I’m glad I love my little cottage because it’s so cold out there, I don’t want to leave it! I know that many of you are also living in these Arctic-like temps, so cold for a December. My weather app tells me this will be going on through next Wednesday (!) and then it will start to warm up. It’s all relative, of course, because the forecast for the ‘warm up’ is still very cold!
We braved the weather last night to meet Rick and Doug at a local Thai restaurant. I’m so glad they’re here. We have great conversations that include lots of laughter. What a blessing their presence has been in our lives.
The paperwhites are blooming and the scent is heavenly. Since the bulb is right next to my blogging chair, I get tantalizing whiffs of the scent from time to time. I bought this particular bulb at Whole Foods right before Christmas. It was an impulse buy. I’m so glad I went for it.
The new monstera leaves are slowly unfurling. They take their time, as does the new growth on the ZZ plant. I like that, as I get the pleasure of watching the unveiling progress from day to day.
I’m feeling rather ‘my cup runneth over-y’ today. It’s something about being safely ensconced in our cottage, seeing the various shades of green in the house plants, having a husband who makes my first cup of coffee and brings it to me in the den (I make our second cup), having close friends nearby (after so many years of living here) – a whole host of blessings.
We’ve been through years that were so tough we couldn’t wait for the new year This year, I’m basking in our good fortune and sending up a prayer that 2018 is a blessing for everyone, everywhere.
Happy Friday.
Sweet way to end the year, basking in it’s blessings. I’m so glad you have friends close by, as friends add so much to our lives. I’m spending New Year with my best friend and her husband. I’m looking forward to a little getaway. I had a fabulous Christmas with all my family together. I’m also so blessed. Stay warm and enjoy!
Sounds like a lovely New Year, Linda! Much love to you.
I am praying that 2018 will be better than 2017. It has to be, right?? Because if it isn’t, I worry about all of us.
Like you, I am so happy that I am content (and warm) staying inside during this current Arctic window we are now experiencing. I have 5 books sitting here, and just finished one this morning. It is so wonderful to have time to sit and not have 4 To-Do lists going at once. The tree is lit, the dogs and the cat are sleeping and we are in our chairs. I am also on Episode 6 of Season 1 of The Crown and enjoying it so very much! There truly is a reason for the seasons. We are resting just as the plants, bulbs, and flowers are doing. In just a few months we will all bloom again!!
Isn’t that lovely? Just sit back, relax, and read a book!
Amen!
xo Thanks, Monica!
I’m so thankful that we have a warm home….especially with these arctic days and nights predicted this weekend. Little things! We are off to Milwaukee today…spending time with my best friend, and her hubby…going to a concert tonight. Going to be a blast! Enjoy the warmth of your cottage today! ;)
Have a wonderful time with your best friend! There’s nothing like a best friend, is there?
Thank you, Claudia. Hold the good feelings like jewels in your hand. (And another hot cup of Peet’s in your other hand!)
Thank you, Vicki!
just the words cosy and cottage . . . I love those words! and even more what they stand for.
and friends that you can laugh with these days are always such a gift in itself!
I just came back from buying some healthy stuff. starting early to un-do some of the indulgence that i had planned over Christmas . . . using visitors as an excuse!
but the beloved excuses are gone now! and i have been eating way too much salt and sugar.
but oh MY! it was wonderful. especially the rich Blue Bunny homemade style vanilla ice cream with Bailey’s Irish Cream over it . . . oh be still my heart.
and that first picture here? i love everything about it!
we are also in an arctic deep freeze with colder days to come. just hoping for no bough breaking ice storms. i’m just happy to be retired now! no more slipping and sliding for me.
I over-indulged like crazy. It was awfully fun, but I, too need to pull back now.
Isn’t it nice not to have to be anywhere when the weather is bad? Such a relief!
amen.
xo Carolyn Marie
Glad to hear that the temperature will be getting a little warmer next week. I had to do some errands today. It was not too bad walking,since there was not much wind. Stay warm and cozy inside.
Marilyn
I think the key word there is ‘little.’ It’s warmer down your way than up here, Marilyn. But still cold!
We would like to extend the best wishes from our family to yours! May the New Year bring only good things to all of you!
Ryoma.
Thank you, Ryoma. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Thank so you.
Please come out to Okayama Korakuen in 2018.
It is also registered in the Michelin guide.
I am safe because there are 30 interpreters.
Ryoma.
I can’t believe 2017 is drawing to a close. 2018 will hold some excitement for my daughters and me…a month in Europe! I’ve been paying off the 2-week trip to the Continent in monthly installments so it doesn’t hurt as much, but last night, confirmed with a friend in Cornwall that she will be around, so I’m tagging two weeks in England onto the trip. One daughter and I have been to Europe, but the other hasn’t, so she is beyond excited.
Oh, how wonderful that will be for you! So happy that you will have this time together, exploring Europe and England!
It’s cold and snowy here in North Idaho and my home is warm and toasty.
Coffee is on
It’s snowing here, Dora! And it’s cold!!!!
I’d say any raise in temperature would be an improvement from what we are enduring now Claudia…it’s so nice that you and Don are on a break from working and don’t have to go out in this killer cold!…It is very nice that your friends are close enough to be a big part of your life now…I can tell that Rick and Doug have done a lot to raise your spirits!…Sadly most of my old friends have passed away now so there is no getting in touch anymore…but the memories we made together can still make me laugh when I think of them…Enjoy the warmth of your cozy cottage…in a few months we will be talking about Spring and getting ready enjoy our wonderful flowers again!
I can’t wait. I am now officially ‘over’ snow!
Although it’s bitter cold outside, that chair looks warm & cozy! Best wishes for you & Don in 2018!
The same to you and yours, Debbie!
Hi!
Do you believe that the ability to sing is hereditary or learned? I cannot carry a tune in a bucket.
My hubby can sing . The first time he heard me sing the National Anthem there was a look of horror on his face.
Happy New Year!
I sang professionally for a number of years and no one in my immediate family sings. My mom had a nice voice, however. Same thing with Don, though his beloved brother (who is adopted) sings.