Embracing Winter: Bring Nature Inside

One of my favorite ways of beating the winter blues is to bring nature inside the house. It is amazing how frequently Europeans buy flowers for their houses. But, they know that the money spent on flowers is well-invested because of the joy it brings to otherwise dark and gloomy days.

I know most of us don't have a flower budget, as much as we'd like to have one. Keep your eyes open -- you may find some good bargains like these primroses, on sale for 99 cents each this week at Aldi. They make me happy everytime I look at them!

If there are no flowers around, think about sticks! A stick tree is fun and you can leave it plain or hang anything you like on it -- birds, popcorn, valentines..... I even put water in the vase in hopes that the branches might actually bud one day.

Get everyone drawing: draw winter scenes and spring scenes, animals, flowers, winter skies, winter food, garden plans.....

If only I had thought ahead I could be forcing bulbs right now! I am on the lookout for hyacinths about to bloom -- they are one of my favorite smells!!! I had also hoped to buy an amaryllis but none came my way. These flowers are thanks to my mom and sister.

Make flowers out of tissue paper. Here is a good tutorial.

Sewing flowers brings me so much joy! I love, love, love to do it! (Okay, once in awhile after sewing dozens and dozens I do need a little break.) There are so many types of flowers to craft and you can even google food flowers and be inspired to make flowers out of all kinds of edible things.

What joy nature gives to us! God is the ultimate artist and we are silly if we do not spend time enjoying what we have been given.

What Not To Wear

This is what not to wear when you are whipping cream on a Sunday afternoon.

Embracing Winter: Inspiration Idea

My friend, Heather, from A Place of Quiet Rest, makes the most wonderful posters to remind her family of the things they enjoy each season. Don't you love this one she made for winter?!

Think how much fun it might be to make your own! Or, if you have kids, have them make one for your family.

Embracing Winter: Start a New Ritual

When winter seems long, the days gray and depressing, and your spirits begin to flag, why not start a new ritual? Some of you may feel scared at the sound of that word -- what does she mean? Really, "ritual" is just a romanticized trade-in for habit or tradition.

It was Alexandra Stoddard who first introduced me to the idea of personal rituals. I wish I could remember which of her books it was in..... Anyway, the kind of ritual I am speaking about is something that you begin to do and as the days go on becomes a habit, something you do automatically. It is something that brings you joy.

Perhaps you have a morning coffee "ritual." Why not make it more special: set out your cup the night before, on a little tray. Add a printed napkin, or if you have a flower to spare, a flower in a vase. Maybe a square of chocolate, or slip a little quote penned on a scrap of paper -- turn morning coffee into something that refreshes you even more than usual.

A ritual may begin as a reward for something you find difficult to do. If you have the money, make a habit of buying flowers for your house while you are doing the weekly shopping. Spend a moment arranging them and setting them where they will make you happy.

Maybe you hate to clean -- take a moment to sit and paint your nails when you are done.

I often find it hard to go down to the kitchen and begin working on dinner when it is dark and cold. A ritual helps me. I light a candle on the counter, pick out a CD, and start my work. Candle light and music help to motivate me.

Start a ritual baking day: if your schedule allows, choose a day of the week on which you will attempt to bake something. Think how your family or friends might start to look forward to this!

Choose a seat in the house to make "yours". Keep a magazine by it, or a candle, or pen and paper for writing or drawing. Make a ritual of sitting there once a day just to relax and think.

Start a journal, or continue on with one you already have. Write in it at the same time each day.

Start a beauty routine: a hot bath once a week, or buy a new jar of hand lotion to rub on your hands faithfully. Place delicious smelling chapstick at your desk and put some on each time you sit down. Eat by candlelight. Write a letter once a week -- make a letter station where everything is at your fingertips.

The possibilities are endless.....we have only to break out of our rut and try a new little path.

Laura's "Place of Her Own"

Laura has claimed the space under Michael's desk as "her own." She loves to sit there and draw.

She can be close to Daddy and all cozy with a blanket.

Don't we all want a cozy place of our own to hide on a cold winter's day?!

A Handmade Afternoon

Last week Christina and I got together with a friend for an afternoon of sipping tea, chatting, and sharing our latest craft inspiration.

Christina is working on a British flag pillow -- now we all want one.

Plenty of treats to go around....

Christina's yarn basket -- for creating her latest cardigan.

Janet brought this book which we carefully perused and I decided on the granny square tea cozy as an absolute must. Will whip one up as soon as possible.

The hours sped by very quickly.

We had four different teas to taste, and we were quite serious about it: Twinings Royal Wedding Blend, Harrod's Ceylon, Monk's tea from Tea's Me, and English Rose (with chocolate hints).

My latest little zipper case -- these were my 2011 gifts.

Christina's fingerless gloves -- her 2011 present.

More of Christina's gloves -- hers are white and mine are red.

Janet crocheted us these beautiful pillows. She knew exactly which colors and mine is happily sitting on my bed.

Inspirational colors were worn:

Rachel and Laura's baby dolls received new ponchos - aren't they cute!

And Janet showed us her finished afghan for her brown leather reading chair which sits in her reading room. Love it!

And this is my latest creation: a Kindle cover.

And now I've been diving back into Jane Brocket's "The Gentle Art of Domesticity" because it resonates so loudly with my own aspirations. Read it -- you will be inspired!

Lemon or Lime Shortbread

Here is a lovely little recipe for warding off the winter doldrums. Bake up a quick batch of lime, or lemon, shortbread and sit down for a few minutes with a friend over a cup of tea (Ceylon or Lady Grey would be my choice).

Lime or Lemon Shortbread

(Heather LeFebvre)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 cup softened butter (2 sticks), I prefer salted butter

1 large lime or lemon (zested and juiced)

Use a whisk to mix together the sugar, flour and cornstarch. Cut in the butter and use your hands to meld the butter into the flour mixture. Tip in the zest and juice of lime or lemon and pull it all together. Knead lightly a few times. Pat the dough into an 8 x 11-inch baking pan. Use a fork to prick the dough through all over.

Bake at 325 for about 45-55 minutes or until edges are a nice brown. Leave the shortbread in the pan but cut immediately. Allow to cool. Makes about 24 squares.