Day by Day

One of life's greatest lessons is to live in the moment, not in the past, nor in the future.

Right now, this minute, is all any of us really have, right?

We must make every second count as they are gifts in our lives.

Little by little, a rental storage unit, filled with pieces of the past, has been being emptied out. 

Some of the things that have been in storage no longer tug at the heart. 

They go to straight to charities.

Some still make a smile flash on my face, like the little teddy bear in today's post. 

Now somebody made this girly girl teddy.

Her body is made from pink and white chenille, probably from a bed spread, as well as rose-covered fabric in beautiful pinks.

However, looking at her, after five years in storage, I think she needs eyes. 

Do you think that?  

Would eye improve her?

 Or should I leave her "as is?" 

Thinking of Valentine's Day

This is day number two of being snowbound at home.

There's just too much snow to think about going out and riding around.

It's been a very light snow (thank goodness), like salt, but a lot of it.

Last night, while watching a movie, I cut open a package of felt hearts and sewed them into a banner.

Now,  the banner hangs on three little houses located on a bookshelf.

Even little touches of holiday decor bring a feeling of happiness.

A Snowy Sunday

Talk about being in the heart of winter, that's right where people in western Massachusetts sure are.

Thick layers of sugary textured snow frost all the branches of trees. 

Cars are covered with the white stuff and walking is precarious, at best.

This is a great day to stay homebound, if it's at all possible.

Besides scary driving and walking in snowy conditions like this, heavy snow also tends to bring on silence.

Open one's door to the snowy outside and quiet is what one usually encounters.

Here's wishing you a peaceful, relaxing Sunday, regardless of whether or not you live in snow country. 

Saved for Beauty's Sake

Some people loathe faux flowers, others love them.

Personally, if the flowers are well made and rich in color, I'll love and use them.

Now living in a small apartment, however, during a de-cluttering afternoon, an entire plastic bin of faux flowers got hoisted onto the back seat of the car.

They were reluctantly and sadly left at a thrift store donation center. There simply is not enough room in the apartment to accommodate an entire collection of faux flowers, no matter how beautiful they are.

However, a big bouquet of deep pink and cranberry colored flowers, and a few yellow and orange ones,  didn't make the cut.

They have been placed in the huge, crystal/glass vase and set on the kitchen countertop.

Nearby is a lovely Old Country Roses sugar bowl. 

It's always a joy to surround one's self with something beautiful so my dishes and accessories in that pattern are used daily instead of for just special occasions.

While it'd be nice to have fresh, expensive flowers, the faux bouquet is still quite lovely and makes me smile when I look at it.

DO YOU LIKE SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH DECORATIVE ITEMS YOU LOVE OR ARE YOU MORE OF A MINIMALIST?

Winter Blues

Winter in New England is usually hard and long.

It's only January so we have several more months of weather that often feels unwelcome and difficult.

A friend told me today she was already "sick of winter."

Well, we have quite a few more months of it to go so it's probably wise to just make the most of it.

I'm more vigilent to avoid falling, especially if there's ice.

If there is a bad snowstorm, I stay blessedly home and don't venture out until it passes.

Today, it's raining which is better than snowing, unless temps drop and it turns to ice.

Wherever you are, I hope you have a good day, despite the weather!

WHAT DO YOU DO TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES?