Bringing those house plants inside for the winter.

Hello, my friends.  Do you do what I do and take your house plants outside for the summer and then bring them back inside for the winter?  Of course, I guess it depends on where you live.  I think my plants grow twice the size when they are outside in the fresh air and sunshine (or shade) all summer long.  Today I brought the last of them inside. 

Despite the fact that it's heading toward the end of October, there is still some summer lingering around the yard.  Flowers are blooming and  I even captured a butterfly on the black and blue salvia.  I always find it hard to let go of summer, but once it turns cold I find comfort in the warmth of our home, sitting by the fire, working on a puzzle or cozying up with a good book. 

 

Today was a good day for porch sitting and puttering in the garden.

 

Hope you are enjoying your day!

Carbs and sugar

Let's face it, sometimes we just need those carbs and sugar to get us through the dreary cold long days of winter.  I usually eat healthy but I must admit, I still have my cravings, especially in the winter. 

 

Today was one of those days.  I was in the mood for chocolate cake.  So I baked a chocolate cake with vanilla icing and while it was baking the whole house smelled good.  That alone can make one feel happy!  So I poured myself a cup of coffee and enjoyed every single sweet chocolately bite.

 

Then for dinner I made Stromboli with marinara sauce.  Carbs and cheese, yum!  I added a side salad for good measure. 

 

 

Do you crave carbs and sugar over the winter?  Maybe it has something to do with light and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 

 

Well, tomorrow is another day.  Maybe I'll do healthy tomorrow.     



 

Winter nesting

 

 

Being a spring and summer kind of person, it's hard for me to get through the winter time.  Today is cold, rainy and dreary, as it has been for awhile.  I push ahead on days like this.  Feeling confined to the house, my nesting gene will usually kick in.  A little decorating, maybe rearranging my dish cupboard, watering my house plants, or baking a pie. 

 

 

 

 

Hubby and I have an ongoing scrabble game, a puzzle on the dining room table, and lots of books to read, not to mention time spent on the computer ~  Pinterest can be addicting as I check out all the home décor, gardening ideas and recipes. 

 

 

 

  Napping is a part of winter time nesting, too.  At least Otis thinks so. 

 

Looking forward to spring, how about you? 

 

 

January cold

 

Hello my friends and family.  How are you?  I realize it has been a while since my last post, and here it is, mid January already.  Not very much has been happening at Mourning Dove Cottage.  The January cold has hit us and we have been having dreary gray rainy weather...day after day after day, but this morning, there it was, the sunshine!  What a nice surprise.  The months of January and February tend to get me down and I find I would rather like to hibernate with the bears until spring comes.  I filled the bird feeders and Otis and I enjoyed the warm sunshine for awhile. 

 

I am reading "The Shoemaker's Wife" by Adriana Trigiani.  Most mornings I curl up with a good book by the fire and a nice hot cup of coffee.  I've also been cleaning out and organizing closets and cupboards, and doing some redecorating after the holidays. 

 

Maybe spring isn't too far off.  I have hyacinths starting to bloom in a pot in the garden. 

 Until next time....

 

Drying Hydrangeas

Would you like to have beautifully dried hydrangeas for fall and winter arrangements?  The trick is in picking them.  Hydrangeas do best when allowed to dry naturally on the plant before picking.  Fresh blooms do not dry very well.  

I cut a bunch the other day, took all the leaves off, tied them by the stems with rafia and hung them to dry.  You could also dry them in a vase or pot if the stems are strong.  

After the hydrangeas are dry, arrange them in a pretty container or use them in making a wreath for hanging.  Dried hydrangeas make lovely arrangements.  

Enjoy!

Is anyone else tired of this crazy winter weather?

Looking out the window right now, the snow is coming down fast and furious.  We've had warnings to stay inside and off the roads because of icy conditions today.  This is North Carolina.  Crazy, crazy weather.  Yes, I know it's crazy everywhere, all over the US.  

So, what do we do while being confined to the house?  

How about sitting by a nice warm fire, reading to your hearts delight.  That's what I've been doing.  Catching up on some old Belva Plain books.  

And drawing in my sketch book.  
These birds will eventually end up on note cards in my etsy shop.  Next comes the paint.    

I hope you're enjoying whatever it is you're doing today!  

And I am wishing and wishing for warmer weather to hurry up and come soon!

Winter Wonderland in Wilson

The snow flakes started falling last night and by the time we went to bed we had a soft white blanket of snow everywhere.  Mother Nature's beauty at it's best.  

This morning the snow is still falling.  We have about 2 inches here in Wilson, NC.  

Otis prefers to stay inside on the sofa in his pile of blankets.  I opened the back door for him this morning and he turned around and came back in.  

Enjoying the snow while it lasts!