Refreshing

Curling up with a cup of tea, a good book and a shoulder shawl is refreshing and renewing.  My French vanilla chai tea is a perfect partner, pleasing my sense of smell and taste.  Grandma Churchman’s delicate, yellow rose china cup elicits smiles and memories with each sip.  Several books are currently calling me to turn their pages.  This choice may be difficult.  I have worn shawls for years.  No matter the current trends, I feel very feminine wearing shawls of all colors and patterns.  I bought my beautiful aqua shawl on board our cruise ship to the Panama Canal.  Its rich color will forever remind me of the magnificent shades of the ocean waves.  Clearing time to refresh and unwind puts a whole new perspective on the rest of the day.

What Are You Reading?

When I see an article in the daily paper about how to spruce up my home, my eyes search each paragraph.  Is there an idea meant for me?  Which suggestions fit my budget?  Well, do I have the energy to begin a project at the moment? 

Then a week later I spy a decorating magazine in my doctor’s waiting room.  I check my watch to see if I have enough time to scan the photos and color schemes.  And I totally enjoy pulling one of the home decorating/maintenance books off my shelf and re-visiting the colorful and informational offerings. 

And it is so much fun to plant myself in a comfy chair at Barnes & Noble to leaf through a book on some of the most current trends in homes.  The amazing thing is, I only occasionally make a big change in my home but the enjoyment of the possibilities is endless.  Over the years I have accumulated precious and sentimental items.  And I definitely try to interchange and utilize almost all of them as the months pass.  Even if I don’t have a visitor during that time, I want my husband and I to feel like our home is exciting and fresh.  Maybe the pieces I display are of a particular color theme or seasonal theme.

I am always looking for new ideas and variety.   Do you have any suggestions?  What are you reading about decorating?  What is your favorite style or theme? 

That Fresh Start Feeling

I love that ‘fresh start feeling’ surging within.  Just thinking about the known and unknown opportunities that will arise within the new calendar year, stirs up my energy level.  It is like starting over on that cleaning project I didn’t finish.  Suddenly, it is no longer an unfinished task, but a new chance to create.   And that attractive new calendar with all of its wide open dates is yearning to be filled in with tea times, surprise visits and special events.  Of course some appointments and obligations won’t be a barrel of fun.  And there will be jobs left undone.  But here I go!

As I begin 2012, I share with you just a few photos of memories made over the Christmas holidays.

Christmas 2011

I've had the pleasure of visiting my dear mother, three children, and fourteen grandchildren for Christmas.  It has been a unique year because I've had the opportunity to stay in each of their homes for a day or two.  I have shed happy tears, laughed, played games, been an audience for living room performances, sang, discussed pressing issues and prayed throughout the visits.

Now we begin a new day, a new year!  There will be physical, intellectual and spiritual growth in every member of the family.  As every year unfolds we find that, undoubtedly, there will be a few struggles and growing pains. But I believe in their dreams, fortitude, and strength.  Here are my hand and heart.....I look forward to walking with you.