Good Wednesday morning from Plum Cottage. Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is almost here. Had a lovely Thanksgiving with friends and their pets. Food scrumptious and a goodie bag for home.
This morning our lowest temp was 48 and real feel was 42. Brrr! The thermometer in the bedroom said 70 so it was comfortable in here. The sun is brightly shining now at 9:49 a.m. in a great big blue sky. Monday it had been 84 and real feel was 92. Quite the difference, but oh how welcome the cooler temps are. It feels more like the holiday season should feel. The scullery window this morning, cold outside, comfortable inside.
***
Holidays are rough especially the month of December. On the 9th, my dear husband left this earth, immediately was with his Creator/Savior and he was immediately well and at peace. I am thankful for that. On the 20th is his 71st bday and I will miss making him a special meal. Then we have Christmas. I will be glad when January is here.
There is a church Christmas party coming up but I have decided not to go. Being around lots of couples is just hard to take especially at this time of year. In the Grief Share meeting about Surviving Holidays they said it is ‘ok’ to say ‘no’ to events. There is already enough going on this month to keep me busy. I’ve already been to 2 potluck dinners and then Thanksgiving in the last two weeks. I need solitude and quiet times to be able to deal with life. Some of you may be thinking, but she already lives in solitude and has quiet times. Yes, I do, but going out, shopping, social events all wear me out, always have. I’m more of a home body and so was DH. It’s nice to be with people for short periods of time. 
Ok, I think I need to go outside for some brisk, fresh air, to enjoy God’s beautiful creation, boost my spirits back up. Some beauty like this below, the wonderful garlic vine. This vine blooms at least twice a year, maybe three times. It is called garlic vine because when you brush up against the leaves you get hit with a gentle scent of garlic. The blooms fade out to almost white and are gone in a few days.
Ok, that’s it for now. There are more blooms to show from the past week or so that I will share in another post.
Happy Christmas holidays ~ Enjoy each day you are blessed with ~ FlowerLady
27 comments:
It was 31 earlier here, not sure what it's at now, and the real feel was 16.
I've already spotted a couple things in the Christmas things that have brought back some memories and I've had myself a good cry.
I know what you mean about going out being exhausting. I'm the same way and can't wait to get back home
Oh boy, look at all that beautiful color you still have on your plants. Lovely. That's a lot of reminders in one month of the loss of part of you. When a couple are "one" for so long it must be terribly lonely to have part of you gone from this earth. My sister has that battle in November with an anniversary and the fact that her husband was a veteran and buried the day before Veteran's day. That group you are going to sounds like a good sounding board. 2 Thess. 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.
The garlic vine has lovely blossoms--not sure I would like its scent--garlic seems to belong in the kitchen!
I suspect that anniversaries of loss continue to be times for quiet reflection, and I quite understand the need to be 'at home' without the pressure of places to go. Social interaction is good and necessary, but some of us prefer it in small doses!
I hope your weather continues to be enjoyable.
It's always such a pleasure to stop by your blog and see all of the pretty flowers you have blooming in your yard and garden. Here, near St Louis, most of the trees are bare. The last of my rose blooms froze a week or so ago, so now there is nothing pretty in the yard or garden. It's pretty bleak. Seeing your pretty flowers and that amazing garlic vine cheered me up.
Your scullery window with all of the lovely, colorful glassware and lace curtains looked beautiful with the bright daylight shining in.
I think you are wise to set realistic limits for yourself at the holidays. It is easy to see how December would be a difficult month with so many "markers." I have confidence that you will get through it . . . in your own way . . . with His grace.
That is a big temperature difference! Glad you're staying cozy in your cottage!
Oh how well I understand the pain at this time of year.I do wonder how long it will be thill these special days don't bring a measure of pain. I love that garlic vine.Those flowers are so pretty.Hugs to you.
Your garlic vine is spectacular. I think we have similar needs for solitude and quiet. I do social things and then love to come home for quiet time. Some people get energized by being around groups of people, that is not me. I need my quiet time to re-energize.
BEAUTIFUL purple blossoms, Lorraine! Love the pretty pictures. I love the scullery window picture so much!!--love the colors. I fill our windowsills with doo-dads and trinkets very similar to yours. They brighten my day and lift my spirits
Here in Northern Indiana we have a bit of snow on the ground and the thermometer seems to be stuck on 22. At least it seems like its 22 every time I look at it. The weatherman is telling me it's 24 at 5:30 AM, so your lovely flowers brought sunshine to me. Nice changes to your blog design too.
Enjoy all the Christmas celebrations. Good Company is the good anytime of the year.
xx, Carol
Just after we left NC on Friday, there was an ice storm that night. So glad we didn't stay for the weekend! It's sunny and cold up here in VA.
I'm so sorry you are experiencing widowhood. I don't know how that is but can imagine how lonely and sorrowful it feels. I know my heart hurts missing my daughter and mom. I want to anticipate and embrace the joy in celebrating our Savior's birth and yet, at the same time I don't want to. It's a strange thing for me. You are in my thoughts and prayers, my friend!
Your flowers are beautiful and happy looking! I still have some red Painted Daisies blooming and brought a bouquet in yesterday to brighten up the LR.
I wondered what your weather was like in FL. We have been FRIGID here. Low here 2 nights ago was 13 degrees. We had a little snow --which has stayed with us for 3 days...... Too cold to be outside!!!!!ha
Love the blooms on that Garlic plant..... Can't imagine the smell though.... I like garlic --but a little goes a LONG ways! ha
I've never been a party person either.... I'd much prefer to be here at home sitting by the fireplace.....
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Betsy
That garlic vine is beautiful. I've never heard of one. You can grow anything!! :) I am really a home body too, and so is Poppy. Hopefully tomorrow I can pull out the boxes of Christmas decorations.
