It is dark and cold outside in the Carondelet Garden on this second Friday in Advent.  It was much nicer earlier as we headed out to one of our favorite places:  Sandy Creek Covered Bridge.  Miss Bonny Doon was in heaven as we wandered around the area.  Today the temperatures are much cooler with cloudy skies and highs in the low 40s this afternoon.  Looks like quite a bit of rain for the weekend but warmer temperatures. 

Advent is the season of waiting.  The season of hope and of expectation.  The days are growing ever darker as we wait for the light of the world to come.  I am thinking now about what it is that I hope for this Advent season?  I am honestly praying for future that may be filled with Hope.  Renew my Faith and grant me Love for others, for myself, for my Creator.  Faith, Hope and Love are my prayers this Advent.

What are your hopes for this season?  Are you waiting for the light or overcome with darkness?  Maybe we can pray for Hope together.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a chilly start to the day here in the Carondelet Garden.  Even with the snow and the freezing temperatures, the English Tea Roses are still looking beautiful in the parterre garden.  The chill will be leaving us as we see a small warming trend over the next few days.  Today should be a carbon copy of yesterday with some clouds and sun mixed and highs in the upper 30s.

This time of year, brings all sorts of things:  the shortest day of the year, darkness, snow, rain, sleet, clouds, spring-like temperatures, and everything in between.  No matter whether you love this time of year or loathe it, it is here so let's make the best of it because the moaning and groaning isn't helping.  Believe me, I've tried! One of the things that always seems to lift my mood is to head outdoors and do whatever I can in the garden.  It refreshes the soul and may even help with the result of that extra Christmas cookie.

We are actually ahead of the curve on our Christmas shopping this year.  We are anxiously awaiting a few more deliveries, but barring anything unforeseen, we should be on track.  The decorations are hung by the chimney with care and our new little Doodle Dog has decided to behave around the tree.  I will take the win!  Here's to the second week of Advent.  May we wait in darkness for the coming light of the world.  Hold on to the hope, keep the faith and share some love. It will help all of us in the long run.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's dark and incredibly mild outside in the Carondelet Garden on this second Monday in Advent.  I know the snow and ice are long gone but I love this picture so much.  It looks like Winter to me.  Today won't feel like Winter as we reach temperatures in the mid to upper 50s under cloudy skies.  No worries, as Winter is returning later this week.

A bit of a slow start for the old gardener this morning.  The arthritic knee is giving me a bit more trouble than normal.  Feeling the age as they say.  Enjoying some coffee and listening to some beautiful music and I hear this story about Igor Stravinsky.  It seems the great composer was asked a question for his 80th birthday:  What does it feel like to be 80?  The composers looked puzzled and replied, "I don't know what you mean, it's just another day for music."

Another day for music.  Music can be sensed in so very many ways:  a child's laughter, a cardinal on a snow branch, the cadence of well-told joke.  The music is a all around us if we take the time to be aware of it, and don't waste our time worrying about the trivial things.  Another day for music.  

Another day here in the Carondelet Garden.  A little faith, a bit of hope and as much love as we can scrape together on this second Monday in Advent.  Take the time to listen for the music of your life.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.  

The sun is shining on this first Friday morning in December.  It's a bit cold outside in the Carondelet Garden but the temperatures will get into the low 40s by this afternoon.  The sun should be hanging around all day.  Not a bad way to end the week at all!

Today is a kind of Memorial Day for us as we make our annual pilgrimage to dress the gravesites of our parents.  It's something we've done every year for almost twenty years now.  It's a bit melancholy but it is also a good time to remember the good things and laugh at the funny stories.  This year we will have our little Doodle Dog to accompany us on our trip.  She's a very good travelling companion.  

It's a good day for a good day.  Be kind to yourself and others as you journey about on this Friday.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's still quite dark here in the Carondelet Garden on this first Wednesday in Advent.  The weather is changing today as the sun returns and the highs should reach well into the 50s.  The perfect day for a little Winter cleanup after our first big freeze of the season.

I admit I am a morning person.  I do enjoy this early morning darkness with the quiet that accompanies it.  The world hasn't quite awakened.  The streets are mostly empty and there is a eerie silence that is not found very often in an urban area. A good time to listen to the pretty.

A little work today, a little play this evening as we head out to the Hill Antique Market for their Holiday Extravaganza!  It's a fun way to look at some antiques and visit some makers from around the area.  Hopefully we can check off a few more Christmas gifts along the way.  

Shop local.  Support makers.  Support local artists.  It's good for everyone.  

Be good to yourself and kind to others as you are busy about this Wednesday in December.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a magical Monday morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  Light snow is drifting down in the cold, dark morning.  It's 26-degrees and only going up to 30-degrees by this afternoon.  The clouds will stick around but don't expect much snow.  Although it is a lovely beginning to the first week of Advent.

"Oh the first snowfall of the winter
Was a day that we all waited for
When it drifted to and fro
Why you should've seen the snow."

