SUNSHINE

The sun is pouring down on our deck and even though it's a cool -13C this orchid's warm and cosy. It has been tricked into believing it's in a tropical paradise because of a pane of glass and an indoor heating system. It awaits pollination but there's little hope of that happening. Hope??

We have created a lot of artificial environments to grow plants. They are intended to be for our benefit. Have you ever been to a food producing green house? 

COOL

Hopeful, excited and happy. These are some of the words to describe my daughter's feelings about her very first business. She and her partner are almost ready to launch their shop and join the world of enterprise and free trade. Since our family has been much involved (her sister designed the flyer, business cards and t-shirts) I felt I had to do my part and share this event on my blog.

Maybe Buddy's love for dragons influenced their choice of a logo? He likes to think so.

Piling Up

 The fluffy white stuff just continues to grow and grow.

Do you have some photos of this last storm?

Rabbit Hops

I was walking along the pond in snow and to keep busy I began to study all the pet tracks. This one was different. So I captured it on my phone.
Do you agree that a rabbit has hopped by?

One More

The contrast of the aging red poinsettia and the budding yellow orchid, the snowy background, all captured my fancy and I just had to take more shots. 

 There are two blooms now. I find the colour pattern of a patch of white in the centre very striking.

Samie's Orchid

This lovely blossom has just opened . The plant sits on our kitchen table where there is plenty of exposure to the sun in winter.  It took exactly a year for this plant to bloom again. All of us are very happy that it did. It's such sunny contrast to the deep snow nearby on the deck.

Have you ever had an orchid? Have you ever had it bloom again?

FAUNA

                                  The little fellow watched me from above, 

While this critter chose to look up at me.

          Were they admiring me in my new swimsuit as I lay by the pool?

FLORA

A snow storm is on the way but I'm focusing on these at least for a few moments.
                                Blossoms seem to pop up in hidden places.

This is one of my favorites.

FLAMINGO SIESTA

 At the Grand Palladium in Mexico it's siesta time and just like these beauties, we took the time to relax and enjoy the paradise setting that surrounded us.  

 It ended too soon but we'll travel again because it's fun to come home.

Watermarks

It's January 1st, one of the warmest days recorded for some time. The snow recently plied up on those chairs has all melted away within a day. The rainy background separated by the window glass has created an unusual effect for a snap of our indoor plants. Watermarks??

Happy New Year

When the clock strikes 12 may your passage into the newest year bring you into your best ever!!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Bubby's house and the tree. He's so happy that tomorrow the eve will be here.

A Basket

Each year one of hubby's clients brings him a huge basket of selected goodies. He seems to like the way hubby helps him save taxes. What a kind gesture. Here's a snap of the one that just arrived. It's under the tree and Buddy is smiling. He loves this time of year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays  to you all. 

FUN

During the holidays we love to drop by our neighbours' homes and celebrate with them even if it's just for a brief moment. That's because it's fun.

 Do you spend time with your neighbours?

Soft and Fluffy

It's St. Nicholas Day today and the weather here has brought us the gift of our first snowfall.

It's very loose and covers everything in such gorgeous white piles. Now I'm really feeling like the festive season is here. Time to get ready for a lot of fun. But first we'll need to dig out the snow shovels. 

Wishes of Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Here's hoping you are able to spend some joy-filled time with family and friends. I am thankful to have met you here and wish you all the best as you make time to celebrate.

Crisp

As the leaves fall the light has more of a chance to filter through the trees and shrubs. Recently, during my long walk, I had a chance to reflect on the upcoming winter season and how much I used to look forward to the cold crisp days. I concluded that I still love this time.  

Custom Made

Custom made in 1977.

Knitting was one of the ways my mom and my aunt created gifts for the festive days. My mom's specialty was to create sweaters that used up all the left over bits of wool. She always created such interesting patterns. This sweater was knitted for Buddy years ago and it has survived. My knitting skills never matched theirs. I prefer to sew or crochet. But lately I rarely make things and I miss that. This year I shall change that and create a framed photo as a gift. That seems like a project I can handle and even enjoy doing. Have you got a gift project?

Bared

The leaves are almost all on the ground. This tree is nearly ready for it's winter sleep. The colour of the sky appears cool and crisp. Sleepiness is heading our way as winter approaches.

It's Coming

Halloween is over and Christmas has been launched by the stores and the media. This photo of 'cats' stuck in an evergreen shrub reflect my sentiments of displeasure at being pushed and pulled by all the commercialism that has become the norm. We are lured into spending and made to feel guilty if we do not deliver the the goods on a wish list. Pressure?
I love the holiday season and plan to bake and make goodies but I will limit the shopping to one specially selected gift per family member. The fire taught us some better values. The 'cats' can be found at the damaged home still awaiting repair.