Summerhouse Snow And Pressing On

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Sherri Matthews

This must be my latest yet for wishing you all a Happy New Year… I tried to squeeze in before the end of January, but didn’t make it.  Still, at least I managed it before Valentine’s Day…

How are things in your neck of the woods, dear friends?  Here, the Summerhouse sits in Somerset Snow all very pretty and very cold.  My geraniums, however, flourish in the porch as they did last winter…

View from the Porch

This is the first snow of the season, which for us in the West Country of England is not that common these days.  Last year’s snow in March was not typical by any means.  I shiver now when I think how close hubby and I came to spending the night in our car…

We can go years and not have any snow at all in these parts.  It’s funny how my family still gets excited when it does.  I grew up in Suffolk in the 70’s and know all about those blizzards when the wind whips up a frigid blast across the North Sea sending snow drifts through the back door.  Them were the days…

But my now adult children grew up in California.  We had snow, if we wanted it, up in the mountains a couple of hours away. But they never had it fall on their doorstep, never watched  snowflakes flutter past their bedroom windows and settle deep enough for making a snowman in their own back garden.

So we get excited.

To Kitty who is growing up fast, now fully recovered after her spay operation last week.  She surprised us all when she came into heat at only four months old over Christmas.  Poor little thing.  And poor Eddie.  He’s almost thirteen, a grand old Boy, and does not understand, much less tolerate, such behaviour.  With all that done with, thank goodness, they’re happily restored as friends, happily eating one another’s food given half the chance.

Kitty helping with the laundry

My other news is I’m cracking on with my book edits to ready my memoir for submission to publication, but January flew by in a blur of doctor/hospital/specialist appointments for my family, and will continue like that for several more weeks.

Meanwhile, thank you so much for dropping by when you can and visiting the Summerhouse (and me!) through rain, shine or snow. I look forward to catching up as soon as possible.  In the words of Arnie, I’ll be back!

Love Sherri x

 

 

 

 

About Sherri Matthews

Sherri is a British writer working on her second memoir while seeking publication of her first. Her work has appeared in magazines, anthologies and online as well as long/shortlisted and special mentioned in contests. Once upon a time and for twenty years, she lived in California. Today, she lives in England with her human family, owned by two black cats.
This entry was posted in Family Memoirs, Photos of Cats and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

60 Responses to Summerhouse Snow And Pressing On

  1. purpleslob says:
    February 1, 2019 at 1:49 pm

    YAY!! You’re here!! Gorgeous pix, especially with the geraniums against the snow!!
    Looking forward to many more posts to come!

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. TanGental says:
    February 1, 2019 at 2:57 pm

    ‘… and so we see the rare Matthews bird poke her head out of the snow. The blond crest denoting the female – the male has a smooth pate and jolly whiskers – catches the lowing sun; will she fly or return to the warmth of her nest? Is the lure of contact, of syrupy blogs an attraction or… No! there she goes, off flying. I do believe she is attempting a maneouvre that has been likened to a writer editing a memoir, furiously pecking at a sentence to see if she can extract the juicy worm within. We shall leave her to her work; after all she must return soon to her mate and her chicks before the weather turns. We shall see her in the spring, in fully-formed publication plumage readying herself for the Dance Of The Bloggers Bash where she is seen in all her summer finery…’

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      LOL 😀 This Matthews bird won’t have any beak left at all at this rate…but the very thought of appearing in publication plumage in time for the Dance of The Bloggers Bash sends her wings all a-flutter. Time for the worm to turn, indeed… thanks David (oops, I mean Geoff…)

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  3. robbiesinspiration says:
    February 1, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    Lovely to catch up and hear your news, Sherri.

    Liked by 2 people

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  4. Prior... says:
    February 1, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    Hi mon amie – I will be back to connect more but miss interacting and you are with me even when we do not connect digitally.
    I have a bit more to share but in the meantime – love the snow pics and happy new year to you too – xxoo

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  5. Mike M says:
    February 1, 2019 at 5:01 pm

    Wonderful pictures and as always a premium post!

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. rgemom says:
    February 1, 2019 at 5:16 pm

    Stunning photos of the geraniums in the snow. Just love the colors. Good luck with the edits, and Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. restlessjo says:
    February 1, 2019 at 5:41 pm

    I know that you will (be back 🙂 ) and that’s always good news. More than happy to look at snow… from a distance 🙂 After walking on the beach here today.

