Thursday, January 18, 2018

An Absence Of Color

I can't believe it's been TWO weeks since I was able to get a post up! I think since I started blogging this is the first time I've gone that long without checking in!

My office mate is on medical leave at the moment, which means I've been taking over a lot of what he does to keep things running smoothly until his return. 

Which equates to me being busier than ever right now! 

Life gets in the way sometimes, doesn't it? 

Well, since it's been sooooo long, I have a TON of photos to share with you today!

So grab a beverage and settle in - it's going to be a long post!

There's just something about the time after the holiday period that makes me cherish the absence of color. 

I never thought I'd say that - I've always been drawn to warm, colorful spaces

But somehow, when I take down all the Christmas decor, I feel the need to keep the palette simple and serene, to make up for all the bright reds and greens of the holiday season. 


Even when I keep things fairly neutral in my house, it's still pretty warm and cozy, with all the color in the accessories, wall color, and many plants. 


I could never be without my books and plants. The bookcase in the living holds my cookbook collection - there are more bookcases down in the lower level that hold gardening and decorating books as well as many novels. 

I love, love, love books! Right now I'm reading Room by Emma Donoghue. Don't even get me started by how amazingly awesome this book is! I just wish I had more time to sit down and enjoy it. Sigh. 

Anywhoo....


I also have an incredible compulsion after the holiday decor is tucked away for another year to obsessively clean and organize my house. 

Fortunately I got a lot of organizing tasks completed right before the holidays, which makes it pretty easy to keep on top of things. 

That's a huge relief, since my work life is so busy right now. 

I need to come home to a peaceful, calm oasis after a crazy day at work. 

I've started burning essential oils throughout my house as well, but that's a future post.


I think when you use a lot of color on the walls in your house it's nice to have white trim to balance it out. It gives your eyes a place to rest, and it also makes the color pop. 


My bedroom is by far the most serene and neutral room in my whole house, as it should be. 

Even so, I still have a hard time sleeping....I am praying that diffusing essential oils at night will help with my sleepless nights. 

Fingers crossed. 


It's certainly not that I don't set the stage for a peaceful night's sleep. The new drapes from Country Curtains really turn my bedroom into a snug little cave at night - I adore them. I have the softest flannel sheets on my bed, from LL Bean, topped with a fluffy down comforter and a coverlet. My pillows are high quality goose down, and my room is at the back corner of the house, far from any road noise that may travel up my long driveway and reach my house. 

There's really no reason I shouldn't have an amazing night's sleep on a regular basis. 

Except for that darned menopause thing. Yup, it's got me. 

Sigh. 


Meanwhile, the absence of color continues outside, with the world outside my window cloaked in a blanket of white. 


Winter has truly settled in to stay on the Mountain Top, with another snowfall all day yesterday making everything truly look like a winter wonderland. 


The Monkey and Little Miss Molly are the best of friends, and love to head out together for a good sniffabout and a ramble. 

Molly doesn't seem to mind the snow much at all - I guess that soft long coat of hers keeps her good and warm!

She did go on strike when we had those crazy cold temperatures, balking at going out to do her business. 

But the snow she doesn't mind a bit!


The green metal roof on the old barn next door has been swallowed up by the blanket of white. 


In the summer months this corner is one of my favorite spots to spend an evening


And my deck swing gets a ton of use as well. It's the best place to have coffee in the mornings, watching the birds at the feeders and listing to the birdsong all around. 

It seems a lifetime ago I was able to sit out here, but looking forward - spring is only 9 weeks away. 

It will be here before we know it!


The herb gardens are buried, but the birds are still enjoying the seeds from the spent herbs. 


I took this photo through a window, so excuse the quality - this little Junco was busy stripping the seeds off the dried up herbs and munching away happily on them. 

That's exactly why it's important to leave the dead plants standing during the winter months, and cutting them back in spring. They provide both nourishment and cover for the birds and wildlife that remain in the winter months. 


