Tales of a British expat, transplanted into the lush Tennessee countryside. Lover of old, time-worn, and antique. Tea-drinker, flower-grower, animal-nurturer.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Friday, March 24, 2023
Color Comes To Town
I know that spring is upon us, when the Redbud trees start giving out their beautiful pink buds.
The redbud is a tree that is valued far more than its small size might suggest. This lovely harbinger of spring has been called “a breath of fresh air after a long winter” and no less than “one of our most beautiful native trees” writes tree expert Michael Dirr, of The Arbor Day Foundation.![]() |
But there she is again, emerging from her own winter of storms, freeze, winds, and drought, still standing, still surviving, still blooming, still giving.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Spring Thoughts
Our weather has turned wet and cold, not the typical Spring weather one is hoping for.
I have plans for planting and pottering, but sadly not today.
There's a cold, blustery north wind blowing, and rain has saturated the ground for the past two days.
Candle-light brightens the darkness, and the aroma of baking banana bread, fills the air.
Monday, March 20, 2023
Spring Returns
Hello Spring, we've been waiting for you..... your healing sunshine is desperately needed.

Friday, March 10, 2023
Nesting
Despite blue skies and sunshine, there is a cold, whipping wind, outside.
A bone-chilling wind, that keeps me cocooned inside today, despite having other plans.
A new candle scent permeates the kitchen, I'm thinking Spring needs to hurry and get it's skates on......
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Sunday, March 5, 2023
Unfolding
A few days of warm sunshine, and everything is unfolding from a winter's sleep.
Fingers crossed Mother Nature is not playing a joke.
I still would know that flaming thrill,
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Hello March
A glorious sunshiny day today.
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
With Love From Me To You
x x
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Talking In Their Sleep
"You think I am dead,"
The apple tree said,
"Because I have never a leaf to show -
Because I stoop,
And my branches droop,
And the dull gray mosses over me grow!
"But I'm still alive in trunk and shoot;
The buds of next May
I fold away -
But I pity the withered grass at my root."
"You think I am dead,"
The quick grass said,
"Because I have parted with stem and blade!
But under the ground,
I am safe and sound
With the snow's thick blanket over me laid.
"I'm all alive, and ready to shoot,
Should the spring of the year
Come dancing here -
But I pity the flower without branch or root."
"You think I am dead,"
A soft voice said,
"Because not a branch or root I own.
I never have died, but close I hide
In a plumy seed that the wind has sown.
"Patient I wait through the long winter hours;
You will see me again -
I shall laugh at you then,
Out of the eyes of a hundred flowers.
Edith Matilda Thomas (1854 - 1925)
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Iced Over
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Soup's On
As with much of the nation we are experiencing a blast of cold winter weather.
It's predicted for much of the coming week, so hearty soups are the go-to meal of the day.
Come join us for a bowl.
1 lb. smoked sausage, ground sausage (browned in pan), ham hocks or diced ham. Our favorite is to use a leftover hambone with some meat on it.
1 pkg of Hurst 15 Beans
1 lg. onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder (optional)
1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz.)
Juice from 1 lemon
Bay LeafI also add:
Two stalks of celeryThree cubed potatoes
Two sliced carrotsOptional: Hot sauce or crushed red pepper to taste
Friday, January 20, 2023
Winter Days
We have had the strangest warm weather these past few days.
Here it is, the middle of winter, and the temperatures have reached a balmy 71 degrees yesterday, folks were running around town, in shorts and flip-flops !
The Iris shoots are popping up out of the ground, twelve inches tall already.
We are in for a true taste of winter, temperatures down in the thirties and nightly freezes are in the forecast.
Friday, January 13, 2023
Snowflakes
Under a cold spell for the past few days, the resident deer have been showing up at the water trough.
A group of eight does, mamas and their babies.
All fat and healthy, they have quite a variety to choose from in the nearby pasture and woods.
My arborvitaes however, seem to be their favorites.
Out of the bosom of the air,
Out of the cloud-folds of her garment shaken,
Over the woodlands, brown and bare
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent, and soft, and slow
Descends the snow.
Friday, January 6, 2023
Nesting
~ Thomas De Quincey 1796
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Winter Days
A damp and sunless morning.
The school bus went by when it was barely daylight, those little children have such early starts to their busy days.
I have a list of chores as long as my arm waiting for attention, but my motivation seems to be running on empty.
The last of the Christmas decorations were returned to their boxes yesterday, although I felt the need to leave a set of twinkling lights in the kitchen.
Sparkly encouragement is welcomed.