Plants & Pineapple in the Snow

There really isn't much going on up here in the frozen north right now. I used to love being outdoors in the winter, going skiing and ice skating or just walking in the snow. There was a time when I couldn't wait to go hurling down the steepest hill on anything I could find - inner tubes, sleds, a piece of cardboard - but cafeteria trays were the best! There was a killer hill next to the food service at my college - but no one ever died. These days, after spraining my wrist curling ribbon in early December and then twisting an ankle taking down the Christmas garlands, walking across the driveway is the about as risky as it gets. I still love winter anyway. 

Filling the bird feeders is one of Burt favorite wintertime chores. Doing something nice for others always makes him feel good. He's kind of at a loss for what to do with himself after the holidays.

This morning the bird feeder looked really cute with this dusting of fresh snow on its little roof. The decorative bird house behind it has fake snow on its roof (as if you couldn't tell) and sometimes it's hard to tell the real stuff from artificial.

His Madness, inspired by all the photos on Facebook of our friends enjoying themselves in Cancun, brought this pineapple home from the grocery store for brunch. I'm definitely not a beach person but I wouldn't mind being on a veranda somewhere in the tropics, sipping a cocktail and watching the sun go down. Maybe next year. I'm beginning to see the wisdom of taking a vacation right after the holidays. It seems so much more appealing than chipping ice off the front steps!

Meanwhile, back at brunch a mystery was unfolding.

"OH, NO!" says Mr. Pancake. "What happened to the pineapple?"

Turns out, it was to the upper right, just out of all the photos, duh.

Following the ritual sacrifice of the fruit, its top became a popular headpiece. He wore it all day and it never fell off! Although, it did fit right in with the orchids and banana leaves on the curtains, which usually come down when the plants move inside. How did I totally forget to do that? In my defence, last year Mother Nature sent us snow for Halloween and rain on Christmas, it was confusing. 

After watching the wildfires in Australia and out west, I decided to work on reducing our carbon footprint. Making donations to help the wildlife did make me feel a little bit better but I've always felt guilty about all the energy it takes to keep the lights on for my basement garden. 

Last fall we had an unpredicted freeze that killed off a few of the outside plants that typically lived in the basement over the winter. That left fewer plants to deal with so now the basement is only home to the ones that can live without supplemental lighting and, in the case of the Ivy's namesake, not survive an invasion of spider mites.

There are a few ivies and some flowering plants that can't fight off an infestation of spider mites and my house is cursed with those little buggers. They're nearly microscopic and even though a lot of plants aren't bothered by them, they can kill a susceptible variety (especially the pretty flowering ones that were gifts) in a matter of days.  

Somehow they never liked the basement much, so the most vulnerable plants were safe in the fluorescent garden. Well, safe from spider mites at least. Oafish cats are something else.

So far, so good and with January almost over, there's only a couple months to go!

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year!

This is a little late, as usual but it should be okay to wish everyone a Happy New Year for at least the first week of January! It is sad that the holidays are over but there's no reason the parties have to end. As far as the internet is concerned, there is always something to celebrate, all you have to do is google it. For instance, the first was not only New Year's Day but also Hangover and Bloody Mary Days. While yesterday's honorees included Swiss Cheese and Science Fiction. I'm hoping to finish this post before the Drinking Straw and Fruitcake Toss Days.     

Wednesday, December 4th was National Cookie Day. You can never have too many Christmas cookies and His Madness did his best to pay homage to the occasion - it was two weeks later but still before Christmas. It's the thought that counts, they are unofficial holidays after all. 

 These are Polvorones or Mexican Wedding Cookies, the ones in the previous photo are Polish Tea Cakes and he also made Norwegian Sandbakkels. A trio of multi-national treats to munch on.

The 4th of December is also National Sock Day and according to the description, it "recognizes the rarest of all lasting unities, the marriage of matched socks." Obviously, that is not the case here but these were two of my most favorite Christmas socks - ever!  Since I lost their mates, I've worn them anyway and I believe they belong together. To me, they match. 

There is a National Christmas Tree Day but I would never have to patience to wait until December 8th to pick out a fresh cut tree. All of the good ones would be gone! Plus they need to sit unadorned for at least a couple of days to expose any huge, gaping holes between the limbs. This year there was just one but it was a doozie. Fortunately, it's now facing the bookshelves. 

Do we need a Garland Day? Maybe there should be an occasion to celebrate questionable Christmas decorating choices. The globe really doesn't get dressed up for the holidays. Burt lost his balance while he was helping to hang it around the french doors. It does look good though, maybe next year?

Here's Stewart, caught trying to sneak a drink from the tree stand. He eventually gave up but last year his bad habit resulted in a visit to the vet. His veterinarian told us fir trees are less toxic than pine and although it's not good for them to drink the tree's water, the resin is what is most harmful. Take Your Cat to the Vet Day isn't until August.

Finally, on the 23rd of December there was our (mostly) annual Festivus celebration. (Some years we just don't have the time to squeeze it in.) Our Festivus Pole has always been a ski pole because it was the only thing called a pole that we had on hand. Back in the day, we didn't realize it was supposed to be unadorned and made of aluminum. Whatever works. This year we skipped the Airing of Grievances, voting on the Festivus Miracle and the Feats of Strength because we all agreed Nancy Pelosi already had those covered.

Speaking of Festivus Miracles! This is the second year in a row that the Christmas Cactus has actually been blooming on Christmas Day. 

Putting electric candles in the windows during Christmas was a tradition in the community where I grew up and I occasionally see them around town these days. My mom, aunts and both grandmas lived in big old farmhouses and had to have at least one in every window. While looking up silly holidays I ran across an important one, Worldwide Candle Lighting Day. It's observed on the second Sunday in December in remembrance of the children who have lost their lives, whether from disease, war or by accident, whatever the reason. It all started in 1997 with just a few people lighting candles from seven to eight o'clock and now has spread around the world and next year I'll join in, too.

Soon it will be National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day, no kidding, it's January 6. Yikes! I feel like I just got it up, ha! What will Spenser do without all those bins to occupy?

Thanks for stopping by, I hope everyone who celebrated had a wonderful Christmas.

Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2020!