Tuesday, February 16, 2016

What a Day!

I have never seen such a day as this. 

The rains haven't stopped since the wee hours. 

Last night's peaceful snowfall turned to sleet...followed by ice....and then frozen rain. As the temperatures rose, it became all rain. Deluges of heavy rain. The snow has all been washed away. 

The wind is ferocious, whipping the trees around and making the heavy rain come in sideways. 

It kept me up much of the night. When I did sleep I dreamed that my little garden cottage was blown away. 


It was just a dream, thankfully. She's a little soggy but she's still standing. 

The storm hasn't let up all day. It's now late afternoon and we just had our first reprieve....for only a few minutes.  Just enough time to sneak out with the camera for a few photos. 


There is water pouring down the hillside, through the woods, flooding my little creek. Where normally there is a gentle trickle through the trees there are now raging currents. 




You can see the sheets of ice under the muddy water - the creek had frozen over completely over the weekend with the ridiculous low temperatures we experienced. 


Thankfully the bulbs that started peeking up last week look none the worse for wear....they are a bit flooded at the moment but will hopefully recover just fine from what Mother Nature has thrown at them this past week. 


My veggie garden may need a little more TLC in the spring....between the frost heaves and today's flooding I bet I'll need to drag in some heavy bags of mushroom dirt and compost. 

That's ok, I need the exercise. 

I had a very lazy day, watching the storm rage outside my window. 

And I'm ok with that. 

I've earned it. 







Monday, February 15, 2016

Valentine's Weekend Recap

Wow, what a weekend! I don't ever remember temps being as low as they got this weekend....not in the 12 years I've been living in the mountains, anyway! 


It looked so lovely when I walked into the kitchen Sunday morning to start the coffee. The sun was shining, my house was warm and cozy. 


The thermometer on the deck told a much different story - negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit! Are you kidding me? 


The glass on the kitchen door was completely frozen, both outside and in. 

Even my new windows which are quite energy efficient had ice on the inside edges!


My little Daisy, a.k.a. "the Monkey", was not one bit pleased at having to wear her pink puffy coat to go out and do her business. 


"Please help me.....please get this stupid thing off me.....I look ridiculous and can't possibly be seen in this!"


She'll be delighted to see that the forecast has warmed up considerably - and 48 and rain tomorrow - wow! That's a jump of 68 degrees in just 2 days - bizarre weather!!

I turned off the heater in the little garden cottage this morning - time will tell whether or not my little plants survived. 


Meanwhile I feel so blessed to have the most beautiful flowers in my cozy house that will surely brighten up these winter days - thank you, my sweet Valentine, for these gorgeous roses!


They are just so perfect! I'll enjoy them while they are blooming and dry them to enjoy for years after they begin to wilt. 


There are some additional colorful roses in the kitchen, thanks to my daughter's sweet man - aren't we blessed to have these caring, thoughtful men in our lives?

I hope you all had a warm and cozy Valentine's weekend - and just remember, only 34 more days until Spring!





Saturday, February 13, 2016

On A Frigid Winter's Day

My car said it was -1 degree Fahrenheit as I left work this afternoon. And it's going to get much colder before the  night is through. The latest weather report predicts -13F with wind chills reaching approximately -50F. Are you kidding me?


I spent quite enough time outdoors today....I believe my contacts may be permanently frozen to my eyeballs. I guess that's cheaper than lasik surgery....permanent contacts - hmmmm, perhaps I'm on to something here? 


The poor horses next door had an inch of snow on their backs this morning - I wonder why they don't just spend time in their little barn? It has to be warmer than out in this nasty wind!


I brought a little electric heater out to my garden cottage in an attempt to save the plants I've been overwintering. 


It may be too late, but perhaps there's a chance. I'll leave the heater on until Monday - the temps will be significantly higher after the weekend. The plants looked great a few days ago but a little worse for wear today....uh oh. This pic was taken when they still looked good....I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best. 


I gave my critters an extra scoop of peanuts and seeds this morning - and again when I got home from work. Poor little things, I feel so terribly bad for them in this weather!


It's really the kind of day you should be inside by the fire playing with your favorite toy. 


Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Wiggle Wiggle! Squeak!


And when you're all tuckered out, it's time for a nap in the chair closest to the fire. 

The perfect way to spend a frigid winter's day. 




Friday, February 12, 2016

Boho Style

I definitely don't think I have any one particular style of decorating but rather an eclectic mix of things that make me smile. However, I know that one of the styles I am most drawn to is Bohemian style - I always have been and it never gets old for me. 

I was reading Courtney's blog recently, Golden Boys & Me, and she mentioned a book that piqued my interest right away - of course I had to hit up Amazon immediately and get it shipped to me asap! 

Via
The book is written by Justina Blakeney, who has a blog called The Jungalow - such a cool style aesthetic Justina has! 

Via
Her living room has such color and life and happiness scattered about - it just makes me smile to see it. 

