Monday, December 26, 2011

Bitter Cold but Fluffy White Snow for the Holidays

Another year has just about finished and I truly don't know where it all went. Now my thoughts are turning to spring although that's a long way off. It will be months before I can get in the garden again however, I can dream of what I'm going to do. Soon the seed catalogues will begain to arrive then the planning and excitement will really start.

This month we finally had the bonfire to burn up a lot of wood from when the old extension was torn off the house and the new larger one put on. It was quite a big fire although there is nothing to compare it with in this picture.

The nights have gotten dreadfully cold this past while. Temperatures going down to -14C. Not a big improvement during the day either. There had been no signs of the smaller birds for ages and I was wondering what had happened. This past while though they have arrived at the feeders....chick a dees, and juncos. The evening Grosbeaks are here in a good size flock.


We went to the Goodwill recently as we hadn't been there in a while. I found a few lovely items.
It seems so much is made in China these days so I was delighted to find these salad plates made in France.

And these terracotta sugar containers made in Portugal.


And this little cutie....who could resist!


Xmas Eve we had friends here in the afternoon for drinks and finger food. I had been up since 4:00am cooking and preparing for it so needless to say by late afternoon I felt exhausted. Everyone was gone by 5:30pm and by 7:00 I had my pyjamas on and was settled down to watch a movie. A half an hour into the movie I said to himself "I'm going to bed, I can't keep my eyes open." So that's exactly what I did.

Malachi under the tree.


Snow fell on Friday which made everything look like a Winter Wonderland for the whole weekend.


Part of the garden.


I got lots of great presents. My granddaughter gave me these Fairy Doors which go at the base of tree trunks. Needless to say, I'm charmed with them. She knows that I believe.

Well, that's about it. I hope you all had a wonderful Xmas.

9 comments:

Tricia Ryder said...

Aw that Teddy... I want a cuddle :D You have the knack of rescuing teddys and giving them a new lease of life.

And doesn't Malachi looks smug hoarding the presents under the tree :)

Lovely pictures OC; especially the birds and garden..

Alison said...

Merry Christmas! I love the new look of the blog. I've been talking to my daughter Pauline in New Brunswick, and she says it's been very cold and snowy there too.

All the best for 2012.

Ali

ST said...

merry christmas OC

Sondra said...

SOUNDS cold...here we are enjoying above normal tempts...I would enjoy some brisk weather acutally!!
ALL your photos are awesome I love the GrosBeaks...I cant wait to see the Fairy Doors in place!!
SO right you are finding a treasure at the Goodwill not made in China is a def PLUS+

Cicero Sings said...

A very cute teddy in deed.

Just back home today. Catching up on blogs and enjoying being HOME!

The Quacks of Life said...

love teddy!! happy christmas OC - call that snow :D

Victoria said...

I love the things you got from the Goodwill. It seems like thrift shops and the Goodwill are the only places nowadays that one can find things that aren't made in China.

Beautiful pictures of the snow! I wish we would get some here, or even some rain. It's been horribly dry here since the 15th when we got just a dusting.
Malachi looks so handsome under the tree! And I can't wait to see the Fairy Doors when you set them up!

CatHerder said...

I have begun receiving my seed catalogs ALREADY!!! Usually i read them by the fire with a nice hot cup of tea...this year our temps have been ridiculously mild (thanks, i will take it). Today though, its 25 degrees brrrrrr. Hurry up Spring!

The Wessex Reiver said...

Love the grosbeaks, and the fire in snowy woods. Wonderful. Blessings for the New Year