Back inside, I truly enjoy the antics of the birds and squirrels at the feeders right outside my window. 

There's another Junco enjoying a visit to the birdbath, and a few bluejays at the flat feeder. 


Because of the absence of color, this Northern Flicker really stood out when he came for a visit to the flat feeder recently. He's been a regular ever since, and I love seeing his bright red head outside my window!


With all the snow outside, my kitchen is one of my favorite places to be. There's nothing like puttering around a warm cozy kitchen whipping up a big bowl of comfort on a frigid day. 


The suet feeder outside the kitchen window gives me something lovely to look at while I'm elbow deep in a sink full of bubbles. This little Chickadee was having quite the feast on this snowy day!

Suet is important for the birds in winter as it gives them the added fat they need to stay warm during these cold months.  Poor little critters, my heart goes out to them on those brutal cold days!


I have a faithful little helper every morning when I go out to feed the birds. Little Miss Molly is out the door in a flash, coming along to fill the flat feeder. She gets a peanut in the shell for her troubles, and she does little spins and quivers with excitement just waiting for that special treat!

She sure is a special little angel and we all adore her!


She has quickly taken over our home and our hearts, that's for certain!


This is the life a sweet little pup deserves, not being stuck outside in a cage 24/7 like she was in the past. 

How anyone could be so cruel to a sweet innocent baby is beyond my comprehension. 

Don't get me started. 


Just like the other two pups, she has a wonderful life now. 

These two chairs are directly in front of the wood stove, and the coziest spot in the house. 


Quite the little furry family I've got, don't you think?


Sweetie says that Little Miss Molly has brought new life to this house. 

No doubt, she's a bundle of energy, that sweet angel. 

When she plays she plays hard....and when she crashes, she sleeps hard!


Lily doesn't really bother with her too much, she doesn't have the energy to keep up any more. 

She was 15 in September, this sweet old girl, and all she wants to do these days is eat and sleep. 

The absence of color continues on Lily, as her brown spots have mostly faded to white in her old age. She doesn't even have a brown eye anymore, she's all white in the face. 

My sweet old girl, she's such a good pup. 


The absence of color certainly doesn't mean an absence of beauty. This was the sky right before we got the latest snowfall. 


It was truly spectacular and I feel so lucky to see so much beauty outside my door on a daily basis. 

Winters on the Mountain Top are long and cold, no doubt. They seem to go on forever, and by March we are all anxiously awaiting those first signs of spring. 

But the beauty that surrounds us makes every long cold winter worthwhile. We learn to nestle in and enjoy the comfort of a warm fire and a good book, a cup of tea or a bowl of home made soup, and thank the heavens for the blessings in our life. 

May you be so fortunate to find simple blessings in every day of your life, and beauty outside your door. Sometimes you just have to stop and take a moment to appreciate the little things in your life that bring you happiness. 

It truly is the little things that make up the big picture. 

51 comments:

  1. Your home is so lovely and cozy...I could move right in, Debbie! And your pups have stolen my heart!

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    1. They stole mine as well, Linda! It's hard to be mad at them for anything, that's for sure!!

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  2. Mollie is adorable, what a pretty little thing. I do the same after the holiday - pack away all the bold colors of Christmas and switch a few things out to whites and neutrals. It feels restful.

    As for that darn Menopause.. I'm 52 and feeling it. I have been taking Melatonin and it does help.. some. I still have those sleep deprived nights - and I often find myself waking up at 3 or 4 a.m., not able to get back to sleep. Bleh.

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    1. I have exactly the same problem, Karen Ann. The melatonin helps me get to sleep and then I wake up in the wee hours and just toss and turn....and toss and turn some more. Sigh!

