I had to chop another bucket of kindling in the freezing wind when I got home, but it’s a job that I don’t consider a chore and I soon warmed up. 

Maltesers! So many Maltesers! Dear Mum sent these despite being ill, bless her. A whole kilo of goodness to share with Kota!

Kota Kat has discovered how Sebastian and Suzie enter my shed. Not sure if his nose tells him that there’s also some mouses hiding out in there too. I found them while putting away a tarp and can’t evict them with these cold temperatures.

Despite rain all day long, Kota was determined to take his afternoon constitutional, albeit a shorter one than usual.

The flat iron steak was delicious. Very tender and tasty after the marinade, and served with cauliflower and grated Italian cheeses.

Picked up my OxBox from the local butcher.  It’s been a while since I had one of these. A chicken quarter and chicken breast, a piece of salmon, a pork chop and a flat iron steak, which I’m very excited about cooking. Never had one of those before. Will likely marinade in red wine with rosemary and thyme and then cook in the pan. The salmon will be cooked with veggies in an omelette for a hearty pre hike breakfast tomorrow.

My beautiful Christmas present finally arrived from a very dear friend. It’s beautiful!

24 Jan 2018

These clouds fascinated me on the way home. They looked like folds of fabric draped across the sky, a bit like a Bedouin tent.

23 Jan 2018

Watching the second season of The Crown on my laptop while warming my toes in front of the fire.

22 Jan 2018

Taking an evening stroll with The Kota Kat Supreme. There was a chilly breeze so he asked to be carried after a while so I could wrap him in my jacket.

I pass these trees frequently and think I need to do a 4 seasons series of them, they’re so photogenic, and I love the fence. Consider this the winter photo, but if we get any proper snow, it may be replaced.

The beautiful patterns of ice, on a river near Upperville, VA. With the warm temperatures this weekend, these will melt fast.

Kota’s asking Rosie Lee, “Are you coming out this time?” It was a lovely balmy 55 degrees when I got home so they both went out for some fresh air, although Rosie Lee only took a few breaths of countryside air before she dove back inside. Kota and I went for a little hike and then to the bakery to chat with Maggi.

The extreme cold has caused all my photos to curl and fall off the wall at work. This is an outside wall so I guess I’ll have to think of another way to decorate the space.

Kota and Rosie Lee sitting on round beds in a round photo.

A beautiful sky on the way home tonight, with no hint that later there will be snow falling.

Another blot on the landscape, huge power lines being erected, to feed the ugly rash of McMansions that are erupting all along Rte 50 in South Riding.

Yummy ciders at a very local cidery, less than 10 mins from my house. A fun afternoon with Steve, Marc and April. 

Beautiful ice everywhere on my hike today.

12 Jan 2018

It was a little creepy as we sat outside the brewery last night to watch the fog come rolling in. And bringing with it a new weather system. From a crazy balmy mid 60’s during the evening which then plummeted to the teens overnight. 

An arty view of the beautiful berries outside my front door.

I was looking for a lamp shade today and can’t believe that after nearly 20 year’s of living in the States, they haven’t moved forward from beiges, whites or browns. England offers every color under the rainbow but American decor struggles to move on from white. So annoying!

9 Jan 2018

A rare sight to see Double Trouble sharing any bedding, but I suppose neither of them wanted to give up their shared Christmas present. They’ve both been spending a lot of time on this fleece.

While flitting across the Internet today I came across this document. It’s a controversial topic as some believe it’s a hoax while others think it was written by aliens. An unknown language, (yet the pages are numbered in English) and painted using just brown, blue and green ink, diluted yet rarely mixed together, I think the whole thing is a con. But for some reason, the mystery has never been solved...

https://archive.org/details/TheVoynichManuscript

This little cat is so sweet. Rosie Lee can pack a punch, is the best guard cat ever, but is so cute and loving and poses like a princess.

A hike to the frozen waterfalls at White Oak Canyon. 

I came home to frozen water pipes so have the wood stove blazing, firewood stacked up high, and heating on to try and thaw them. I can go outside and draw from the well stand pipe but the thought of no water in the bathroom is a bummer. Literally.

We printing shirts for quite a few famous people at work today.

I’ve had nearly $500 in Costco rebate checks sitting in my drawer at work for some time, so today it was time to stock up on supplies, and some treats, for the shop. Stanley was filled up and luckily nothing had to be left behind!

I was intrigued with these soaps. They look good enough to eat but not wash with. Wouldn’t you just get covered in artificial colors and glitter? Didn’t seem a good way to get clean to me...

An icy day for a hike but a great way to start the New Year.