So, how was y’alls week?
We had a mixed bag of weather again this week, nothing major – enough snow to be pretty, then it went away.
Father Cottage had surgery this week, which he came through with flying colors.
Earlier in the week, That Cat and I took a little walk in the snow.
First Stop is to watch the fish swim under the ice.
Hello Mr. Owl, hope your head isn’t too cold.
My studio remains quiet and under pad-lock, but oh so lovely in a blanket of white. Don’t you think?
The last of the logs were hauled away this week, clearing the way for the excavation to continue.
If the weather would only allow…
Here’s the thing.
I’m wrestling with my colored world.
When all the changes come about to our little cottage, you guys might be surprised to know
that Coral Cottage will no longer be. I mean our cottage will no longer be coral colored.
You know I love color, so it won’t be colorless, I can assure you of that!
My domain name expires soon and so will this blog.
I’m not sure where that leaves us.
I’ve been pondering this for a long time, but the answer hasn’t come to me.
Whether I should continue to blog.
Should I continue to blog under a new name?
I’ve really come to enjoy the conversations that I have shared with my on-line blogging friends and don’t really want that to end.
Sigh. I’ll continue to ponder.
Meanwhile…
Later today the super bowl will be played, and tomorrow is groundhog day. Personally I’d rather watch a groundhog look for his shadow – just sayin’.
A little February folk-lore.
• February 2 is also Candlemas Day. It’s no accident that Groundhog Day and Candlemas are celebrated together, for both signify the triumph of light over darkness, spring over winter. In the Christian tradition, it is the day when a year’s supply of candles are blessed. See more about Candlemas.
• February 2 is 40 days after Christmas and is known as the Feast of the Purification among Christians. “February” was the month for cleansing, when yule greens were removed from homes and churches and old brush and debris were burned to prepare the fields for the next sowing.
• February 2 is exactly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and the daylight is 1 hour and 2 minutes longer on this day than it was when winter began.
When is the spring equinox? See our First Day of Spring page here.
Oh, about those groundhogs: Expect 6 more weeks of winter either way!
I totally took all the above information from The Farmer’s Almanac.
Red Dirt Farm and Studio 
Hi Kim~
so change is in the air for you. I remember another time when you considered changing the color of your cottage. I get like that, too, so I get it. I’ll miss you if you stop writing your blog, though.
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Melissa – there is so much change in my life. I’ve blogged under my various art-business names in the past. As my art changed so did my blogs. For two years now I’ve been at an art-less place in my life and not actively trying to sell or promote my art, which was reflected in my more personal/home related blog. Sigh. Now that is changing too. I guess I didn’t express myself as well as I should have. I’m trying to figure my new life out, and what it will look like and what a name would be that would appropriately reflect that new look and direction. It isn’t rocket science, it’s just my soul trying to find its place. xo
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I hope you continue to blog. It makes me happy. But you should do whatever makes you happy! I’m so glad Father Cottage is doing well. Peace to you and yours.
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Hey Becky – I love in my heart that my little blog makes someone happy. Most of the time it makes me really happy to blog and I really do want to continue to do so. I’m just trying to figure out all the new stuff that is happening and will happen as we evolve into our two generation home. Father Cottage is amazing – he keeps right on ticking like the Energizer Bunny – thank goodness. Love and peace to you and yours. xo
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Your images are wonderful! Keep the name it’s lovely, so what if it doesn’t exactly match reality…? Although having read your replies to your other noters….sounds like it’s reinvention time. Good luck, I’d like to follow to see your images and wonder what you do with your change.
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Hi there – Welcome and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Also, thank you for commenting on the photos – photography is my passionate hobby. We are in the beginning stages of a full house renovation and addition. All this feels like turmoil, and I don’t always deal with that so well. Hold on and join along on the ride. xo
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Dear Lost Soul – Will your new house color be bright and different like the Coral Cottage? A domain is just a year, right? It will probably take that long to make all the changes, get your chickens, etc. I vote for another year of Coral Cottage. That gives your soul a year to find it’s way.
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Dear Wise One – your response makes such common sense – which I sometimes lack. Yes, just wait for the dust to settle, the chickens to arrive and everything else to fall into place – certainly my soul will feel on the right path by then. Yep, it will all be wrapped up in some bright tropical colors. Thanks Linda for keeping me orbiting – you know what I mean. xo
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Kim, I can understand that you are feeling some turmoil and unsettled-ness. With so very many changes going on at one time it’s very hard to feel stable and settled. A time of changes has both pros and cons. We all know the cons of it as it is oft discussed. But some of the pros are feeling hope, the expectation and excitement and as you’ve mentioned, the opportunity to take a look at your life and reassess what you want and how to make the changes work in your life.
Your blog seems to bring you and all of us who read it great happiness, so I do hope you’ll continue it in some way. I think it’s kind of a great idea to change the name, etc to give your blogging a fresh new look and beginning at this time. Your photographs are so special, Kim. They often give us a look at things we normally wouldn’t pay attention to…a very artful look. And your interpretation of the photos and now they relate to your life is very special. I think we all want what will make you happy and will support whatever decision you make. Regarding a new name, how about including a word that speaks to the new beginning/changes? Here are some thoughts: revival, renaissance, resurrection, reawakening, renewal, regeneration; revitalization, rejuvenation, restoration, modification, variation, alteration, metamorphosis, transition, passage, transformation, genesis, rise, dawn.
Whatever you decide to do I’m sure we’ll love it, because really, it’s you we love.
Peace to your heart
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Sara – you always amaze me with the kind words that come from your heart. I can’t thank you enough for that. I like all of your suggestions, and have had some similar thoughts. Also, just by chance my middle name is Dawn, one of your suggestions, and yes I did think about including that in my new blog name. I’m going to take my time, pay for another year of Life at Coral Cottage and then maybe there will be a clear vision. Thank you for your time and words of kindness. Big hugs to you. xo
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Kim, I’ll bet it gives you some peace to have made the decision to continue Life for another year. That will take the pressure off having to make an important decision quickly. Big hugs right back at you, Kim.
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Your photos are so lovely and I love the way you always manage to capture so colour in them! I’m so glad that Father Cottage came through the surgery with flying colours. I hope you will continue to share your images and life with us,. Sarah x
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Thank you Sarah for all your kind words. I’m sure I’ll be around in one way or another. xo
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I just discovered your blog and love your photographs! I do hope you continue to blog so I can continue to visit your your beautiful home and gardens!
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Hello and welcome! I’m so glad you found my little blog and were kind enough so share your words. We love living here and look forward to our future and even though all the changes we are going through are a little scary – it is the right thing to do. Stop by again when you have time. Best, Kim
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Kim, lots of changes in the wind for you. Your photography is so lovely, it always makes me smile. You manage to capture little details so well. You really have a very artistic eye. I love the honesty in your writing and the little humourous thoughts too. I think, you should do what you want to do with your blog but it would be sad to see it go… Even if you change your cottage to green it can still be Coral Cottage, coral can be all colours. I think we need to arrange some snorkelling for you one day, somewhere warm and tropical.
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Oh my Jen – you are intuitive, yes the cottage color will have green! AND yes to snorkeling all though I’m scared to put the mask on my face – claustrophobic. I’ll be around in one form or another. Hope you are well. xo Kim
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