All the shrubs are wrapped up for the winter in burlap around this beautiful pink home.

Ah, it’s January. The time for dreaming, remembering, planning and looking forward to new adventures!

https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/rabbit/?fbclid=IwAR2aHDjAQ9-8gFmDRKq2dJhWaaReCs0Yn_XBk5Jya7BZgBVdnvU4uClk95Q

My dear friend, Shiketsu Kou (in Japanese), is a young Chinese man now studying in Japan. We share texts and pictures on a weekly basis and I was delighted to receive these images to begin 2023!

The pictures above and below are of decorations placed on the front door of a home or business to welcome in the New Year! Aren’t they beautiful!?

Rudy tells me that you can buy these more simple decorations using greens and an orange at local fruit markets, such as this one in his neighborhood.

Rudy sent me this following description of the use of these lovely decorations.

Rudy also shared this interesting New Year’s greeting card which he received from his school.

And he treated himself to a feast at a local buffet! Yum!

And this pretty much sums it up.

The pleasure of a vibrant winter bloom cannot be underestimated! I grew this scarlet beauty from a bulb that I forced in a shallow bed of river rock.

Watching it grow was as much fun as seeing the blossom!

In the late afternoon sunshine, the bloom demands my attention!

You can see that nearby the glass vase are a few cousins. I have tulips in one container and paper whites in the other. I’m happy to say I have 2 more amaryllis bulbs growing as well, to take the place of this one when it fades. An indoor winter garden!

Last year I had the great fortune of spending a month in Paris and I loved every minute of it! I’ve been saving the topic to write about in my blog while I was overwhelmed with factors having to do with returning stateside after 8 years living abroad. I’ll be returning to Europe soon, but in the meantime, please get ready for some Parisian topics coming soon!

Facebook reminds me that 5 years ago today, I was fortunate to visit the incredible basilica of San Francesco in Arezzo. I remember that cold day like it was yesterday! Oh, Italy! I love you so!