Hello Cozy Days of Winter

January to February, like a hazy winter blur of lovely things really.

(I encourage you to press play on the video at the end of this post and then return back here to the beginning, to have it accompany your blog visit experience)

The sun shines and reveals that there is someone living in my dried roses, meanwhile…

I pick endless lemons, limes, oranges & grapefruits in my little citrus grove.

All the while, never noticing the most magnificent replica of the Eiffel Tower being constructed in my big old urn.

Until yesterday that is, when the sun illuminated this most lovely spider web art.

A sort of ghostly masterpiece underway.

Somehow that reminded that it was time to come back here.

I took a break in January, not by my own desire but because my blog service has been having some rotten issues with photos disappearing.

I've had to contact them endlessly about this, and it sort of took the wind out of my blogging sails.

All I can hope is that it has been resolved after a couple months.

Meanwhile, I've been posting on my Instagram account, so I thought I'd share some of that here.

The tiny pink dollhouse has been illuminated by birthday cake candles…

As golden hour graces the citrus grove daily in the most beautiful show of nature.

Seeds & bulbs were planted on the 10th of December and a few more have popped in.

Sprouts are popping up and hyacinths are blooming.

The roses are pruned, and now we wait.

Whilst the climbing America has gifted big fluffy blossoms all winter.

Signs that spring is a month and ten days away are creeping in.

I happily bake and package up meals and grocery treats for the country house.

It's been a joy to have endless citrus.

I would drop some off to friends, but it seems that almost everyone has some kind of citrus in this neck of the woods.

Last spring I invented my new favorite salad.

Grapefruit, avocado, mint and sometimes a tiny smattering of paper thin onions, in a sweet vinaigrette.

My little guy Matty (Matisse) seems to be enjoying the warm earth in my freshly planted seeds.

Collections of flowers will soon overtake my urn, what to do?

I must make my plan whilst my incubator warms my flower seed babies.

I stop to inhale these coral beauties on the daily.

Deep breath of goodness.

I can not wait to see if we get all the asters Matty is protecting.

The winter sunsets have been epic, we even had a bit of snow, the mountains were covered.

I'll share pics next time.

A bevy of cacti/agave grace the landscape.

I just adore the cool sunlight.

Fresh and crisp, illuminating my house.

I've also been spending some time sharing dollhouse videos on Instagram, if you fancy a peek, pop on over there.

I did enjoy January except for my broken heart over Miles.

I'm doing okay, but there are those moments that grab you and you sob and sob.

It will take me some time my friends.

He was my baby, since he was 5 weeks old.

My every day companions, he and Matty.

But Matty likes to do his own thing (even though he follows me everywhere) and Miles demanded attention all day.

He would bonk you to rub him every few minutes, he loved love & cuddles.

So, him not being here has left a true void in my soul.

Thank goodness for the garden to fill my hopeful heart.

Night strolls under the citrus, watching the bulbs reach up towards the sun.

Broccoli and cabbage get bigger and bigger.

Lemon bars will be on the daily menu.

I also ordered some things to try to make lemon jelly candies, Mister Lovee's fave.

I try to keep him stocked up on treats and things.

He told me the other day that I should never ever bring him any more food for the rest of his life.

So, I made him a roasted chicken and homemade caramel corn the next day, haha!

I bet I was the nicest grandma in the world in my past life 🙂

Matty and Irishman keep me busy too as they are big eaters.

It's nice to have people who enjoy what you make them.

I love cooking and decorating/renovating, it's part of my creative outlet for certain.

Do you love to cook?

I've been painting late at night, listening to podcasts and toiling away in the garden adding some new beds as the time is sneaking up on me.

We will be in the upper 60's and lower 70's from here on out I think, and just start to get warmer in April.

All the magical garden things are about to take shape, finger's crossed.

I hope you are well out there, stay safe and know I always wish you the best.

I hope to return soon.

That is always my plan.

 

Love,

Vanessa

 

 

ps: Here is a post with the lemon bars I make.

They are toasty and caramelize beautifully, just the way we like them.

 

 

pps:

I'll leave you with my favorite, pianist Alexis Ffrench <3

He is a wonderful British composer.