Snowy Drop

Let the record show the earliest ever open to gardening season.

As the snow cover receded from my front garden in recent days, I suspected that bulbs might be sprouting beneath the insulating blanket of leaves. Just now I stepped outside to investigate, to pull away the autumn leavings. When I did, I exposed the snowdrops, always the first of the flowers to come--but never, ever this early!

Nearby I found more green tips rising from the ground--probably hyacinths, possibly early daffodils.

I ought to be thrilled. But it's disconcerting, unsettling--alarming, even--to see bulbs in February. In New Hampshire.

As if to comfort me, snowflakes are lightly falling. I don't think we'll get more than a couple of inches at the Lodge, if that, and it will almost certainly melt away very quickly. Once more revealing the peculiarities of this on-again, mostly off winter.

The Day After Shrove Tuesday

It's Ash Wednesday, of course. I'm not eating meat today. In fact, I'm barely eating anything.

This was my dinner on Fat Tuesday: a puffy, sugary, chocolate-drizzled European pancake.



It's another quiet week here at the Lodge, after a busy weekend. Another busy one coming up. I received a small "weekender" type rolling suitcase for Christmas. It's getting a lot of use.

This Week

It's a very quiet time for me. I've officially started a new fiction project while simultaneously outlining a nonfiction project. No meetings on the calendar!

Our Valentine's Day featured cards and gifts. Most of mine came in the beverage category: a new hard cider variety (6 pack) and a new raspberry beer variety (single bottle) to try.

This is what the dogs gave us:



Purely by coincidence--but I'll call it a Valentine's Gift--I got a Nook Tablet. It's wonderfully portable, has many functions (email, web browsing, apps) in addition to serving as an e-reader. I have absolutely no plans to switch from reading traditionally published books to e-books. But it will be useful when I get round to converting my own books to digital editions. I did download a couple of public domain (free) books last night. Including Pride & Prejudice. What on earth would Jane Austen make of our 21st century reading technology, I wonder?

For the past 2 nights we enjoyed the annual spectacle known as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. As usual, there was a tie for the Best on Couch trophy: both Jewel and Ruth performed equally outstandingly. Ruth watched the dog show occasionally. Jewel slept through it. Those of us who paid attention were rooting for Ian, the Dalmation. We were very disappointed by the outcome.

I'm glad to have so much at-home time right now. My travel schedule for 2012 is insane!

My Former Career

Usually I write books. But sometimes I turn up in books written by other people.

A director with whom I worked for several years on a variety productions has published a memoir. And he illustrated it with photos in which I appear.

I'm the one stretched out on the floor, in Moliere's Tartuffe. (I'm all right, it's a comedy!)



I'm the only girl onstage, as Irina in Chekhov's The Three Sisters. Not quite a comedy, though it had some laughs, and this scene was fun.



This World War I-era character was not only suffering from tuberculosis, but her husband had left her and taken their little boy. My little sister is trying to cheer me up.



And in Agatha Christie's Appointment with Death, I played Nadine, a woman--one of numerous people--suspected of murdering her hateful mother-in-law. Because, you know, that's the way Christie does it.



Reading the book in which these images appear was a real trip down memory-lane. And it was flattering to be name-checked as an actress--not to mention these photos--after so many years off the stage.

Everybody Wants to be a Writer

Jewel (and Ruth) are granted access to a single piece of furniture at the Lodge. That chair is definitely not it. Given her guilty expression, that piece of information is probably not necessary.

Another Home on the Web

One of my New Year's projects was devoted to my web presence. As the direction of my writing has shifted from genre fiction (at least for now) to other forms (chiefly historical novels), I needed to re-think how to be visible to a broader base.

So, I've created a new website, Margaret Porter. Associated with the new site is a new blog that won't replace this one at all, because it's not so much a diary as a place to share research info and authorly stuff.

I've done a Facebook author page to "like" (if you are on FB you can get there by clicking the FB logo button to the left.) Oh, yes, and Twitter. I don't tweet much at all, and I have no idea whether that will change. I've had the Twitter account for yonks but rarely use it.

Blog visitors are invited to partake of any and all of this visibility, or not. This just seemed a natural place to share the info!

On the Lodge front, not much happening. Writing stuff, diocesan stuff, dog stuff. For 2 days in a row I had some social activity (dinner party, lunch date) that was very satisfying because it wasn't associated with writing, or diocese or church, or politics. Just fun get-togethers and catching up. I hadn't realised how much I needed it, and now I'm seeking more opportunities!

