The air is soft and warm this afternoon as storm clouds gather overhead and thunder rumbles in the distance. Bear and I are both recovering from round two or three of a flu that’s hit one friend after another, leaving us all exhausted, aching, dizzy, nauseous, and bedraggled, looking forward to days when we don’t want to crawl right back into bed the moment we get up.
I’m loving the stormy weather that arrived last week bringing gentle rains falling for a few minutes each day, keeping the countryside moist and green.
After spending yesterday resting, it was lovely to get out today and wander a bit in my gardens, plucking ripe blueberries, checking on the asparagus, inhaling the scent of fresh dill filling the veggie patch.
After most of my nasturtiums withered away in the drought and heat wave, a few stalwart fellows have come back, thriving in the rain and cooler temperatures.
The comfrey has come back as well, covered in tiny lavender bell flowers that look like they ought to make music when the wind blows.
Our ducklings have been moved out of their heated box to the yard, and they’re having a marvelous time splashing about and learning to nibble grass and catch flies.
I love watching them as they luxuriate in their new mud puddles, nibble on a dangling rope to see if it tastes any good, and cuddle close with each other at night to keep warm.
The San Marzano tomatoes are finally growing from tiny red bullets into fat, juicy fruits perfect for salads and snacking.
I haven’t done a blessed thing about Christmas yet. No decorations, no baking, and not a single present wrapped. But it’s OK. Sometimes life gets a bit muddled and you just have to let go and do what you can. Instead of going all out with decorations and traditions, we’re sticking to simple things that make us happy: movie marathons, reading of beloved books, regular naps, visits with dear friends, wood-burning while listening to audio stories, dark chocolate with afternoon tea, and eating as many fresh white peaches and plump apricots as we can. When we feel better again we’ll think about Christmas trees and fairy lights and all those lovely things.
Until then we will rest and look after ourselves.
How are you faring this week? xo
Sorry to hear that you and Bear aren’t 100% Krista. I hope you are both feeling better soon. At least you have your farm, which is such a source of joy for the two of you. I’ve had an OK week so far. I think I might be coming down with something that I hope won’t take hold 🙂
I am so thankful for our farm, @wanderingsheila:disqus 🙂 Even during droughts and storms, it’s still a place of peace and respite. I hope you don’t catch whatever illness is chasing you! xo
Nothing worse than feeling well at this time of the year, is there, Krista… hope you are both feeling better soon. Love, love, love the little yellow fluff balls. How cute!
It’s definitely not the ideal time to get sick, @liz_posmyk:disqus 🙂 Thankfully I’m feeling much better today. xo
Christmas will be upon you, no matter what you have, or have not done – and you will enjoy it just the same! I hope that you are feeling better.
You are right about that, Tracy, we WILL enjoy it. 🙂 We get to spend it with dear friends having a Hungarian Christmas! I’m excited. 🙂
I’ve not done anything for Christmas yet except buy a few presents – it’s all happening in my head though 🙂
Oh you made me laugh, @budgetjan:disqus 🙂 I have a lot happening in my head too. Now if only we can get it to take place in real life, eh? 🙂
Of all the Christmas tasks I wish my #doingitinmyhead would get the house clean lol.
That would totally rock my world, @budgetjan:disqus 🙂
So sorry to hear you’ve had the flu. Strange time of year for it, too. Like you, I’m very behind in my Christmas preparations and trying so hard not to get stressed. It seems every year I say, ‘If only I had another week’. Why I can’t get started one week earlier each year is beyond me. Your ducklings are growing so fast and they’re just gorgeous xx
It is a strange time of year for the flu, Charlie. I don’t know where it came from, but it’s dreadful. 🙂 So glad you like our ducklings too. 🙂 We’re hoping for some new bubs in the next week or so. 🙂
the flu has hit a few of my friends here as well! Our nasturtiums have all died back already. Your blueberries make me so want my own bush – feel better soon!
The flu is so ghastly, @tandysinclair:disqus I sure hope your friends recover soon. 🙂
Fresh peaches, blueberries and watching ducks are better than Christmas decorations, I promise you.
I will happily believe you, @OrgasmicChef:disqus 🙂 Perhaps I will do a Christmas in July instead. 🙂