On a recent trip to my niece’s urban cottage home, I snapped a few pictures of this adorable wall display. The once dark wood of the clock and the frame, are now freshened up with soft whites and they blend in just right against the off white wall. Instead of getting rid of the old clock that doesn’t work and the frame with no backing, a coat of paint gave them a whole new look. It never ceases to amaze me what a little paint can do.
This summer I made an outdoor room. Bringing indoor items outside makes an inviting place to entertain or just sit. I used the space under the sun porch for this temporary room.
Usually, the lawn mower sits here, but this summer I’m sitting here.
.….And when does summer appear?
In sweet June,
…shame…
only once a year.
The back porch at my house faces the northeast. This is where I have my morning coffee. I call it the sun porch. It’s a very small space with room for only 2 chairs. It’s my favorite place in my house. Too cold to sit here during the Minnesota winter, but May through September, this is where I spend many quiet moments.
gray
foreboding
brief
glacial
change
awaken
inviting
promise
I like to take a walk in the evenings no matter what time of the year. In the winter I put on my no nonsense jacket, an ugly but warm hat, a pair of gloves (or two, if it’s below zero), a favorite black scarf and snow boots with ice grippers then head out into the evening air.
Darkness arrives about suppertime in the winter so there’s no sunlight for my evening stroll. The street lights cast a soft glow on the snow covered ground really brightening up the neighborhood.
Part of my walk goes by houses and part goes past a wooded area. If the sky is cloudless the moon shines bright through the leafless trees. This evening it was cloudy. It’s not uncommon to see deer, fox or raccoon. Twice I’ve seen black bear.
Solar lights in my snow garden.
The planter from my home place is in snow-bloom.
Back home, off with the arctic apparel and time to sit by the fire. Since my house doesn’t have a fireplace, I use the next best thing, lots of candles grouped together. It’s not a roaring fire that crackles and heats the room, still I’ve found that no lights, TV or computer on while curled up on the sofa with only the fire from this tray, is very calming. I highly recommend it.
I found these cups at a second hand store for only $1.99 for all 12 of them. I filled each one with a tea light and placed the group on a wooden tray from my aunt Lorraine.
Welcome to my home. I live in an old house in an old neighborhood. When we found it, it was empty and lonely looking. That was fourteen years ago on a cold winter evening when driving down a dark street, my husband happened to see a “For Sale” sign leaning against the house. A few days later the realtor and I walked in this entryway. As soon as I passed the threshold, I knew I was home. After moving in I quickly painted this small area in a light sherbet pink and hung mirrors to open it up. The antique decor fits well with the period of the house.
Clear and cold days of ice, darkness grips the frozen nights. Earth is white in a cover of snow, the frigid chapter in nature’s show.
(a poem I wrote)
Where I live, winter begins before the calendar says December 21st. New snow brings beauty to the ordinary.
Here is an idea for the harvest table. I used things I already had on hand. 
This non-traditional look is uncluttered and fresh. No tablecloth, just a runner. I used dishes and glassware that don’t have a pattern. Plain is perfect.
A simple centerpiece. Just a candle in a bowl of rocks. Pretty easy.
Serving dishes in white. Old or new is fine. What matters is that one color is used.
Spools of twine or yarn make a neat little candle holder. The candle bottom is secured in clay to prevent from tipping over. Nothing fancy for the name place cards.