Monday, December 30, 2013

it was a year of flowers & cats





Looking through this year's pictures, it's obvious that my favorite subjects are flowers, cats, and flowers and cats.


I've been feeling kind of stuck, unsure, insecure.
Roads not taken. I always get melancholy around the holidays.


Then I read this beautiful post on Floret and let myself dream of a flower farm. Took out my gardening books and scribbled plans for a cutting garden, which may not ever exist, but the act of planning and dreaming is enough for now.


Aji confided that she would like her very own cutting garden.
She is on my lap as I write this. Cats (and flowers) are an excellent remedy for melancholia.


28 comments:

  1. Thank you for showing your joyful fun loving car. They always bring a smile.
    Wishing you the very best for 2013.
    A flower farm, now that is a thought.

    helenx

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    1. A flower farm, like any farm, would be a lot of work!

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  2. Melancholia - hits you every winter, doesn't it. My son, on his psychologist's recommendation, got a more intense light screen, then the one he'd been using, for seasonal depression. Just an idea. Of course, he claims it's the hot tub he installed last summer that's doing the trick. Chin up, Jen. Spring will come.

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    1. My boys want to put a hot tub in the country. Maybe a sauna, and then we could dive into the snow.

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  3. oh, cats can fix everything. I visited mine over the holidays. and it made me instantly feel better. the idea of an imaginary flower garden sounds wonderful. like someone should write a story about it!!!

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    1. So glad you saw your kittys. I've been enjoying your cat pictures on Pinterest!

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  4. Dearest Jen,
    flowers are indeed a remedy for melancholy ...I always feel sad around christmas time.. happy sad really. This year was a little different due to the loss of mr. M.
    Also the winter weather doesnt help.
    sending you big hugs Jen.. we have to be brave and think of all the lovely flowers .. Happy New Year Jen.. look forward to reading more lovely posts .. val xxx

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    1. Happy New Year to you Val. You've got me dreaming of a visit to Portugal.

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  5. Dear Jen, one thing I love to do is to look through seed catalogs and plan my garden for Spring planting. I cut and paste the pictures and create my garden on paper. It's therapeutic and fun. Happy New Year, Jen. Christa

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    1. I was thinking about seed catalogs--I used to get so many. (I've done a lot of garden dreaming in my life.) They were magical in the pre-www days. I still get a few--love your idea--will try it.

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  6. I loved that post also, now all I can think about is sweet peas in the garden. But you had them early this year didn't you? And since they are your header picture with Aji (is that Aji?) it always makes me happy to visit. Holidays always seem to be reflective and in turn a tad melancholy, memories can do that and so can end of year. Nothing wrong with the road less traveled. more to discover. Wishing you a happy, health, hopeful New Year full of flowers and cats.

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    1. Yes, that's Aji--she always goes straight for the flowers. I think those sweet peas were early--they came via the magic of Bow Street Flowers. I'm going to plant some this year.

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  7. Beautiful flowers and so sweet kittens :)
    Jen, I wish You all the best and happiness in New Year !

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    1. Thanks, Ela--best wishes to you for a wonderful New Year!

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  8. Flowers and cats? Is there anything better? Oh, books and food and friends, especially our special internet friends.

    Happy New Year, I've been feverishly cleaning and tossing and mourning and laughing.

    Whew, one more sleep and it"s a new year with who knows what to come.

    Whatever it is we can share it.

    xo J

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    1. Happy New Year to you, my very special internet friend! Looking forward to many more tales of Jane, Lucy & Gus in 2014.

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  9. Hello Jen, At the end of the year, we needed this reminder of summer flowers. Of course, playful cats operate all year 'round.

    Happy New Year to you and your family,
    Jim

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  10. they are indeed! add a good cup of coffee and you've got the world! :)
    I'm so happy to have found your blog this year...it's always a pleasure to visit you. ♥
    I wish you the very best this new year!

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  11. Beautiful photos! New Follower, Happy New Year!
    Hugs,
    Jody

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  12. I always feel melancholy around the holidays too. That usually goes away until February when I go into what I call my winter funk that lasts until the weather warms up. I should figure out a way to work through that...perhaps take a lesson from your cat who always seems to be "smelling the roses."

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    1. Maybe by February you'll be into a fun stretch with your kitchen.

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  13. A Happy New Year to you and your loved ones Jen! Hope you will get your cutting garden. Just go for it!!!

    Madelief x

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    1. Thanks Madelief--your beautiful garden inspires me!

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  14. Jen... I am looking ahead to Jane's Flowers in the House parties and planning a garden of flowers for cutting, too. Now, to find what will last through the heat of Deep South summer temps. What to plant with the must have zinnias? Hope your planning brings bits of sunshine into these dreary winter days. We could use a run of sunny days here! Happy 2014! Susan

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    1. I want sweet peas and snapdragons. Delphiniums. The list could get very long!

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