Tuesday, January 26, 2021

THE COLORS OF MY WINTER...

 







The snowmen have been put away. 
 Normally they are in attendance until Valentine's Day
 but this year I am finding that
 I need a little brightness, 
I need a little color and 
I need a little lightness in the world that I inhabit. 
 I would never describe myself
 as being a true winter person. 
 I do love the first rain or snowfall 
after a long, hot summer
 but it all wears thin after just a small while.
  In my opinion,
 the last few years and especially 2020
 have been like living in an eternal winter, 
and I am going to try to change 
all that for myself 
to the best of my ability.





So,
 I am starting to combat the cold days ahead
 by putting away things within
 and replacing them with comfort and cozyness 
that will be in complete opposition to 
what is without.
  As I sit in my favorite spot 
and look out at nature's elements,
 I will feel and be warmer 
than I have been
 in awhile.





I live in California, 
so rest assured
 that we do have more than our share of sunny winter days, 
and I do love a winter's day warmed by sunshine 
but, just in case, 
I have done something that I have never done before.  
I have left one small tree
 up after Christmas,
 devoid of decorations, 
but with starry, twinkly lights ready, 
with the flick of a switch, 
for when the cold
 settles in.







In the sitting room, 
the addition of colorful pillows,
 normally used in the patriotic months, 
along with pictures and flowers
are doing the job assigned to them and...




...along with the warmth from the stove 
and the presence of pine cones 
there is a slight nod to Old Man Winter, 
and the greens liberally sprinkled around
 reminds us that spring 
will be on the way 
as well.

And speak of the devil:








Overnight the beauty happened...





...but we are warm and toasty inside.




The inauguration was another bright spot. 
 It was decidedly different 
but done with simplicity and good taste. 
 I was so thankful that 
a beautiful ceremony honoring those that died from Covid 
was incorporated 
and the rendition by Lady Gaga 
of the Star Spangled Banner 
and the beautiful young woman poet 
were especially bright spots.




We are moving into another era 
and whose to say
 that it will be good or bad?  
That is how it is with politics. 
 For now, though, 
the feeling is of
 hopefulness and joy.

  I strongly wish,
 however,
 that we can all take 
President Biden at his word:
  "Give me a chance, know my heart". 
 
That would be
 a very good place to start.
 
 If you need a little help, 
picture what you heard and saw 
on January 6, 2021.




Stay Smart
Stay Well
Stay Warm
Stay Home
and
Wear Your Mask.




Pray for the vaccine 
to be made available
 to all of us
 sometime soon.

...Judy...





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16 comments:

  1. Another nice cozy down home feel good post! I admire all your decorating, i tend to live in placid neutrals, I want my eyes drawn outside at all times, which is good since I never clean, too busy gardening to care about indoors 😉 enjoy seeing your snow, saw lots of snowy cars driving into auburn today, I hope I can get a smidgen this week for the puppy to romp in. Agree with you on the inauguration, uplifting, I cried a few times with a huge sense if relief...

    Stay safe this week, it should be a dozey with rain and wind, went grocery shopping early and ready to make loads of soups this week to curl up by the fire, finally winter has arrived!

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    1. Thanks so much. I do love the outdoors, but sadly, once I have planted something, I guess I expect it to take care of itself. Lucky we have so many plants that come back year after year. I always say our garden survives not because of us, but in spite of us! Your pups would probably love the snow. Our golden could roll on his back all day in the snow, but the two pups we have now, can't stand to put one toe out. Soup sounds so good right about now..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  2. I love your twinkling lights and color! I've gone to the double masking on the rare times I go out. I got my first jab yesterday with only a sore arm to show for it. Your home looks just beautiful, Judy!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. I'm glad you got your shot. Our's seem to be a distant day dream here! I haven't gone anyplace where I have to get out of the car for so long now. That is fine with me. I'm glad you thought my home looks pretty, truth is you are only seeing one room. I don't seem to have much desire for doing anything else..I tried to leave you another comment and google kept sending me a code to get in, but when I put the code in, they said I need another code. I got fed up and will keep e-mailing, just know that I see you all the time even if I don't happen to answer..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  3. Wonderful Winter pictures. I kept my garland up around mytwo doorways with the lights twinkling too! Janice

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    1. Thanks so much, Janice. Those little twinkly lights are coming in handy right about now..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  4. I'm pretty much with you Judy. I've been working on cleaning the cabinets, finding my treasures that were packed away for two years, because of my knee, contemplating some painting in the house, and of course shoveling snow. Warm and cozy is all I'm going for and calm!
    Totally with you---on enough chaos---! Hugs, Sandi

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandi. I shut the world out this past week as you will see in my next post. But, I certainly didn't get any of that badly needed "stuff" done that you did. I am bound and determined to do more this week!!..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  5. It is always a treat to see your lovely home decorated however you feel like spreading joy and love next. I've got the a.c. on. ;-)
    Enjoy the rest of January ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hi Lorraine. Thanks so much for your kind words and I can't believe the need for the AC in January. Oh, right, you live in Florida. Lucky you. Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

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  6. I forget you do get snow sometimes in California and cooler winter days. I always think of California as warm and sunny. Love all your cozy touches. The tree looks so great and I love the twinkle of the lights at night too. I wish I could leave up my Christmas tree all year long. I wish I had a cute little tree like yours to have all a glow at night. Have a great rest of the week. xoxo Kris

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    1. Thanks so much, Kris. We have our share of dreary days. I think I would rather have more snow than the gray and dark skies. We are making good use of the little twinkles this week..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  7. Wow Judy, you have snow. No snow here. Sometimes we want some, but it usually melts quickly. Your home looks so cozy. Happy weekend. xo

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  8. Thanks, so much Linda. Our's didn't last long but it was pretty for awhile. I think I would rather have snow than the dark and dreary skies we have much of the winter. Even rain is better for me..Stay well, xxoJudy

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  9. Judy,
    Love that you left tree up!! And how charming it looks!! We have quite a snowy February with snow about every other day!! I loved it as it reminded me of Winters from my childhood!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Thanks so much, Deb. I'm glad I left the tree up too. It was really charming when it snowed. We are having lovely weather now so I did finally put it away. Now I just have to do something pretty to replace it..Stay well..xxoJudy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy