I have a little good news. I went back to SSS yesterday and what do you know, my pension is ready for credit. Alleluia! But two months of processing is quite long enough.
Got to trim our carabao grass again, replant some flowering plants and uproot some dead ones. I planted two more pineapple crowns behind the house. Those I planted earlier are growing nicely, let me see, I have seven in all now. I hope the first one would produce a flower soon.
The life of a gardener – plenty of time to enjoy the morning sun and the afternoon breeze. Sometimes it is quite a bonus to listen to the visiting sparrows. A hot cup of coffee is always welcome at the break of dawn, when the world is still asleep and the quiet could be felt.
Despite the busy days at the garden, I was able to finish four books at the start of the challenge. I am in the middle of reading my 5th book now. Peter Mayle’s two books, A Year In Provence and Tojours in Provence (the sequel) were such a joy to read. I learned so much about what life was like in Provence. Now I am beginning to enjoy Italy, it is such a lovely place too.
That corner looks like an ideal spot to sit and think, Arlene.
I am pleased that you enjoyed the Provence books. I had an idea that you would.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks. Yes I did Pete, looking for more Mayle books. I love the simplicity of the narrative and one learns about life during those days and about Provence in particular.
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What a glorious post, and I love the photo of your lush garden, Arlene! Now I know where to picture you taking a break and enjoying your morning coffee. It’s a beautiful spot! 7 degrees will be our high today; the windchill will be below 0 all day, so I will not be in the gardens. 🙂 I’ll take my warmth from your words. Blessings on your day and evening.
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Hi Kitty! That’s at one side of the house where I planted several ornamentals. We used to have avocado tree right on that spot but it died a few years ago. All that is left is the trunk which I use to grow orchids.
Thank you, blessings to you too!
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I’m not even done with my first, Ate. Beginning to get busy with work. Haha. Pero I am determined. I’m happy you are enjoying your mornings. 🙂
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Don’t be stressed by these daily chores that we do. They are necessities that we have to attend to 🙂
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I know, I’m finding routine is good for the mind. I’ve learned to appreciate them. Thank you. 🙂
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So let’s start..haha! Mahirap din di ba? Gardening is a little hard too but it is so soothing to the senses when you are alone with nature.
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Yes ate, especially if I’m not sure of what I’m doing. Haha. Pero I’ve managed to replant over the last few months and surviving pa din naman. My usual routine is more of tidying up the house, it’s therapeutic for the mind.
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I love general cleaning and finding what to discard and what to keep. My son told me once that I am an OC, alam mo yung tipong dapat makintab lagi ang sahig and all things in their right places. It’s a kind of routine that sometimes we enjoy, sometimes not 🙂
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I have to create a line between being obsessive and accepting na our house doesn’t have to be tidy all the time. I managed to have a schedule for tidying up pero not naman strictly followed as to stress myself out. I guess it’s inherent that we just want things in order. 😉
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Yea, yun yun eh, being such a neat freak. I could not stand magulo na bahay. I am not stressed out naman because it has been that way even before.
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Lovely! I have my coffee after breakfast looking out at the mountain. It was frosty this morning. We are expecting snow today or tonight. I love it, so I am excited.
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You live in a lovely place Anne. I always dream of taking a break sometime and go back to the province to commune with nature.
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Lovely spot for your morning cup of coffee! And growing pineapple! Tasty! Have a good week Arlene! 🙂
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Thank you Sabine! Have a lovely weekend too 🙂
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Will do! I’ll be dreaming of your sunny climate! We are expecting snow and freezing rain tomorrow. ☃
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Yes, we have a good weather now, it is sunny in the morning quite breezy in the afternoon and cold at night. That would probably go on until the end of February then it will be summer again.
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Enjoy! 😊
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Thanks, you too 🙂
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Nothing quite as beautiful than a life of a gardener 🙂 Reminds me of one of my all time favorite books: “Being There.” Wishing you a great 2017 of health and happiness.
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I believe so too. I am curious about the book, is it on gardening? Happy 2017 Randall!
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It is an awesome read ~ a quick read too ~ authored by Jerzy Kosinski. A great look at life (and in a sense, gardening) from one of my favorite fictional characters. 🙂
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Will try to look for it Randall, thank you so much!
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Very cool, I’d love to hear your take on this book/novel. It was one of those books I still will pick up every now and then to read. Impacts life and also the philosophy of life … and gardening too 🙂
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I am on my 5th book on Goodreads’ Reading challenge for 2017. I committed myself to read 150 books this year. Last year I managed to get hold and read of 123 books. I have just finished Peter Mayle’s two memoirs about Provence. Thank you again 🙂
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🙂 You will enjoy this read 🙂
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I hope so, that is if I find a copy 🙂
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