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 3:49 pm

      Ha…bet you don’t miss the snow, Jo. Love seeing all your gorgeous pics on FB. It’s gone milder again now, crazy British weather. Thanks so much lovely, always wonderful to hear from you…enjoy your walk, I’ll imagine I’m there too 🙂 ❤ xxx

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  8. thecontentedcrafter says:
    February 1, 2019 at 6:33 pm

    I hope all is progressing well with your family and health and wellness requirements – I think of you all often. And the memoir – love Geoff’s pseudo-Attenborough take on your post 🙂 do hope it progresses easily through this final stage. It’s quite the marathon isn’t it. Much love xo

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 3:55 pm

      Haha…yes, David’s – ooops, meant Geoff’s – comment cracked me up. The thought alone of summer finery boggles the mind 😀 Oh Pauline, it is a marathon and I seem to stall so often. Just after posting this, poor Kitty did not do so well but is recovering now. An abcess formed just below her spay scar…she’s so little and sweet and didn’t complain, but cats are so good at hiding pain, aren’t they? She just stopped eating and drinking. So…antiobitics it is and pain relief and lots and lots of lap cuddles and tlc and of course, more of those dreaded trips to the vet. Hence my late replies here. I tried typing with Kitty on my lap but it didn’t quite work…she’s curled up asleed on the bed at the moment. Now I can breathe again – and on to those edits! Lovely to hear from you always, dear Pauline, thank you so much for checking in, I do hope life is treating you well 🙂 ❤ xoxo

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  9. insearchofitall says:
    February 1, 2019 at 11:49 pm

    Good to see you here. I get how busy life is. Hope the health issues resolve soon.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 3:56 pm

      Thank you so much, Marlene, so lovely to hear from you as always. We are making slow progress on all fronts…and I hope all is well with you in your neck of the woods, which I so much look forward to visiting very soon 🙂 ❤ xoxo

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  10. Charli Mills says:
    February 2, 2019 at 5:13 am

    Stunning Somerset Snow, a fitting entry for the Summerhouse in winter. I remember you and Mike nearly getting caught in that terrible March blizzard. Stay safe and carry on with those edits! Kitty will lend you her adorable powers to get down what needs getting done (she’s so darn cute).

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 4:00 pm

      Adorable Kitty Power is needed on all counts! As you know all that’s happened since I posted this, poor Kitty hasn’t had much power lately, although remains adorable of course, but looking much better again and all is restoring, albeit slowly. And the snow came and went, milder again now but that’s our crazy weather for you. Not like last years, definitely. Thank you so much, Charli…back to those edits with gusto! 🙂 ❤

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      • Charli Mills says:
        February 11, 2019 at 11:35 pm

        I’m so relieved to hear of our dear sweet kitty’s improved health and the removal of her compression shirt! I can just see her running about madly in kitty freedom! Back to the edits, Sherri Jane! ❤

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        • Sherri Matthews says:
          February 15, 2019 at 9:42 am

          Haha…yes, it was like the shirt removal unleased a wildcat! So great to see her back to her normal self – meaning very naughty but also increadibly adorable 😀 Back to those edits, indeed. Onwards and upwards for us both, Huckleberry! 🙂 ❤

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  11. Miriam Hurdle says:
    February 2, 2019 at 7:07 am

    Good to hear from you, Sherri. I love to see the snow, am not sure if it snow every day here. My bones don’t do well with cold. You’re making progress with your book editing and submitting to the publisher, that’s what counts. Yes, family, doctor’s appointments can’t wait. It’s nice for you to keep us posted.

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 4:06 pm

      Good to hear from you too, Miriam. I struggled to get this post out, realising I still had my Christmas post up and it was February…yikes! Thank you so much for your encouragment, support and understanding for your lovely message. I am so heartened by the lovely messages here. I look forward to catching up properly once the dust settles. I am getting closer…just need to keep jumping those hurdles one day at a time… see you soon! 🙂 ❤

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      • Miriam Hurdle says:
        February 7, 2019 at 8:24 pm

        I remember how it felt. I was formatting my book so intensely that I think my right arm has some kind of carpal pain for three months. I finally made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor. It makes me think that I might pay someone to do my book if I ever have another book to publish. ❤ 🙂

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        • Sherri Matthews says:
          February 12, 2019 at 11:07 am

          Ha…binge writing wrecked my body, so I relate. What we do to ourselves in the name of our writing passion, eh? Hope your right arm is better now, Miriam. I’ll be back as I can…so much looking forward to featuring you and your beautiful book at the Summerhouse once the dust has settled my end, and I will be in touch about that in due course, but of course, meanwhile, we’re in touch in blogland 🙂 ❤

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          • Miriam Hurdle says:
            February 12, 2019 at 6:33 pm

            Thank you, Sherri. I decided to see my orthopedic doctor for the peace of mind, make sure no tendon is torn. Yes, we should do the featuring for each other. ❤ 🙂
            I may run a promotion on Amazon, as soon as I find out more of the fee and other things. 🙂

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            • Sherri Matthews says:
              February 15, 2019 at 9:39 am

              So glad to hear you got your peace of mind, Miriam, always best to make sure. A mutual feature sounds wonderful…but first yours here as I am still derailed with my edits due to pressing family commitments, but hoping next week to crack on with great gusto, Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise – again, ha. Yes do let me know about your Amazon promotion. Catch up with you soon, Miriam, and have a great weekend. I’m with my boys first time since Christmas 🙂 ❤

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              • Miriam Hurdle says:
                February 15, 2019 at 6:05 pm

