Gratitude

 Sorrow like a stream loses itself in many channels - while joy, like a ray of the sun, reflects with great ardor and quickness when it rebounds from the heart of a friend.

 ~ Anonymous

 

Although you cannot see it, it is snowing on this robin.

We only got a momentarily heavy dusting yesterday. The white snow on the lush green grass was very, very beautiful. It made me think of Willy Wonka's sugar grass. It was so lovely that I hoarded the experience for my own and didn't take any photos.

The rest of the day was like living in a snow globe. It snowed and snowed but didn't accumulate. It was and has been very crisp and chilly. Today the wind howled!

It was the perfect weather to remain indoors and continue on with my homemaking projects. At the moment, I have been rearranging closets and drawers. Actually, it's more like arranging them for the first time for real since we moved.

Finally!

 Setting up my dining room is something that I've been absolutely longing to do for two whole years now. Truthfully, before, it was just stuffed and cobbled together.

Ladies, is not the thought of a well organized and stocked china cabinet and linen chest an idea that brings a warm thrill to your heart?

Once again,

I find that I am so happy, happy, happy! 

 

This dresser used to be in the boys' nursery. The drawers are too shallow for their clothes now. I've pulled up the silly drawer liner and put in something more gracious and subtle.

No more pink lambs! 

 

 There was a tremendous ice storm the first winter that we were here. We lost power for around 70 hours. With a strange twist of irony, I couldn't find a single candle.

I unpacked them, finally, today.

Er, I didn't realize how many I had.

 

 

I need to stock up on ivory but aren't they pretty?

It was a bit of a puzzle at first. I had to figure out how much I had and where it would fit.

Plan C is working out beautifully.

Actually, better than I had envisioned!

In a spirit of make do and mend (which is very often the exciting story of my life) I decided to line the drawers in the china cabinet with some Pierre Deux wallpaper samples that I had bought.

I thought that I would be covering it up and was not prepared for the pretty surprise I got. 

 

 I have a bit more fussing to do. Showing you what I've done with this room will be a huge reward.

Please "ooh and ahh" accordingly when the appropriate time comes!

Something else has happened!

The color of the "ink" that I am using should be a huge hint.

Oh,

you'll never guess so I'll just tell you!

Catherine, at Kids and Capers has passed on the sunshine award to me!

Well,

I must say, I think that I'm pretty deserving, 

considering ....

(you know, .... I dwell in a Sunny Spot - just in case you're not getting the joke.)

This brings up a subject that has been on my mind a lot, lately.

I just want to say "thank you" to all of you who have come on board to give a kindly listen to my goings on. Some of you, I know, are anonymous and some of you have become lovely pen pals.

Really, words fail me! Six months ago, I had no idea that Blogdom existed. Now, I find myself in a very pleasant land, indeed! It's full of beauty, encouragement, exhortation and mental stimulation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Whether we've corresponded or not, you have been peering through the window of my eyes and mind and heart. This makes you a form of friend and I want to say that I appreciate you all!  The fact that you visit here encourages me to the skies!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Therefore,

I believe the situation demands that I leave you with a poem.

(Ooo! By the way, after you take a look at the next photo, you really should zoom in closely on this Streptocarpus!)

 Wonder

How wondrously blessed I will always be,

That the likes of you likes the likes of me!

Propped against the pillows with a late night cup of tea,

I'm thinking of you and wondering ...

By any chance are you awake, thinking too, of me?

~Fay Angus

 

With thoughts and best wishes,

Katy Noelle xo