GREETINGS
The cold spell is here and I am still getting a couple of outside chores done. Life moves at a slower pace after the first of the year. I am already planning the gardens for next year. One of the most important things I am going to do is plant a Christmas Greens Garden in one of the new excavation spots near the stone wall and woods. Every year I either have to scour the woods or buy Christmas greens and I am sick of it. I would rather have them growing here for the birds to enjoy and me to pick. I plan to get 3 Winterberry bushes. I planted three about 4 years ago and realize that they were not planted in the proper spot and only one survived. It had one berry on it and a bird got it! I also want to get a couple of of box wood, a couple more holly plants, my only female plant got winter kill during a bitter cold winter a couple of years ago.Add to that a couple of evergreens and I think I will be set. These will add places for the birds and squirrels along a stone wall and will make a pleasant view from the barn and house. I have the rest of the winter to look at catalogs to find the best plants. What fun.
BIRTHDAY SURPRISES
My birthday this year was full of surprises. It started with a face time from my two daughter saying they had found a car for me. My poor old car was falling apart. Now I have a van which will carry more hay and allow me to take many more things to shows.
Next my son said he would rip up all the old floorboards in the barn and replace them. I have been so concerned about the floor, the water has come in for several years and the floors were rotting.
Even Lil helped
These two things I needed most thank you so much to my children and their spouses.
Everything is set for winter now. The hose is brought in and the electric water bucket filled and plugged in.
POP UP SHOP
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I am going to be involved with my friend, Christa in this Pop Up Shop in Turners Falls for the Christmas Season. We will start on December 11th and will be open that weekend each day from 11-5. And then the following weekend.
I will be giving you more info as the time nears with lists of things that we will be selling. Buy locally made things and meet the crafters .
Today I am drying oranges for the Christmas Balsam Mix. The house smells wonderful.
THANKSGIVING AT THE DEERFIELD INN
This is the second year Cindy and I have spent Thanksgiving together at Chandlers restaurant and the Deerfield Inn. Cindy has now finished Law School and will graduate with her class next June. We may resume our annual Thanksgiving in Ireland next year which we have done for years. We had a great dinner at Chandlers with a special treat of having my neighbor Christa (the pastry chef) come out and visit with us on this very busy day. After a peaceful night and a wonderful breakfast we both went back to our busy lives.
A wonderful raised Herb garden in back of the restaurant at The Deerfield Inn
Old Deerfield is a wonderful place to visit, History of America abounds here.
A SURPRISE VISITOR
I wonder who it is It doesn’t smell skunky, haven’t seen any raccoons around so it might be a possum. I am sure I will find out. But it is time for animals to find warmer quarters.
Many thanks for reading my blog on this chilly morning. Hope you have a wonderful day. Carole