I had to get a new kettle, my old one was struggling to boil the water. I love the color and it matches one of my travel mugs perfectly.

It was cold this morning, but Malcolm likes to have the window open when he looks out, so I wrapped him up in a t-shirt to keep him warm. He was OK with that.

My favorite tree, the White Sycamore, and we have a beautiful specimen right here in Front Royal, in front of the Bel Air house, info here:

https://stonesentinels.com/less-known/front-royal/bel-air-wm/

A house down the road got a new roof last year, but why a lurid green? It was highlighted this evening by the fading sun for a reason I can’t even fathom. 

On a miserable day with Russia invading Ukraine, I tried to find something beautiful, and nature delivered. An ice storm on the way home and a field of handsome bulls. 

Saw these on 66 heading home. Cheaply made plastic sheds, and likely selling for $7K or more. Hoping we getting planning permission to build ours, which will be far superior, and last longer for a fraction of the price.

Ugh. Got stuck behind this school bus for about 5 miles along country lanes. There was no way I could even think about passing, mainly because she was bombing along about 50mph. Hope the kids were strapped in!

We’re so loving our rescued Malcolm, and he appears to be loving his new life with us. We gave him a catnip filled mouse this evening, and he went mad over it for a while before flaking out and falling asleep.

Malcolm is now living in the upstairs suite which is more comfortable for him, and has a window seat, until he’s cleared by the vet to mix with the girls. And he certainly looks happy to have a home.

This cat has been a stray around our neighborhood for over 2 years and today Elliott and I adopted him. We couldn’t bear to think of him in these freezing temperatures any longer, and after posting on local Facebook groups, it was confirmed that he didn’t have a home. No longer. Malcolm on the Left now lives at The Blue House, and will be allowed upstairs once the vet gives him the go ahead. For now, he’s in our cozy basement with a sheepskin clamshell bed, food, water, and a litter tray, and regular visits from me and Elliott.

We had dinner in Warrenton with Carmen tonight and this gorgeous Packard was parked outside.

This beefy tomato, outside a local farm shop, always makes me smile. 

A gorgeous ornament Mum sent me many years ago, to remind me of home, my favorite English bird, the Blackbird.

I often drive past this little old house that’s slowly giving in to gravity and the tugging of vines. It will be a sad day when I drive by and see that it’s finally succumbed and tumbled to the ground.

A lovely Valentine’s Day evening, with roses and gifts, and a painting kit that we completed together.

At the O St Mansion in DC with Elliott. Do my wings look big in this?

Upstairs on the double decker bus in Marshall, VA. Johnny Monarchs is famous for his Tomato Pie, which is superb, but that’s not on the menu until March, so we had the American Pie instead. He grows his own tomatoes, peppers and herbs on site. A unique dining experience and one that brings back fond memories of my life in England when I was always hopping on and off of these buses.

Every day driving to and from work I’ve looked at this sign at the entrance to a mountain community, intrigued by the light inside it. I got a closer look today so I was able to make out the mountain, tress and the Shenandoah, although I’m not sure what the yellow part at the bottom represents. Clouds, maybe?

Back at the car wash again, and loving the water effects.

On Super Bowl Sunday the Cincinnati Bengals are the underdogs, but we’re rooting for them. Our UVA sales guy wanted shirts printed. Let’s hope we’re not jinxing them. Go Bengals!

Our local cell phone tower is frequently occupied by black vultures. They soar over the town and keep their dark guard.

A New Year’s card I’d created for a Chinese vendor and his family. He told me today he’s saved all the cards I’ve sent him the past 15 or so years. Glad he likes them! This image is where I’d been working on it in Photoshop.

Elliott and I hiked a couple of short trails today, with ice and snow. Hard work but great exercise, and my knee held up well. Roll on spring for longer escapades!

Our resident doe stopped for a chat as I drove around the cemetery this afternoon. She almost stuck her head in the car and listened, with great interest, to everything I had to say. Lover her!

Watching traffic zoom past at the lights close to work. A whole day of rain.

Tricksie Treat looking at me and hoping it’s not time to get her nails cut again.

I was stuck behind this vehicle at the lights this morning. It looked like an alien with piercing eyes that glowered at me. 

One of the sales guys loves me. He got a friend to get me this on his trip to England because I’ve helped him so much since he started with Emblemax. So sweet of him!