Not too long ago Garrison Keillor's "Writers' Alamanac" mentioned the birthday of Charles Frazier. He made his debut as the author of "Cold Mountain", a book I enjoyed reading despite its graphic descriptions and obscure vocabulary. I thought to myself let me see what else Frazier has written and found "thirteen moons" at the library.
What a disappointment. Don't bother reading it. It's a memoir of a fictional character and it rambles on and on. I stuck with it to the end only by skimming through much of it. I wanted to find out if the main character ever connects with the love of his life again. That point in the story was totally unsatisfactory and since I've told you not to read it I will tell you that the author never lets you know what happens to Claire.
I guess Charles Frazier was a one book wonder.
I realized as I set myself up to decorate these almond cookies that I hadn't done this before in this house. Time was at a premium the five previous Christmases I spent here. This is the sixth Christmas in this house and now being retired I have the time.
Now to pack them into tins to be given away. I sure don't need to eat all of these!
All during the summer and early fall I neglect this plant. It sits in the north-facing vestibule and I remember to water it about once a month. Then come October, I notice the buds and I tend it more and when the buds are more developed, in it comes to my great room and a south facing window. Here it is mid-November and it's glorious in its blooms.