It’s been another wildly exciting week. The highlights have been finding a rotting carrot in my coat pocket, walking the dogs around the block in the rain each day and washing the shopping.
I found myself staring at the endless rain from the lounge window today and was astonished to see no less than eight white broadband vans pull up outside. Chaps hopped out, spoke in huddles, hopped back in and collectively drove off again. The whole thing had me contemplating the possibility that I may. just. be. in the Matrix!
Outdoors may be bleak, but inside is getting cosier by the day. My birthday gifts are still arriving, one magical package at a time.
My prize Falcatus Fern, in a coco fibre ball, has pride of place on the fire and more air plants now sit happily on the glass tubes on the new black wrought iron frames.
Daughter gifted me this Finger lime tree,
I shall be extremely happy if I actually get fruit!
Six twiglets have also now arrived. Two are Acers, one is a white Hydrangea paniculata Magical Moonlight, and three I have no clue about. Spring shall unveil these surprises.
New cushions and throws are providing a little much needed warmth, colour and creature comforts for us and the dogs.
Sam is highly suspicious of change, even if it’s just cushions!
And Finally…
it’s a joy seeing bulbs emerging…
and a mystery as to why this Eucalyptus tree insists on growing on its side, still, these are strange times so anything goes.
Until next time, stay safe guys. xxx
Belated birthday wishes. Thank goodness for cosy houses and wood burners, it’s so bleak outside. And don’t you hate sogginess? I love your new cushions. Take care and chin up, spring is on the way.
Thanks Chloris. Oh yes, what would we do without logburners in this weather. I do hate sogginess! Yes, spring isn’t to far away. Everything is so much better when you can sit in the garden.xxx
Is it just me or do your spring bulbs appear to be growing in wasabi peas? Maybe you really are in the matrix…..
I hope Sam won’t kill your new cushions. They are quite lovely!
Oh, for even a few days of that deluge you have going on there. We are in the high 80s with Santa Ana. Except for the sun lower in the sky, it feels a lot like September.
Hahaha, no not wasabi peas, just vermiculite. Still not convinced I’m not in the Matrix though! Good grief, your weather is crazy, I shall dispatch our rain asap! Here’s to some more moderate weather. Thanks Anne.xxx
I smiled at the carrot in the pocket it’s the sort of thing that would happen to me. This lockdown is expensive isn’t it but we have to have something to look forward to even if it’s just the deliveries. Ruby was very suspicious of the snow.
If it’s not carrots it’s mouldy dog biscuits! Annie was suspicious of snow and ice when she was young. She kept on leaping up in the air! Thanks Sue, here’s to us getting our jabs.xxx
Your house is looking so cosy and welcoming, the new cushion covers really cheer up a room in winter. I feel sorry for you having SO much rain, there can be too much of a good thing .
Who would know why the Eucalyptus tree is growing sideways, but they are very hardy so will survive.
I hope you are nearly over the worst of winter, how long is it before your lockdown is lifted?
Best wishes for keeping warm.
Thanks Gerrie. A little colour goes a long way in the winter, especially during lockdown. I can’t recall us ever getting this much rain, most of the streets are now flooded, the water tables won’t take much more. I’m really surprised that the Eucalyptus is still going strong. It’s obviously a little eccentric. I suspect the lockdown will end at the end of March, it’s going to be reviewed mid Feb but the numbers are still far too high for the lockdown to be lifted.xxx
I do love red and turquoise. What a fabulous combination. And I’m intrigued by your plants all round your cosy fire! A finger lime tree? That’s a new one on me. I have a Nigerian pounding pot (which they put their grain in, then … er … pound it) and I’ve been using it for umbrellas. But Hub likes long umbrellas so they keep falling out! I’ve decided the best thing to do is to put a plant in it. Any suggestions? Stay warm and safe, lovely Dina xx
Thanks Gill, I am enjoying all the new plants. Your pounding pot sounds wonderful, maybe go for a palm or fern. I’d love to see a pic of what you choose.xxx
You received six Twiglets! Oh silly me, and there was I totally mystified as to why someone would count out six Twiglets to give you as a birthday present. I am glad you cleared up that one. Communication divided by the same language…. to paraphrase.
Happy Birthday to you.
The dogs do look relaxed don’t they. Your cosy pictures are warming.
xxxx
Hahaha…your twiglet comment has me smiling! Thanks Menhir.xxx
Lovely post and pictures. Did Sam overcome his suspicions?
Thanks, and you too. xx
Thanks Flighty. Sam has now accepted the new cushions, thankfully.xxx
How exciting to get more unusual plants! Nurturing them will keep you busy as they do here indoors and in the covered yard/conservatory. Your home looks cozy and warm. Here I’m looking out at the snowy scenes in our garden. The snow froze overnight. Cars and vans usually come with deliveries, but less activity today. I spotted the parked mail van so traffic must be getting through and up our steep hill. Your description of the broadband vans and huddle made me smile.
I am enjoying the new plants, they certainly add a little more interest. I would like to have at least one snowfall, but I don’t like it when it turns to ice. I hope your ice goes soon. Thanks Linda.xxx
I’ve been staring at that teal blue/electric blue throw, trying to remember what it was in my past life that was ‘just’ that color. I’ve not brought the memory to the surface yet, but it’s so beautiful, and not a common color at all. As for Sam’s caution around The New, I remember how funny Dixie Rose could be when something she didn’t recognize was around. Sometimes, even moving the furniture could trigger that “what’s going on?!” response. Our animals certainly are endlessly entertaining.
I recently came across a recipe for cranberry-lime muffins. That’s a combination I never would have considered, but I saved the recipe and am going to give it a try — once I have my pandemic pounds gone!
I love that colour too, so electric! I hope you recall that memory! Animals can be so funny can’t they? Curly doesn’t seem to mind change as long as he has a cushion to sit on. Oh goodness, those muffins sound unusual! I think we’ve all gained a few pounds during lockdown. Here’s to the vaccines flying out. Thanks Linda.xxx
I love Sam’s look…..funny how animals do not like change….
Belated happy birthday my friend….you can have a huge celebration sometime in the future…maybe for next birthday:)?
We all have to be patient and go with the flow and so enjoy your lovely new things and lovely warm house.
Must say I liked the mental picture of the broadband guys…:). Keep smiling and most importantly stay well. Janet XXXX
Thanks Janet. Sam is such a suspicious dog, he hates anything new! I think we’ve all missed out on birthdays this year, there will certainly be a lot of catch up celebrations. Love and hugs.xxx
Great post and images. I hope you have a fantastic birthday. Our weather is really summery at present. Hope things aren’t too bad up your way.
Thanks Peter. Long may your good weather last.xxx
I do like the look of your new cushions, a delightful splash of colour much needed in these very grey and dismal January days. I really would like to see a sharp frost, blue sky and sunshine … perhaps tomorrow!!! (we shall see)
In the meantime take care, stay safe and well.
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, yes we all need a little colour at the moment given the lockdown and the winter. Roll on spring! Hoping you get your blue sky.xxx
Oh, speaking about Matrix… Neo alias Keanu is just lovely (right tonight I saw the Matrix reloaded which isn’t so well done as the first part, too much combat and scenes out of mind…)
What’s the “finger lime”?
Looks like something quite tasty (by the pictures).
Is always good to add some changes to the home decoration: during the first lockdown, I have used quite few scrap of fabriks for curtains to make some lovely pillows. Now we’re in the second but the work at the office is going out of control and at night I’m tired to do patchworks or I can’t sleep (today, is the second option).
Hugs and love :-)c
I agree about the Matrix reloaded, I preferred the first one too. Finger limes are edible limes, I’ve never tasted one so I’m hoping to get fruit one fine day. Brightening the home works wonders doesn’t it? Oh, so sorry to hear how overworked you are. I do hope things slow down. Love and hugs to you all.xxx
Ooooh, I love all your plants and those gorgeous new cushions, Dina! (And that painting on the wall of the village on the hill. Yum! Did you paint that? I want to visit all those little houses!)
I would pay for a dull week. Good thing we’ve both got merry refuges to withdraw from rain and madness.
May yours remain cozy and full of life. Smooches to all.
Xxxx
Thanks Kitty, I do love those cushions, they really brighten the place up. The houses on the hill are a semi relief that a friend bought me from Turkey. I do love staring at it. I’m sending you a dull we asap! We can’t handle any more rain. Love and hugs to you all.xxxx
How lovely that your celebrations have been spread out. I love all your new plants. I impulse bought a variegated ficus benjamina yesterday, purely because it was on sale. It was only after the purchase that I read up on how fussy they can be, with a tendency to leaf drop given the slightest draft. I’m expecting to come down one morning and find a bare twig! Your new cushions are beautiful, even if Sam is yet to be convinced! Enjoy your greenery. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. I am enjoying the staggered presents, still plenty winging their way to me. Oh, good luck with your ficus! xxx
Dogs are funny creatures, Archie is just as suspicious if anything in his domain isn’t exactly as it usually is. It’s definitely a day for hunkering down, it hasn’t stopped snowing all day here, Archie didn’t even want to go out for a tiddle at lunch time in it. I’m hoping it stops soon, I’m not a lover of snow.
So it’s not just Sam then! I wouldn’t mind a snowfall, it would certainly be a change from all this endless rain. I wouldn’t want it hanging around though. Thanks Jo.xxx