Cozy Nights At Home

Life is busy, no doubt. People talk of the lazy days of summer and I'm envious. 

Lazy days? You have got to be kidding me. In what lifetime?

Between my job, which is in super high gear, and the additional garden chores, there are not enough hours in the day. 

Plus we have a rather active social life, and dine out quite often. 

I'm not complaining, I love my life. 

But I most definitely cherish my evenings at home. 

I guess if I was in my house day in and day out, and every evening, perhaps it wouldn't feel as special to me. 

But, since my evenings at home are few, I love to make them as special as possible. 

My sweetie treats me like a princess and takes me out to eat often. 

He's such a good man. 

And on the nights we are not out, I make him wonderful meals at home. 

These days we are basing those meals out of what's coming out of the garden. 

It's definitely added work, harvesting and cleaning the produce, but it is so worth it. 

Of course, I have my little helper right by my side. 

We go on our evening 'walkabout' and she makes sure the perimeter is secure. 

No chipmunks go unnoticed. 

The garden cottage got treated to a string of lights, which has been in my mind since I moved here. 

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, no doubt you know of my terrifying fear of ladders. 

I sucked it up, put on my big girl panties, and got those darned lights hung this past weekend. 

Shaking all the while...but it's done. 

I added a string of lights to the downstairs deck earlier this year, as well. It's lovely out there in the evening, swinging on the hammock chair or the hammock, listening to the night noises. 

The lights really highlight the sculptural shape of the leaves on the Castor Bean. And the white petunias glow in the evening light. 

It's important to use white flowers in areas that you frequent in the waning light. 

Sitting on the deck swing, feeling the cool evening breeze, watching the sky change every minute. 

It brings me such peace, and quiets my mind. 

The perfect way to end a busy day.