Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Snowflake Thoughts

The snow started to fall very gently last night in huge, soft clumps. A couple of times I got up during the night to look out the window. It can be so mesmerizing, the dark trees silhouetted against the pale sky, the falling flakes illuminated under the street lights. It makes me feel meloncholy in a way, just looking out at my street, my place in the world. The beautiful world, if only in that peaceful moment. But these pictures above and below were taken this morning when I took my daughter to school. These are on my street, yes, my pretty little city street! :-)
The photos almost look black and white don't they? I guess because there was no sunlight. Which brought me to my Snowflake Thoughts once I was in and warm and seated at the breakfast table with my coffee. Looking out the window I felt such a complete calmness, a definate difference from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I have set my goals, my resolutions, my plans, my schemes!! And I have read so many blogs that were so creative and inspiring on the subject as well. So now my thoughts and plans for the year have been added safely to my Gratitude Journal and that book is closed, but ready for a sneaky peak if I lose my way off the path. And so now I have thoughts floating around in my head, lazy thoughts about getting into a new book or looking through some old photos. Maybe cleaning out my craft bins in hopes to come up with a creative endeavor. Each thought is as different as a snowflake, but I am peaceful enough to just sit still for now and let the thoughts run on. I feel content and my world is good.
I did want to interrupt my reverie for a moment to show you a few "Good Things" as Martha would say:

This is the new coffee maker my husband brought home recently. I thought if Rhoda could share her new vacuum cleaner you all might be receptive to my boasting about this coffee maker. It is a Keurig One Cup. When I first saw it I thought who would want to make just one cup at a time? I like to top mine off to warm it up (and lose track of how much I've had until I have the caffiene jitters!!) But the beauty of it is in the K cups you use. They are the size of the little plastic cream cups you get in diners. They come in boxes of 18 and a brochure accompanies the coffee maker with a list of all the gourmet coffees you can order on their website (as well as tea) and you can also get a sampler pack to narrow down your choices or just have a different cup everyday. I have found the boxes of K cups at Target for $9.99 a box (so far, at my Target at least, I have only found Caribou and Green Mountain brands). Gloria Jeans also sells the boxes as well as single samples for 49 cents. You just pop the K cup in, pour a cold cup of water in the lid that pops up and in 3 minutes you have a nice, fresh cup of hot tea or coffee. I am sooo loving it!! Lastly, if you are interested in purchasing one, I have seen them at fine department stores, sometimes on sale for 25% off.
Finally I wanted to comment on something else that arrived in a beautifully packed box yesterday along with my dove lamp. This is a geranium cachepot I ordered from Heather Bullard's web boutique. I hope my pictures do it justice:




The following is a closeup. I was hoping you could see the crackle effect. It is so precious and so much more than I expected in every way. I would suggest that you drop everything immediately and go to her website or blog. Her creativeness and warmth comes through in all she writes and photographs.



I think I am going to order some bulbs to force in it until springtime brings the outdoor variety! (another Snowflake Thought :-). I am a firm believer in online shopping and I have convinced many a nay sayer to my way of thinking. Foremost, not only will you find very original items, but if you are shopping perhaps Macy's or even a catalogue (L.L. Bean, Ballards, what have you), you will see the complete inventory as opposed to what you see on their floors. To become a saavy online shopper, always, always, always read the dimensions. Use a tape measure to compare the dimensions to something else in your home if you have a hard time imagining the size. Always save the packaging for returns and take advantage of free shipping which a lot of larger merchants are using in this competing market. And finally, nothing, nothing is better than getting a package delivered with a new treasure inside.


If you have snow, have some Snowflake Thoughts this morning. If it is warm by you, bask in Sunshine Thoughts. And do it with a great cup of Joe, maybe from Keurig. (No, I do not work for them!!)
xoxo
Janie


19 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

No snow in Georgia...Stop by my blog..I have left you a little something at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/01/moi.html

jewelstreet said...

I love the snow. I know it's a little dangerous, cold, and messy, but if you don't have anywhere to go, it's really nice and soothing to just listen to the quiet and peacefulness of it.

Online shopping is the best! I love it. Hate having to go to the stores. Thanks for stopping by the ol blog today, btw!

Decor To Adore said...

The second photo struck me as familiar. Then I placed it. It looks like the street Jimmy Stewart runs down in It's A Wonderful Life.

Perfectly lovely.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, I have to get my snow fix from reading my friends' blogs. And wow, you have a winter wonderland! So beautiful! That coffee maker looks like it is going to be a very welcome gift! On days like that, it's a nice time to stay inside, drink coffee and be cozy!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Cynthia's Cottage Design said...

The snow pictures are amazing! and yes, you are so right about the snow creating a "calmness", I think thats what I love about it most! so beautiful!

I adore Heather's things and have ordered from her too , that is such a pretty little pot! and it will look fabulous with bulbs in it, great idea!! I love the coffee make too, how wonderful!

Thanks so much for stopping in and leaving such sweet comments! I'm going to put something RED under the blackboard, that seems to be everybody's choice too, thanks so much!

I hope you have a great weekend! Hugs, Cynthia

Rhondi said...

I always loved the silence outside after a snowfall. I don't miss the rest of it though!

Kathleen Ellis said...

Ohhhh...that snow is sooo pretty! I wish we had some...could you blow some my way...please?!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Your photo of the snow makes me miss the Midwest! I am from Ohio and I definitely still get homesick sometimes! Thanks for visiting me today! :)
Carrie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie, I know I've commented on this post already, but I wanted to let you know there's a little something for you over at my blog. Not telling. LOL!

XO,

Sheila :-)

DESIGN BY CATHLEEN said...

You make the snow look so inviting! Of course succulents won't do well in the snow!!! But, they grow great indoors... :-)

xoxo,
Cathleen

The Quintessential Magpie said...

All the blessings of this day to you and yours, Janie! :-)

XO,

Sheila

The Muse said...

Laura said it, I agree that street shot looks just like that!

Your little pot is such a reminder of spring, hope you get some bulbs to burst forth!

bj said...

Hi, I'm not sure if we've "met" or not...I am bj and my blog is SWEET NOTHINGS. I hope you will stop by sometime.
My son and d-i-law got one of these great coffee makers for Christmas and they just love it. They made me a cup of some really good and flavored coffee and now I am dying for the coffee maker, too.
I am glad you are lovin' yours....
Your snow is pretty but I am not a snow person. It's ok as long as I can stay inside by the fire...lol
I live in West Texas and the temp. one day last week was in the low
80's...ummmmm, GOOD.
xo bj

JudyBug said...

Thanks so much for your comments on my Tablescape Tuesday! I do love those little faux pastries, tarts and cake. I purchased them in Canton, TX at First Monday. You haven't lived until you've shopped first Monday! However, I see several vendors have them for sale on etsy.com. Enjoy!

Elyse said...

hi blondie!

i love your eloquent writing about enjoying the view on a snowy day. sounds like me! i lived in IL a few years as a child and remember the hugest snow drifts!

enjoy!

xo

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Do you have that artic snap heading toward you, Janie??? If you do, stay safe and warm!

Xo,

Sheila :-)

Wendy said...

Hello! Plenty of snow where I am...just wanted to follow up on your comment on my RL post...I have a link on the post that should lead you right to the RL Home website. The photo is from one of their new lines (which, of course, I can't remember the name of) but you should be able to find it if you browse through their site. Hope this helps!

Debra Hall said...

Awe...the snow is gorgeous and makes me want to be back in it!! Thanks for stopping by, I love to hear from you. This read was wonderful...
~*Debra

Free Art Printables said...

That pot is lovely!