be honest here!

Tomorrow we'll be off to the coast for a few days and I can hardly wait to see the ocean, walk the beach, and enjoy fresh seafood. Weather includes some rain but at least one day should be warmish and sunny. . . . . .perhaps we can dip our toes while waving across the vast Atlantic to family and friends on the other side of the pond!

Enjoy your after-Thanksgiving weekend. Before you know it, if you haven't already started, pulling out the storage boxes and decorating for Christmas will be underway. That's at the top of my list for when I return to town.

Up with the sun. . . . . .

Trying to keep up with everything.

Why does December gallop nonstop across the calendar?

This year may be different but around here it's not any slower.

Everything still seems to be a race. Shopping, cleaning, decorating,

 writing cards, baking, raking and blowing millions of leaves down 

to the road before the city vacuum truck arrives (due this week).

End of year medical checks, the mammogram, the labs. . . . on

and on it goes. 

Not complaining though, just needed to say it and will now move

 along, get it all done, thankful to be healthy, active and able!

Yesterday, while running errands, we were horrified at the number of

young people out and about without masks. 

Please tell your youngsters - especially teens - how important

it is to wear a mask to protect their siblings, parents, 

grandparents, friends, as well as themselves. . . . . . .  and

strangers like us whom they pass in the street or store.

Here's to the busy week ahead!

Stay safe - Be well

Gardening for Christmas -

Other than raking, gathering and piling the leaves - and no sooner that's done

more fall - there's not much gardening going on around here!

Very different weather this morning.

Rain, steady but light, temperature a few degrees above freezing

 (could have been snow if colder), enough to dampen down the dust and

put a sheen on the gazebo now sporting the annual Christmas tree 

to brighten up the dark nights.

While working out there yesterday, our family of Eastern bluebirds returned

 to enjoy the birdbaths and suet feeders. I managed a few quick photos of this

 handsome male, so colorful at this time of year. . . . . . and they brought me 

much happiness.

Christmas preparations are in full swing here, although mine are much

 more simple than those of many younger bloggers I've noticed.  

Did I used to have that much energy?

Do I wish I still could do all that? 

Yes of course.

Morning light in December -

The sunshine is brilliant but the temperature very low this morning. 

Our coldest night and morning yet this season.

At last it feels like Christmas weather.

Warm socks pulled up around my ankles feel good, and the

 coffee mug warms my hands now starting to feel dry from 

winter's chill. Time for gloves.

Piano music from Brian Cain's album 'A Change of Seasons' is playing softly. 

I admit being obsessed by his beautiful music.

There are many birds at the feeders, some also braving the water

 in yet to freeze birdbaths, tough little feathered friends.

Yesterday I completed my decorating for the holidays.

Lights were turned on.

The tree in the gazebo glittered last evening, the cottage and porch

 glowed warmly from the floodlit front garden. I wandered down to the

street to look back and enjoy the view.

The night was silent and still as cold nights can be.

Later today some shopping for holiday baking items.

Soon a trip westward to the mountains with visits to special friends.

Wrapping and more card writing. 

Deliver gifts to some special little ones.

House cleaning, ugh!  

Cooking plans and such written on refrigerator notepad.

Pick up fresh greens for the mantel.

Make mince pies + brandy butter for them on Christmas Eve.

Prepare my English trifle dessert for San Antonio friends who will 

make a quick holiday stop.

The list grows. . . . . . . .the holiday season always busy.

Thoughts of childhood Christmases so long ago, so far away.

Memories...................

I feel the spirit of Christmas.

It crept up on me!

Gosh, I was having such a good time at the coast I completely forgot that December was knocking at the door!

Eugène Samuel Grasset (Swiss, 1845-1917)

DÉCEMBRE

So a little break from blogging needed because, like you, I have so much to do in December. 

I still have cards to write to people far away across the pond, to the north and west. 

I've started decorating the cottage for the Christmas holidays but I have more, a lot more, 

to do. I've shopping planned, recipes to organize, baking to get started on, 

lists to check, concerts to attend, company visiting, and a very special wedding.

I'll be back soon!