A Welcome to 2011

The New Year has come in with a mixture of benign and wintry weather. As usual, Monday gave us a mixed bag of rain and eventually quite a lot of snow. The mild temperatures lowered considerably, so this snow will likely be with us for a few more days. These views are towards the back arbor and out the front door.

                                


















We have been contemplating "de-Christmasing" the house, but haven't done so yet. Our tree has been very pretty and has held its needles very well. It seems so dull after its demise.
Laziness seems to be the order of these days after Christmas. I did finally bake my Linzer cookies yesterday. They turned out quite nicely. A double chocolate cookie with a raspberry/ chocolate filling. 

Another unscheduled job turned into a bit of a purge and reorganization of our pantry cupboard. Awful lurkings can sometimes happen. Ian and Gina had given us a wonderful culinary selection of goodies, so in order to find space something needed to happen.
Bill seemed to have the seed starting spirit and started a few rhododendron seed selections. 
There isn't much gardening going on these days. We do have a lovely Amaryllis which is pushing forth two flower stalks. It is to be an interesting dark burgundy color.


















Our Christmas centre piece has lasted remarkably well....almost to the point where I am getting a bit tired of it!