A Touch of Color

"Lantana" - Watercolor by M. Koziar

Snow showers with intermittent rain seem to be the weather for today.  An Autumn Clematis, still clinging to one of my front porch supports, has icicles hanging from the vines.   Brr!

Rather than dwell on the weather, I went searching through my photo files for something more cheerful, and found the image shown above. The photo is a detail from a watercolor painting of Lantana by my talented younger sister.

"M" and her husband moved to Arkansas 18 years ago, after living in Portland, Maine for over 20 years.  (Talk about BRR!) They live about 70 miles southwest of my home, and I am able to drive to see them several times a year.  I visited with her by telephone earlier today to be sure she had no objections to my posting her art work.  She told me that they are snowed in.  Keep in mind that "snowed in" in Arkansas doesn't mean 10 foot drifts; two or three inches of snow accumulation on the street is enough.

I'm working on the story of how I came to be at a dinosaur museum in Alberta, Canada (the subject of yesterday's post.)  I'd like to get the whole thing written (in installments) and photos assembled before I start to publish it.  It may be a while before it's ready.

It started snowing again in early afternoon. Great huge flakes. I ventured out to the library to pick up a book I ordered before any of the downy white stuff stuck to the streets, only to find the lights out and the doors locked.  So much for that!

Tomorrow is also a day.

Not My Fireside, I'm Sorry to Say

I took this photo on the evening of New Year's Day last year at Gardening Daughter's home.  I could have used some of this pretty, warm wood fire last night since my cold has reactivated itself -- or I have a entirely new affliction. Bah!!  I can't seem to get warm, despite the consumption of hot beverages and wearing both a sweatshirt and a sweater with my warmest jeans.

I had been invited by Gardening Daughter's husband to join the family for a traditional black-eyed peas and cornbread  supper,  but rather than spread germs, I stayed at home and nursed myself with a big bowl of extra-spicy chili con carne.   In the making of the chili, I used some of my hot New Mexico chile powder to stoke up the heat a bit, which I hope will be effective in relieving some of my symptoms. I absolutely believe in the germ theory of disease, and I was in the company of several folks who had colds earlier this week.  I should have known those pesky critters would take up residence in my airways (the germs, not the folks.)

While under self-imposed house arrest, I did manage to get a number of necessary chores accomplished, such as finally clearing away all the Christmas wrapping paper, tape and ribbons from the kitchen table (the largest flat surface I have). It's nice to see a clear table top again.   In addition to making the pot of chili, I also employed my bread machine to turn out a loaf of Portugese White Bread, which will make dandy toast to have with my tea this morning.

Although I'm not gainfully employed anymore,  I think it must be nice for a legal holiday to fall on a Friday, thus giving most folks a three-day weekend. 

New Year's Day is also my baby sister's birthday.  Her husband always makes it an extra special day, and I know that both of their children were there to celebrate the day with her;  I wish I could have been there, too.

 More, later.

Out and About

My younger sister, who lives in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas (about 70 miles southwest of here), was not able to join us for the family Christmas gathering. So, today I travelled to her home for lunch, a visit, and exchange of Christmas gifts.

We had a simple lunch (soup and sandwich) but an extra-special dessert, something I haven't had in a long, long time: homemade, vanilla custard-filled cream puffs! I had to get a photo, of course! Don't these look yummy? They definitely were delicious.

When we lived in New Mexico, our mother used to make custard-filled cream puffs quite often. I think she, herself, was fond of them, and they were one of our favorite treats. I can't remember that she made cream puffs after we moved to Arkansas, and I've missed them. I got all misty-eyed when these were brought to the table.

After lunch, I helped my sister create her own blog, Nutmeg. When she has a few posts up, I'll share the link so you can, if you're interested, see what she's doing.

It was an absolutely lovely day for my visit. Temperatures were in the mid-60's with a gentle breeze. To stretch our legs after the blog creation, we headed to nearby Cortez Lake (there are several lakes within the Village) to see if we might find some photo opportunities. We did.

At this particular site, there are a number of xeriscape areas . At one end of a now mostly barren bed, there is a large holly tree, glossy leaves shining in the sun and absolutely laden with berries. I don't believe I've ever before seen as many berries on a holly tree. I may use this image (or one of the several others I took) for some of my 2009 Christmas cards.

Among the dried plants close to the lake shore, I found one I've not seen before, and have no idea what it is. I found the curl of the dried stems very attractive.

Incorporated into the flower beds, and in groupings closer to the lake, there are a number of unusual rocks. I believe the one pictured below to be granite laced with quartz, a mineral which is plentiful in the Hot Springs area. (I'm open to correction from anyone more geologically knowledgeable.)

Cortez Lake stretches for some distance, with a number of beautiful homes built on its shores.


All in all, it was a wonderful day. I enjoyed visiting with my sister and her husband, and the time spent taking photographs at the lake. I got back home before dark, refreshed, relaxed and ready for the last day of the year.