Our little lake is frozen over. When we get snowfall, the neighbours snow-blow or sweep away sections for ice skating. Unfortunately we recently had lots of rain on top of the snow and then a hard freeze. Local (i.e. our private road and part of the town road) was extremely treacherous yesterday, very slow and scary going. Plus an unbelievably dense fog with almost no visibility on the state roads--very creepy, and significant traffic slowdown. Still, I made all my meetings on time!

Lazy & Busy

Jewel sits and thinks. Or just sits. She's the lazy girl.


Ruth uses her sniffer. She's the busy girl.



Both terms describe me. Some days I have meetings and errands. Other days, I stay at the Lodge in lounge wear (busy with writing, but to any observing looking lazy!)

January has been a month of weather extremes. We've had radically warm days, but the weekend was radically cold--the low on Saturday night was something below zero, and the high was 9. Not even single digits! We'd had enough snow on Thursday for meetings to be cancelled, and the hard freeze turned the snow cover into an ice blanket.

Yesterday it warmed up, and poured rain all afternoon and most of the evening. We would call it our usual "January thaw" except that every week we have a thaw. But wait--after the latest warm-up, we'll be back in single digits overnight, from tomorrow.

I'd love to make a winter visit to the cottage...but it's more fun when we've had lots of snow. A neighbour told us that our part of the Bay has only just frozen over (very late!). Probably there aren't any bob houses with ice fisherman yet--especially with the recent warm-up.

But here on the little lake, the surface is solid enough for ice skaters and ice fishing.

Twelfth Night

The hours of Christmas are swiftly waning.

In some ways this new year 2012 resembles the soup bowls created by my potter friend for his annual Christmas party--empty, not yet filled with experiences. And I am expectant and curious, wondering what this year will hold.

Keeping with the theme of 12, my calendar for the 12 months of 2012 is remarkably full. Lots of events, more than the usual amount of travel.

Thanks to those who expressed Christmas & New Year's wishes. Since last I blogged, life was very uneventful. Most of my activity has taken place within the confines of the Lodge and not worth sharing. In the aftermath of the Iowa caucus, a horde of politicians and an even larger army of journalists have descended upon this state, trying to stir up excitement about an outcome that doesn't seem to be in doubt. It's difficult to describe the atmosphere that occurs here every 4 years. It will be over on Tuesday night.

I do have stuff I want to blog--maybe the books I've recently read or plan to. Other web projects have kept me occupied but I definitely need to prune my blog roll of dormant ones, and maybe change some other things around.

Christmas Eve to Boxing Day

Above is a collage of our ornaments of birds and fowl. Most are travel souvenirs, from Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Paris, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Mexico, and in US the Rocky Mountain West, California, the South, and New England.

The air was frigid when we left the Lodge for the annual Carol Sing and Christmas Eve Eucharist at church.



I've not had a Christmas cactus since the severe ice storm and dangerous freezing weather a few years ago. When we lost power (for 5 days, pre-generator) the Lodge was so cold inside that the water we'd stored in the Jacuzzi tub froze...and quite a few of my houseplants were killed. Including the heirloom Christmas cactus. Some very dear and thoughtful friends recently sent me this vivid pink one, a welcome addition for the holidays.



Christmas morning brought us a beautiful snowfall--flakes drifting down. The Chap called it "Charlie Brown Christmas snow" and I called it "snow globe snow." There was some snow cover on the ground, so in every respect we could call it a White Christmas.

I made Eggnog French toast for our breakfast, and the Chap and I shared a grapefruit and a navel orange from the various boxes sent us from Florida groves.

Then...stockings! One for each human, one for each dog.



They were stuffed with favourite edible treats (for humans and canines) and lots of London-related items and travel accessories. (2012 promises to be a very active travel year!)

When we finished with stockings, Ruth watched Jewel watch the squirrels raiding the bird feeder.



Before opening pressies, we pose in front of the tree for photo op. It can take a few trial shots to get the girls into position.



And then when they're in position, they do funny things. Ruth is half-asleep. Jewel is making a scary face like a dog-goyle. The official photo emailed to family members was similar to this, but this outtake happens to be my favourite of the lot.



The Chap knows how much I like sheep. Soon as I received my new flannels, I put them on. A matching top as well!



There were other items tagged "For Ewe"--matching socks and slippers.



Many other excellent gifts were received. We did the telephone call circuit, ringing far-flung family and friends, or they ringing us. After presents, I make the custard from a treasured family recipe passed down in my family for over 200 years. Or longer.



Our festive feast consisted of roasted Cornish game hens, green bean and mushroom Marsala, wild rice, and a divine vinho verde we'd saved for the occasion. Later, for pudding, we had the boiled custard with freshly baked gingerbread squares and a glass of port.

