inkstitch

Welcome, February

Well hello, February. I remember you.

You're the one that offers tiny glimpes of brilliant sun and melting snow - and then smothers the world with white in a single afternoon. You're the one just close enough to spring, just far enough past Christmas, that you give us a silly idea about warmth on a near horizon - but then firmly reminds us that it isn't. You're the one that boasts about being the shortest month - and then some days feel the longest.

Yep, I remember you.

You are also the one that sparkles with sun and snow in the same morning. The one that cements a year into the comfortable now instead of the pressing new. You're the one that reminds us that hunkering down can be good, that cold days bring with them good bread, great soup, and perfect moments, and that home is our favorite place to be stuck.

Welcome, February. It's so nice to see you.

Collections

A chat with Kristy reminded me of her splendid collections (which I went ga-ga for), and I am inspired to show you one of my own.  This little collection began by accident several years ago when JB and I were browsing yard sales (a favorite summer Saturday activity -- I am so thrilled that he loves this with me), and I came upon a little pair of pitchers that I could not put down.  And look what happened!  I now keep my eye out for them, but part of the challenge is that I can't/won't pay much.  (This leads to sadness on occasion.)  Thankfully JB broke my own rule (although he did haggle and ease the price a bit) at a cluttery little antique store in Portland last week, and surprised me with this one that I picked up and bravely set down about four times.

The pair that started it all.  See what can happen when two sweeties get together?

The only melmac one.  I bought the set because I couldn't resist the shape of this sugar bowl, which we use every day.  (And, as N reminded me, "Choose this one, Mom, we won't break it.")

The shape and color of this is simply delicious:

On the table tonight: broccoli cheese pie

getting real and giving away

I have wandered my house looking for light, but there is just no solving the grey out there today, and these photos are as good as it gets.  If it's beautiful photos you want in a blog, you can go here.  But before you go, look at these sweet little embroideries found thrifting Saturday. 

I have no place at all for them but they are just so charming.  I have been wondering what I could make with them... of course I couldn't just leave them there on the shelf, they had to come home with me, so now what?  Inspired by Kristy I thought I'd offer them up.  If you love them, email me.   Otherwise, I'm sure I'll think  of something!  Gone to Autum's house!  :)

On the get real front, I believe Randi is planning on posting a theme (if she already has I missed it), but meanwhile here is a first photo for you.  My kitchen cupboard.  The first one you see when you walk in the door.  The cabinets were a terrible mess when we came here, and not having the budget to buy new ones, we refinished them all.  I am happy enough with the finish, but this door was missing, and although we plan to make a new one, here it is, showing off  the sticky jam jar.  One might also note that the trim is still missing from where the cabinets meet the upper soffit, and the tile backsplash needs trim.  We have been over a year now, and began the kitchen project almost the day we arrived, so none of these things, unfortunately, are recent.

Sadly, I am much better equipped to post to this topic than Amanda's wonderful Corners of My Home group.  It seems each corner that I love, that I would think of posting to that group, is not finished, not painted, not the way I'd like, etc.  My home is very much a work in progress!  So, I haven't posted to that topic yet.  ...  Maybe this week I'll finally feel ready.

On the table tonight: last night's pork chops, which were replaced by pizza that I didn't have to cook!