Eleven Days

It has been 11 days since my last post.  During that time, many things have happened.  I purchased an oxalis plant that I have placed on my Mary Engelbreit cake stand.  It is sweet  after all.

Superman came for a visit...

Flowers were purchased to help brighten the house.
A berry crisp was made for Superman...

Mud, my arch nemesis, has made an ugly, dirty return...

However, with her return comes a wee bit of green...

and walks with a hairy, little, kinda white dog...

and a big black dog and a little white cat up the road...

to barren fields...

whose curbs are adorned with snow...

and free range chickens...

that also enjoy romps on these Spring days.

Who Needs an Alarm Clock?

Who needs an alarm clock when you already have a couple of little white alarm clocks that are all about routine?  They're up at the crack of dawn reminding you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and that proper nutrition is very, very important to one's overall health.

They are right there encouraging you to not only get out that door for your evening walk, but also encouraging you to pick up your pace and, therefore, increasing your heart's aerobic capacity.  Who cares if the temperatures are only in the teens?  Bundle up!!!  You burn more calories when it is cold anyway.

When they stop for potty breaks or run off after a squirrel, you get a chance to not only catch your breath, but also appreciate the beauty of a sunset.

Think about it.  Do you really need an alarm clock?  I don't.  My little alarm clocks not only tell me what time it is, but they also ensure that I have a good night's sleep. 

I'll take the sound of a cat purring and the sound of a little white dog's nails clipping as she races across the room to get to me over the ticktock of a clock any day.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

DJ came home Saturday night.  He has been sick with a terrible sinus infection and needed some sleep.  And we all know, there is nothing more comforting than your own bed.
Because he was home, I made the traditional corned beef and cabbage yesterday.  The meal was accompanied with soda bread and good old Guinness to wash it all down. 

I think he is feeling better. 
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.
And remember this, "If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough."

This and That

It has been a long, long winter - too long, in fact.  I have not enjoyed it at all.  I know - that is very negative - but it is true.  And if I am nothing else - I am truthful (often to a fault).

However, Spring will be upon us this coming Thursday and I am more than ready for it.  I have been very busy.  I have painted and rearranged my house.  The walls that were once Belgian Waffle are now  Woodlawn Blue and Shaker Beige.  I like these colors better - they are happy, calming and vintage.   I painted my ceilings too.  Everything is brighter.

And that makes me happy.

I have come to a conclusion - no matter where I go or what I do with my life, I am going to surround myself with things I love.  That means my animals - because they provide an unconditional love that you get no where else.

Flowers, coffee and good wine...

and cozy corners where I can mix up a batch of cookies or just sit and read, or knit and watch movies or enjoy a glass of wine...

These are the things that are important to me.  And if one wants to change anything, they must first begin with themselves.

Be true to yourself.
I'll end this post with a picture of a pileated woodpecker that was enjoying my crabapple tree tonight.
Nature - it's a wonderful thing.

Deep Freeze

The polar vortex that we experienced a couple of weeks ago has returned.  With it, comes bitter cold.  But even with this cold, there is beauty all around us...

You just have to look.

And Then There Were Three

I began my walk this morning with my two dogs - Snoop and Violet...

Before I knew it, the two became three...
My cat Smudge decided to join us...

One...

Snoop

Two...

Violet

Three...

Smudge

What the heck!!!
The more the merrier!!!

January Thaw

Violet, Snoop and I went for a nice long walk today as we are experiencing a bit of a January thaw.

Given the fact that it has been one of the coldest winters in over 20 years, I very much appreciated the fact that it was 50 degrees today.  My walk was that much more enjoyable.     

I made sure I took the time to stop and look at what has occurred in the woods this past month (i.e. - a rotted pine tree is now part of the forest floor).

Although I may have complained about the deep cold spell we experienced, it did make me appreciate the warmth so much more.
Differences. 
Go for a walk - it's good for you.
Both mentally and physically.