Winter In White

Cold As Hell: An Oxymoron

Despite the fact that it is an oxymoron, it has been cold as hell this week at The Bates Estate (which you can see by the photo above, is really just a cottage). 

Since Christmas Eve we've been snowed on a few times, which makes me happy.  The temperatures have dropped to something befitting the season called Winter (this doesn't necessarily make me happy, but that's life in New Hampshire). In fact yesterday was down right freezing. I knew as soon as I got up and looked out the door that the snow had turned crunchy. Trust me if you don't live somewhere that gets cold and snowy, you can tell just by looking at the snow, that it has gotten cold enough to make it crunchy. Suffice it to say, it's days like that when I truly love my little home office.

This week I've been fiddling with my camera, trying to get to know it, like a new friend.  It doesn't want to reveal too much too soon to me, for fear of scaring me off. I'll just take it step by step. Though the box says 'easy', I'm not so sure I'd agree. I have a long way to go and I'll just take my time getting there. I don't mind too much. I like learning new things. There lots of settings so there is plenty to learn.

Some shots along the way.............

We have more snow than that now.  The kids across the street who live in the house with the barn (the one I'm always taking pictures of) had a sledding party the other day.  We need to get a sled. We are currently sled-less, which doesn't really work for me. The hill over in the field (it's right behind Gar and Lucan in the shot above, but you'd never know it), is one awesome sledding hill.  I'd hate to miss out on that when there is snow on the ground.

That is not a pond. It's the pool. I am not donning my bathing suit for that right now.

I made the two small houses..........an Irish cottage and an Italian trullo. My Dubliner received the cottage as a gift.  I made five trulli, which are part of the landscape in Apulia/Puglia, which is the heel of Italy and where my grandfather's family emmigrated from when they came to America.  They're made of limestone, sometimes left natural and sometimes painted white, sometimes half and half.  I made one for my mother, my sisters and sister in law and kept the last for myself. A little piece of our Puglian heritage.

Still have some Christmas champagne to finish. Something to look forward to that is sure to bring a smile. As Margaret Houlihan said on M*A*S*H.....'the bubbles tickle my nose'.

Busy working on organizing today. Am I the only one or one of many that has immersed themselves in organizing?  It will be a long process.  I hope when I'm done everything will have a place, and everything will be in its place. I know it would make my head less confused. Know what I mean?

We don't have any big plans for the weekend. Just taking it easy and more organization.  Would you believe we don't even have our Winter clothes down from the attic yet? I'm telling you, up until Christmas the weather was for the most part, pretty warm. Now, I need the rest of my sweaters.

Can't believe it is, but I sure am glad it's Friday. 

Freeform Friday

Patti Page was a little before my 'time' so to speak, but I love all kinds of music including the oldies from the 40s, 50s and 60s that comprise my parent's record collection.  The world lost a lovely singer yesterday when Patti passed away. She was smooth.  She was the only performer to have a variety show on all three networks. Quite a feat for a woman at that time. Quite a feat for anyone.  I wouldn't even be able to guess how many times we played my parents' 45 of How Much is That Doggie In The Window. So, I have to include that because it brings back memories of summer days on the patio with neighborhood friends, singing and dancing to those old 45s.  If you're reading by email, click here.




I swear, to you each time I started to play that, Lucan raised his head from his nap on the couch and looked in my direction. Too funny.  And now, for something that shows off Patti's velvety smooth vocals. Click here if you're reading by email.



What's hot for your weekend? The only thing hot for ours will be the wood stove.

Ciao for now,