TIME FOR A CHANGE...

As the clock ticks

 closer and closer to spring,

 small changes are noticeable. 

 The first camellia

is in full bloom

and blessing the Cottage

with its pretty presence.



 A certain member of the household

is experiencing a small change. 

 Before,

little feet could only stand

a few minutes on the cold ground,

now,

a spot in the sunshine

feels like the place

 to be.

We had a festive

St. Patrick's Day

 and...

...now

the time is right

for a spring bouquet.

Last weekend was magnificent. 

 Getting out of bed

and being confronted with sunshine

is a beautiful thing...

...almost as good

as a trip to

 Starbucks.

It was a perfect day

for a drive in the country.

  At a lower elevation,

the flowering fruit trees

 are in full bloom

 and look bright and beautiful

against their surroundings of

 blue skies, water and stone...

...and cows

 grazing in green pastures,

under the newly budding oaks,

are a sight to behold.

At the beginning of our journey,

 the skies were bright and shining

and the clouds were

fluffy and white...

...as the sky got darker,

it just makes you aware of

 how quickly

 change can happen.

By the time

we were closer to home,

 the rain was back

 in full force.

Change

 is not always a bad thing. 

 It can also be a sign of

 wondrous things

to come...

...such as California

 is finally out

of the drought

for the first time in

 more than seven years.

The best change of all

is that we truly

welcome Spring tomorrow

and it seems as if 

we have been waiting forever.

 So enjoy the time.

 It is a glorious,

but fleeting season.

"Let it rain on some days,

let yourself shiver

 on some cold nights,

so when it's Spring

you'll know why

it was

all worth going through."

Sanhita Baruah

...Judy...

I know all this because

 a little birdie

 just told me so. 

HAPPY SPRING TIME

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GOOD FOR MY SOUL...

My husband,

 family, friends, dogs, good health,

 my beliefs, etc. 

 These are all of

 the most important big things

 in my life

that are good for my soul

 but, aside from the obvious,

there are some little things

 that feed my soul

 as well.

I came across

 a quote the other day

from Rebecca Stead that stated,

"Pajamas are good for the soul." 

 I immediately knew

that this connected with me. 

 It is hard to explain

 what the feeling is. 

 There is a calmness and happiness,

 a satisfaction and softness,

 that I feel

right down to my toes. 

 Like when there is nothing

 that I have to do,

 no obligations to fulfill,

and I can stay in my pajamas all day,

for no other reason except

that it just feels right

and it feels

 good for my soul.

Another piece of my life

that is good for my soul

is having a clean and pretty home. 

 This is not something

that just occurred in my adult self.

  I can remember taking great pleasure

 in fixing up my childhood rooms. 

 I am certainly not

 a trained decorator

but I do take pride in

 trying to show my home

to its best advantage.

I do love to watch television

and as I sit

 at my usual spot on the couch

 and my eyes veer from the TV

this is what I see...

...the game table

in front of the arched French doors

that separate the parlor

 from the sitting room.

 This is my most favorite view.

 I have mentioned before

 how it is the reason

 we bought our Cottage.

 For some reason,

 the other night

 as my eyes strayed from Netflix,

I got that good soul feeling

while looking at the game table

and the way it was arranged.

  Then it struck me,

 this spot that I love so much,

is always my first go-to

when it comes time

for a décor change.

This is the spot

 in the Cottage 

that is good for my soul.

 This is the spot

 that always gives my eyes comfort,

 that gives that "pajama" feeling

whenever I look at it.

I have shown photos

 of how this spot looks now

 and how it has looked in the past.

  I feel that it is important

to have at least

one small thing in life,

aside from the obvious,

 that is special to each of us

so that our minds can

calm and relax

 and take pleasure in a 

  "pajama" moment.

One simple moment

that is good for

 all our souls.

  

And it doesn't hurt 

when my sweet husband

comes home with

a beautiful bouquet of

my favorite flowers...

...and brings sunshine along!

Is it any wonder

that he is at

the top of my list?

  

Do you have

a special something

that is

good for your soul?

...Judy...

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MARCHING ALONG...

HAPPY MARCH EVERYONE!

We have no more snow (so far)

but plenty of rain.  

And, along with rain,

 always, always

 the gray skies

 return...

...these are what bother me 

the most about winter.

  

If I was in control, 

I would go to bed, 

pull the covers over my head, 

and not peek out

 until spring...

...something like this!

Even the birds 

won't leave home without 

the proper attire...

I'm just saying!

Oh well, 

none of that is going to happen

 so I will just keep

 marching along.

St. Patrick's Day 

is the closest thing to spring 

that we have now, 

so I thought I would 

set up a table for two 

in the sitting room.

  

Something close to the fire 

that will put some cheer 

into a winter's day.

  

 Of course, 

green would be the obvious color choice 

and give the table a 

touch of the blarney!

 My grandmother's 

maiden name was Kelly, 

so I take a bit of pride

 in the wearing 

of the green.

On my last trip to Home Goods,

 I picked up the cutest

 black and white ticking napkins,

 so I rummaged around on the shelves 

in the junk room 

and came up with some

 black and white dishes that matched

 to use as a grounding color

 to all of the green. 

 I was going to use

 a white tablecloth

 but the colors didn't show off

 on the white. 

 They were turning out to be 

more rustic in feel

 so I removed the cloth

 and used some 

woven twig place mats.

Royal Stafford, England, from Home Goods

The Olde Curiousity Shop, picked up on a trip to San Diego at Goodwill

Dessert plate from Ikea

Queen's china from T. J. Maxx

I didn't have any 

pretty fresh flowers 

so I just used some faux greenery,

 green water tumblers 

and a couple of pieces 

of green china.

This little table setting 

could very well transition 

to Easter 

with the addition of 

some bunny objects.

For the time being, 

it will be just fine 

awaiting the arrival of

 the corned beef and cabbage 

and the continuation of

 the march along

 to spring.

...Judy...

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