Love ~ Sweet & Simple

  February is here.

A short month filled with Love.

Although I know it can seem like a loooonng month, can't it?

In February I like to find simple ways to share the LoVe and have a little fun too.  It helps to make that transition from winter to spring a bit more pleasant.  Speaking of spring, did you hear that Punxsutawney Phil says we're in for an early one this year? 

Now that may be a bit hard to believe for all of you who are dealing with the harshness of the "monster storms". 

While I can't be sure if Phil's prediction will be accurate, I am sure that conversation hearts are a simple, yet fun, way to brighten up a winter day and spread a little Valentine's cheer.

While in CVS yesterday, I couldn't resist picking up a few bags. 

To me there is just something so charming about them.



If you've followed my blog for any length of time you know this isn't the place to come for deep thoughts, spiritual enlightenment or higher education.  I'm here to tell you this post is no exception ;-).

While we may not be tackling the big things here, we all know that what the world needs now is Love Sweet Love and that is something we can do.

That and take pictures of our smoothies before we drink them.

And to think prior to blogging I would have just drank it without even realizing it looked just like a flower.

;-)

Chasing The Gray Away

Have the gray days of winter worn out their welcome for you?

Are you wondering if spring will ever arrive?

If you answered yes to the above questions, let me just say . . . I can relate!!

While channeling my inner Vavoom (more on that later), I stumbled upon this little vintagey vase.  I remember picking it up at a thrift store a few years ago and thinking it would look cute with a few pansies in it.  Since that purchase it has been patiently waiting in the cupboard where all Happy Home vases reside for it's turn to shine.



When I began blogging it seemed like this book appeared on many different blogs.  The title intrigued me, but I never actually saw the book until today while browsing at Tuesday Morning.

The price was right ;-).

As a person who enjoys thrift and antique shopping, I have a lot of vintage.  Some of it is on display, but the majority is hidden in drawers, attics and cupboards.  I guess you could say it's a lot of vintage in need of some serious Vavoom.

As I was revisiting some of my vintage pieces this afternoon I was reminded just how much I love these items. 

So, I vavoomed a viola into my vintage vase.

 

Which made me wonder why I've let that vase sit behind closed doors for all these years.

When all along the simple elements were right here. 

A thrift store vase, a few flowers and a digital camera.

One, two, three . . .

Like a ray of sunshine on a gray day.
So, if gray days are getting the best of you, just remember . . .

Just a few short weeks ago the violas stood frozen under a layer of snow.

Wishing you rays of sunshine,

Sending you warm thoughts

&

a bit of vavoom thrown in to keep it fun :-).

Love,

Mmm Mmm Muffins

Blueberries and sunshine greeted me this morning.


And a bit of buttermilk that needed to be used.

Dear Mr. Google,

Blueberries + Buttermilk =

Buttermilk Berry Muffins.

Mmmm, sounds good to me and the yellow, blue & white muffin papers with polka dots, kinda sealed the deal.  The recipe can be found here.

A sunny morning calls for a sunny yellow apron ... with a daisy tucked in the pocket.

One of the things that drew me to this recipe was the addition of freshly grated orange peel.
I love the fresh pop of flavor provided by fresh orange or lemon peel.    As I grated that peel my kitchen smelled even sunnier . . . like Florida.  A most welcome smell in January.

Blueberries are my favorite for adding to muffins.  I also love them on oatmeal, cereal and fruit salads.  For a little berry, they pack a lot of punch in the healthy eating department.  You can read more about it here if you're interested.

Twenty minutes later . . .

A most delicious (& healthy:) mid-afternoon snack.

The Garden in January

On this day in January, the garden is covered by a blanket of bright white snow.  Though the flowers have faded and the leaves have all fallen, there remains a beauty and a sense of peace.

After all the hustle and bustle of December, January arrives offering a slower pace.  Snow days, soup days, sleepy days all seem quite acceptable on a day like this.

As much as I enjoy gardening, it's kind of nice to have a break from the lawn mowing.  For now Mother Nature is giving the garden a break.  A time to rest and recuperate before the next season begins.

And, though we may miss our colorful flowers and mouth watering garden produce, winter offers garden interest in a different way.  Pinecones frosted by sugary snow look right at home in the winter garden.



Until the leaves fell, I had no idea a squirrel family had been born and raised atop my Sugar Maple tree.  

In fact, several little bird's nests have been exposed in my winter garden.  It fascinates me that while all of this housekeeping was going on, I was completely oblivious to it. 

  On this day in January, I'm content to enjoy a different kind of garden ~ a winter garden.  I'll use this time to dream about what I want to plant in the Spring.  I'll gather up my gardening books and make notes of new things to try.  When Spring arrives, I'll be ready.  How about you?

Many thanks for your well wishes on my sciatica problem.  It is getting better and I'm hoping that a visit to the chiropractor today will speed the process.  I truly appreciate all of your good suggestions, but am sorry to hear that so many of you have also had to deal with it.  

Ouch!!!!

A quick post with a pathetic title.

The new year was off to a nice start and blog post ideas were beginning to form ... until ...

Last Thursday when a return of sciatica took my mind off of everything except the pain running from my lower back to my ankle and this time it seems to be a real pain in the a**.  The weekend has been spent trying to find a comfortable position for sitting, standing, walking, etc.

I'm not sure what brought this on.  I'm thinking it might have been the car crash I was involved in right before Christmas.  An inexperienced (17 year old) driver ran into the girl behind me who then slammed into me.  My car received the least damage ($4000 worth). 

Anyhow, I'm not looking for sympathy (well maybe I am :).  I just wanted to explain my absence and lack of replying to comments.  Trust me, I'd much rather be happily blogging away than doing this squirmy dance I am currently doing in this chair.

Until next time, I hope you are having a nice start to 2011.

Regarding the Snowman Hot Cocoa Set . . .

Since a few of you asked where I got the hot chocolate set in my last post, I thought I'd pop in and answer that question. 

I was thrilled to find it earlier this fall at a local consignment shop.  I thought it would be right at home near my blue and white snowman tree.  I love that it even has a little bowl to keep your marshmallows in.  The box it came in says it was originally purchased at Dillard's.  I don't know if they still carry them.  I tried to look on the Dillard's website today, but didn't find much in the way of Christmas decor. 

Speaking of snowmen, I wanted to share a picture of the snowman my son and his girlfriend built the day after Christmas.

Our temperatures are predicted to reach 60 on Saturday, so I'm enjoying him while he lasts.

Dreams Came True in North Carolina

Just a few weeks ago I was . . .

Well, guess what?

:-), :-), :-)

Dreams really do come true!!!

For the first time since 1947 a white Christmas came to the Charlotte, NC area.

Since we never know how long our snow in the south will stick around, I was out at midnight with camera in hand.

I love the look of colored lights shining through snow-covered bushes.  Sigh ~

There is just something so peaceful about freshly fallen snow.

Peanut thought she could enjoy all the peacefulness just as much from inside the house.

Despite receiving a new coat for Christmas, she thought the snow was just as pretty from the vantage point of her doggy bed.

As for me, I plan to get outside and enjoy the snow today.  Maybe after that it will be time to enjoy the hot cocoa.  I'm making the most of this white Christmas just in case we have to wait  63 more years to see another one.

The lights are still up and tonight there will be a fire in the fireplace, a new book is calling my name and the comfy chair is beckoning.  Now is the time for relaxing.  The hustle and bustle is behind us now.  A new year awaits.

Here's hoping that you all enjoyed a lovely Christmas.