Studiology: December 2023

Now that we have reached the winter solstice or most northern zenith for the sun, we can count on another minute of sunlight a day. It will be 182 days before we reach the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and a lovely day at that. For now, and today the sun will shine a bit longer, despite the fact that it is officially winter, and there will be a couple of months before we feel like spring is coming. It's hard to believe but I have moved to this new house and location nearly a year ago. Some days it feels like much less, and vice versa. The location of my move has proven beneficial as I've landed within a few blocks in every direction of some lovely woman my age and we have come together for walks and books (we started our own book club only 5 months ago). Everyone should have such a lovely group of people to hang with, I feel truly blessed.

I miss many things from my old home, a few of which have surprised me more than I expected. The winter flower arranging at Merrifield Garden Center and my companions there are one. It's taken me a long time to find a decent substitute for quality fresh flowers, but that changed last week with this lovely selection of cut flowers from Hedge Fine Blooms .

My farm walks are another thing I miss more than I can describe. Birdie the rescue dog came along before the move and at 8 years of age was full of energy and loved our long, long walks. She is10 now, a bit slower and happy to sleep for long periods.

I considered the first year at this new location a trial of sorts for my vegetable garden. With the help of compost, literally tons of compost moved from the farm, the vegetable garden was excellent. We just finished with the tomato crop of 2023 with huevos rancheros for breakfast only 2 weeks ago. The Christmas pie will be sweet potato pie from the garden and spinach and lettuce are under protective cover, some ready to harvest.

There were also daffodils to plant this fall, including some of those adorable little miniatures. The front meadow will be native plants and this last fall I spread liatris bulbs and lots of seed. That will take a few years to come together which doesn't stop me from checking every day!

As I look back on 2023 and the crazy upheaval that it brought, I can only think positively. I would like to wish you all Happy Holidays, Happy Solstice, and warm family gatherings.

Focus has shifted for this 9 year old to nautical things, mostly disasters of the past, namely the Titanic and the Edmund Fitzgerald. This became the theme for his 9th birthday party, where his mom designed a party with sinking ships and maritime themed fare.

The punch was a sea blue with floating icebergs, cups were filled with blue jello and chocolate twinkies were cut and placed in a froth of whipped cream to resemble a sinking Titanic.

Props were set out to encourage dress-up, like the grand parties of the Titanic. Of course, the girls were all over it!

All managed to survive the party of sinking ships, humming the tune by Gordon Lightfoot and wondering about the "Gitchee Gumee". One 9 year old can recite just about every detail as to how and why thy sank, if you care to sit a spell and listen.