It has been a pretty wet, wild and windy week.
I have felt rather out of sorts...
not blue,
just kind of irritable...
moody.
Despite these feelings
I've managed to be quite productive.
Frequently when the rains set in I tend to "cocoon"
laying low
reading, knitting and taking tea.
One advantage of these blustery days is that I prefer
staying close to home...
I did go to bridge lessons and play bridge and I made a Grand Slam!
I have baked several dozen batches of sugar cookies
sprinkled with red and green sprinkles.
I wrote out our Christmas cards while sipping tea by the fire.
Picked up and worked on my knitting project,
the large lap blanket that is quite large and awkward to manoeuvre.
Of course there has been some reading...
cooking
laundry and ironing.
There is always a lot to do here in The Humble Bungalow.
The newest book is by Mary Lovell
who also wrote The Mitford Girls
a book that I devoured and savoured reading...
so I will be expecting the same quality and interesting subject matter.
I broke one of my dental crowns
it fell apart as I was nibbling coleslaw.
There is a temporary on my tooth right now as I wait for a replacement crown.
The crown was 2 years old and apparently they come with a 5 year warranty
so I am relieved that I do not have to pay for another one.
Must say that this was a welcome surprise...
Evenings we have been sitting by the fire in The Humble Bungalow
keeping warm and cozy
which
makes me appreciate our tiny home so much more.
The dark wood in our bungalow glows with the lamplight
it looks best
during the Fall and Winter months.
Drafts seem to disappear when the fire is roaring
lovely to hear the sounds of the crackle and pop
as the wood burns.
Comfort foods and the cold weather seem to go hand in hand.
Soups, Stews, Roasted Vegetables, Mashed Potatoes
all have been cooked and eaten this past week.
Craving warm dishes,
I have been eating oatmeal for breakfast most mornings.
French inspired...
yogurt with a tablespoon of jam stirred into it,
a quick and easy bedtime snack.
The sun popped out one day
my spirits lifted
it was so good to see some colour.
Green moss encrusted pillar
close up of the moss
with the Garry Oak Tree in the background
Lichen and moss on the trees near the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.
Our small tree on the front porch
dressed up with white lights
a few festive touches are slowly being added...
I wonder if I am experiencing some of the melancholy that frequently surfaces at holiday time when one is missing a recently departed family member.
It has only been 8 months since mom passed away
I do not weep as often but she is in my thoughts every day
many of her things are here
I am wearing her cashmere sweater
her pearl necklace and using some of her kitchen gadgets.
This Christmas may be more painful than I am expecting...
I know in my heart that she would not want me to be sad
but how can one not think about the love and the memories
after spending 62 years together?
I try to be positive and optimistic.
No point being gloomy,
but I do have days
where the sadness is more acute than others...
In the meantime I do not ignore the feelings
they will ease with time.
I always feel rejuvenated when I get outside on my walks.
The shin splints are less painful so they must be healing.
I should be able to resume my usual route soon, though I plan to walk slower as I want to avoid exacerbating those pesky shins.
What is new with you?
Are you reading something fabulous?
Have you started to decorate for the Festive Season?
Dewdrops
lovely as they hang tentatively from the branches.
Thank you for stopping by The Humble Bungalow Blog.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
