Tuesday, January 11, 2022

COMMON SENSE ONE ROOM AT A TIME...






This Christmas went by way too fast. 

 I thought I had planned it well 

and had enough time left over,

 after decorating, 

to enjoy it all.

  But did I?  

Was there too much work

 and not enough play

 or could it be just

 the way life goes these days?





If I am to be honest, 

it is probably the latter.

  With all that being said,

 I still find that I am enjoying the process 

and looking forward to what is to come. 

 I do want to apologize to all of you 

who have commented 

over the past couple of weeks. 

I have read them all just before bedtime 

and then when the morning comes

 there doesn't seem to be

 enough hours in the day 

to fit everything in. 

 I promise I will do better.





Hopefully this year will be better 

than the last - 

and where have we heard that before?  

I have come to the conclusion

 that this is something that we will continue to ask and, even though it is not ideal, 

I will do what I can to keep myself

 and my loved ones safe: 

keep getting my shots

 whenever it is said 

that another is necessary, 

keep wearing the mask whenever I go out 

and, regretfully,

 I will have to stay away from anyone 

who doesn't believe as I do.





I love my home, 

and even though there will be times

 that I may feel like a prisoner there, 

 I will accept that this is the 

normal way of life for me. 

I am really trying

 to come to terms with the fact 

that everyone doesn't see it the same way.





I am so lucky 

that I have been given 

a clean bill of health

 from my doctor yesterday 

and will continue to be careful,

 use common sense,

 and get on with it! 

 It seems to me to be such a simple solution to a very large problem

that, in my opinion,

 is only going to get worse 

for a good time to come.





Getting back to the

 wonderful Christmas experience.

Since it did seem to pass so quickly, 

I am taking my time

 to put the Cottage in order 

and am transitioning 

between Christmas and winter

 by leaving some obvious remnants behind. 

 This way, I get a clean house 

but still enjoy the beauty of lingering

 with a bit of what has passed too quickly.





The kitchen totes were the

 last to be put away

 so, therefore,

 it is the first room 

to be put back together.  

As I said, I am taking it slow, 

so I hope to have at least one more room to feature next week.





It is now sunny and cold

 with snow still on the ground

 and I am taking advantage of 
a warm fire in a clean kitchen
 which goes very nicely 
with a hot cup of tea. 
 I am watching my own 
personal little "roomba" (AKA Robin) 
constantly surveying 
all the little corners
 which she hopes have been forgotten.






What,

 just a short time ago 

was in the parlor

 filling in as a tree skirt, 

is now back to its roots. 

 It is just another way 

to bring comfort and warmth 

to a winter kitchen.





Happy New Year to everyone. 

 I sincerely hope that you 

and your loved ones 

stay safe, healthy and happy

 in the days ahead. 

 As for me and my house, 

we are approaching it, 

slowly but surely, 

with a little elbow grease

 and a bit of plain common sense.





Have a lovely week 

and thanks to you all

 for your support during the year 

and for all your

 sweet and thoughtful words. 

 You are all so very special.


...Judy...





Sharing today with:

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda


 

34 comments:

  1. Hello sweet friend. I think you are right this is going to be our new way of life for awhile. Until we can get to a better immunity and this virus stops replicating I think we will be wearing masks, separating ourselves from each other and being home bodies. Have a good start to the new year and week. Let's pray for a healthier year. xoxo Kris

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    1. Thanks so much, Kris. I am sorry to say it but this is going to get worse before it gets better, if ever. It is so sad that we can still get the virus even though we have done the right thing and gotten all the shots. If we were all on the right page together it wouldn't be this bad. I hear they are working on another vaccine to cover any variants that we might get. Hope it happens fast and it works. That still doesn't solve the whole problem though but I don't think there is a vaccine for "stupid"..Enjoy the week, my friend..xxoJudy

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  2. Hi Judy! Yes, I think we still have a long way to go with the virus and not knowing what comes next. We booked a vacation to Amish country in the fall and are hopeful we will feel comfortable about going by then. We also would like to go to Branson in March or April, but are hesitant to get that booked. So for now, we are home bodies for the most part. We have ventured out for lunch a few times as well as a visit or two to Hobby Lobby and Home Goods. Luckily. I do love puttering around my house, so homebound isn't so bad. Your after Christmas kitchen looks like the perfect place to be during these cold winter days. Jane

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    1. Thanks so much, Jane. I really hope you can go on your vacation as planned. It is so maddening when we have worked so hard to do the right thing and then we are kicked in the teeth by all those who don't. It just doesn't seem fair and I am through taking excuses from anybody anymore. Hope this will be a much better year for all of us..xxoJudy