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  3. Hi Deb - I really enjoyed your post. I am not a fan of a lot of colour; I love the earth tones mostly. Your home draws me right in and you feel like you are being hugged. It's very welcoming. I love how you look after your birds. Ours have had a hideous winter so far and it has taken a lot of special care to get them through. Lots and lots of suet. It's the suet that brought me the pileated woodpecker who now visits every day. :) Your pups are so sweet. Look at how Molly is so content now. She is precious. Lily steals my heart, though, as she goes about in her golden years. I love the older ones so much. And Monkey looks just like her name. lol. If you get a free moment could you email me as I have a question I would like to ask. Thanks.debsteckly@catlover.com

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    1. Same here, Deb - I feel so bad for the poor critters when the temps are so hideously low - I found a dead bluejay on my driveway the other day, I nearly cried!

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  4. What adorable pups! We had a dusting the other day, mostly ice now. Twice already this year which is unusual. It does make you appreciate the calm the white can bring.

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    1. I appreciate the calm....and then I love the explosion of colors in spring as well! It would be quite boring if the world looked the same every single day of the year, wouldn't it?

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  5. I was just thinking today why my destiny wasn't to live somewhere tropical year round....your pictures of cozy indoors and pretty outdoors in winter answered that. I need seasons and I love all that each one offers....even winter!

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    1. Same here, AnnMarie - I could not live in a one season environment. Talk to me again in 20 years though, ha ha!!

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  6. Your home and pups are wonderful. Such a blessing to have both.
    I hear you on the menopause issue. Had to have a hysterectomy at 44 and it hit almost immediately. Tried Premarin and it actual made things worse for me. I also wasn't happy with the ingredients and where they came from. I saw a Naturopath who told me to get off of wheat and caffeine. I also ate smaller meals 4 times a day. It did help but I cried for my breads and coffee. I'll be honest and tell you I had 5 yrs of hell. I could smell food and gain weight. The other issue is dryness, everywhere!! Hope I didn't share too much, just share your pain because it's the pits! I know God is a man as no woman would wish this on another. ;)

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    1. Ha ha Patti your comment made me laugh, thank you for that!! It's not really fair all we have to go through as a woman, is it?

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  7. I didn't even see The Monkey at first out in the snow, all I saw was little Miss Molly! I had to actually look for The Monkey. :) Sweet Lily, I'm so glad she has such a warm and cozy home to call her own in her old age. You know, I am envious of all your snow. We have had tons and tons of rain with some snow, but it all gets rained off. Snow I can handle, lots of rain I cannot.

    I hear you on the Menopause. Like Patti, I gained weight and she is right about dryness everywhere. UGH! My night sweats are starting to finally get better, but I still have sleepless nights. Some of that I can directly link to my other health issues also. Such is the price we pay for being women. ;)

    Be blessed my friend!

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    1. We have tons of rain today, Debbie, it's washing the snow away and then it's going to freeze into a solid sheet of ice - driving and even walking tomorrow is going to be awful, I'm not looking forward to it!

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  8. I always say my house feels very naked when I first in-decorate.
    OMG you're reading room! I LOVED IT! Are u gonna watch the movie then? You should!

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    1. Yes, Shannon is reading it right now, when she's done we'll watch the movie!! I loved it, and right after I read Gone Girl - I was disappointed with the ending though!!!!!

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  9. I love white in January too, a calming respite from the frenzy and clutter of the holiday season. I sooo agree with you about the furkids, we have had three abuse rescues all wonderful sweethearts. Miss Molly is finally getting the life she deserves.

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    1. I agree, that poor sweet baby went through way too much in her short life so far!! I'm so glad I was able to give her a good home, Carole!

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  10. I feel the exact same way after Christmas, I need a break from all that red. Can you believe it? I clear everything out and go for a neutral look...until January 15th. Then I need my red back. And oh menopause. I cannot sleep either...I toss all night long next to a guy who sleeps like a rock. Makes me want to swat him. ;)

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    1. Ha ha Kim, I feel the same way when my sweetie is here and he complains he didn't sleep well....meanwhile he's snoring all night while I'm lying there trying not to wake him!! Next time maybe I WILL swat him!! :)

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  11. Christmafying the house is always fun and the little lights on the Christmas tree were welcome this year since we had not had a full sized tree in at least a decade or more.... but still, taking it all down and getting the house back to normal colors felt REALLY GOOD! We too have snow, but not nearly as much as you folks up north. Just wish the temperatures would pop up a bit higher.

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    1. Same here, I love the look of all the Christmas decor but by the time it's time to take it down I'm ready!! Warmer temps and rain today but that's not going to last - it will all freeze and this place will be an ice rink tomorrow, yikes!

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  12. I LOVED that book! The movie was pretty good too. Like you, I like having neutral furniture so that I can add color as I want and change color as I want with pillows, throws and accessories. Your pups are soo cute. I think maybe I'm close to being ready for a new pup after losing my sweet Betsy four years ago. Maybe. I had her for 17 years and I'm just not sure I can go through losing another pup.

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    1. Awww, Diane, I thought the very same thing when I adopted Lily right after my previous dog died very suddenly. I couldn't imagine how I could say goodbye to another sweet pup but it was fate - she needed a home and I needed my heart to heal - she helped so much with that! I'm going to be devastated when she goes but we've had 15 wonderful years so far to enjoy her, I think that's how we have to look at it rather than thinking of the inevitable end.

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  13. So good to read/see this newsy post from you. There may be an absence of color, but not of beauty. Thanks for sharing.

    Love your little canine family. Happy January ~ FlowerLady

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    1. It sure was newsy wasn't it, Lorraine? I agree - the mountains are beautiful in every season, I am so lucky to live here!

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  14. We were supposed to get snow and ice on Tuesday here in Waco, but it didn't happen. I'd love for my three-year old grandson to see some snow! Your dogs look so comfy in your pretty house!

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    1. They take over every piece of furniture in the house, Jill, without a doubt! No doubt with all the weird weather all across the nation your grandson will get to see snow at some point!

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  15. Love your home & pups. Please be careful with essential oils & the dogs. Some can be harmful to them. There was a discussion on Facebook about them & some research is finding that to be true.

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    1. Thank you so much for that warning, Cathy - I will look into that for sure!

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  16. Debbie, you make living in the north look really attractive. I think you've got hygge down pat. Your life looks good, and your fur babies are really special!

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    1. I was hygge when hygge wasn't cool, Rita, ha ha!! I've always loved a cozy home, started nesting with my very first apartment many moons ago and kept at it ever since!

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  17. Glad to see a new post from you as I recall that you had a very bad cold awhile ago. The outdoor shots are lovely and oh those cozy dogs :)

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    1. Guess what, Deb? I got rid of that cold and now I have another one, are you kidding me with this? It's making the rounds at my job, and it's hard to keep well when it just bounces from person to person!

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  18. Good to hear from you again! I think I've been two weeks without a new post before...sometimes life just gets really busy! We are so much alike in lots of ways...I found myself nodding my head while reading your post. More of a neutral, clean palate in the decorating after Christmas, not to mention wanting to purge and organize everything. All the cookbooks, books and plants. Loving to cook. Not sleeping. Yeah, that part isn't fun. I diffuse essential oils too, but I'm sorry to say, they haven't helped at all with my sleeping. I fall asleep easily, but I don't stay asleep. I am up every few hours either to pee, because of hot flashes, can't get comfortable (newer mattress, so that's not it - oh, and I have those LL Bean flannel sheets too! Absolutely the best we've ever had), or because of anxiety.

    Your pups are so cute. Your Lily reminds me of my Zippo - even though Zippo is a cat, lol. He's 18-1/2 and mostly deaf, slightly blind, and quite senile. He eats well and uses the cat box and isn't in any pain with anything - so all that's good. He does get eye drops for his glaucoma and cataracts and thyroid med. It's so sad to see our fur babies on the decline, isn't it? But, it's inevitable and part of life. I guess we just have to be glad that we've had a long time with them and that they had a good life and were very loved.