The book has a mix of many different homes with varying boho styles - I can't identify with just one style but rather with elements of each. 

Via
Just check out that gorgeous Suzani coverlet - what gorgeous colors that brings into an otherwise sparse room. 

Via
This loft spoke to me in so many ways - a NYC apartment always feels like home to me, of course, but this one in particular is just so warm and cozy with all the layers and textures and color. 

Via
I think what draws me to the Boho style is the fact that anything goes. You fill your home with things that you love and somehow it all works together. You aren't trying to fit a particular style or trend...not trying to match everything just so....not trying to live up to someone else's ideal. 

VIa
It's just you, just home. Just your collections, your books, your plants, your life. 

Via
There's no mold to fit into, no right or wrong. It's just whatever makes you happy and it can certainly be a mix of styles. This dining room is most definitely a mix of boho and farmhouse - and it works. 

VIa
It doesn't have to be over the top, full on hippie style. It can be elements of boho in a more neutral backdrop to keep it lively, like this living room. 

VIa
This living room is so tastefully done and yet absolutely feels boho chic. It's cozy, warm, welcoming, colorful - all the things that never go out of style. 

VIa
This room is definitely a little more dramatic with the green walls, layered mismatched rugs, and hanging rattan swing but isn't it fun?  I would feel very comfortable visiting a friend here and sitting in that swing for ages with a glass of wine. 

Via
The Boho in me definitely requires a ton of plants, a supply of candles and incense, and books, books, books!  

The blend of styles, of new and old, of warmth and color is a design aesthetic that stands the test of time. If your home is well kept and well loved, it will show, and your guests will feel comfortable among your collected decor. 

Do you have a little Boho in your home?













Thursday, February 11, 2016

A Happy Home

Your home should be a place where you feel cozy and happy. When you look around you should see people and things that make you smile. 

I admit freely that I am a huge homebody. There's really no place I'd rather be than in my cozy home, or wandering around my property in my country gardens. 

Perhaps it's because I don't have enough time to spend there....we have many social commitments that keep me away as well as that dreaded 4 letter word....WORK. 

I suppose its the quality of the time I spend in my home that's most important, not the quantity of time. 

As I drank my morning coffee I looked around from my perch on the chair closest to the fire and smiled at the place I am so blessed to call home. 

And I did what I am so often compelled to do these days....I grabbed the camera and started capturing the simple beauty I'm surrounded with, so I could share with all of you, my dear readers. 


I was first drawn to the side dining room window. I have been checking the Fiddleleaf  Fig daily to see if there are any signs of new growth since I moved it to this new location. It's certainly happy! I see a new leaf has emerged, which is a great sign. 


While I was there I watched the woodpecker on the suet....for once, she didn't fly away as soon as I went near the window with  my camera. 

Can you see the giant icicle that's also on the suet? It's not stopping the birds from enjoying their little treat, thankfully. 


The sun was lovely streaming through the dining room windows this morning. I truly love this little dining room, it's just such a warm and welcoming space.  


Taking a peek out the other dining room window I spotted this little red squirrel making his way to the flat feeder. 

I caught him mid jump - he's like a flying squirrel!


He made it safely and happily sat on the feeder stuffing his little cheeks with peanuts and seeds. 

I throw a pile of peanuts in the shell onto that feeder every morning along with a cup of mixed seeds. The flat feeder is also a handy spot to put any leftover popcorn or stale bread - the critters eat it all. 


This little guy made his way home with me when I went off the mountain the other night. It's a Money Tree or Guiana Chestnut. Wouldn't it be great if it really grew money? I love the form of this little tree, and the braided trunk. I've never had one of these so it will be interesting to see if it will do well in my home. 


For now, I have him on the bookcase in the living room, but I'm not sure he will stay there. All I know is, he insisted on coming home with me. I kept putting him back on the shelf and he kept jumping back into my cart when my head was turned. I had no choice but to bring him home - what else could I do?


This little Poinsettia is quite happy on the kitchen counter. I don't think I've ever had a Poinsettia that lasted so well after Christmas. I have two others that are still alive in the guest room but are dropping leaves like crazy. Not this one!


Just look at that Pothos trailing down the side of my china hutch - wow! I think he loves the sunshine in the dining room almost as much as I do! 


This Pothos has been in this little rooster pot for years. Probably ten years or so. And it has never been happy....until now! It loves this spot in my kitchen on top of my mail organizer. It gets lots of sun from the skylight in the kitchen and it is just thriving!


The same with this plant - I have had it for eons. I always thought it hated me! I believe this is known as an "Arrowhead Plant" from my research online. I don't even remember where I got it but I have had it in so many locations and it always survived but never flourished. Until now. 

It seems that the houseplants and critters are all quite happy in and around my little home. 

Me, too. Out of the many places I've lived, this home is by far my favorite. 

Which is just as well since I'm never leaving. 

I'm home to stay. 


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