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  3. You look pretty much undecorated. Well done. I'm still working on it but hope to be done with most of it by the weekend. Done, meaning out of the house but not necessarily all packed away yet. I carry it down to the basement in totebags and then sort it after. I am living more or less completely at home (or Rick's) these days. My only foray has been to the doc or the store and I think the store trips are over for awhile. My n95 is my friend. So, a pot of tea, a good book or blog or movie. I can work with that to stay well. I'm glad your bill of health was a good one -- Let's keep it that way!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. I am pretty much done except for the tree. I have done a small amount of "winter" but it seems the Christmas wasn't up too long so I just don't want to do too much for awhile. I am just so lazy all the time and only want to sit around with the TV, lunch and a good book. No kidding I thought something was wrong with me but all my blood work and doc visit came out fine. I guess I really am burrowing in until this cold winter is over..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  4. Judy, your words resonate with me. I'm slowly packing things away. It's nice to have the fresh start, but also sad to say farewell. I kept my woodland tree up as well as a winter bird tree on the buffet in the dining room. I purposefully decided to do these winter theme tabletop trees this year with the intent to keep them up through January. I also bring my snow people out for January and let them have center stage. I used to put them out with Christmas, but like having a focus on them in January. Always fun to see your warm and cozy home. Happy January! Stay safe and well!

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    1. Thanks so much, Sarah. I usually put all my snowmen out for January but this year I am only added one. I am tired of taking decorations down. I just want to stay warm, cozy and healthy and that takes up about all my time. I think Christmas should be about 3 months long so it wouldn't seem like so much work! It goes by way too quickly. Hope the New Year is going well for you so far..xxoJudy

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  5. Hi Judy! Your post really hit home with me as my husband and I are just recovering from Covid, probably the Omicron variant. My husband was asymptomatic - just felt a little tired but I was pretty sick, like a horrible flu. I'm much better now but still pretty weak and just don't seem to have any strength. We had gotten both of our shots and the booster! We were very careful but it got us anyway. You be safe and your home is a beautiful place to be. Happy New Year to you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Thanks so much Shelia. I am so sorry that you and hubby got sick. This is such a maddening situation that all these thoughtless people have gotten us into. It just goes to show you that no matter how cautious you are, it can get you. I'm glad you are both feeling better now. I hope it didn't ruin your Christmas. I am going back to doing groceries on line as there are too many unmasked shoppers in the store for me. This will get much worse before it gets better and I am really mad about it all..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  6. I always love visiting you hear, Judy. I am so glad you got a clean bill of health.
    I packed Christmas away last weekend. Well, at least I got it downstairs and it needs a good sort because SOMEONE decided HE needed to push everything together (I had it in two aisles)..and as HE was dong so, he stacked things of top of each other so I don't know where stuff is now. I have to go down and redo that at some point. sigh....
    I hope you have a wonderful, blessed week. And---take your time putting stuff away-nobody's coming over anyway, right?! xo Diana

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    1. Thanks so much Diana. Aren't we lucky? We both have one of those "He's". But, I guess we can muddle through and keep em. I still haven't put the tree away but other than that I am through. Not doing much else as this winter is a slow starter for me for some reason. Just want to close my door, turn on the TV and fill my tummy. And so far I'm doing a pretty good job of it..Have a wonderful weekend my friend..xxoJudy

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  7. Judy,
    LOVE this post and you know that I so enjoy seeing your ever so charming Kitchen, my friend!!! I am transitioning to winter and Valentine's slowly as i got my booster shot on Monday and was quite ill yesterday but do feel better today...I also so agree with your mindset...My One Little Word fro this year is Thrive! Not merely Survive! Even if that means staying home, double masking which I am now doing because it seems that every one and there brother has come down with Co Vid even if they were vaccinated BUT these are the people who posted all the Christmas parties, family gatherings, etc. that they went to...Now they are all sick!! So yes, I am going to THRIVE this year in my own little house and live my BEST life because i am tired of waiting for everyone else not to be selfish so we can lick this thing but Americans are a ME ME ME society and you are so right when you said that not everyone thinks like we do....Stop by and visit when you get a chance....Stay safe, healthy and happy, my friend!!!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Thanks so much Debbie. I couldn't agree with you more. It seems to me that they are bragging about putting themselves and all of us at risk. The stores around here have tons of "masking required" signs that you can't miss going in the door, but I would bet that at least 6 our of 10 don't wear masks. It is sickening. Maybe if there could be even a small pennance to pay for not following the rules, might help a little! Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  8. Happy New Year to you, too, Judy! I hope that 2022 loosens it grip on us all just a bit and we can get back to whatever normal is...was...will become. In the meantime, it's one foot in front on the other and lots of pretty decor! Thanks for sharing pretty views of yours. They always brighten my day. xo

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim. I am always glad to brighten your day. my friend..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  9. Your hard work with decorating really pays off, for your home is cozy and inviting!
    I especially love that last sweet picture of your dining room.