Our Christmas cactus friends gave me several fun items, including this floating ducky tea infuser. On Boxing Day I've been brewing my favourite Berry Bros. blend.



The girls having "quiet time" in my office this afternoon.



We hope your holiday spirits are bright and your celebrations merry! Cheers!

The Girls are Ready!

On Christmas Eve Eve, snow has fallen and continues to drift from the sky. Holiday kerchiefs are tied around furry necks.

At the Lodge, the anticipation is palpable.

On my Tree: Swine

In my world travels, I've managed to add to my collection of piggish tree ornaments. Here are most of them (I believe I missed a couple....) They came from Mexico, London, Bath, Bristol, and various regions of the US.

Closer & Closer

Today is the last Sunday in Advent, though it's "only" 18th December. That's what happens when Christmas Day falls on Sunday!

Most of my recent days have been spent at the Lodge, messing about on a book, researching, enjoying the Christmas decorations, and a little bit of festive cookery. I'm addicted to Ovation channel's "Battle of the Nutcrackers"--I record them on the DVR to avoid the adverts.

When not at the Lodge--an occasional meeting and light shopping.

More ornaments from our tree:


Bruges lace and London's Big Ben.


Comedy/Tragedy masks, a relic of my former life upon the stage.


Characters from a novel of mine.



Today was our annual Nativity Pageant at church. The Chap admirably performed his usual role of Wise Man/King. As usual I was the official event photographer. I also loaned my lamb pupper to one of the shepherds. It was very popular with the other players and the audience. I'm so glad I remember to take it along!

A dinner party and gift exchange at a friend's house...the least sedate of all the parties we've attended so far. And this morning after church, our parish party--the last, I think, of the festive gatherings till after Christmas.

Our stockings are filled--dog stockings, too. Parcels are posted. Each day adds more gifts under our tree. Our Christmas Day menu is set.

The one thing we lack is snow!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

We had a hard freeze overnight and the holly bushes at the front door of our church were artfully frosted.

Yesterday we did the party circuit in the afternoon and evening. It's the annual "all dressed up and posing with the tree" photo op. Given our social schedule, there will doubtless be other versions.

Seasonal Activities

We visited the mountaintop tree farm and chose a tree on Saturday, a gorgeous specimen.

Yesterday I decorated our Christmas Tree-in-the-round.




I finished as dark was falling (the days certainly are getting short!) Then I went to Concord for the annual performance of Handel's Messiah. This year, with different soloists and a different trumpet player. As usual, the enormous church was packed, the musicians were breathtaking, the choristers magnificent (a wall of sound), and the soprano, alto, tenor and based performed magnificently.

The soprano and the alto.



Curtain call.



I've got video, too, which may come later. I'm busy wrapping presents at the moment. My shopping is complete and I'll be glad to get the shipping done soon, too.

Thanksgiving Day

Jewel & Ruth wish their US family & friends & fans a Happy Thanksgiving Day. As do the other residents of the Lodge!

The girls will have some turkey, just as they do when the Chap & I are in the UK at Thanksgiving and they are staying at their kennel. Plus a teeny bit of pumpkin pie with whipped cream!

Sudeley Castle Gardens

As a gardener, garden-lover, garden historian, I chose to visit Sudeley primarily for its grounds and landscape. Well, that and the textiles collection. The Tudor-era connections were a bonus. It was the end of Sudeley's open season, about 48-hours before they closed to the public and resume life as a family property. Meaning we had the place to ourselves, and the guide in the upper rooms seemed thankful for interested and knowledgeable visitors. Seeing what a keen photographer I am, he encouraged me to take the photograph above. In fact, he opened the casement and helped me onto the ledge and kept me from falling out the window while I got my "money shot."

"You're the only who has this picture," he assured me.

The foreground portion shows a part of the public garden. But beyond lies the private garden enclosed by the family apartments.

The Tithe Barn.



Barn ruins and the Carp Pond.



The castle front.



View of the Costwold hills from the terrace.



Ruins of the Banqueting House and part of a knot garden.



Climbing Rose.



Entrance to the Queen's Garden.



An alley of shaved hedges. The lawn was like velvet.



Looking towards the castle from the Queen's Garden.



I love lavender!



This Cedar of Lebanon is very old...and tall!



An army of gardeners planted hundreds of tulip bulbs along the borders of the Secret Garden. One of them told us it's a new scheme/design for springtime.



A peacock at the entrance to the Pheasantry, where rare (very beautiful) pheasants from many countries are tended.



Autumn foliage and a willow beside a long pond.



Fun with yew hedges.



I've got many more Sudeley photos, mostly of the 17th and 18th century textile collection. They might become the subject of a future post....