OUR PERCEPTION OF WINTER...

It is winter and winter is cold. 

 There are no 

if's, and's, or but's about it.  

However, 

if we put mind over matter, 

we can change our perception of winter

 and make it seem much warmer,

 and more welcoming,

 than it really is.

This painting is 

pleasant to my eye. 

 What could be more pleasing 

than a little cottage in the woods? 

 But with all that snow around it, 

I just wanted to shiver

 when I first looked at it. 

 At closer inspection,

 my eye picks out the

 impression of smoke above the roof

which gives the feeling of warmth 

within the cottage. 

In actuality, 

it is only a water stain,

 but with that small event,

 the perception of a winter scene

 is changed.

A tidy home 

is very important to me and

 when this throw is folded neatly 

over the back of the chair and

 a pillow is added, 

it shows that this corner 

of the room is 

exactly that...

...but if that same throw and pillow 

are rearranged and

 a book and hot cup of tea are added,

 it gives the appearance of 

warmth and comfort and 

the perception that winter 

can be changed into 

a comfortable space.

This is an unusual angel. 

 She is made to hold a candle and 

is tall and stately. 

 She stands in the corner 

on a stand, 

in front of a pair of long shutters and

 against a basic painted wall. 

 On the whole,

 a bit of a 

cold and impersonal vision...

...but when a string of wooly pom poms

 are draped behind and around her, 

some greens are added at her base and 

the candle is lit, 

it transforms the way 

in which a winter offering 

can be viewed.

A sweet snowman pillow 
looks cold 
even with the addition of 
a bright, sunny floral accent...

...and while there is only 
one little square of 
true sunlight 
shining into 
the Cottage...

...it needs the 
soft, contrasting touch of
 another color
 to take away 
the hard edges
 of winter. 

A very sad event 
has happened at the Cottage. 
 Our little kitchen stove has given out.
  It works fine
 when first turned on in the morning 
but after a short while
 the heater element stops working and,
 even though the flame is still visible,
 giving the impression of warmth, 
it no longer keeps us warm and cozy. 
 We have ordered a new one and,
 hopefully,
 it will be here
 in working order 
by the next time 
 I post.

This one 
will go back into the guest room, 
where it was originally. 
 It should still be able 
to give our guests 
a bit of warmth upon rising. 
 The new stove  
is a bit different and 
I am hopeful 
that it will brighten up the space and 
still add to the charm and warmth 
of the kitchen.

I picked up this 
bright little assortment of flowers 
at Michael's 
for a display in the dining room, 
once I get the Christmas 
that is covering the table put away. 
 It is the only bit 
that I have left to do, but
 I am still 
not stressing!

 Very small ideas 
can be responsible for 
changing our perceptions
 of almost anything and 
help us remember 
that this too 
shall pass.

I hope 
you are all keeping warm
 this winter.

...Judy...

WOOHOO,

the 49er's are going to 

the Super Bowl!!!

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