Cabin Fever

This has been the scene at our house since Tuesday. No pretty fluffy snow--just raw, cold ICE! We had to break through the ice on top of the pond to reset the pump when the power went out. (well...that would be hubby bless his heart!) I made my soup, I made cookies, I drank hot tea, I cleaned one closet and the pantry--need to get those seeds planted, but oh I have cabin fever! I know the weather is bad just about everywhere, and much worse than ours--and I know all of you are ready to get outside and get those hands dirty. I didn't know what to do, so decided to get the latest book I bought and read. But this was really not the "latest" book--it was very old.
Last week I went to half priced books (love that store!) and finally found a copy of "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. You know, the book you read as a child. I was so excited as this one was illustrated by the late Tasha Tudor, one of my favorite people! Let me tell you, if you have not read this book in a while-or if you have never read it, go as soon as you can and get a copy. Yes, it is written for young adults, but that is quite ok. You will love it. It takes you to a place of excitement and serenity. I cannot recommend it more. If you need something to do on one of these cold winter days, read The Secret Garden..you will be glad you did!

"...she was inside the wonderful garden and she could come through the door under the ivy any time and she felt as if she had found a world all her own."

NEWS FLASH!!

Hey y'all--I thought I would give you an update on the weather. They told us we would have a "dusting" of snow over night...this is what the "dusting" turned into!!

A pitcher of Coleus and a new book

I had to cut back--and I mean CUT BACK--my coleus in the wheel barrow today. I have been

"pinching" it back some, and creating a few new little pots, but today I had to just throw some out. However, don't know the name of this type, but I thought it would be pretty in this little pitcher in my kitchen so I kept some of the cuttings. I'll keep the pitcher full of water and the coleus will be happy in the kitchen for a while, then I'll find a pot to plant it in. Actually, with coleus, you can just break it off and stick it directly into dirt. I've done that many times in my window boxes this year--and all the coleus look great. You do need to make sure you keep the new little ones watered.

And, I bought a new book. It's called The curious gardener's Almanac by Niall Edworthy. It's a collection of facts, curiosities, wisdom, tips and great quotations. I love books like this. You can read them from cover to cover, or, just pick them up and read at random.

I especially love quotes...like this...

"We may think that we are tending our garden, but of course, in many different ways, it is the garden and the plants that are nurturing us."

Jenny Uglow

It's here!

I have been checking the mail every day since April 1st--and today was the day my copy of Susan Albert's new book NIGHTSHADE arrived! I order my books from The Story Circle Network. A lesson in patience for me because I could go to a bookstore on April 1st and buy it, but I want to support this group as I really believe in what they are doing. This is the 16th in the series. The main character is China Bayles, a former attorney from Houston who moved to the fictitious hill country town of Pecan Springs and opened an herb shop. For anyone that loves gardening and solving mysteries, these books are a must read. For a real treat, visit the author's blog, Lifescapes. You will really enjoy her pictures and experiences about writing and living in the Texas Hill Country.