First bloom

'Tis the season for amaryllis bulbs and our first one is in bloom today. Nothing special, just one of the ones we can buy in boxes in the supermarkets at this time of year. We love them and I have a supply to keep us going through the long New England winter. 

I spent Christmas 1979 and welcomed the New Year1980 in Sweden with dear friends and was introduced to the custom of fragrant hyacinths during the season along with amaryllis. It was an experience I will always cherish, truly an Old World Christmas. Many of our seasonal decorations at Dogcorner are Swedish and Danish, reminders of beloved friends from those countries and adventures. We love Christmas in this house and it's like meeting old friends when the Christmas tubs come up from the old cellar here.

It didn't feel like December here today, it was cloudy, but very warm. It gets dark so early on cloudy days, and the temperature is dropping as the sun gets ready to set.

For the Record,
This day came in cloudy and warm. It looks like we could get some showers soon.

All hands wary