This Week's Flowers

"When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other." -Chinese Proverb

This bouquet is a true source of comfort and inspiration on yet another cold, snowy day. The lilac smells sweet and the anemones are so cheerful with their black faces in the middle. It reminds me of polka dots.

Outside the birds are crowding around the bird food; the blackbirds, the hawfinch, and ofcourse the little bluetits. No sign of the group of goldfinch that used to come here, so I thought they may have migrated elsewhere. But today on our walk I saw five of them up in a tree top. Wonder what they're eating instead of my sunflower seeds? 

Snowed In!

"The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show."

Yes, it's still snowing!


My birthday was spent quietly at home. Just Kiki, my husband, myself, and a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. We didn't mind being snowed in at all.

"I hold this to be the highest task for a bond between two people: that each protects the solitude of the other." -Rainer Maria Rilke

It's been a while since I last wrote, mostly because slowly but surely winter has lost its inspiring effect on me. Yes, I'm ready for thaw, green buds, blue skies, bird song. As the photos shows, it was a bit blue yesterday, but freezing cold. And I really am tired of it being so cold that I just can't wait to go back inside.

Kiki doesn't seem to mind at all. The only weather she doesn't like is rain. She actually enjoys the snow in it's current form, with somewhat of a hardened crust. She delights in rolling and rolling in it, and sliding her jaw against it. I have actually begun to suspect she only does this to entertain and please me, sensing that I begrudge these twice daily outings in the freezing cold.

only in winter, in the country...

"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself." -Ruth Stout

We are practically snowed in today. No chance of going grocery shopping! It's beautiful; the view from all our windows is breathtaking. Kiki seems to understand that there won't be any more running around outside today and decided to at least inspect the deep snow on the balcony. I am trying to compensate for the lack of outdoor fun by throwing her toys around for her.

more magical snow!

"Nature does nothing uselessly." -Aristotle

We awoke this morning to a world of white, and there was still snow drifting down as we took our walk. It wasn't very long because Kiki's legs and stomach fur were soon covered with big clumps of snow. But it was quiet and magical. Flakes are still coming down and I wonder how deep it will get! I have to go grocery shopping, which will be adventurous. These winter days are most enjoyable when you don't have to get anything done outside the house at all. Then again, there is something to be said for coming back inside, huffing and puffing, dripping wet and cold, to the warmth of your home and your happy dog jumping around to greet you.

...they make our lives whole

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." -Roger Caras

Took this photo yesterday at sunset; after playing with this stick for the whole walk together, me throwing and Kiki receiving, I told her we would head back home. She promptly took the stick in her mouth, and carried it the whole way home, tail in the air, a spring in her step. She seemed to thinking, "I'm not losing sight of this thing!" Indeed, we left it in the stairwell and will take it with us on our next walk. 

Today, snow is falling and the ground is frozen and slippery. Still winter!

Hot Milk Sponge Cake

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." -Jane Howard

I decided it was a shame that the family only got together for holidays and birthdays, and made up my mind to have a family meal once a month. Yesterday, a gorgeous, sunny Sunday, we had them over for a late lunch. I made a simple meal of chicken, rice, and cucumber salad, and for dessert we had a light sponge cake with raspberry sauce. It was a harmonious get together, and after everything was gobbled up we put on our coats and took a walk in the sun drenched, gold brown fields. Angelo pushed his mini stroller, admired a helicopter, stomped in puddles. Everyone seemed very happy to be together, and I think it is the start of a new tradition.