home again, home again, jiggity jig

Kauai was beautiful, relaxing, wonderful. I really couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable trip, even though it was short. It's coming back home that 's the trouble.
I'm trying to enjoy the wintertime, but that's proving difficult when it seems full of rain, snow, clouds, cold, grey, and sickness.
This weekend I noticed that there are hyacinth, daffodil and tulips poking through the ground. Finally. Spring is just around the corner. It's just a matter of making it through the rest of February.

Citron

dishes, dishtowel, and citrus juicer.

I'm convinced that citrus ripen in winter to keep us cheerful and sunny in the gloomy months. Lemon and orange are keeping me happy. It's a perfect time for toast with marmalade, lemon bars, and clementines as snacks.

Resolutions.

I don't remember where I found this yellow door, but I love it.

I've been thinking about resolutions today, and what I want to accomplish in 2009. Honestly, I usually forget about my goals within a few months of making them, but I fully believe in the power of writing down your intentions. I've kept a journal off and on since I was 14, and it's surprising to realize how many past goals and dreams actually became realities. 

1. Run 1,000 miles. 
   
2. Paint all the remaining blue moulding and doors white. 
3. Finish office in basement. 
4. Install raised beds in the backyard & grow veggies. 
5. Start a weight lifting routine. 
6. Hone my kitchen skills.

More snow.

We're supposed to be on a plane to Florida as we speak, yet we are not. The Portland airport is closed, and we received a call at 4:15 this morning telling us that our flight was cancelled. I'm trying not to feel depressed that we can't leave until Wednesday, but being snowbound is getting old.

Il neige.

The weather outside is frightful, but let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Sparkling Snowflakes

It's snowing this morning! 

paper snowflakes, card, bottle & necklace. Card & necklace via ohjoy!.

Est-ce qu'il neige?

It may snow in Portland this weekend! It's time for a big wool blanket, cozy slippers, and a cup of tea. Lovely scarf, gloves & ornament available here.

Stockings

When I'm in a sour mood, I challenge myself to think of 5 (or more) good things that have happened during the day. Sometimes the best things I can think of are pretty simple, like "I still have air to breathe".
Since I mentioned that in general I don't like Christmas or winter, I've been thinking of all the things that I do like about the season. I like Christmas stockings. My mom embroidered stockings for my brothers and I when we were kids. One of my favorite parts of Christmas morning was waking up at 4 AM, dumping out our stockings, which were mostly filled with mandarin oranges and chocolate coins, and binging on citrus & chocolate before my parents got out of bed.
I don't have a Christmas stocking now (nor do I have a mantel to hang one on), but I like the idea of a stocking made of non-traditional fabrics. Charming, no?

Holiday Madness

Amsterdam advent calendar on right available from NouveauDesigns here.

Christmas is easily my least favorite holiday. There are so many things I dislike about winter and the holidays, so this year I'm trying to remind myself of all the great things about it. When I was a kid my parents had a little cardboard advent calendar with doors and windows which you opened to reveal pictures of Christmas-ness (candles, trees, ornaments, teddy-bears). I loved the surprise of discovering what was behind each door, and the idea that each day you were one day closer to THE DAY, which at the time meant presents, and tons of chocolate.

Red & Gold Christmas

Warm Christmas inspiration.