    Warm wishes..
    ~K.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kerin. I am not feeling it as much this winter so I may not decorate too much, but then again that will probably go the way as any new year's resolution would! That last photo is actually one of the kitchen, but taken from the dining room. I have used that a bit on the blog. It is a shot that was kind of accidental but turned out to be one I really like..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  10. Hi, Judy. We finished the outdoor lights, but still have an afternoon of lifting the bins (via an old fashioned pulley system) into the garage attic. Only thing up now is the TREE...hubby wants it up until, February...LOL, so he says---putting it off as long as possible. Really the lights are what make Christmas, I might just start hanging lights and skipping everything else, LOl.

    The Covid thing, I just ended a 6 year following of a blogger I have followed since 2015. Giving medical advise on how to 'arm' yourself against covid---without saying vaccination...really ticked me off. If you are playing the game of appeasing your masses, don't post anything at all. Buy please do not post inadequate or inaccurate advice on how to stay 'safe' from Covid. Our county/town is quite safe, but one county away the vaccination rates are bad, and no one masks. I don't want to 'hunker' down the rest of my natural life anymore than anyone else, but golly, what a selfish-self-centered society we have become. And back to a good book, my cozy home and missing my family---again, because we have to be SAFE to let idiots live the way they want to. HUGS< and I really would love to sit in your kitchen over a cup...or glass of anything! Sandi

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    1. Thanks so much, Sandi. I finally finished all my Christmas putting away. What a job! There is so much misinformation out there about Covid. It just makes me sick how people can't use common sense and think for themselves and there are some among us that are so gullible that they will take a lie and end up killing themselves and trying to take us all with them! It just makes me sick..Happy Day to you my friend..xxoJudy

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  11. Hello Judy, Christmas did seems to go by quickly. All of my Christmas is packed away. Covid seems to not want to go away. I am happy to say I have both vaccinations and the booster. Your kitchen is lovely and cozy. Stay safe Judy. xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda. I finally got all mine done. We have gotten our two vaccinations and our booster shots. It sounds like there may be more to get, but that is OK with me. Stay home and get shots is about all we can do..Happy Sunday..xxoJudy

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  12. Your home is lovely, I admire all the work it takes to decorate! I'm glad you are doing well, I agree with you on protecting ourselves and others, maybe this spring we can meet in my rose garden!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jain. It is a lot of work but I do enjoy doing and sharing it. Let's hope for a much better year ahead. That sounds very nice..Happy Sunday..xxoJudy

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  13. Love your kitchen. What a warm and cozy space for cold winter days. Laura

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    1. Thanks so much Laura. Although I am not that crazy about cooking, the kitchen is my most favorite room..I appreciate your visit and hope you are having a good Sunday..xxoJudy

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  14. I did enjoy your post and seeing all of your photographs.
    I can't believe we are already in the middle of January, the days and weeks pass by so quickly.
    We had a very enjoyable Christmas and were able to see family, which was wonderful.

    Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022, my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks so much, Jan. The time passes so quickly, each year it seems to go faster. I'm glad you got to spend time with your family over the holidays. It can't get any better than that..Happy Monday..xxoJudy

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  15. Oh I just love seeing your farmhouse kitchen my eyes went to your wall chalk board.
    It all looks cozy as can be.
    I haven't been around blog land for some time ,seems instragram is so much easier and quicker to post

    Janice

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    1. Thanks so much, Janice. I'm glad you enjoyed it and am glad to see you back. I don't do Instagram or FaceBook. The blog is about all I can handle..Happy Monday..xxoJudy

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  16. Yes Judy....take it slowly "un" decorating.. I like that philosophy! I sure am! Everything of mine is still out (Christmas decorations) but there wasn't that much so won't take long to put it away again, but I'm still enjoying it, so why not leave it up awhile longer???!!! Love your homey and warm kitchen so much! Have a good week... we have no snow and has been sunny but chilly days and nights. OK with me, as long as the nights don't go below the 20's. Take care dear... Marilyn

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    1. Thanks so much, Marilyn. We still have snow on the lawn from the storm two weeks ago and it has been sunny every day too, so that tells you how cold it has been. I did finally get all the decorations put away, even the tree. I bought a bag to put it in because trying to stuff it back in the box each year wasn't going so well and I thought a bag would be easier. It isn't!! We have decided to donate the tree as it was a lot of work to put it away this year and I know that next year will be worse. Those old backs don't seem to get any better. I always said I didn't like the lights anyway so maybe a smaller tree with pretty lights might be better..Take care and Happy Monday..xxoJudy

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  17. Oh, oh, oh, I am drooling over your kitchen . . . getting ideals and loving everything about it. You have done a marvelous job of decorating it.

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    1. Thanks so much, Connie. I love my kitchen but would rather decorate it than cook in it! I am getting itchy to start another round of decorating in there now. It is starting to feel a little like spring is on the way..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy