Chaotic weather patterns continue. First bitter cold and heaps of snow. I busied myself baking bread and grumbling about the weather.
Now comes unusually warm days. Bright sunshine melts away the snow offering a last horse back ride of the season. In a t-shirt, no less!
Cyclamen flowers decorate my office on these long, dark nights.This heat wave is simply postponing the inevitable, I suppose. Even so, I was glad to see a summer-like day. This time of year is always a little hard on me.
The nights are too long and the days too short.
My goofy Plum Bonsai tree offers only 1 flower at a time.I find myself pacing restlessly wondering what to do... What should I do?
Seems my passions run high in the summer months and are running on empty now that gardening and horsies are done for the season.
Kalanchoe radiates happiness on dreary days.
It was nice, though, playing hooky from work. Trotting along a quiet trail. Soaking in the last little bits of a lingering autumn.While I was out there I decided to strike a deal with myself:
Right here, right now, stop whining about the weather, stop mourning the end of this sweet, sweet summer.
And, be on the prowl for a new winter hobby...
Or, you could just read the seed catalogs all winter!
ReplyDeleteEdna is beautiful. My mom's Christmas cactus is also blooming already. I guess Christmas is not very far off, now.
ReplyDeleteAll the best with finding winter hobbies. I think I'd be inspired to make paintings of your horses. Or make photoshop creations - e.g. stained glass or other stylized versions of your wonderful flower photos.
I love that you have flowers blooming indoors when the it is cold and dark outside! When winter comes I have to keep reminding myself that like the flowers that have been put to bed we too need our winter rest. But, at best, I have 'temper tantrums' of the heart because I LOVE feeling the sun on my back and getting my hands dirty. Girl, we need greenhouses to go to in winter. That's the ticket!
ReplyDeleteI have made the same deal many times. I have failed miserably. I hope you have better success:) My "Kate" has buds and getting ready to bloom any minute now.
ReplyDeleteI am confident you will find something to keep you pleasantly occupied this winter. I can't wait to see what it is. :)
ReplyDeleteRosey
Hi, Jan!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I've got that Stitch-it Kit goodie you gave me. I'm afraid to get started on that one, though. I'm still scarred from my disastrous hat knitting class! :D
Hi, Garden Lily;
ReplyDeleteThose are wonderful ideas! Isn't it funny how, when you're in a blue funk, you can't come up with anything productive to do? Yet, one suggestion from a friend gets the creative juices flowing again... Thanks for this.
Oh, Bookworm... I am with you! It should be a building requirement! When we live in the mountains house plans must always include a greenhouse...
ReplyDeleteTake pics of Cactus Kate, KC! I would love to see how well she flowers for you. :))
ReplyDeleteThx, Rosey - I saw that 'your man' won sexiest of the year! You know how to pick 'em! :D
ReplyDeleteBeautiful houseplants. Cold already here and snow soon. Then I run out of interesting blog ideas. I guess it books, an easy chair and a blanket for awhile!
ReplyDeleteHi, Troutbirder!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the cozy warm fire... :)
Wonderful photos! I love that single bonsai plum blossom. Years ago, I took up cross country skiing so I wouldn't hate winter and snow so bad. Since I liked to hike this was the winter version. Now, with my lung challenges and oxygen, I plan my garden, make quilts and read. Acceptance is the name of the game.
ReplyDeleteHi, Granny!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I might have to give quilting a shot. Seems like a lot of you gals are quilting this winter.
If nothing else, it might teach me a little patience. :)
Edna's Colorado cohort will be blooming before T-day, I do believe. Good luck finding a winter hobby. Maybe Wunx will teach you to knit?
ReplyDeleteYour thoughtful day sounds delightful as are your beautiful photos ... Now that my garden has been put to bed, I too must surround myself with indoor flowers on these short days. But it's a wonderful time to curl up by the fire and read and with all that snow, cross-country ski or snowshoe (all my winter favs ... besides cookin' :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Iron;
ReplyDeleteGood idea. I should tag along to Blazing Needles with Wunx. She loves that joint. If I could sucker her into doing the actual knitting we'd both have a grand time. :D
Hi, Joey!
ReplyDeleteThx, very sweet of you to say.
Hard to imagine you have time for all that fun in addition to cooking up so many fab recipes.
A fire and a good book sounds like a lovely idea...
Look at all the suggestions - you may just find something here that will help you out this Winter! :-) Love Edna - she's beautiful. I'm looking forward to a bit of painting, knitting, sewing, COOKING (tummy-warming foods)! and reading! (And garden photo-journaling and recordkeeping), gathering with friends, blogging, you-name-it! And you can, too! :-)
ReplyDeleteOooh, hey, now that's something that's been on my list for just about ever - photojournaling. It's becoming so difficult to keep track of my flower photos! Thanks for the tip -- and for reminding me to get in gear and go have some fun. hee hee
ReplyDeleteI love the shot of your horse... it is like being mounted too... what a joy to ride in your beautiful surroundings. Lovely photos all and good inspiration for letting go and moving into winter with passion towards creative efforts. I paint more. Wonder what you will come up with. Good luck! Carol
ReplyDeleteI've always been interested in watercolors but have felt intimidated. May have to give that a try. Thanks for the kind compliments, Carol!
ReplyDeletebonsai! Sorry about the one-bloom thing. yes-i feel responsible. :)
ReplyDeleteSilly Jane! I was hoping you'd see the photo and happily note she's still blooming 3 years later. I did not kill her, ha ha. I love that Bonsai and think of you whenever I water her...
ReplyDeletePS: The flowers are very fragrant!
Edna is lovely; at least you have her to keep you company on cold nights. Winter is the time I pore through garden books and magazines looking for new ideas. My "winter garden" is much grander and beautiful than my real one:) Enjoy every bit of sunshine and warmth while you can.
ReplyDeleteI like your garden team on the sidebar:)
Hi, Rose;
ReplyDeleteMy 'dream gardens' during the indoor planning stages always look pretty fabulous, too. (No weeds! :-)
You have such lovely blooms to cheer you up during these gray days! What will be your new hobby? Now, when you made your promise public, you have to give us a report! Just kidding. I am not very optimistic about winter months myself.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment on my blog Kate!
Thx, Tatyana... I am entertaining all sorts of notions for a new winter hobby but in classic Libra form cannot decide any one particular thing! I really loved your lonely pear photo... Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have to come to terms with the ending of summer and fall every year. I tell myself I need to enjoy the season it is right now, and not be thinking about what's next. I do feel better when the days start getting longer again, though.
ReplyDeleteAs far as keeping busy, winter is supposed to be my time of trying to get rid of clutter and cleaning. I end up on the computer a lot, though, and rarely get everything done I wanted to.
I love Edna! She is similar to my Naomi, but I think Edna is pinker and has a more open bloom. That's a cool photo of your horse, too. I'm glad you enjoyed your afternoon, and made a good deal with yourself.
We're a lot alike, Sue. The lack of sunlight is a big part of it. I don't really mind the cold. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kate, I love that you were able to ride with only a t shirt, and maybe some pants. Might I suggest knitting? I often knit in the winter, not to make something but just to keep my hands busy while watching tv. I will even pull it all out, roll the yarn into a ball and start over again. Be sure and get very special yarn, like alpaca from a local farm. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Thanks a neat idea, Frances. A nice distraction for these dull nights... :)
ReplyDelete