Cozying Up For Winter

It's been brutally cold on the mountain top lately....yesterday I'm pretty sure my contact lenses froze to my eyeballs the second I stepped out the door. 

Those of you in warmer states probably don't understand, but we do get used to the frigid winters....and we learn to embrace winter on the mountain top.

Autumn In The Mountains

It's been kind of a weird Autumn up here on the mountain top. One day it's chilly, the next day warm and humid. 

But it appears that's about to change. 

Looking Forward To Fall

It's been ridiculously hot on the Mountain Top this summer, which is quite bizarre for us.

I have to say I'm not loving it.

I'm Craving Cozy

Our cold weather has returned, and there's a chill in my bones today. My fingers are stiff as I'm trying to type this post.

 

I'm glad it's the end of the workweek, and I can't wait to spend some time in my cozy house this weekend.

Through a Country Window

I am truly blessed. 

I went through a lot of difficult times in my life but right now I am in a place where I am at peace.

At last.

It was snowing when I went to bed last night, ever so gently, and it was a frigid evening. But we were warm and cozy in my little house with the wood-stove doing it's job extremely well. 

The oil company is going to hate me....and I'm ok with that!

One of the things that drew me in when I first toured my new home were the views. I have a view of the mountains from 3 sides of my house, and the back side of my house backs up to acres and acres of woodland.

In the summer, the property is gorgeous with established gardens, privacy from the road, and mother nature all around.

In the winter when the leaves are off the trees there is a different kind of beauty. The mountains are clear in the distance and I start my day with a view of the sunrise through my bedroom window.

When I open my eyes, the first thing I see are the mountains through the window to the left of my bed, and the sun rising over the peaks. 

It's an incredible way to start one's day, to be so inspired by the beauty out your window that you just want to jump up and grab the camera. 

The dogs hear me up and about and they are ready to go out and face the snow. And I'm ready for coffee. 

I watch the pups out the kitchen window as I'm beginning my day. No birdies bathing in the little birdbath today!

I take a peek out the dining room window to the Chickadees, who are loving the sunflower/safflower seed combo I put in the squirrel proof feeder. They ignored this feeder for months....now they can't get enough of it with this new seed combo!

After letting the pups in and getting the fire going again I head back into the bedroom where the sun is now shining on my little garden cottage at the rear of the house. 

The horses have arrived outside the other bedroom window....I don't think I'll ever grow tired of seeing my neigh-bors. 

Sorry. I had to. 

I'll just have a seat for a minute with my coffee and start my day on a quiet note. 

Giving thanks for my blessings and the beauty all around me. 

My favorite way to start the day. 

No Spend Month - Week One Recap

What a difference a day makes!!  Yesterday the rains poured out of the heavens all day long, leaving behind raging creeks and flooded areas in the low spots on my property. Temps were unseasonably warm (once again) and the snow was melting off the deck. 

This morning, we were back into the frigid temps expected in January and the snow squalls were fierce!

Can you see the snow out the window? 

Just a few minutes later the sun was beaming through the same windows - so bizarre!!

I'm not complaining - I love it all!

As you know I got off to a little bit of a late start on my no-spend-month so I'm keeping on track with my actual start day of Monday, January 4th. 

That means I've officially made it through the first week of my first ever no spend month - woo hoo!!

For the most part the first week wasn't too tough. I had taken the time to plan and prepare so I was in good shape to start the challenge. 

I think the part I did not take into account were the variables in my life. In my house. 

And by variables, I mean my daughters. 

For instance, I bought a giant package of baby spinach so I would have it to make a few salads or omelets. 

And when I went to use it? Gone. Into a smoothie. 

Also, I knew I had a well stocked wine stash downstairs. I collected it for about a year before I moved here and had a nice collection going. 

So I'll be all set on wine for the month for sure.....right? 

Nope. Apparently many of my white wines got up and walked away....now when I feel like a glass of white wine what happens? 

Mommy was NOT happy. 

Other than that, the no spend challenge is going well. 

The fresh fruit and veggie tower isn't empty yet. When it is, I will revert to frozen fruits and veggies. 

And my daughters can also replenish the tower which is only fair. After all, they are in their mid twenties and working full time. 

Ahem. 

I've been jotting down things as needed, just as I always do. The only difference being this time I'm trying to hold off as long as possible before going to the market. 

This little guy is sure happy I stocked up on seeds and nuts. They go through the seeds so quickly in these cold temps and I'm so glad I can help them out. Hopefully I'll make it through the month with the supply I have stored in a metal bin in the garage. 

I still managed to get a few projects done, without spending anything. 

