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| Winter Flower Arrangement |
I was woken up fairly early (by my standards) by a knock on the door, this morning. The tree trimmers from the Department of Water and Power (my local utility company) had arrived to trim the pine tree in my backyard as it was beginning to reach the power lines and they needed access to the backyard. There had been no advance notice that they would arrive today! But, they trim the trees near powerlines, which can be a fire hazard, free of charge, so I didn't mind the fact that they arrived without prior notice. I quickly unlocked the gate and they trimmed the tree and removed all the branches they had cut down. They were done in less than 20 minutes!
After they left, I locked the gate, again, and checked the area under the pine tree. They had picked up and removed all the pine branches, but, a small sprig of a branch had been left on the ground. I picked it up and the last of the chrysanthemums and put together a winter flower arrangement. At first, I had the pine needles pointing the other way, but, then, I couldn't insert the chrysanthemum stems! So, we have the pine needles pretending to be a spray of green tea coming out of the tea pot!
I spent a relaxed morning, catching up on some blogs. Later, I made another couple of cards to mail. Then, I did some tidying and dusting in preparation for daughter's friends arriving for their holiday get together while daughter baked the cottage pie and roasted the vegetables. I cleared the table in the family room of all my cardmaking stuff, but, I might pull it all out, again, tomorrow, because I still have a few more cards to make before the new year!
I retreated to my bedroom just before my daughter's friends arrived and Dancer came into the room, too, because he usually hides when people come! Daughter's friends arrived around 6:00 p.m. and they were all here until about 9:30 p.m. After most of them left, one friend stayed behind to help daughter clean up and put away the leftovers, etc.
Daughter took a photo of the meal:
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| Daughter's Holiday Get Together Meal |
Cottage pie and roasted vegetables, peanut butter cookies, zucchini bread, and chocolate chip cookies that one of her friends made (in the round container).
Today, I am grateful for:
- The DWP tree trimmers trimmed the pine tree, free of charge
- Being able to order stuff (cat litter, cat food, fertilizer pellets for the garden, etc.) online
- Free delivery of the above stuff we ordered
- Being stocked up on cat litter and cat food
- Daughter being able to get together with her friends
Today's joyful activity was listening to the sounds of my daughter and her friends talking and laughing.
Plans for tomorrow include finalizing the plans for next week's almsgiving. I have a tentative menu and I've started making a grocery list. I'm not sure if the grocery store will be closed on Monday, New Year's Day (although the website doesn't say anything about the store being closed), but, I think I might do the pick up on New Year's Eve or on Tuesday, January 2nd. The almsgiving is scheduled for the 3rd.
How was your Thursday? What are your plans for Friday?
How creative to rescue that spring of pine. Sitting here at my dining table typing this- with a very similar red tablecloth in front of me! Tartan is so festive!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. :) Red and tartan seem appropriate for Christmas and winter, in general, I think. They "look" warm and cozy!
DeleteIt makes s sense for your utility company to trim tees that could be a fire risk but it would have been better to give you prior notice of their arrival. Your flower arrangement looks nice, I'm sure it smells nice too.
ReplyDeleteThe meal your daughter prepared looks nice and sounds like they had a good time. You must be looking forward to the almsgiving especially as your daughter will be with you.
Yes, it would have been nice if they gave me some advance notice! Last time, they had left a note saying they tried to trim the tree and didn't have access to the tree, that it was my responsibility to keep the trees maintained and they were offering their services as a courtesy and I had to call and schedule them to come out!
DeleteI think my daughter and her friends had a fun time together, last night. Two of them live in other states and since daughter lives in northern California, they don't always get together. But, this year, they were able to do so and reconnect.
Yes, I'm looking forward to the almsgiving. :)
It's good that the DWP provide a free service, although I suppose it makes sense, if it keeps things safe for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI've just got back from the supermarket. I'd been fairly well stocked up for Christmas, so I hadn't needed to go there at all this week. Xx
Yes, the DWP free tree trimming service is much appreciated.
DeleteI wouldn't do another grocery shopping order this soon after the previous one, but, I need some specially bought items for the almsgiving, mostly fresh produce and yogurt.
I like your description of green tea pouring out of the pot. :) I also like how your daughter scored the to of her cottage pie. I might do that next time I make one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. :)
DeleteI like your little flower arrangement and I am wondering what kind of pine tree you have. The needles look too long for a red pine. I have seen baskets made with the needles, where they are very long. Now there is another craft for you to try, if you haven't already!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. I'm not sure what kind of pine it is, myself. It was handed out free, as a tiny little seedling, by an environmental group, one year, as a beneficial plant for air quality improvement. I received three of the seedlings, but, only one survived. Maybe a white pine? I have looked into making baskets with pine needles, but, haven't tried it, yet!
DeleteThat is a lovely bouquet with the pine branches! And your daughter's dinner looks delicious. Im sure they had a great time. I went to see my sister for Christmas. Her kids and grandkids were all there and we had a good time. Now I'm back home, where it is much more peaceful and quiet!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. I'm glad you spent Christmas with your sister and family. A little peace and quiet is probably nice after a big family gathering. :) When does school restart for you?
DeleteThat meal looks great and I adore that vase. The arrangement looks great but the vase is so cute.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. :)
DeleteThe vase is actually a decorative tea pot, but, I use it as a vase. :)
Re the hat - because the hat is ribbed, it stretches in on itself so needs a lot of stitches. The pattern is here https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/wp-content/uploads/Seafarers-Knitting-Patterns-Brochure-2023.pdf but the needle size is misleading. They give 4mm or 8 as the needle size, but the 8 is the UK old size before metric. The USA equivalent is a 6. DK doesn't seem to have an exact match to over there, but I think that it could be between sport weight and worsted. I'd go for yarn that gives a 6 for needle size on the yarn band.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really simple pattern and I think I'll be using it for all sorts, including knitting for the homeless.
Thank you, Lyssa. I do have a pair of UK size 8 needles! :)
DeleteLove the winter flower arrangement. What a good idea!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter's meal looks lovely. Glad they had a great time.
Thank you, Sharon.
DeleteYes, daughter and her friends had a very good time, catching up and just re-bonding. :)
I'm glad they came and did your tree trimming. I'm glad they left you a little sample to bring in doors :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is a good thing to have the trimming done. My power lines are through my front yard and the power company trims my trees too but haven't for a while.
I imagine they will be around to do it in the new year.
Your daughter's meal looks lovely all spread out on your pretty holiday cloth.
Thank you, Debra. I'm very glad that they trimmed the tree for me and left me a piece to bring in, too! :D I hope your power company will tend to your trees in the new year. Could you call them to find out when they might do so?
DeleteIt's nice to see a holiday meal spread out on the holiday table cloth, isn't it? :)