Well, isn't this a "fine kettle of fish"...?

 December 29, 2023

That is for want of a pronouncement that is not profane!

This is what I want, and would be normal for this time of year.

All except the last picture, were taken around Christmas time in 2017, the most perfect Christmas. The last one was 2021

This is what we have today. The overnights are not even reaching the freezing mark, and it rained last night...RAINED. Nuff said.

This stretch of weather has been so grey and dreary. Heavy fog has hung around day after day. Don't think we have seen the sun since the 22nd, when we had one sunny day.

That morning, there were lovely hoar frost crystals on all the twigs and branches, but since then the mild temperatures have whittled away at the snow until now, there is nothing of consequence left. The ground was still covered with snow for Christmas day, so technically, we had a 'white Christmas', but it was mild and melting, nothing fresh about it!

So the cooking and feasting is pretty much over. The turkey bones are simmering on the stove for stock, and we are still enjoying the tree and Christmas music. Why not? It is damp and cool and just not wintery outside. I will dismantle things early in the new year.

I've been spending some time in the craft room...got the last pair of Hubby's holey work pants patched, and all my decks cleared and organized for some fun stuff. He has been warned...that is the last time for that particular pair, as there are patches on patches. This time I put a whole big patch covering the legs, from upper thigh to mid-shin, and zig-zagged heavily over all the rips. 

Son gave me an AeroGarden for Christmas, and I am waiting for the sun to begin showing itself more consistently before setting it up. It uses a little bit of power for the light and the circulating pump. It seems to be a hybrid between hydroponics and in-soil plantings. It comes with pods, pre-planted with dill, mint, parsley, thyme, and two types of basil. The bottom of the pods protrude into the water, to which you add chemical fertilizer.

I'll be having a good think before starting those plugs, as the germinating time and growth habits of those plants are different. It would be nice to have fresh parsley and basil though.

Nothing much planned for the next few. We are usually pretty quiet over New Year's Eve and day. I'll be making something special for Hubby's birthday on the 31st, and a cake, of course. I'm thinking cranberry/orange carrot cake with cream cheese icing. 

I always think it is best to start the new year with a good sleep under one's belt! 

All the best to everyone for 2024. Happy New Year!