My sister gave me a beautiful family portrait for Christmas and I've been trying it out here and there, trying to find the right spot. 

When tidying up my utility room this past weekend I came across these other two black frames I had bought last winter. 

Insert free online printables of Parisian scenes and I finally have something hanging in my hallway! And, of course, I can change out the printables on a whim, which I love. 

I've been looking for something for that wall for 9 months now so I'm very happy with the result. The hallway feels finished now.....finally!

Across from the black frames I hung this wreath I got ages ago from Thistlewood Farm's collection at Painted Fox - it's made from the bark from a birch tree and I just love it! It's been in the shipping box, in the Big Green Monster, for months now. Every now and again I would take it out, hold it up on different walls, and put it back in the box. 

Now it has a home.  And my hallway looks fresh and new and I didn't spend a dime!

Another project that was completed this week was swapping out the microwave. And let me tell you something, it's about time!

When I bought the house, the microwave had a crack in the frame of the door. My sweetie glued it and we touched it up with paint and it was ok for a while. 

But over Christmas it became this:

The crack became a full fledged break and the glass inside the door was falling down. Glue wasn't going to work this time! Duct tape to the rescue....temporarily. 

I ordered a new microwave online and my daughter picked it up the very next day. 

And then it sat in the guest room for a couple of weeks until we could get it installed. 

(Did you notice a pattern here? The guest room seems to be the dumping ground for everything that's temporarily displaced!)

Anyway, the new microwave is finally in and the old one went for a trip to the dump. A one way trip. 

So, despite not spending money this week things are getting done, which makes me happy. 

Almost as happy as the sunshine that was pouring into the dining room when I was packing my lunch for work. 

Isn't that just the sweetest sight on a Monday morning? 

What brought a smile to your face today?

Rainy Days and Mondays

I can't say rainy days get me down but Mondays sure do!

Remember Rainy Days and Mondays ? One of my all time favorite songs - classic Carpenters. They were one of the greatest groups ever - so sad about Karen, such a tragedy. 

Wow, I got a bit off topic there, didn't I? 

Well, it sure is rainy around here today - heavy rains, high winds - it's a great day to be inside looking out!

The perfect day to be curled up in your favorite chair by a nice toasty fire!

The Christmas tree came down yesterday and I started giving the house a good scrub. I always feel like it needs it when the decorations come down. 

The corner where the tree was feels so empty and bare now. 

I still haven't committed to hanging anything on those walls. 

And I still haven't figured out what, if anything, I want to do to camouflage the television. It still bugs me to have this big black box on the wall but with the strange shape of my living room (long and narrow with a path behind the chairs) I didn't see any other place for the TV. Oh well, it is what it is. 

I have a couple of candle sconces in the garage that have been on my mind lately....I ordered them about a year ago, when I got the mirror above the fireplace. They complement the mirror perfectly. I may hang them on either side of the TV....I'm thinking about it. 

I left the greens up outside - I like the way they look and I think I may leave them up for another little while. 

Or until the urge strikes me to get rid of them. 

Meanwhile, I'm sitting in my favorite chair by the fire and I'll take some time to browse around Blogland and see what all of you are up to. 

Then I might watch a little Downton. 

And I'll make a batch of Butternut Squash Soup, to start using some of the fall produce that's still around. 

I don't mind a good rainy day, when I'm in my cozy home. 

It's a great day for puttering.  

Forcing Holiday Cheer

It can be so tough to get in the holiday spirit some years, am I right? Just because the calendar says it's Christmas time doesn't mean it feels like it....so what's a person to do?

We're one week from Christmas and I'm not ready.

I'M NOT READY!!

I haven't wrapped a single gift. For that matter - I still have gifts to buy. 

The weather has been unseasonably warm, there's not a snowflake to be seen. It doesn't feel one bit like Christmas. 

I don't even know what I'm making for Christmas dinner.

I haven't baked even one cookie. Not one. 

Via

The weeks just fly by, there aren't enough hours in the day, and I can't catch up. 

Can anyone say STRESSED??

This weekend I need to catch up so I can enjoy the remainder of the holiday season. What's left of it. 

I'm pulling out all the stops right now. The big guns. It's time.

Here's my plan. 

Saturday morning I'll make my usual weekend morning cappuccino....with a good sprinkle of cinnamon. 

And a hearty weekend breakfast. 

And I'll get to work. 

My favorite Christmas CD will go on. 

Sarah McLachlan - Wintersong

My most loved song on the whole cd? Right here. Song For a Winter's Night. It gives me chills, every time. I turn it up real loud and sing right along with Sarah. 

And it's not Christmas without James Stewart and Donna Reed. Not even close. My daughter took me to see a 1940's radio version of this at a local theater last weekend, which was incredible - we had such a terrific day! However, the original movie still needs to be watched. Without a doubt. 

Via

I'll light some beautiful holiday scented candles - I'm super excited about a new one I just got in the mail and it's unpacked, in place on the sideboard, and ready to go - just waiting for me to strike the match. 

Unplug Soy Candles

These Unplug Soy Candles are poured into old wine bottles and they smell AMAZING!!  This one is a Christmas scent and I am so excited to light it up!! I read about it first at Thrifty Decor Chick's blog and she absolutely raved about it....of course, since I'm a total candle junkie I had to reach out to Jennifer and place an order. I'm so glad I did!!

Via

Once the scene is set I'm going to make myself an eggnog, get out the wrapping paper, and go to town. 

Via

How do you get yourself in the holiday spirit when you're just not feeling it?

What's your secret?

Decorating for Christmas - The Living Room

I must have 8 or 9 big plastic tubs of Christmas decor....plus some cardboard boxes, bags, and even more items that haven't made it to any of the bags or boxes! I'm a Christmas nut....always have been. My younger daughter is just like I was back in the day....she gets so excited about the sights and sounds of the season.....it's nice to watch her enthusiasm and reminds me of how I used to be. 

When I was younger. Before my ex husbands both did things that nearly destroyed Christmas forever for me. 

But those are stories for another time. 

We have a tradition in my house that we decorate the Friday right after Thanksgiving. It started when my older daughter went away to college....she would be home for Thanksgiving and then not again until Christmas so it was the only time we could all be together to decorate. 

That meant going to an artificial tree from a real tree. I fought it kicking and screaming but it made the most sense with this new decorating schedule. Leaving a live tree up for over a month just doesn't work for me - I worry about the fire hazard and also holy smokes all the needles!!

And after the divorce it made even more sense to use an artificial tree since I'm not too keen on lugging a live tree into the house....cutting off the bottom....cleaning up a bazillion needles....etc. 

So this past weekend out came the boxes and bags and bins and we got to work...although it was tough to get in the spirit with temps in the 60's - what the heck? Where's my mountain top snow? This is just weird!!

But we put on some nice Christmas music and soldiered on. 

And here's a peek into our new home all decorated for it's very first Christmas with us!! 

These photos are of the living room only.....I'll share more in another post. 

I don't feel the mantel is quite finished just yet...I'd like to add some greenery up there. I'm still mulling it over. I posted some options here and looking back they all have greenery  that finishes them off nicely. We'll see. 

My tree is a hodge-podge of ornaments I've been collecting since childhood - and I love it. 

My stocking hangs next to the furbabies' stocking. They get so excited on Christmas morning to open their treats and new toys! Santa's always good to the babies!!

Of course the girls have their stockings together on the other side of the fireplace....Santa's pretty darned good to them, also!

At what age does Santa move on??? I'm curious....

I love this wooden wreath - I got this years ago from Gardener's Supply and this past year I added the matching two red trees on the mantel. The green trees I've had for about 15 years now. The mirror was from Joss & Main. 

My living room is long and narrow with a pathway behind the two swivel chairs....I knew I needed a skinny tree for this house. I picked one up a few months ago from JC Penney through one of Brad's Daily Deals. 

Love Brad's!!

My previous tree went down to the lower level for the girls to enjoy in the family room. 

Another change of pillow covers for the holiday season - I just love that I can swap them out any time I feel like it!! I'm telling you, Pottery Barn pillows are awesome!! Feather/Down inserts with a multitude of different covers....it just makes sense!

I picked up the red ones on my recent trip to Vermont and the jingle bell sleigh one I bought last year after Christmas in a super sale. 

The cheetah print fuzzy pillow covers go so nicely with the fur trim on the red pillows and can stay out all winter long.....or until I get sick of them and swap them out for a change of scenery. Chances are that will happen at some point!

This little metal tray and teapot were both gifts from my mom ages ago. The metal stand that holds the tray I got from Decor Steals a while back - it's awesome, totally adjustable for different paintings, chalkboards, artwork, etc - I just love it!

And of course a candle.....this one is a Kringle Candle - Snow Capped Fraser - smells just like a real Christmas tree! The shade is from Yankee Candle and I love the way the berry branches complement the cardinal tray. 

My bookcase holds another seasonal display - some favorite Christmas books with a variety of cute little holiday items I've had forever. 

And in the center is my new cake stand from World Market. I blame that purchase on Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick. She shared this cake stand when she gave all the sources for her kitchen reno and I fell in love....not only with the new kitchen but also with this wood and marble cake stand. I was looking for one for a while and this one was a fantastic price and exactly what I wanted!!  Thanks, Sarah!!

Anyway....that's our Christmas Living Room! It's nothing fancy or trendy but it's a collection of items that I have been decorating with for many years mixed with a few new pieces for my new home. 

Now picture it with the candles lit, Christmas music playing softly, and me holding a cocktail and laughing with family and friends. 

Perfect!

What time can you be here? 

~~~~~

Happily sharing at 

Christmas Open House Link Party

and 

Creating Christmas 

Art and Sand

The House Hunt

Today's my anniversary. 

Yes, another one. 

What? I can have more than one!!

Exactly one year ago today I walked in the front door, for the very first time, of what was to become my new house ....and I fell in love. 

Interestingly enough, I was ready to make an offer on another house. A completely different type of house. 

This house was no longer on the market. 

But during a site visit with a potential client, we started chatting about little things - what do you do for work, where do you live, etc....and I mentioned my house hunt and that I was ready to put an offer on a house. 

She told me I really had to see this one before I put in that offer. 

Yeah, sure. I've seen so many bombs....whatever. Ok, give me their contact info. 

And I reached out to make an appointment to view the house. 

That was no longer on the market. 

The rest was history. 

Kismet. 

Was this the style of house I was looking for? I'd say no....I set out looking for a small cottage yet when I walked into this Chalet style home I knew it was perfect for me. 

It checked off so many of the boxes on my Must Have list. 

1. Must be on a quiet road and not directly on the road but rather set back, safe for the dogs. Check!

I'd say this is a pretty quiet road, wouldn't you? My road is one of  the prettiest in the area....I loved this road long before I found a home here! Lucky me!

2. Must have a decent size deck for entertaining - check!

My deck wraps around and I actually have the fire pit area, a dining table with 4 chairs, a garden swing, and another smaller dining table all in separate areas on the deck. Works for me!

3. Must have a fireplace or wood stove to keep energy costs down. Check!

Granted, it did not look like this when I bought the house - there was an ancient wood burning insert that I had to take out and replace. It was most definitely not up to code and anything but energy efficient! But the stone hearth was there and I fell immediately in love with that. 

4. Must have room for a vegetable garden yet not be too much land for me to take care of. Check!

The fenced veggie garden was already in place, it just needed some TLC. And the house sits on 1.5 acres, but some of it is wooded so it's not overbearing for me to take care of. I use a push mower (cordless rechargeable one from Worx tools) and take care of the lawn myself for the most part. Once per month I have someone come in and cut the grass and weed-wack. I hate to weed-wack!! I just hate the way everything comes flying back at me, bouncing off every part of my head and body!! No, thank you! 

5. Must have a minimum of 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. A master suite with Jacuzzi tub and walk in closet would be a huge bonus!

Well, it didn't have a master suite. But it did have 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. 3 bedrooms/1 bath upstairs and 1 bedroom/1 bath downstairs. Perfect for sharing a home with my adult daughter! I combined 2 bedrooms upstairs to create my master suite so the home now has 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths. Perfect. 

6. Must have decent bathrooms and kitchen - check!

I really didn't want to get into ripping out kitchens and bathrooms. I wanted to be able to move in right away and any improvements would be done while I was living in the house. 

I love my kitchen. It's nothing fancy but it suits me to a T. It's got a great work flow and it's open to the dining room. What more could I ask?

7. Must have room for me to host Christmas dinner for 15+ people. 

This house nearly lost me on that one. I fretted about the fact that the dining room won't be large enough to seat all my family for Christmas dinner. 

And then I just said, "Get Over Yourself, Lady!"

It's one day a year. 

And the rest of the year the dining room is absolutely perfect for us. 

8. Must have a nice view. Check!

The house sits on a hill and has views of the mountain ranges on 3 sides. That works for me!

9. Must have a garage and ample storage for garden tools, etc. Check!

I have a two car garage plus a garden shed...and of course my wonderful garden cottage. Nuf said. 

10. Must have a basement or a slab. NO CRAWL SPACE. They just totally creep me out. There's not one chance in H**L I'll ever go into a crawl space. Ever. For anything. Ever. All the pipes could burst at one time and I still won't go in there. So that was an absolute deal breaker for me. 

Nothing creepy about this lower level living space!! My daughter's room is behind the white door at the bottom of the stairs - en suite, with private bath and private entrance. Perfect situation for two adult women living together! There's also laundry, partial kitchen, and my other daughter's living space down here....as well as a tiny office and utility room. 

11. Must have nice neighbors. 

I think we're good. 

Welcome to my dream house. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can view the photos from my initial house tour on my Before & After post.