                Oh, Sherri, I’m glad to hear that you’re with your boys. Family first, everything else can wait. There were so many moments when the pressure of career and study were so great that I didn’t spend enough time with my daughter when she was young… not something I’m fond of.
                I purchased a 7-day blog tour beginning the 25th. I’m writing the posts for the hosts this weekend.
                I’ll do the Amazon promotion after that. 🙂 ❤

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  12. Mabel Kwong says:
    February 2, 2019 at 8:23 am

    Lovely to see you out of your Summerhouse, Sherri. It does look cold over there. Hope you are staying warm. January has indeed gone by…just like that. Before we know it June will be hear and there will be lots of sun over your Summerhouse. So good to hear your memoir is making progress though you’ve had all those appointments. Slowly but surely you’re getting there 😊 Have a good February. Those red flowers look lovely for Valentines Day 😊❤

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 4:11 pm

      And it’s lovely to see you too, Mabel. Yes, time is flying and I need to get flying over the keyboard with my edits. Spring fast approaches, although you will coming into your autumn soon, I think? The snow came and went, as it does. So glad you enjoyed the pics and the red for Valentine’s Day 😀 Thank you so much, Mabel, I do hope all is well with you and your world and I do look forward to catching up very soon. Take care and happy writing to you too! 🙂 ❤ xxx

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  13. Lucid Gypsy says:
    February 2, 2019 at 8:56 am

    Glorious geraniums, hope you’re okay, take care!

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Andrea Stephenson says:
    February 4, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    Happy New Year to you Sherri! Those chrysanthemums look lovely against the snow. I still get excited whenever it snows – it’s rare enough that it is exciting when it happens, if we had it all the time I suppose it would be different 🙂 Wishing you all the best and lots of luck with the memoir.

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 7, 2019 at 4:17 pm

      Happy New year, Andrea! Oh I do too, I think the snow looks so beautiful for the amount of time we get it, but yes, if all the time and after all that slush perhaps we might not think so much 😉 Thank you so much, it’s always lovely to read your messages. I am sorry I’ve been so absent from visiting, I don’t seem to do a good job of writing and blogging and life all at the same time…just getting get this post out felt like a major victory! But I do hope all is well with you and your writing… 🙂 ❤ xxx

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  15. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    February 9, 2019 at 11:06 am

    Hi Sherri. Your kitty is adorable. I love black cats. All my love to you and the family and best of luck for your memoir edits. Are you coming to the Bash in June? Hope to see you soon. Xxx

    Liked by 1 person

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  16. Ste J says:
    February 11, 2019 at 12:48 am

    Happy New Year, belatedly so. It’s excellent about your memoir. Crissy was gutted to have not seen snow, we missed a smattering in the Peak District by a week.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 12, 2019 at 11:10 am

      Ste J, how lovely to hear from you, my friend! Thanks so much…I’m getting there, slowly. Oh I’m so sorry to hear that…living in a hot climate makes snow all that more magical. It’s so hit and miss in this country though, isn’t it? Next time for Crissy…next time… 🙂

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  17. Sarah Potter Writes says:
    February 16, 2019 at 3:41 pm

    Dearest Sherri, just look at your snow, when we had just a mere sprinkling that melted as fast as it fell. I love that photo of your geraniums in the porch contrasting with the snow outside. They look very healthy and robust. I have some tattier ones still in flower in the garden. My winter primulas are going strong, too.

    I’m so glad your sweet little kitty has bounced back from her op. She certainly looks very perky in her picture!

    Lots of love, hugs and kisses xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      February 20, 2019 at 12:29 pm

      Aww, thanks so much dearest Sarah, I’m glad you enjoyed my snow pics. Seems a long time ago already with it warming up so much since then. Crazy weather. Feels almost spring like now, but then we know we are not out of the woods yet. I really liked how the red of the geraniums stood out agains the white of the snow too…can’t believe they’re still in flower! Didn’t realise we moved to a place with a ready built porch/greenhouse 🙂 Amazing you stil lhave some in flower in your garden and I love winter primulas. I did manage to get a couple of winter baskets done last autumn as well as a few pots and all are sprouting forth with lovely bulbs, so hope to post some pics when in full bloom in due course. I’m sure your garden is coming into beautiful bloom very soon and I must say, I am quite envious of your wonderful allotment! And yes, sweet Kitty is fully recovered to much relief all round. Back to her usual naughtiness and delight. Thank you so much for your lovely visits to the Summerhouse. You’ve cheered me no end. Now just get well and know you’re in my thoughts and prayers for you and dear sweet darling dog. Lots of love, hugs and kisses…xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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      • Sarah Potter Writes says:
        March 16, 2019 at 12:49 pm

        Dearest Sherri, I’ve only just seen our reply to my comment. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. My darling dog is doing well. Have just posted an update on my blog. Sorry I’m being so neglectful of you, my dear friend, but hopefully we can meet up in the Spring. I have a new car. Her name is Buttercup, as she’s yellow. My old car was taken away on a lorry yesterday, off to the car graveyard. Look forward to seeing you soon, my dear friend. Lots of love, hugs and kisses xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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