Saturday, January 29, 2011

Company's Coming

When last I wrote I spoke of the warm weather and the wonderful signs of the coming spring.  Many of you spoke of the long cold visits from old man winter which you have experienced thus far.  A few of you even told me to be careful what I say as winter is not over yet and he could still come knocking on my doorstep eager to come and stay a while.

Well I think that may be the case.  Although we are still enjoying the 70 degree weather today, tomorrow we start to fall.  By the beginning of the week we should be well in the deep freeze and if it continues as it looks it will, a  nice coating of ice and/or sleet will be what we have. 

I am of course preparing for the weather they say we may get and hope that all my preparation is in vain.  Where I would love to have a gentle snow fall with a nice cup of rich hot chocolate at hand, the idea of an ice storm does not interest me in any way.  We have managed ourselves through some the last few years and it always does such damage to the willows and other trees as well. 

I will admit though that I marvel at the strength that the willow has shown me.  She bends so deep with the weight of such a burden that the ice gives.  Yet as the ice melts she once again lifts herself towards the sky.  She knows that in order to survive one has to learn to be flexible and not rigid.  A good lesson for all of us I think.

My birds have been overly active as well; another sign that we are more than likely in store for a good cold spell.  I trust their predictions of what is to come far more than I do the weather man's assumptions.  I know that they watch the sky in all their scientific manner.  Yet nothing can compare with the keen sense that a small creature has.  They are so more attentive and aware of the subtle changes long before they even occur.  A wonderful mystery of mother earth that I truly love to witness.

So it looks like I may be having more company next week as old man winter comes to sit a spell with me.  I already have a small bunch of bananas sitting on my cabinet ripening.  A nice loaf of fresh banana bread sounds good with a hot cup of English breakfast tea.  My son gave me a William Sonoma gift card for Christmas and I finally decided what I would purchase with it. 

A wonderful little cast iron crock just the right size for Vincent and I and a Tunisian Tagine.  I am eager to try both of them out.  A nice pot of stew for the crock and some braised short ribs for the other.  Cold weather always makes me want to bake bread too.  Maybe I will finally try that recipe for rosemary bread I have...

So although they say it is going to possibly be nasty I am looking forward to it.  My only wish is that I could have the lot of you over for a cup of tea and some of that fresh banana bread.  Needless to say Vincent does not care for it much and I do not need to eat it all alone.  I guess my son will once again get some of his momma's leftovers...

Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend with blessings and joy. 

14 comments:

Robin Larkspur said...

Wonderful post, love what you got with the Williams sonoma card, beautiful. I bake my tea breads in the small loaf pans, and freeze them. That way, not so much to eat at once(or twice or thrice). Then there is more in the freezer for another week or month..i think up to three months is best. You have something in the freezer in case company drops by, too. I watch our wild birds too for they are great weather indicators.

mxtodis123 said...

Would I 'love' some 70 degree weather right about now! I do love the winter, the snow, but sorry, enough is enough. Another storm on the way next week is just too much. Now you have me thinking that a nice fresh loaf of banana bread would taking mighty good right about now.
Mary

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What a beautiful tagine!

Judith said...

LOL you were nothing but understanding of our snow horror.... so I'm telling the snow and Ice to stay way from you!!!! Hope it works. I'm not one that likes others suffering what I am suffering. giggle

Teresa said...

For some reason this post just leaves me feeling so peaceful. Perhaps it's the idea of resilience that we can see with nature. Blessings.

Kat said...

We barely got any snow this year. Around Thanksgiving we got a few inches but it didnt last for very long. I am hoping we get at least one more round of snow before Spring. Snow = beautiful silence.

AkasaWolfSong said...

Good Morning Lovely Lady! :)

I too make several loaves at a time and use the small loaf pans...I picked some up on sale from the local bakery here. I freeze up what I don't use and they hold up very well. Usually though I just gift them to neighbors or Grands and there is never much left. I'd weigh a ton if I ate it as much as I make it.
The birds here haven't been real active lately...but I did notice this morning they were all singing brilliantly. We have more snow on the way this week so I'm sure they are out there today foraging. Time for me to throw out my toasted bread cubes for them.
Enjoy your visit with your company and God/dess Bless You All! xoxo

Unknown said...

Oh to sit with you for a spell would be awesome and we could both look at that gorgeous willow knowing she gives us so many reminders of how to be. I have a willow friend in my yard too and she and I share many secrets together. Stay warm and safe my friend!

Hugs

Ponderosa Pagan said...

I am looking forward to Spring as well. The weather here has been amazing, then again we are not in Flagstaff that is about 3000 ft higher than sedona! but I am loving the warmth while it lasts bc as you said old man winter could come at anytime. He might stop by this week. blessings to you and the family!

Anonymous said...

The post header image is just gorgeous.

We are in the same boat, having had so much more winter cold and snow than usual and a reprieve to 58 yesterday and 63 today. Of course there is more snow moving in next week. I am following the lead of my cat and dog who I cannot seem to keep indoors today because they want to soak up the warmth while they can.

Bogaman said...

Looks like you'll be getting part of the storm headed our way. Sorry, at least you had a repreive. It's been a long time since we had snow on the ground for this long. Just makes me appreciate the spring that much more. X.

Theresa MacNaughton said...

I am SO very happy that your wish will come true - and you shall have a taste of the winter that we have been experiencing in abundance. We shall have more this week, it seems. I was thinking of making a chocolate chip-banana bread. Enjoy your tagine and stay warm and cozy! Theresa

Kathy said...

Stay warm. It's supposed to be a doozy!
I've been looking for an update on the bluebird.

Rue said...

Hope you are still faring well as far as weather. Seems like so much of the US is under storm watch right now!

Hope your company made it there okay too! I think I'll make some banana bread too, now that you mention it!