January and February this year have been cold, at least for Florida. Our usual temps alternate from 45 in the morning to 65 or 70 degrees mid-afternoon. This winter has been an exception: 20 days freezing (or below) in January and at least one near-freezing day in February. Depending on where you live, these temperatures during cold seasons are hardly worth a mention.
A few of the snapshots below have an icy tone to them, except of course, the stew bubbling on the stove and the book review, a hot one (Propaganda Girls)
Rain has finally come in mid-February after a drought. Maple tree branches have begun to bulge with blossoms. In a week or two, trumpet-shaped azalea blooms will blast pink and fuchsia color all over our neighborhood. Spring will follow. Soon!
Blue Tarp
In January, we covered patio plants: peace lily, poinsettia, the brilliant “red sister” plant. Herbs thyme and rosemary made it through. But the other flowers are still “in recovery.” Because of the high winds that sneaked under the tarp, hibiscus have looked forlorn in February, Will they make it?
The landscapers who maintain the garden areas of our community used white, lightweight plant covers in advance of the freeze. The covers admit sunlight and air, but protect flowers from damage. We invested in those for next year.
A Vignette
We stayed indoors. A lot! I paid closer attention to pictures and photos on the wall, ones I’d normally ignore because I’ve seen them so often. This icy snap originally from our son’s portfolio is a case in point. A vase of coral from Cliff’s snorkeling in Key West and a mint & eucalyptus infuser round out the trio.
Art Studio
The artist in our family had time to sort through stuff in his studio, sometimes making interesting discoveries. “Where did this come from?” he wondered.
Long Married Couple
In early February, we attended the funeral of out son-in-law’s father.
After the service, lunch was served in an adjoining hall. I spotted this framed photo on the wall of the serving space. In the picture, an unknown (to me) elderly couple clasp hands on the family Bible before they eat slices of homemade bread & jam with orange halves. A sacred breakfast.
Homemade Soup
Making soup Is a perfect activity for chilly weather. Starting with a bag of lentils, I brewed lentil soup slow and long, adding onion, carrots, celery, a few bay leaves, and a squeeze of lemon to finish. It was authentic soup, not the semi-homemade stew I made in October and described here.
The Reading Duo
I read, a lot.
So does my husband. However, he reads with his ears; I, with my eyes. We’ve never read the same book–at (almost) the same time before. While I turned the pages of a book in print, he saw the story emerge with images his ears sent to his mind and imagination. Audio book versus print book. Take your pick.
The Book? Propaganda Girls. You can find my review on Goodreads HERE
Grandson Playing Tuba
Our youngest grandson has played the tuba since he was in junior high. Now he is a high school senior–only one more concert in April to go.
Music is the secret language that effortlessly connects our bodies, our minds, and our souls. ~ Hope Alcocer
A Very Bear-ish Tea Party
Queen Elizabeth I| and Paddington Bear shared a pre-recorded, delightful tea party at Buckingham Palace for her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. The 96-year-old Queen and the animated bear bonded over a [mutual] love of marmalade sandwiches, which both produced from their respective handbags.
After Valentines’ Day, my dining room table seemed bare. So what did I do? Made a very bear-ish display. Without tea in cups, and, of course, without the Queen.
Fun fact: Great Aunt Ruthie made teddy bears, now vintage, for each of her grand nieces and nephews. This one landed at my house, not sure when or why.
Simultaneous Reading and Sleeping
The caption to the forwarded photo said this, “My wife is such an avid reader she can read with her eyes closed.”
True story: If I read in bed at the end of the day, I often fall asleep, drop the book, and lose my place. “This time, I apparently fell asleep for several minutes, so I’m told, yet the book didn’t fall. I literally fulfilled the excuse “I wasn’t sleeping. I was just resting my eyes!”
What am I reading now? Elif Shafak’s There are Rivers in the Sky. If you’re curious, you can read a brief summary HERE.
The story tracks a single drop of water across centuries, linking a 19th-century Londoner, a 2014 Yazidi girl, and a modern hydrologist (AI Overview from The Guardian.)
How have you coped with the weather this season?
Do you prefer audio or print books? Do you ever fall asleep as you read?
Any cooking or baking experiences to share?
Good morning, Marian! A lovely variety of photos and thoughts. I read print books, and I prefer “real” books over ebooks. I liked “There are Rivers in the Sky” very much. It was a “Merril book,” with beautiful poetic language and multiple time lines. 😊
I always read in bed before I go to sleep, so sometimes I do drift off.
Good morning too, Merril. I’m not surprised we have similar reading habits. You and I are both morning people, and night-time is not the ideal time to read. Sometimes I pick up a book in the afternoon, especially if it’s one that feels like a treat.
All good wishes for improving weather where you live and comfort as you remember your sister this week. ((( )))
Great post, as usual. I am in the middle of a murder mystery book, not my favorite genre, but well written and intriguing. I like this book because the chapters are about 3-4 pages long, so that keeps me from falling asleep! I’m also going around to several places sharing my newest book, “A Place in the Fold,” which you helped for me, with your review, etc. I’m enjoying that.
And looking forward to warmer weather this week! Azaleas will be wonderful when they bloom at my daughter’s house in Falls Church, an area where there are many azalea bushes etc. I love it. (I remember when we moved to Florida how I loved the azalea season.) Enjoy!
Thank you Melodie. I don’t read murder mysteries but occasionally I’ll tune into a PBS murder mystery, some classified as “cozy.”–haha
I’m glad you having continuing success with “A Place in the Fold.” It’s always reassuring when others are touched by our words. Yay, for this!
Azaleas are blooming in our neighborhood and last week we saw huge bushes ready to burst into bloom on our way to church. 😀
Lucky for me, my husband is dealing with the unpleasant aspects of the frigid temps and massive dumps of snow, so I can look out the window at the winter wonderland from the nice warm house. I made baked bean soup, which my husband absolutely loved. I’ve never listened to an audiobook. My attention tends to wander when I’m listening. I’ve fallen asleep reading many the time! Like Merril, I always read when I go to bed.
Your husband is a keeper, for sure. I have observed how he supports your writing and publishing, so very sweet.
Like you, I prefer print books. It’s soothing to turn the pages. And thumbs down on audio books as well. Thank you, Liz, for your steady presence here! 😀
My pleasure, Marian!
Thanks for this enjoyable romp through your cold Florida winter. Here in Lititz, PA, we had the harshest winter of the last decade for Stuart and me. The snow always came on the weekend, cancelling church services. But we made our own soups and luckily have a community full of busy workers who swept sidewalks and roads as quickly as possible. The only thing that kept us indoors longer than usual was deep cold and blustery winds. We went to Mexico for Christmas, but that warm only lasted for a few days. We head to Arizona next week to find some sunshine and volunteer our time with the SOOP program. I read and enjoyed There Are Rivers in the Sky. In print. But I have The Overstory on audio and revisited Braiding Sweetgrass on Audible. All very good!
I’m not surprised that busy workers clear away the snow in your community.. I imagine many of the residents have a tough work ethic, perhaps some, like you, former Mennonites.
The SOOP program was new to me, but such a noble endeavor. This is what I found on Google: “SOOP is a prison prevention and proactive mentoring program for young males.” Plaudits to you and Stuart for volunteering.
I see duality in your reading preferences: print and audio. Good for you–and thank you for always tuning in to “Plain & Fancy.” 😀
Love the photo of you reading with your eyes closed. 😊 Cliff is such a character! 😊
I have heard how cold it’s been out east. Very difficult for Floridians! As for the Midwest, we’ve coped as we always have, since cold weather is normal here. We had some below zero days. I had to go out and start the car, since it is not in a garage.
I prefer print books. I’m reading THE BLETCHLEY RIDDLE by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin. It is an upper middle grade book, but adults and teens like it also. If you like stories of WWII, you will enjoy this! It is about code breaking in England.
I guess Floridians sound like big babies when it comes to what we consider cold weather. Midwesterners take it in stride. I do remember some extremely cold days in Pennsylvania.
Thanks for sharing a book title, this one new to me. If it appeals to a wide age-range, Sepetys and Sheinkin must be stellar writers. Thanks again, for chiming in, L. Marie! 😀
What a delightful, whimsical post, Marian! I went back to the other blog post about soup that you mentioned and I had a good laugh at my comment about looking for a cranberry sauce can. I knew I had bought two, but could only find one! There was a reason for it!!
Winter here is wicked! So cold and lots of snow! Hard to believe the end of March is the beginning of spring!
I think this type of forgetfulness, yours and mine, show that we simply mustn’t take ourselves too seriously. Blunders happen every days and it’s best to laugh about them.
And, here’s hoping you’ll soon find crocuses and paper-whites pushing through the snow. I believe you may be through the worst of it, Elfrieda. Always glad to have you in the chat loop here! 😀
Enjoyed this visit with you, Marian! Had to smile, because I read with my eyes closed many nights too!
We both are inveterate readers and writers, Linda.
I’m glad I’m in good company.
Nice to see you here again! 😀
Fantastic images, Marian! I too fall asleep reading on the sofa sometimes (I can’t think of a better way). I love baking in the winter and have been doing it every Monday, as I only work 4 days a week now. I’m also learning to paint with watercolours, which combined with crocheting and card making, help me relax and bear the cold weather much better. I also managed some outdoor bike rides and walks in the forest.
I absolutely LOVE your bear tea party! ❤️
I think we follow similar patterns, Fatima. I’m glad you have a baking day every Monday, along with a reduced work week.
Brava to you for learning to paint. I have seen some lovely handwork from you, back when you and Peter were traveling. You’re such a creative person.
I’m glad this post hit the spot for you. Thanks so much! 😀
After an abnormally dry winter season, we are getting much-needed rain. Except our little creek has overflowed its banks as of yesterday, so we watch carefully for damage. It’s good soup making weather, and I have the ingredients ready. I have a small library of printed books, but have over 300 on my Kindle. So much more portable as long as I keep it charged!
Thanks for sharing all of this: your weather, your soup-making, and reading habits.
You’re right: Kindle books are so much more portable, but I like turning the pages of a print book. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
It’s so good to hear from you again, Ginger. 😀
I like the sound of There are rivers in the sky, Marian. I always enjoy seeing pictures of Cliff. He has a very happy demeanor. I can’t believe he’s in his 80s. I can read in bed on my side like that, it makes my eyes squiggly. Cold is relative. People like us from warmer areas are acclimatized to heat. Lower temperatures are just as bad for us as for other colder areas. Our houses are also built for heat not cold. I despise winter.
I will share your kind words with Cliff, Robbie. He seemed happy to me when I first met him, and his temperament hasn’t changed.
Thanks for sharing your very sensible ideas about weather here. “Cold is relative” as you say! And indeed it is. 😀
Some great shots, especially of you sleeping and reading in bed. I read in any way possible (print book, e-book, audio etc.) as I love stories. Lately I find my eyes get tired quickly so I can’t read for long periods of time like I used to. So I started listening to audio books as well. And I love it. I listen to stories as I do housework and bake and cook. It’s like being read to as a child. I am now tackling classics I would probably have never gotten around to and I am listening to old favourites too. Some narrators are so good. My preferred method is print books, but it’s great to have options. xo
I could train myself to listen to audio books as I cook and do housework. Listening to podcasts in the kitchen works for me, so maybe I could ease into a book. Our city library has lots and lots.
Yes, I agree, stories make the world go ’round. You are a star at storytelling as are many of my commenters here. Thanks so much, Darlene! 😀
I love that last photo of you, asleep, with your book. Cliff is such a funny guy! 🙂
I have yet to listen to an audio book. While I prefer reading, I keep wishing I’d have more time for it. But all my spare time goes to writing and keeping track of our life’s stories.
When it comes to weather, we’ve had our fair share of extremes lately… The blizzards and freezing temperatures and cancelled/delayed flights in New England, storms and delayed flights in Portugal, and lots of rain and wind in southern Spain. I’m happy to report that the Andalusian sun has returned.
You’ve met Cliff and know whereof you speak. He is a good complement for me as Mark is for you.
Reading your blog posts, I know you’ve had extreme weather the last few months. I imagine southern Spain is one of the more sunshiny spots on the globe right now.
I admire your keeping track of your itinerant life with stories and photos. You may have more time for reading in the future–but right now you’re doing a superb job with recording your travels. Brava, Liesbet! 😀
I am right there with you, Marian on the cold! It’s been brutal on my Floridian palms, croton and some hibiscus. Sigh. It could be a big project to restore/re-plant. Anyway, I am totally in love with your Queen and Paddington re-do of your own table; and Aunt Ruthie made teddy bears! What a perfect tie-in. What a shot of you sleeping! Or, resting your eyes. 😊 I can’t believe your hand is still on the page, mid-turn!
My back yard (patio space) looks like a lost cause right now, but I’m not giving up hope. I believe the roots are still viable with more sunny, warm days may prove me (and you) right.
Of course, Cliff took the picture of me sleeping. Most of the time, I drop the book. How I kept my place with my hand still on the page is beyond me. Yet, I have the photo to prove it. Thanks, as always, for joining in the chat here, Melanie. 😀
😃
One of the seniors I read to always falls asleep when I’m reading. She is always so apologetic and assures me she is “still listening.”🤣I never take offense. What a nice way to drop off with a good story.
I like the photo of cliff asking, “Where did this come from?” I smiled because I’ve asked the same question many times.
Hearing is the last to go, I’ve been told–ha! Cliff, an audio book reader, insists that he is still listening when it’s obvious to me he’s in sleep mode. (No way can you read print books, though, with your eyes closed>)
About Cliff’s checking his stuff–like you, he makes interesting discoveries.
Always good to hear from you, Pete! 😀
So many great photos with captions. If we were sitting in front of each other I’d spend an hour talking to you about each one. But I don’t want to fill your comment page. Starting at bottom, you are adorable while asleep – isn’t it weird to see yourself in a sleeping state? I love how you hold onto the page. My guy ‘reads’ in bed with a book and his glasses on, sitting up on the pillow, while snoring. He also can read while he sleeps, like you. 🙂 My eyes are too tired by night so I have to read by e-book then with font increased and backlit with warm light. In the morning, I read a hardback book. While driving I listen to a book on Audibles. Perhaps reading three different ways sharpens my brain (???). Oh, and each mode is with a different book.
I love the photo of your grandson playing his music. My granddaughter is a senior also and every “last time” this year is bittersweet. xo
You can fill my comment page as much as you’d like. If only Boston and Jacksonville were closer. Oy vey!
Cliff commandeered the camera one evening and caught me unawares. He said I was sleeping soundly for several minutes. Why the book didn’t fall out of my hands is unbelievable to me. (I can picture your guy reading in bed too; the glasses add an additional bit of adorable-ness.)
Of course, reading with three different media sharpens your mind. . . and each with a different book certainly keeps you out of mischief.
Thanks for noticing Ian. And,yes, the photo is bittersweet to me. He’s our baby. The three others are in college, two on the verge of graduating. Unbelievable.
Thanks for all this–so good to hear from you again, Pam. ((( )))
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An enjoyable post with images and corresponding captions., Marian..I never fall asleep while reading nearly but when I find myself going I switch my kindle off…I have never tried audio I should I know especially when doing the boring housework or walking maybe…I do agree with Robbie about cold being relative to where we live…
I just checked out your blog and found an invitation to read another culinary delight: Then I purchased a copy of This is How We Eat. In our home food equates to love, and I suspect the stories in this volume will reflect the same.
About reading: I may not ever drop a book again if I had a Kindle to switch off. Ha!
By the way, I know you had a British childhood but I believe you now live in Thailand, so of course your season now is quite different from ours, where winter is soon turning into spring.
Thanks for visiting, Carol!