One of my favorite Bing Crosby songs at this time of year and it was quite appropriate for Saturday.  It was the perfect snow as we did receive a bit of accumulation, but it didn't really stick to the streets or sidewalk.  It made Shop Small Saturday pretty magical.  Our maker friends said it didn't really hurt business, and some said they even saw an increase.  

It's the first week of Advent.  A time of waiting and darkness.  Today is such a perfect way to embody that very thing.  We wait in darkness for the coming light.  We oftentimes forget that the light will come, especially when we are in the darkest valley.  The deep holes are the hardest to climb out of.  This time of year is so celebrated for joy and happiness but so many of us suffer from a bit of melancholy and even depression during the holidays.  The days are short and the darkness seems to last forever.  Yet, we keep the faith that the light is coming.  The darkness will not last.  

This is the time of year when we need faith and hope more than ever.  But Love is the best answer.  We are loved.  We don't always believe it, but it is true.  We are loved, just the way we are.  We don't even have to do anything for our Creator to love us.  That, in and of itself, is a miracle.  As the old Helzberg Diamonds button used to say, "I am Loved!"  

It's the first week of Advent.  It's snowing outside.  There is a bit of peace and quiet descending on the city street outside my window.  The coffee is ready.  The fire is burning briskly in the old fireplace.  The Doodle is asleep in Momma's chair.  A little faith, a bit of hope, and some fur baby love this Monday morning.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's cold and dark outside in the Carondelet Garden on this last Friday of November.  It's 26-degrees and should be sunny throughout the day with highs in the mid to upper 30s.  Baby, it's cold outside right now.  The Winter pansies are in and should give us a bit of grace even with these freezing temperatures.

Today is "Black" Friday.  I've always disliked the term.  It doesn't sound like a good thing at all.  It's a busy, busy shopping day so you will find this old gardener at home.  Now, tomorrow is "Shop Small Saturday" so you will find Dr. B and I hitting up some of our favorite St. Louis shops and maybe even a pop-up market or two.  We are enthusiastic about our Saint Louis maker-friends.  They do such amazing things and the quality shows.  

We feel the same way about shopping for the everyday things and services around the house.  We use local vendors whenever it is possible.  They know City houses and have the experience to do the job right.  They are also, usually, more reasonable in cost and always friendly and helpful.  So Shop Local!  You won't regret it!

It's a good day for a good day.  Be kind to yourself and others if you are out and about on this Friday.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's dark outside this morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The rains are supposed to be moving in any time now.  It will be a damp, chilly day for us in South Saint Louis.  The perfect day for prepping desserts for tomorrow.

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and food.  A good time to be grateful for the blessings we have, but also a time to remember those who aren't with us.  We will have a few more empty places at the table this year.  It happens more frequently as we are getting older.  We remember the funny stories.  We share memories and perhaps shed a tear or two.  We hold onto the goodness.  

We also need to remember that it is hard for some of us during the holidays.  We are constantly bombarded with Holly and Jolly, yet some are feeling melancholy or even depressed during this season.  For so many, the holidays are not "the most wonderful time of the year."  Hold these in your hearts as well.  Be patient and kind.  It helps.

It's a busy time on the highways and byways, airports and terminals.  Be good to yourself and kind to others especially now.  Travel can be stressful.  Kindness goes a long way.  Even when we don't feel very kind.  Hold onto hope.  Keep the faith.  Share a bit of love and laughter if you are able.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's almost 60-degrees here in the Carondelet Garden on this cloudy Monday morning.  The sun was shining yesterday, and the skies were blue and cloudless.  The Red Maple still has a few leaves left.  A beautiful sight for this cloudy day.  The temperatures are going to fall down into the lower 40s throughout the morning.  A big change from yesterday.

It is the week of Thanksgiving.  We will be doing a bit of shopping today to finalize preparations for the big day.  We had a bit of pre-Thanksgiving last week with our beautiful nieces.  What a joy!  This week will be chosen family and friends.  I love thanksgiving because it's that holiday that reminds us how important it is to be grateful.  

The day has begun, the work is planned, and this old gardener needs to get things going.  Have a wonderful week.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others as you make your way this week.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's dark and chilly here in the Carondelet Garden on this Friday in November.  Earlier this week it was tee shirt weather and lovely as this picture can attest.  As they say about weather in Saint Louis, if you don't like it, stick around, it will change!  We should reach the upper 40s by this afternoon under cloudy skies.  

The old idea that when the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the Garden.  Truer words were never spoken.  I think we could all use a bit of time puttering around the garden right now.  It would do all of us a bit of good to stop for a moment and admire the beauty and grace of creation.

It's been a busy week as we get ready for the holiday season which is upon us quicker than we may imagine.  Next week is Thanksgiving and then the race is on!  The garden is in pretty good shape.  We are focusing on getting the house ready for holiday decorating.  The carpets are cleaned and ready.  The Doodle Dog is grateful that her world has been restored to its proper order.  Let the decorating commence.

Baking cookies for tomorrow's decorating session with our lovely nieces.  Joy and happiness all around.  Be good to yourself and kind to those you meet this weekend.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.