Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Sunshine, Glorious Sunshine!

After last week's winter storm and frigid temps, we were so incredibly happy to have some sunshine and warmer temps the past few days!


The sun was shining through every window like crazy, illuminating every speck of dust, all the dog hairs, and highlighting the smudgy winter windows. That was enough to spur me on, and the abundant sunshine certainly boosted my energy!


After a lovely breakfast of whole wheat french toast with fresh fruit and bacon, I went on a mad cleaning frenzy....I guess it's the first of many spring-cleaning days ahead, although in reality we're not even remotely close to spring on the mountain top just yet.


Before long my master bath was sparkling in the sunshine. I keep it tidy and wiped down daily, of course, but every now and again it needs a serious deep clean, like it or not. 


In the master bedroom, the sun drew me to the window where I could see the horses outside basking in the warmth. 


I wandered into the guest room for a better view, and stood for a few minutes enjoying the peaceful sight of them. 

While wandering through my house, I took note of what needed to be done, and had a very productive day crossing items off a very long list.


When I finished my cleaning rampage, I trudged up through the deep snow to my garden cottage, to get a glimpse of my solar panels. It's amazing how the snow melts so much more quickly off the panels! I really love this view from the back of my house, and the abundant sunshine and vivid blue skies made it look just like a postcard. 


I desperately wanted to sit somewhere and enjoy the warm sun on my face for a few minutes, so I dragged my favorite garden kneeler/bench out to the back of the garage and rested on it for a few minutes, my face tipped to the sun. 

It's not the most scenic spot, but everywhere else was still buried in snow, including every chair, bench, swing....sigh. 


It was heavenly to once again feel the sun's warmth on my face and listen to the sound of birdsong all around me! I sat there until the sun dipped down behind the trees and the air started to chill. 

I slept with the window cracked open that night, and my bedroom smelled so incredibly fresh, with the distant scent of pine on the breeze.


Once again I awoke to abundant sunshine and warmer temps. Sadly, it was a work day, so I couldn't enjoy any real outside time in the spring-like weather. 


By 8 AM the temps on my deck had already risen to near 50 degrees, and the forecast predicted it would go up to 60! That's amazing for early February on the mountain top, and it was pure torture not being able to stay home and enjoy this rare gift.


Before I left the house, I did one of my favorite warm season chores....the morning's laundry was hung on the clothesline to dry in the sunshine and fresh country breezes. 

Oh how I've missed the simple act of hanging a load of fresh, clean clothes on the line! It's one of the most peaceful tasks in any given day, no doubt! 

It may be some time before we enjoy a day like that again, but I am so grateful for every moment I got to spend outdoors on that glorious day. 

I shall remember the feel of the sun on my face and it will keep me warm on the cold winter days ahead. 

Before long I'll be out there once more, sitting in the sunshine, listening to the birds singing in the trees. 

And all will be well in my world.

23 comments:

  1. It was so much fun reading your post and always is a delight to see your beautiful rooms. I love your enthusiasm! Sunny and warm here today and that energized me too. I love a February day like this, just wouldn't want a whole month of them. Must have some wintery ones too but this was so very welcome. I love your flower arrangement!

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    1. If we didn't have the cold winter days we wouldn't appreciate days like this as much, right Dewena?

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  2. It looks so pretty there with the snow. How great you were able to enjoy some warmer weather and sunshine! We are at 70 here today in NC which is not normal either.

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    1. Wow, that must have felt nice as well, Penny!! Today it's back to winter with an ice storm outside my window. Oh well!

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  3. We had the wonderful warmth here, too. Didn't it just smell like spring? I had to laugh reading about the sunshine highlighting all the dust and animal hair. I had my dust cloth out too! Lovely photos of your beautiful home.

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    1. I had the dusting rags out again this morning, Sue, as the morning sunshine illuminated more and more dust! The wood stove really makes it tough to keep the house dust free, but it sure makes up for it in oil savings!

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  4. We finally have some warmth and sunshine here too. It feels good coming throught the windows. I have some seedlngs started (too soon) and they are screaming to go outside. Hope they will hang on until spring.
    Lisa

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    1. Oooh what kind of seedlings did you start, Lisa? I'm curious what gardening zone you're in....your last frost date will be a lot sooner than ours!

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  5. Love your pictures! We've been having crazy warm temperatures in Louisville too, but with so much rain it makes it impossible to be outside. Molly runs in and out the back door keeping me busy mopping the kitchen floor on a daily basis, but she's worth it!

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    1. My little furbabies leave footprints all over my floors too, Diane, but hey, I love them to bits, they are worth every bit of extra work I have to do!!

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  6. Sounds like my day. But you see horses and I see the back of a strip mall!
    Brenda

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    1. I wonder if you can attach some lightweight willow fencing to the top of the existing fence and train a vine to climb it, Brenda?

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  7. Everything is so beautiful! We too have had warmer temps...80 this past Monday! Too warm for February, even in Texas! I too am ready to start some deep cleaning around the house...deep cleaning always prompts rearranging, so I suppose that will begin when the deep cleaning starts! :-) Hope you are having a great week! Love and hugs!

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    1. Wow, 80? Holy smokes Benita, that's like August temps for us!!

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  8. You are so admirable in your lifestyle choices, Debbie. I love your attention to the details Mother Nature offers us each day, especially on days like these past few, which were truly gifts in winter. Lovely!

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    1. Unfortunately mother nature took away that gift way too soon, Rita, but as we approach spring we will get more and more days like that - it's surely something to look forward to!

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  9. To actually have the gift of looking out the window and see horses must not only amazing but a gift. I can't imagine. We had a few days of warm sun. Our pups were very happy to sunbathing and I took advantage too.

    Glorious view of where you call home

    Cindy

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    1. Thank you, Cindy!! I absolutely love the view of the horses outside my window, I am fortunate to have such wonderful neigh-bors!

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  10. Love these glimpses inside and out of your home and property.

    Got up to around 80 degrees the past two days. I was able to work outside this morning and this afternoon. A good workout today.

    Happy February ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I need a lot of those good workout days, Lorraine - I always get a bit 'soft' in winter - those first few days outside doing all that manual labor make me so sore!!

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  11. What a peaceful and restful place you have. Our weather is so up and down. Enjoy seeing the sunshine when it comes. Nancy

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    1. Same here, Nancy - 60 one day, ice storm the next - today is 44 and cloudy, but I'll take it!!

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  12. I love the smell of clothes dried on the line in the sunshine and breezes. And, how cool to see horses right outside without having to do the chores that goes with it! LOL.

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