As winter Sets in.

Now that the holidays are over, the sillouette of winter is upon us.

The sun is setting at 4:45

It will be a long time before I can pick these blooms again from the bush out front. It is merely a stick now.

The pool beyond the windowsill is closed with a sturdy cover, strong enough to hold an elephant.

The visiting ducks have flown to warmer places, 

as we settle in for our long winter's nap.

I'm dreaming of playing in the sand, of warmer days, of strolling along the beach not fighting the wind

Of summer sunsets

As I pass the winter painting and crafting, working, and hibernating.

I'll take the white caps of waves over snow any day.

I  prefer my winter  would come and go with hardly a nod

Cabin fever strikes me quickly, the minute the cold sets in, I want to run off to Florida.

Do you?

Yes.. I've never heard anyone say " Darn the winter just wasn't harsh enough for me!"

I often come in from the cold chill and say"This weather is for the aliens"and my kids laugh at that.

So I pass the time working, and keeping warm, and fixing things and updating. 

That's the upside, more time indoors, more things get done.

It gives me time to finish up the room I've been putting off. The guest room.

I normally get things done much quicker, this one is taking way too long. Started in September!

For me necessity is the mother of invention. 

This room... I haven't felt that necessary. But I'm on it now.

 I promised myself January is the month to complete it.

A peak at the chippy Urn I will be using in my new office/ guest room which I promise to post.

I love this urn. Nifty thrifty yard sale find.

I've been painting and primping lots of furniture and walls. Feathering the nest for winter.

When I cleaned up all the Christmas mess, I just couldn't put these away....

 I think i will leave my little bottle brush trees in the cream cheese crate for the duration of winter.

I like how they look.

As I wait for the summer sun once again. 

I do love the Seashore, and taking pictures of it.

Joining these parties

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @Coastal Charm

Knick of Time Tuesday #15 {Vintage Style Link Party}
Boogie Board Cottage
Feathered Nest Friday
Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Christmas Decor Ideas

I added a few new elements to the Christmas decor today. Decided to add a small tree to the family room, that's where I watch TV at night, so I can see it's twinkle all the time.  The big tree is in the living room, I only get to admire it when I am passing by. So I added this little one to the table with the Nativity.

I dressed it all in white with just a few of my book page angels.

which I posted how I make here

We have a white/ snowflake theme going on around the house this year, with lots of puffy white snow as a backdrop for just about everything, so when 

 I found some of those big white snowflakes I've been seeing around blogland,  I couldn't resist adding a few to my windows for a wintry feel, in the dining room,

I love the golden glow outside on the bare tree branches today!

And more snow drops in the family room

And a few vintage additions

In the family room on an old basement window I found at the curb years ago with all broken glass.

.I had the busted glass replaced with mirrors,  attached a shelf and distressed painted it all at least 10 years ago. It is still one of my favorite wall pieces in my house. 

I love the old original locking hooks.

I usually have a few pictures on it and some roses garland but of course it has to get dressed for Christmas.

And on the dining buffet I added a couple little old cream cheese crates.

 I almost passed this little crate below by, because I didn't like the area where someone once almost painted it green, but I decided it was coming home with me anyway, at such a great price...
3 dollars!! I've learned to accept it's imperfection.
What struck me about these 3 crates is they all have different brand names, and it really surprised me because I thought Philadelphia brand Cream Cheese was the only one that made cream cheese!

I think they will add some nice vintage charm to my kitchen even after the Holidays, don't you?

And just a dab more bling in the family room, with some branches cut from the bottom of our real tree, , added to a shiny urn.

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

............well.... besides summer time!

Sunday Scoop
Sunday Blog Love
White Wendesday

What a difference 90 miles makes!

We decided to take a little break from all the sheetrock dust and construction mess around the old homestead and head for our house down the shore for the weekend. We got blasted with a snowstorm on Wednesday night, 1-26-11, I was coming home from a Robert Plant concert in Philly, and snapped this on the road in traffic.

This is what it looked like in our neighborhood 3 days later on Saturday, 1-29-11:
 Still very messy streets.
 Skies as white as snow.

Here is how it looks 90 miles away in North Wildwood NJ on Sunday. 1-30-11
Out front....clear skies... you can even see some blue.

And out back:

You can see just a sprinkling of snow down here.

And here is  a snapshot of what we are driving around with in the back of the truck, about 15 inches of snow!!

My husband keeps joking with everyone he sees down here, showing them the back of his truck- that this is what we are dealing with back home, and it is so mild down here, he says it's like Acapulco!!
It is a bit milder than back home and the snow in the truck has melted quite a bit!

I can't wait till summer time comes again!!
The snow picture of our street is pretty but this weather is for Aliens!