Lorraine,
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season. May God blessed you with abundant comfort.
Love,
Terry
I didn't realize you'd get that kind of cold down there! Quite cold up here too. The serious snow was north of us. Just a skiff here... Celebrated my dad's 92nd birthday yesterday. We're so thankful he's come to live wit us. I will be thinking of you and praying when I do. I can imagine the hard spots ahead of you the next few weeks. The older I get, the quieter I like my Christmases. The blooms you shared here are so lovely. Keep them coming. ❤️ Have a blessed weekend. Enjoy those Christmas lights!
Your garlic vine is gorgeous. I love how it arches over and sends out those long sprays. Amazing to have such blooms this time of year! Even in NC we do not have that.
I also only need a little human interaction to keep me content. Just a visit to the thrift store or maybe the P.O. is enough friendly interaction for me for the day. Plus, as you get older, I think you need less of that hours-long, exhausting chatter or even deep talk.Plus, a good pet is good company too. May God give you deep contentment and peace this month as you spend your Advent time with Him.
Hello my dear friend! I know exactly how you feel about being a homebody. I would rather just be here than galavanting all over town. I am glad you still decorate for Dec even tho it is a tough month for you. November used to be my tough month, with losing my father and brother around Thanksgiving. But the years passing helps. Enjoy your lites, I love mine too! Happy Season! Love, KK
September is kind of bad for me, both parents passed away in that month. Can I make a suggestion? Maybe on the day of your husband's leaving to be with Jesus, why don't you invite somebody you really like to talk to, and go to a restaurant and order something both you and your husband would really like to eat. Let that be your Christmas celebration, and for the rest of the month just stay home, enjoy the flowers, read a little and continue with your little house projects. We all love thinking of Christmas, but Jesus never expected us to celebrate Christmas. He had other things in his plan. Be easy on yourself and let the worries go. And Happy December! Phil/ MN
It has been pleasant weather in the high 60s. Yesterday the high winds kicked in and as well as today. Very chilly and orange with all of the dirt blowing.
Love your flower and yard photos. So lovely! My aunt lost her husband (my uncle) last year and she is struggling in missing him. My heart goes out to you during this hard time. Prayers and hugs to you!
The garlic vines are all so wonderful to see. I don’t think that I have ever heard of the plant before now. I am glad you do get some cold weather so you can feel the comparisons. I know that 48 would be a shock for Floridians but most of you have come from other parts of the world and have felt the winter before. Have a good week and do enjoy the decorating.
God be with you this December, kind Lorraine. I think having time to think and pray is the perfect way to spend this month.
That vine is gorgeous.
Hi Lorraine,
The garlic vine is beautiful. I am so envious that you can have that beautiful color and flowers year round.
We are looking at lots of snow and no color to speak of. It must give you such a good feeling to walk outside and see the beauty. Glad you are learning how to manage your grief especially at the holidays. You need to do what is right for your heart and mind to feel the peace of the season. I am sorry your hubby's death was so close to Christmas and he also had a birthday this month too. Those are two big ones to navigate. Hugs and prayers for you.
Kris
Dear Rainey, I can only imagine how difficult this month is for you without DH. I'm missing my mother very much, but that pales in comparison to missing your husband, the one person you shared your love, life and laughter with. I had a mini-breakdown this morning replaying a scene in my head when I was caring for Mom and had scolded her; it came from nowhere and there I was in tears again, telling her I was sorry. Grief comes and goes, and it's potent. But I feel it is a true reflection of how deeply we loved those we lost. I'm glad that you've had some wonderful times this holiday season, and hope you have more to come. Be gentle with yourself, you are precious. Love and hugs to you, dear heart. Karen
I'm with you in the homebody department. Sending you love and hugs at this difficult time of year. May the lights on your tree remind you of the love and light that surrounds and is in you. May you have a peaceful Christmas!
December and the holidays in general are really hard on my sweetie, too, Lorraine. He lost his daughter and wife in a plane crash (TWA Flight 800) and his daughter's birthday is in December. She was only 8 when she died, so tragic, and he misses her terribly every day, but December and July are the hardest for him. July 17 is the anniversary of the crash. December 17th is her birthday. She would have been 30 this year.
It's ok to say no, you need to do what helps you get through December. Take some time to find enjoyment in whatever brings you peace.
xoxo
December is hard enough for widows, and then you have the extra trigger of this being the month of your husband's passing. That is truly a lot to deal with, and it is very good that you know how to care for yourself. Love to you, Dear Lorraine, and may God make His presence felt in an unmistakable way this Advent.
Dearest one...yes, this beautiful time of year does make our hearts feel heavy with the passing of our sweethearts. My life now has changed a lot in some ways....and I know we will never be the same again as we travel the journey. So many have gone thru this...and they survived....and so will we.
Your flowers look so pretty...it's 19 degrees here this morning and not a flowering plant in sight!!!
Shortly after Dave died, I tried grief counseling. I think I went twice and then forgot about it all; too much trouble and rather shallow. The young...YOUNG...woman leading it was nice enough but no real depth. The worst death she'd ever experienced was her cousin. Heck I remember my Granddad dying when I was 6 and how the family handled that...some good some not so good but we all were devastated. My hat is off to you for going to Griefshare...seems overwhelming to me and if they meet at night then the answer is no. I've just hunkered down this autumn/winter and am impatiently waiting for the hols to be finished.
The weather has been frigid; lows in low 20's and 14 inches of snow topped with ice. Today it's melting and raining, we're supposed to get an inch of rain. It's enough for me to go back to bed, pull the covers over my head and take a nap.
Great idea! lol love and prayers to you dear.
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