This gigantic holiday ribbon arches over the doorway to the BoTree Hotel in Marylebone. Subtle!
We got some snow last night, to my complete surprise. I got up this morning to about half an inch dusting the ground. The forecast said rain, and the temperature was only 35ยบ F so not even freezing -- but apparently it was cold enough at cloud level to create snow.
Of course I took the canna lily out of the shed yesterday, while repotting that geranium with the broken pot, and I forgot to put it back. Hopefully one light dusting of snow won't be enough to kill its roots, but if so, oh well.
Here's what our dining room looks like at the moment. Only two of those plants are from outside, seeking sanctuary from the cold. The rest are houseplants that always live there. Yes, we have too many.
Yesterday was very low-key. I walked the dog twice, stayed in and read some New Yorkers, caught up in blogland and edited the latest video from the garden cam.
This one starts with me doing yardwork a few days ago, dumping leaves I'd raked up. The animals promptly move in to check out the pile and mark it as their turf. Then there's the usual parade of foxes and cats, with these highlights:
1. At 1:52, some excellent footage of two foxes together.
2. At 3:02, a fox jumps into a tree! I didn't even know they could do that. Admittedly, it doesn't go very high.
3. At 3:23, Olga is getting excited about the foxes, which presumably she can smell. Yesterday morning she was barking so much that I had to interrupt my blogging to come out of the house and get her, a moment you'll see on the video. And the fox showed up three minutes later, so clearly it was very close the whole time.
This is our last day of Winter Break. Back to work tomorrow! (The kids don't show up until Tuesday, though.)
At 3.37 Olga appears to lose her footing or stagger a bit.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is like Grand Central station! Definitely two foxes, proved now.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you believe you have too many plants!
Too many houseplants? Never!
ReplyDeleteOf course I loved this video with the foxes, especially seeing them at daylight in full colour was nice!
ReplyDeleteDo you know where the cats live?
Oh look at that poor, shivering bush at the front of your flat! Why on earth don't you bring it in with the other plants? The fact that it is not in a pot is no excuse.
ReplyDeleteSo much fun to watch the video. I didn’t know you could have too many houseplants.
ReplyDeleteA good collection of houseplants there.
ReplyDeleteI presume you don't use your dining room for dining!
So Dig All The Activity - Olga Girl Is A Champ , Even When She Almost Rolls Down The Slope - Definitely Adds Character - Stoked You Have That Trail Cam
ReplyDeleteStay Strong ,
Cheers
P.S. Lets Slip A Just Because Biscuit Under The Pink Blanket
We have a section in our den that looks like your houseplant collection. All plants from outside wintering indoors. I loved the video. I still cannot believe that there are foxes in London! And Olga...her bark reminds me of my Shirley!
ReplyDeleteYour dining room looks like our sunroom!
ReplyDeleteAs for the Christmas decorations, Christmas is the least subtle of the holidays.
Can I just say- that bow is too big. It's weird and scary.
ReplyDeleteYep. Foxes can and do climb trees. A bit unsettling to realize that as we walk through the woods, foxes may be watching us from above.
Great video! The amount of wildlife activity in your garden is amazing. That bow over that door is very unique. I don't think I've ever seen a decoration quite like it before.
ReplyDeleteThose days off go rather quickly, don't they?
Goodness, your backyard is busy! Maybe you need a small greenhouse in your backyard for all of the plants you are trying to keep warm.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be so cool to have a fox though I did see one once crossing the back of the property. The possums and armadillos are enough. I rarely see them but they drive Minnie nuts. I got a chuckle out of you clearing the rake of leaves and then immediately plunging it back into the pile to spread it around a bit.
ReplyDeleteThat bow just looks strange, tbh, as if you are walking between a giant's legs to get inside. You had a fox. Now you have two foxes. I wonder how long it will take before you have a family of foxes? PS: baby foxes are cute as heck.
ReplyDeleteFoxes definitely have enough patience to wait out pesky barking dogs!
ReplyDeleteLove the markings on that cat. And well done, Fox, with that big leap! I'm glad you have a day back with no kids!
ReplyDeleteThe only plant in my house is the poinsettia a friend gave me during the holidays. I think I've learned which window they like (and how much water) having managed to keep last year's alive for three or four months. We'll see how I do this year.
ReplyDeleteHas Olga ever been face to face (muzzle to muzzle?) with a fox. I'm just wondering how each would react. Love that big bow! It can stay on into February for Valentine's Day. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll bet if you took some of those plants to school kids would take them. Kids used to ask me to start plants for them.
ReplyDeleteWe were supposed to see snowflakes of some kind today, but alas. It's been a while since we had snow around here (and meanwhile everyone north & west of us is getting hammered).
ReplyDeleteIf you are happy with the number of house plants, then it isn't too many. I have four and they are all plastic because of my hayfever/asthma. Did you rush out and make a mini snowman?
ReplyDeleteThat hotel front entrance looks like a vulva, all dressed up and waiting.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely seeing the foxes. When Olga was barking, Charlie heard her and came over to the computer, looking concerned.
I had a giggle when you walked into the tree. Foxes make me uneasy. They are not popular in Australia. A friend has one that sits on her neigbours' garage roof overlooking her garden.
ReplyDeleteThere are foxes that pass through my property, and I've never seen a fox jump into a tree. Your video proves they can climb. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteOlga seems interested in defending her territory. She's hot in pursuit.
The large bow seems intended to be like an arch over the entry. It seems odd to me. If the bow was smaller and just over the top of the door it might be more attractive.