What have I been doing?

Trying to stay warm, mostly.  It's been so cold the past few days I find myself (and Otis and Riley) sitting by a warm fire in cozy blankets.  I celebrated my birthday on Sunday and Galen bought me the most beautiful pink tulips!  They remind me of spring and I yearn for springtime weather and working in the garden.  

We had a bit of snow on the weekend and it was so pretty.  Big fat snowflakes falling from the sky.  It didn't last very long but it was nice to see.  My youngest daughter, Amy, and Bruno and Esmé (our NY family) are coming down this weekend to visit.  I can't wait to see my now five month old granddaughter, little Esmé!  I haven't held her since she was a baby.  We are all really looking forward to this.

So cleaning is on my list this week, along with some cooking and baking.  Isn't it funny how the house gets a good cleaning when visitors come.
Have a good week, everyone!

Tulips

Hubby surprised me with tulips. Aren't they pretty? I find such beauty in their big red blooms, just had to share them with you!

"The tulipe is the queene of bulbous plants ~

whose flower is beautiful in its figure, and

most rich and admirable in colours, and

wonderful in variety of markings."

Sir Thomas Hanmer 1659

"When the principal of them display their colours

in the heart of the day there is not a more glorious

sight in nature nor is it to be imitated by art."

J. Worlidge 1677