Getting it out of the house

 As I sit here typing, the snow flurries float past my windows and shortly I shall be pulling up the bootstraps and putting on the layers to trudge up the hill to the barn.  While I adore my horses and chickens, these are the days when I say… “why am I doing this, again?”   *sigh*

 I got the rest of WINTER out of my house.  I don’t need to see it INSIDE as well as outside.  This here is the stretch of New England Grey days that could drag a spirit down if you let it be so.  I bring out the hearts right about now every year.  

 My Christmas Cactus is a little confused… but I like the result.

…and who doesn’t love crocus in bloom when snow still rests on the lawn. 
(thank you Raven)
Last years Hydrangea dried beautifully… all I did was snip the blooms in early fall before they
withered, and stuck the stems in these vessels… They’ve held up very well. 
My winter mantle and side board table are now something a little more cheery, 
a reminder of the gardens that will bloom again. 
Bailey’s favorite spot – winter sun on the hearth…

 Amazing, how well they dry and hold up. 

I love the old plow horse shoes we find now and then on the farm..
some are buried in the old stone walls, some were used as fence rail holders.
If I were sew-handy I would make a skirt to attach under this side table. 
Any recommendations? 
Maybe I can tack a curtain along the underneath?  Hmmm…
Many dog day afternoons lately, too cold to stay out for very long,
too lazy to do the bundling up required to go for those nice long walks.

Off to the barn and coop – 
It’s a new day, all! – you know the drill…
SALLY in Florida.. had the correct ending to my  post yesterday..
It’s a Beautiful Thing!
She’ll be getting a few fun gifts in the mail shortly.