    Hope work lets up a bit for you soon! Have a great weekend.
    xoxo

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    1. PS - forgot to ask you, how do you keep the water in your bird bath from icing up? I would love to keep water in the bird bath here, but it's impossible with our frigid temps. Do you have some kind of portable heater hooked up to the bird bath?

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    2. Hi Melanie - yes you are so right it's so tough to see our furbabies decline in their advanced years but you hit the nail on the head, we were so lucky to get this time with them and give them the best possible life! As for the birdbath heater, yes - I'll email you the link. I've had heaters in the past but none were as good as this one - it's terrific!!

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  19. What sweet furbabies you have. I would like another one but Coco would be so jealous at this age and we are only allowed one dog here plus they do get expensive with all the vet bills. Love your place! Nancy

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    1. No kidding about the vet bills, Nancy - that's the biggest downfall to having dogs at all, isn't it? I thought Monkey would be awful about having a new baby in the house but she's actually adjusted quite well, thankfully!

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  20. I just love the cozy atmosphere of your home Debbie! Sweet Molly, I'm just thrilled every time I see a picture of her, and the joy you can see it written all over her face, at being adopted by you! I agree with you, winter is to be enjoyed as much as possible. It is finally snowing here today, and I couldn't be happier. We have had rain all week, and I would much prefer snow! :) Happy winter to you Debbie, I'm glad you are enjoying it :)

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    1. I prefer snow also in the winter, Marilyn - that's what it's for! Today we have rain, rain, and more rain - the rivers are brown and flowing like mad. This rain sure doesn't help the local ski slopes either, that's for sure - they are losing a lot of terrain!

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  21. So many nice photos Debbie. My favorite of course are of your furry babies. The one of Molly on her back sleeping made me laugh....our Gracie sleeps the same way as she has such a hard life "not"!
    I'm trying very hard to see the beauty of winter. At least its warmed up a bit.
    Oh and that menopause thing gets us all at some point or another. I've been lucky I think since it has not affected my sleep very often.
    Sending warm regards and pats for the pups!
    Take care
    Jeannette

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    1. Wow, Jeannette, you sure are lucky it's not affecting your sleep - do you have a secret you can share? I guess everyone has different symptoms. The only positive is it can't last forever, right?

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  22. very very pretty pictures of the snow, Debbie! your home looks warm and cozy! The little doggies are cute out looking at the snow. I wonder what dogs think of snow? Glad you stopped by my blog and yes, I thought the window lady was kind of spooky too! haha LOL Thanks for the sweet compliments you leave, that is one of my most favorite scarves for sure! Not a very warm one----but pretty! LOL

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    1. Fortunately in your neck of the woods you don't need a lot of warm scarves, do you, Debbi? My pups don't seem to mind the snow too much - I can't say the same for rain, that's for sure!

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  23. Miss Molly has certainly got the good life now, and I think she knows it. It’s so wonderful that they all get along and are buds.

    I didn’t really think about not cutting back plants for the reason you mentioned. Makes sense and I’ll keep that in mind going forward. Now all I need are some plants! lol

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    1. The plants will come when the house is done, my friend!! How is it coming along? I'm sure you're super excited to get settled at this point!!!

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  24. Loving your blog. I say amen to all of it.
    So similar our lives are!
    Sharon @hannahs creek farm blogspot

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    1. Hi Sharon, thank you for popping in - I love to meet new blog friends!!

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  25. Your house is so warm and cozy. Enjoy your reading suggestions. Reading your writing reminds me to enjoy the present and simple things. We have a new addition also, Lula a 2.5 rescue Great Dane to join our 9 year old boy Dice also a rescue. They take up more room on the furniture than yours! Yours are SO cute! Blessings, Rhonda

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    1. Oh my gosh Rhonda wouldn't it be funny to see Lula next to Little Miss Molly - ha ha ha ha!! I bet she wouldn't know what to do with such a big doggy!! Welcome home, sweet Lula!

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