A January Daybook

 

Over the course of January, we will have gained 1 hour and 3 minutes of daylight. It's becoming noticeable, especially on sunny days, of which we have had five this week. I can feel my energy levels increase with the sunshine. 

In last week's post I mentioned taking a short road trip to visit a beekeeper. We were early and went for a little walk by the Cowichan River. It was running fast and full, with some parts of the trail closed due to high water. Mist hung over the water, adding a bit of eeriness to the scene. With the clear days came colder temperatures. Frost at night burned away by mid-morning. 

"frost in moderation is a good thing for the land, as it 

pulverizes the earth and destroys noxious insects

by the thousands."

H. Rider Haggard A Farmer's Year

quoted in Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life by Marta McDowell

Sunday called for another walk in the sunshine. Beacon Hill Park is a large space overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Herons nest in the trees there, and although it's not nesting season quite yet, there were a few birds surveying passersby from high perches. I'll let the photos mostly speak for themselves. It was a glorious day!

A Jay calling loudly

Outside my window just now is very dark. I've worked on this post off and on throughout the day which has been pleasant but overcast. 

I am thinking about how cozy our home is. Friends were over this evening and as we talked and laughed together I realized how lovely it is to host people. Our home is not fancy, but it is comfortable and I think it reflects our tastes (maybe mine more than his). 

A Peacock looking very dapper in the sunshine

One of my favourite things is my houseplants. I recently bought a lovely large Dracaena and a smallish Bamboo Palm to fill in a corner. There is a Christmas Amaryllis that is just about to bloom on the dining room table, and a few forced hyacinths perfuming the air alongside. I love the way plants add life to the rooms. 

I am wearing dark wash blue jeans, a white shirt, and a red pullover sweater, and pearl drop earrings. And socks. No shoes indoors as in most of Canada. 

We are watching the Shetland series of mysteries on Sunday nights through our public Knowledge Channel. We wait impatiently for the next episode as we're always left on a cliff! I don't know if it's the most recent series, but it has Tosh and Ruth as detectives. Jimmy Perez has moved away. I read recently that Ann Cleeves, author of the Shetland books, is planning to reintroduce his character. Whether that will translate to the television production, I have no idea. 

Yes, Prunus blossoms. They are very early and could get a shock if we get some colder weather. 

I have been reading books from my own shelves:

Deceptive Devotion by Iona Wishaw (detective series set in British Columbia)

The Battle of the Queens by Jean Plaidy (an old book about the rivalry between the medieval Queens Eleanor and Isabel)

A Nun in the Closet by Dorothy Gilman who also wrote the Mrs. Pollifax books

Jutland Cottage by Angela Thirkell (another old book set in the days just after WWII)

In the kitchen today I made a large Apple Crisp to serve to our friends, using apples from our trees. We had so many apples and now they are softening, so it's time to use them up. I added a half a bag of frozen cranberries to the apples, too. 

In my garden I heard the sharp chatter of an Anna's Hummingbird and looked up to see it perched on a wisteria vine next to the hedge. How it shimmered in the sunshine. They live here year round and seem to enjoy our garden, which I don't mind at all. 

While walking I stopped to watch an American Robin eating Hawthorn berries. He and his friends were making quite a racket as I passed, perhaps remarking to each other how plentiful the berries were. 

I was surprised to see the crocuses blooming in the pot outside the front door. I decided to remove the holly and cedar boughs, which I did and noticed even more bulbs poking up their leaves. It's early, but nature can't be stopped. 

From my garden I picked a small bouquet of snowdrops and placed them in a small blue and white creamer. I thought to make a small composition of some pleasing things. Blue and white is always a favourite of mine. 

We have no plans for the weekend (other than Shetland on Sunday evening). It's a rather lovely feeling of possibility. Wishing you all a weekend of beautiful small moments.