Thursday, January 31, 2019

January Goodbye



I almost forgot about a January Goodbye post and will hurry to slip this one in before midnight.

Tomorrow I'll turn the first page of the 2019 Kevin Dodds calendar. It seems like only yesterday that I closed the 2018 calendar. 




As usual the beginning of a new month meant a few changes on my kitchen shelves, always something I enjoy doing, and the very last bloom of amaryllis 'Caprice' lasted a long time in a juice glass away from the sun in the big window.


All the Christmas decorations were packed away earlier than I had anticipated I would, the few in my bedroom being the last as they were cheerful at night before bed. Mainly only an old Waterford wreath and a German book of the Nativity.




One book that I've enjoyed every night before bed is this day book by one of my very favorite authors, Richardson Wright, editor of House & Garden from 1914 to 1950. 

I try to buy his old books as I can and I dearly love day books so this one has been such a pleasant surprise. As many of his books that I have that were written while he was with the magazine, it was only in this one, published after he retired, that I learned he was an Episcopalian lay preacher. There's been a little gem on almost every page.



RH has been busy working this month but managed to do a day of yard work last weekend on a mild day, transplanting a few small trees to better locations and digging up one of the two butterfly bushes in the back garden and moving it to a front bed for more room for both of them to spread.

He also hung the new coat rack above, a sweet bargain from our trip to Goodwill for under $5. When I spotted the Smith & Hawkin label on the back I knew it had to be quality. It gives him space for gloves and knitted hats in the cubbyholes.

He also found two half-price things at Costco in the January clearance and brought them home hoping I'd like them.



Would I like this green ceramic olive oil jar? Be still my heart!



This porcelain cookie jar not only had the best chocolate cookies in it, it's now a great jar for homemade treats!



I'm still using cranberries from my freezer, making three loaf cakes of Orange Cranberry bread from an old recipe in Romantic Homes magazine that was amazing, pictures forgotten, but twice making this simple apple-cranberry crumble with oat topping that was so very good! 



Our precious James Mason is doing better, we hope and pray. Time will tell. This last week has been devoted to him.



His little sister has gotten her share of attention too. This has been dachshund week, just can't keep our hands off them! 

I am afraid the sofa is now off limits to them, their stool taken away and the sofa forbidden even for BreeBree. Dachshunds backs are just not made for jumping, even though they like to fly like the birds.

I'm publishing this with no proof reading because they are both letting me know that it is time to go night night, so forgive any errors, please.

Goodnight to all, goodnight to January!

6 comments:

  1. So I'm assuming that James Mason jumped off the couch and hurt himself? Both your pups are SO cute. The look so sweet, too. Your bedroom is so pretty...it's warm and inviting and cozy and feminine - I love it. Your husband is so sweet to bring you home a couple of things he found at Costco, hoping you'd like them. It makes you feel loved when someone picks something up for you because they're thinking about you, doesn't it? Have a wonderful weekend, my dear friend!

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    1. Yes, Melanie, we didn't see it happen but we're pretty sure that's it. We've thought about a ramp for when he's better but I'm afraid he might ignore it and jump off in a hurry so we'll just barricade it. Our favorite part of the day was snuggling on it with them before bed and that's when they got brushed. But if we do it now I'll just have to hold them and lift them up and down.

      You know, I think you're right--that's how husbands show they love us, even if they don't often say it! You have a good weekend took, Melanie. I hope some of that snow starts melting soon!

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  2. So glad that Mason is doing better and BreeBree looks like she is appreciating her fair share of attention, too. I shudder to think how Mason might have injured his back diving from the sofa, so great idea making that off limits.

    Your bedroom, from its Valley View days to its present Home Hill place has always been such a pretty and welcoming space, Dewena, and regardless of location, your personal and unique sense of style permeates throughout.

    What a sweet and thoughtful hubby R.H. is to have gifted his adoring wife with such thoughtful treats. He so knows your style and colours and tastes! Enjoy them, my friend!

    Poppy

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    1. It is best, Poppy, that the sofa is off limits now but I still have to pick them up one at a time and snuggle with them, holding on to them securely so they won't jump off when time to get down. There's nothing better than an armful of dachshund--unless it's a granddaughter!

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  3. I came over to see if there was anything new so randomly hit on this post (I love all your posts and photos that I've seen...and this one I loved too. Sweet doggies, beautiful bedroom, ,etc...

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    1. This is a nice surprise, Sandy. Thank you for visiting this old post. It reminded me that this was the date that James Mason had his first IVDD back episode. Last week he had his 3rd episode so we're keeping him quiet and on meds again, hoping to avoid surgery.

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