Today was supposed to be several things..too bad none of them came true! First there was to be the shopping trip of all shopping trips. This was intended to get all of the Christmas gifts that were left on the list. Then I was going to head to the pier to get that elusive tree decorated. I so want to try out those strings of solar lights! Lastly, in between the chores of the day, I was going to bake! I bought a new cookie cookbook and in it are some of the most delicious-looking albeit fattening cookies recipes. At least, I had good intentions to get to all of these activities. Nope...did not happen! The morning started off with a visit from my sweet sister-in-law. She came bright and early, had coffee in front of the woodburning stove...then more coffee...and finally more coffee. It was nigh on noon before she remembered that she had errands to run and I had chores to do! After this, the realization that a major cold front was about to slam us set me into high gear! The remainder of the day was spent preparing the Little Bayou House for a wintry couple of nights. The wood bins were piled high with the split pecan logs and the starter box was filled with "fat" wood. These seasoned heart pine slivers soon filled the house with the most delightful aroma of pine! It smelled so...."Christmasy"! Then I headed out to tend to the plants. The few remaining potted plants were covered with blankets for the night but I will not worry about the vegetable gardens. It is fully time for the peppers, squash and peas to be gone so I can fill those areas with more cold-friendly crops. The greens can stand the cold so no worries there.
Purple Basil intermingled with Banana Shrub and Cosmos.
Purple Basil that has gone to seed.
While out and about tending to all of these chores, I noticed that the basil and chives were going to seed. My once beautiful plants were now putting out their seed pods in preparation for next Spring. The old, basil plants had served me well but there was not a lot of use in trying to overwinter them. I have enough dried to carry me over until the new plants produce. I did stop and gather a few seeds just in case I forget and pull out the newbies when prepping the gardens next Spring. The chives are cold hardy so again...no worries there!
Chives in the herb garden while they were in full bloom!
The filled seed pods of the chives..the black seeds are ready for picking!
As the sun dropped behind the pines on the west side of the Bay, I figured it was high time for me to get inside and warm up a bit! Both woodburning stoves are aglow with nice fires and the smell of persimmon/cranberry muffins is wafting in from the kitchen! Let me ask..can you think of a better way to spend a cold, wintry night? Perfect! Now to get my mug of hot chocolate and prop up the feet!
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