Boxing Day

The day after Christmas was surprisingly busy despite a slow start: 

• Laundry
• Quick trip to the grocers
• Kitchen cleanup
• Appending one missing photo to the "England - Part 1" book 
• Peanut butter cookies (including another dash to the grocers for shortening)
• Picking up a big take-out order at Rudy's
• Dinner with Jane and Tommy
• Kitchen cleanup, redux

Cottage with Thatched Roof
South of Combe House, near Sidmouth

The weather continues with record-breaking warmth, although the forecast is for much colder in the next few days.  There may be snow in the mountains, but I doubt if we'll get rain down here in the North Valley.  

I may need to take extra steps to protect some of the bonsai that are in smaller pots.  Otherwise the garden only needs minimal care and twice weekly watering.  

The Goldfinches are using the Bodhisattva fountain heavily, especially in the mornings, probably because it does not freeze up.  Niger and the other seed mix for the House Finches aren't disappearing as fast as the unhulled sunflower was.  

Spotted a greyish shorthair on the back wall as it made its way westward into the neighborhood.  With Fluffy gone, our backyard is a cat-free zone.  The universal "Pst, pst, pst" attracted its attention, but it eventually moved on.