Life Among the Roses: Winter Days, a Warm Fireplace, and Simple Joys

Winter in our rose garden in Casinos has a charm of its own. The skies are often cloudy, and the air feels crisp, but our life is filled with small, beautiful moments that make even the coldest days feel warm. From mornings with the dogs to evenings by the fire, let me take you through a glimpse of our week here in Spain.

Morning Rituals with Lex, Luna, and Bram
Every morning begins with the cheerful sounds of Lex and Luna, our Spanish Mastiff brother and sister. They are our loyal guard dogs, keeping our property safe through the night. When I step outside in the morning and call them, they come running enthusiastically to greet me.

The morning is their time of freedom. Lex inspects the garden in his calm, stately manner, while Luna playfully darts through the paths. It’s wonderful to see them enjoying themselves like this. I always take a moment to greet them and give them some extra cuddles. For me, it’s the perfect start to the day, leaving me energized and smiling.

By mid-morning, Lex and Luna move to their spacious pen, where they rest peacefully during the day. Their presence in the garden gives us a sense of safety and a lively atmosphere, and we are happy to have them around.

Bram, our little Maltese, would love to join them outside to assert his authority. Despite his size, he is convinced he’s in charge. But because it’s not entirely safe for such a small daredevil to be outside, Bram stays indoors. From his cozy spot, he keeps a sharp eye on everything, as if ruling over his own little kingdom.

Ben Takes on the Heavy Work
While I spend my morning caring for the roses—removing dead leaves, watering, and admiring the winter blooms—Ben is usually busy with the heavy tasks.

This week, he chopped wood to keep the fireplace roaring throughout the day. The fireplace is the heart of our home in winter. It not only provides warmth but also creates a cozy atmosphere. The sound of Ben chopping wood in the background while I work in the garden is incredibly soothing. Without his hard work, we wouldn’t be as comfortable, especially during these colder months.

Roses in Winter
All of our roses are in pots, and even in winter, they continue to surprise us. The Rosa Pullman Orient Express and Annapurna still produce the occasional bloom, their colors a beautiful contrast to the gray skies.

Winter means a slower rhythm in the garden: moving pots to protect them from the wind, adding mulch to keep the roots warm, and simply enjoying the plants that are still blooming. Since everything grows in pots, we can continually rearrange our rose garden, which makes maintenance very flexible.

Evening Rituals
When the day comes to an end, the real enjoyment begins. The hot tub is our favorite winter evening ritual. With the fireplace crackling inside and the fresh air around us, the warm water feels like a luxurious embrace.

We often bring a glass of white wine to the hot tub and enjoy the quiet and the rising steam. Bram usually relaxes on a blanket inside, while Lex and Luna peacefully resume their roles as guard dogs, alert yet relaxed in the garden.

Winter Warmth
Winter in the rose garden is a season of contrasts—gray skies and blooming roses, hard work and quiet evenings, the chill of the air and the warmth of the fireplace. It’s these small, simple moments that make this life so special.

As I write this, I wonder what the next week will bring. Life here continues to surprise me, and I hope I’ll have more beautiful stories to share. For now, I’ll leave you with this little glimpse into our week and hope it brings some warmth to your day.



Until next time,
Ella