Feeling Squirrely

Bushy-tailed hoarders scamper still. Our yard; their playground.

Here's what I watched out the window the other morning....

Squirrely was too efficient with the hiding of his pantry staples for the winter. Not a walnut in sight. He's choosing to forage for rose hips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today's the day for pruning the rose bushes. The start of pruning, anyway. We have countless thorny rosaceous climbers, trailers, bushes, etc., and it takes awhile to get them all under control.         

 

 

Winter is seen in countless ways around my garden. Our flying friends have left their home ...

 

 

     

 

 

 

Last post I eluded to the fact that I'm "Spring-dreamin".  'Tis true... I sat for hours and browsed a gorgeous seed website and ordered their catalog - solely to gander again at their imagery! What  

beauty there is to be found at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.... oh my!                    

 

 

Grey, cold and if I may say so- some gloom - are how the last few days have been. However, it's nothing that a handful of bright yellow tulips can't change!! They too are a harbinger of Spring!!

 

                       

 

 

 

 

 

** If you'd like to see some fresh, new blog posts that begin the new year in style... go see My Romantic Home. I've joined Cindy's Thursday group that highlights beauty in our homes.

Dreaming of Longer Days

Still much more of winter to go. The Christmas holiday season only barely over. I don't mean to search beyond the days that are here and now. As we're told - LIVE IN THE PRESENT... but, once the glitter is packed away to the garage rafters, my thoughts turn to spring and it's freshness.

Icy mornings and sunny cool days are still settled upon my garden for now. I shall bask in what is lovely about that. Make good with this present time.


It's taken at least a week to get back to the journaling of my life. Now it seems that I'll only be able to write and not attach photos. Blogger has some major new year revamping to do, it seems. The lovely photos that I would share can only sit on my computer and wait for another time... seems I cannot live in the present for this either. :-)


** found a way around the problem - solely for one pretty image! **

Lots of pretty to share from the last couple of holiday weeks... hoping to get to it soon! Fingers crossed that Blogger gets repaired!

Short Days of Winter

Winters begun, nightfall came early today. While reading, I found this lovely piece of poetry and found it perfect for this near-to-Christmas day ~

                                                                         ***

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

                                                                          ***

Our home is decidedly non-traditionally decorated for the season. As I wrote previously - it's somewhat "organic" this year. Here's the very little rest that I've arranged. It's not much!

 

 

The ironstone pitcher on the right is filled with flowers from Pops' funeral - they just got plunked in the ewer and I never re-touched the bouquet.... sorta sad looking... oops!

notice the white paint splotches still on the walls - so lovely! :-)

again with the unfinished paint

the minimalist look

Boughs of green, wreaths of boxwood, orchids, ferns, paperwhites and pine cones...organic - some straight from our yard -  SIMPLE & BEAUTIFUL and all that will happen for this holiday!

NOT Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas..

No further along on my Christmas decorating, or shopping, or cooking.... hhhaa - or anything at all related to the holiday that is nearly here. I can say with much pride, though, that my heart is lighter and my brain not nearly as foggy. Can you guess why that is?? Sure you can!....  I've been away to the beach again!



Some wise old bird  {not this guy} ->  knew how to heal mush-brain/tired-eye/no-sleep sadness
and offered a bed in an adorable lil beach house and Hubby & I went for the weekend.

Winter is here in California. We've had temp drops and chilly-bring-the-plants-in nights. What does one do with those sorts of days? why.... sit in front of a fire, with a movie playing and a pot of cioppino on the stove. Fresh crab straight from the wharf! Such a blessing!


Bundled in a scarf and rainboots, I spent the day alone sloshing in the sand. Photographing lonely, colorful, beachy environs. Our Boardwalk here gave me pause... it dawned on me that had it been this coast that endured Superstorm Sandy, our roller coaster could be the one with ocean water for her foundation now.

What a difference to  be alone on the Boardwalk, no coaster-scared-screams, no belly laughs
{except for this gal} ->

But, tons of color ~

I left with a smile on my face. Similar to this smile{?}....

Sand on my boots, sinuses filled with salty air, raindrops dotting my glasses...

Time to gather the fixins for dinner and head for warmth. The beach cottage and slippers upon my feet sounded cozy and inviting....

The wintry weekend still ahead. I'll relive it's beauty by posting more next time....

The Weather Outside Is SO NOT Frightful...

Half an hour away from Winter Solstice.  Many pieces of the season have felt unseasonable! Is it the Charlie Brown-ing inside my home? Has the lesser lack of funds changed up the gift giving to a degree that seems Bah Humbug? Or just maybe the unrainy, rarely blustery weather has my holiday mood held hostage? I know better than to dream of a white Christmas. That just doesn't happen in these parts...



{photo via Internet}


we instead have ~

and ~

Hubby and I will probably go to the beach on Christmas day. Quite the California holiday. I'm sure to find some spirit surf side. It just won't be the same... but, nothing much about the end of this year has been!!

Torch The Pilot

This ol' house of mine....

It's sooo old ~

How old is it ??   paddum pum....

She was built in 1945 says the yellowed and fading paper we found in the garage.

She's so old..... there's a metal thingamajig on the floor which hurts if you step on it....

Oh yeah, that floor thing is a grate, that covers a hole - the insides are known as a heater! Maybe you've never seen one.... they're that old! We extinguish the flame in 'er during summer and then relight the pilot every winter. It's that time!

Thanksgiving nears and December icily moves to overthrow Autumn.

Move away icy cold.... allow us our time with fall... it's so beautiful....

Word with the local forecasters is Winter-ish weather for the weekend. Snow could be visible around the rim of our valley. Well, okay, I guess that makes for beautiful walks too!