SNOW REDUX

LATE YESTERDAY WE FINALLY DUG OUT...THE PHOTO OPTS WERE AMAZING.

SNOW:2009

THESE PHOTOGRAPHS NEED NO NARRATIVE.

AMARYLLIS IN SNOW

THE SNOW CAME QUIETLY LAST NIGHT BUT IS FIERCE TODAY. A MIX OF SLEET, ICE, RAIN, SNOW IS CAUSING POOR KENTUCKY TO SHUT DOWN.
JUST AS QUIETLY, THIS LOVLEY AMARYLLIS BLOOMED OUT. SHE HAD FIVE BLOOMS AT CHRISTMAS. PLUS, THESE TWO TODAY. I THINK SHE WILL WIN THE PRIZE FOR MOST BLOOMS IN A SEASON. I GIVE OUT FLOWER AWARDS, DON'T YOU?

Oh, the gift to be simple

Today is a blissfully quiet and peaceful day. The clouds are gathering and grey is enveloping our section of the world.
The smoke from our little stove is traveling straight to the ground. A sign, my Moma always said, that would bring precipitation.
A strong snow storm is said to be lurking by the forecasters. I prefer my Moma and Dad's methods of forecasting. They seem to be much more foolproof. When my joints ache and the smoke is twirling toward the ground, I know to get my wash off the line or stack the wood close to the door. The weather is about to change.
There are many more predictors....but I am going to laze about and read for a bit, so I cannot divulge any more info...reading will consume me until the snow flies. And then, I plan to take the pups for a long walk.

THE DINING PAVILION

CURES AND CRAZINESS

SO, OKAY. Catchy little header, right?
So, I guess we'll start with craziness. When things can't get any more convoluted it seems a good place to start. The dining pavilion was getting its finishing touches during this little winter warm-up. The guys really, really needed winter work. One thing leads to another. First thing you know, I am getting a new pantry and a new paint job and a new ceiling color and oh, my!
The cure.
In spite of all this and maybe because of it, my orchids starting bloomimg with a fury.
Lovely,lovely orchids in every hue. Those little sweeties don't like their picture taken with my little unsophisticated camera, but surely you will appreciate their loveliness. They have cured my winter loonies but, alas, it is only temporary. Come Monday, we tackle the main living area. In early February, the kitchen. This girl is unstoppable and unflappable, I think.
As long as the orchids keep blooming.

SNOW IN KENTUCKY,MLK DAY

THIS LITTLE SNOW GAVE ME A DAY TO REFLECT ON WHAT OUR HISTORY WILL BE. WHAT OUR FUTURE WILL BE.
TONIGHT, JUST 24 HOURS LATER, WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT AND I AM FILLED WITH RENEWED HOPE. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS. THE TASK DAUNTING. THE FUTURE IN GOOD HANDS.

Anne, Lucie, Penquin, Maddie, Judi, Sarah, WFS

ANE'S ARIA

GALA, GIRLFRIENDS AND GREAT FUN

How much fun is allowed when the winds are blowing and the temperatures moderated, but still icy cold? I have admitted to winter hibernation and when going out means a thin sleeveless evening dress and high heel shoes, I must admit, I balk. I balk badly. However, I knew going to Carnevalle, a fund raiser for the Kentucky Opera, with fun and exciting friends would be well worth the effort.. We arrived in good spirits. The Seelbach ballroom was warm and very lovely. Our table was near the entrance and this proved to be a great people watching post. Friends came and went all night. The Seelbach provided an excellent( truly excellent) four course dinner...When my country girls eyes spied two lovely desserts, I must have shown my true nature( big eyed with wonder when the desserts are passed)....our server promptly smiled and lined BOTH desserts in front of me....there were many oooohs and ahhhhhs when this happened. I suppose proper etiquette would have been to protest, but I could not, would not, did not refuse...instead I ate as much as I could hold. And being a girl of good rearing, I shared.
We left the party early to finish off the evening with our friends at Proof....we took up one end of the bar in our finery....and we might near closed it down. We got up a little later than usual and headed back to Proof this morning to table hop between two sets of friends...Many from the night before but also, my dear friend Anne Bates and her daughter, Lucie...plus, Lucie's friend Maddie and Maddie's mom, Judi. They had driven in from Lexington to see Wicked. The girls were still glowing from their late night adventures and their sleep-over at 21C. We brunched, visited and hopped from table to table. If that won't cure the winter blah's, what will?