Hope

This is what hope looks like. 

This is my pot of amaryllis.  It bloomed two winters ago.  Last year it was just leaves so when spring temperatures warmed I stuck it outside under the side porch and left it there until just before our first frost.  I brought it in and placed it in the basement and let all the leaves die down.  Just before Thanksgiving I retrieved it and placed it on the kitchen window sill.

It did nothing until this week when the first bit of green showed.  Something is happening and it may be there will be flowers or just more green leaves.

I can hope for flowers, can't I?

 

Two Gifts

 

This is the second winter for our soapstone wood stove.  It has made a big difference for the primary living area in our house since this wing of the house is the farthest from the furnace.

Dan brings in the wood and I make the fires.  Sometimes more air is required so I'd crouch down and blow in the side door to get the coals to ignite the kindling or wood.  

For Christmas Emily and Matt gave me this bellow.

It works great.

They also gave Dan this oscillating fan.  It sits on the soapstone and the heat generates electricity to power the fan.

Here's a video.  The sounds you hear are the stove.  I had just closed it down which means it's burning more of the gasses through a catalytic converter of sorts.  Don't ask me how that works but it does.

[The video seems to slow down the blades.  When I look at the fan it's a blur.]

What surprises did you get for Christmas this year?

Christmas

The Fathers Christmas are ready and waiting. 

Snow will be falling. 

The skinny tree, all of 8 years old, is decorated and gifts are wrapped. 

Decorations abound including outside. 

Partridge in the wreath has been hung. 

All things are ready here. 

What’s left?  Oh yes,

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

 

Brrrr!

 

Below 0 here. Got as low as minus 7.