We have passed mid January and according to the calender, we have reached midwinter. We are halfway there; a very pleasant notion to ponder.Although spring will most likely not arrive in March, in about one and a half month, its imminence will at least be in the air.
Right now, my terrace displays absolutely no life signs. Every plant seems lifeless, like sleeping beauty awaiting awakening. Even the evergreens look sad, affected by the cold, covered by icy snow. Last January we had an average temperature of about 8C (46F). This year we have not reached temperatures above freezing for more than a few hours and are heading towards the coldest January in more than twenty years.
The only place to be is tucked away safely in front of the fire with a hot cup of chocolate and a good book. And Batcat.
Wishing you all a lovely Saturday.
30 comments:
What a simply beautiful rose bud! Kitty is content!!! Thank you!! Cathy
Zuzana: The pictures look so very romantic to me but the words of your post describe a certain kind of nostalgia which yearns for some life in the terrace.
Maybe sitting in a hot place like South India makes all the difference in the mood.
Have a great weekend and an equally lovely week ahead.
Joy always,
Susan
Snowy or not, I love seeing pictures of your terrace. I was looking at some spring photos this morning that I took last year. I'm so excited for the spring, but in the meantime we are having a mild January so far and that is inspiring gratitude in me. Only just below zero this morning. :)
The rose with snow is breathtaking! Roses are my absolute favorite. The picture reminds me of the song "The Rose".
The lyric are SO GOOD!
"Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose."
And Batcat looks so comfy...makes me want a catnap : )
Batcat is such a cutie. Cuddle up and stay warm!
:)
Zuzu
by the fire with a cup of cocoa...ah, that would be nice. actually supposed to get up to 50 here today. the pic of the rose is amazing!
Hello again from Southern California where we NEVER know what season or month it is by looking outside!
It is currently about 74 degrees here and it is supposed to warm up to a delightful mid-80s, mid January day.
What? Yep...too weird.
How amazing it would be to see snow on my balcony. My plants show no signs of life either...but that's from lack of water and too much heat!
Have a beautiful weekend!
Hello Zuzana
Oh my goodness, your cat Batcat looks just like my cat Smokey and she is sitting right next to me as I'm writing this!
Loved all the pictures!
It's always such a treat to visit you!
Stay warm and have a wonderful weekend!
I'm off on a walk now as it's a beautiful day here and I have to get out and enjoy it!
Take good care, my friend!
Margie
Xoxo
Mmmm, that fire again! Nice 'n warm. The frosty rose looks beautiful!
I think your blog is a real treat - visually it is stunning but also extremely well written. Your kitty is adorable!
Teacup Lane (Sandy)
OH that BAT CAT! He never FAILS to bring on a smile!! ADORABLE!
Even though my deck is not covered with snow, it is lifeless as well and covered with dry leaves, falling off the trees nearby. It does make one want to stay inside, isn't it? (with good coffee:) and a book or knitting work!)
zuzana, I've never seen a bright red rose covered with snow before...this image was so surprising to me. Here the flowers have lost their intense color over night when by the 4th frost or so.
I'm liking the seat by the fire with the cocoa for sure! Our pellet stove was out and my husband, just now got it up and running. The girls and I have been holed up in our bedrooms under blankets and napping all day to ward off the cold.
Batcat looks like a great cat. we have been having warmer than normal temps lately. hoping winter is on it's way out and spring will be coming soon.
have a fabulously relaxing weekend!!
byw, I am watching a special on the Ice House on tv right now.
What a difference. We had sun and blue skies today, and nature around was green, and blooming!! It is our normality, though, so it was nice to have it back. But you are half way there!, and when you least notice, flowers and pretty colors, as well as the energy of the sun will be back in your life.
Hang in there!
Have a great weekend my friend!
Funny, Zuzana, for us the real winter is only beginning. Up to now it's been a reasonably mild winter, nothing below -20 which is surprising, and not more than 30 cm of snow on the ground, which is also surprising.
But the end of January and the whole of February should change that in a dramatic fashion I expect. And with a bit of luck, the first half of March too.
And we should have snow on the ground till the middle of April or even the end of April here...
What a nice country!
Roger G.
That picture of the snow covered rose is absolutely gorgeous! And I love anytime you post pictures of the Batcat!
I'm glad winter is half over. I won't miss it and am soooooo looking forward to the warmer weather!
I don't see you signed up for Martine's Pup Scouts. Did you change your mind?
Zuzana,
Looking forward to your pictures of Spring based on how beautiful your pictures of Winter are...
much love
I call solstice spring. I realize that nobody else does. After all, though, the days do start getting longer. If that ain't a sign of spring I don't know what is!
It's a bit warmer here... but it won't last. I expect a few more nights with Peeto looking like Batcat :)
Lovely photos, Z. I love the snow-covered withered rose. You're ever the optimist. My calendar tells me we're not quite one third through winter which just began officially on Dec 21. But I like your time-keeping better. ;)
Batcat is beautiful. Love the picture. =) I can't wait for spring. I want to see green again, leaves back on trees and all the beautiful flowers blooming.
It's been cold here, but no where near what your experiencing. Stay warm! Hope your having a wonderful weekend.
xoxo, Shelly
"The only place to be is tucked away safely in front of the fire with a hot cup of chocolate and a good book".
HEAR HEAR!!
Oh have I missed your soothing posts for weeks now. I read back further but will comment here. Midwinter - hard to believe and these temps are frigid. We've thawed to sweatshirt weather just yesterday. I ran errands in a sweatshirt and everyone else had the same idea. Felt like spring but the temps were only in the 30's...
Your place is a respite for me, Zuzana. Your gentleness and kindness shows through in all that you do and all that you post...thank you for that!
Calli xo
Oh my dearest Zuzana...I'm crazy for that first image...it's breathtakingly gorgeous...I'm so inspired, I saved it and will make something for you with a Photoshop...
Will send it over on mail in a couple of hours...
Many thanks for making such gorgeous pictures!
Hope you have a lovely Sunday, cheers: Evi
A fire and a cat in your lap, and in my case, a couple of dogs next to your chair - nothing better to warm the heart and soul and to remind you that life is good...
Ah, Batcat! He has the right idea!! :D) xoxo
Cathy, Susan, BPG, LadyCat, Zuzu, Brian, Julie, Margie, swenglishexpat, Sandy, Jill, jeannette, Laura, Doreen, Claudia, Roger, sprinkles, Stacey, tattytiara (welcome!), Diane, Hilary, Shelly, Kath, Calli, Evi, Mimi and Michael – thank you all for stopping by and leaving such kind comments. I am delighted to hear that you enjoy the pictures, even though they mostly depict lifeless plants. Except for the rose, which is almost “freeze-dried” in the moment.
Your visits and kind words warm my heat at all times. Batcat sends his regards as well, he always enjoys the attention.:)
xoxo
Zuzana
Midwinter gives me great hope ( I think you know by now I am not a Winter person) - we're half way there!
Batcat sure looks contented - he must feel the same.
Blogaire, neither am I; I am a summer child and so is Batcat.;)
xo
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