Well, Santa is done for another year.  I hung a wreath on my door and that was it for Christmas at this house.  Fortunately my friends and neighbors are caring and thought of me.  Best of all, friend Liz brought me some of their prime rib dinner and it was delicious.  The friends in the cul de sac brought me some of their Indian meal which I will have tomorrow.  I talked and text-ed with other friends and, of course, KoKo and I went for our two walks, which we managed between rain showers.  I think it was a lovely day.

We have had heavy rain, wind, and cold over the past week and trees are now almost bare.  The leaves make a gorgeous covering - these are mostly from the crape myrtle trees.

KoKo usually stops to see if the two big dogs that live at this house are out .  They rarely are, especially not when it is wet. 

Then it is "come on, I wanna go, stop with the pictures, already." 

He is a good walker, but gets impatient when I stop to visit or take pictures. 

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Last roses 12-24-21

Late in the afternoon on Wednesday I read the weather prediction which said RAIN, and heavy rain at that.  So, I cut the last almost full blown Brandy roses and brought them in to enjoy.  In a couple weeks it will be time to prune the roses for the year and no new flowers for at least a month.

Such a soft and lovely color with just a slight spicy scent.  In the background is a new quilt I bought at the November Surfside Quilters Guild auction, made by Sue Butsko and quilted by Cahtie Opila.  It is 42"W X 48"L.

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Wordless Wednesday 12-22-21

 

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And an Xmas cartoon 12-21-21

 

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Books 12-21-21

What is Christmas without new books?  In Iceland they celebrate "Jolabokaflod" or "Christmas Book Flood",  the tradition of giving and unwrapping new books on Christmas Eve, cozying up with family, and reading into the night.  (Google)   Not something I have ever experienced, but it sounds wonderful! As a child I could always expect a book or two from my paternal grandmother Ella.  I have two new books this year.  One I bought for myself:

Sue Benner has posted her photographs from walks along White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas.  Many of her followers have encouraged her to publish a book of these enchanting images and now she has done so.  It is very calming and inspiring and covers every season of the year.  I'm loving it and so is KoKo.

The other book came in the mail today, a gift from a San Diego friend.

It is about 500 pages and 9" X 11" and has the most fabulous photography I have seen in a long time.  Whereas Sue's book has great images of out-of-doors, this book has unbelievable images of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, along with some history, small essays about many plants, recipes, planting instructions, and, of course, seeds for sale.  Just look at this  picture of Chinese String Eggplant.  WOW!  I'd like to try it and I am not all that crazy about eggplant!

So, I have a lot of "eye candy" to cherish over the holidays and all days beyond. 

In 2004 I copied this flower image from the Internet and never knew what it was.  Now I know it is the flower of the Chinese Python Snake Bean plant.  The beans look like giant green beans and can grow 60 inches long!  And isn't the flower amazing, I wonder if it has a fragrance.  

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Checking in with Santa 12-20-21

KoKo had a visit with Santa yesterday.   Santa wasn't available last year, but this is the same Santa that has been at PetSmart in the past.  He is such a nice guy and serves as one of their best trainers the rest of the year.  The top image is from my camera and the bottom is the one they sent via e-mail.  I think it is funny that the pompom on Santa's hat looks like it is on KoKo's head.  And KoKo looks so tiny - his 12 pounds against Santa's 200+.  

Guess I am just getting silly in my old age, but KoKo is always happy to sit in any guy's lap.