WINTER HAPPENINGS

Brrrrr...it is so cold here in the upper Midwest, but I know it's cold everywhere so I won't complain too loudly.  I've had to run out for one thing or another every day this week so far and it's just a matter of warming up your car and wearing lots of layers.  Thankfully, I have no where to be today and I'm still in my PJ's, ready to jump in the shower.  I'm making stew for dinner and then I'm going to chill.  Some more.

I hung on to some evergreen from Christmas and thought it would give a wintry little feeling in this pitcher.  And yes, this is in my bathroom!

So many people are sick this year...it's all over the news.  My little niece caught two different types of flu at once and had to be hospitalized for dehydration.  Sunday I baked up some cupcakes to bring to her when she came home.  Before we were ready to leave, Abby didn't feel too well so we postponed it until last night.  Of course the cupcakes disappeared (I plead guilty), so yesterday I baked up a batch of sugar cookies.  We were literally walking up my sister-in-laws driveway when we got a text that the baby now had the flu.  Needless to say, we set the plate of cookies down and made a fast exit.

The cupcakes were delicious...vanilla with a dollop of chocolate in the middle.  I'm trying to get a handle on my sweet cravings, moderation has never been my strong point!  Every once in awhile I make a clean sweep of the cupboards and I'm good, but it always manages to sneak back into the house.  The Husband has been going to a little market nearby for his favorite baked rice pudding, which thankfully, I don't share a fondness for.  But they have a fantastic bakery and he always comes back with a few days worth of cakes, pies, cookies, eclairs, streudel, you name it.  Why can't I be strong?  I have to renew my membership to the gym at the end of the month, it's been weeks.  It's hard to admit that I needed The Husband to give me that nudge out the door when we were going together.  But it's the right thing to do and sometimes the hardest thing to do is very much the right thing.  Always actually.

I mentioned that we are getting the kitchen painted next month.  The busy wallpaper border is going and so I am trying to get more of a cohesive feeling in there.  I can't tell you what style my kitchen is...just a mix of things I love.  Anyway, I was on the hunt for a traditional rug to warm it up.  Years ago, The Husband and I spent a weekend at a B&B in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in a big Victorian mansion.  The old wood floors creaked under the heavy wool rugs in every room, even the bathrooms.  I loved how timeless they were, how cozy and comfortable they made the spaces.  So I invested in this one and I am really happy with it.  It's definitely not going to get babied around here and soon, I hope, it will be worn and as well loved as those in that B&B.

Layla clearly loves it!  So...I think I am going to try to stick with a warm cream color palette in the kitchen and take it from there.  I'll keep you posted.

I am gearing up for a few days of busyness.  Tomorrow Emily and I are meeting up with my brother's two daughters that are in town from southern Indiana.  It has been years since we've seen them.  We're having lunch at the Grand Luxe Cafe on Michigan Ave. downtown.  It's a huge, crowded sort of eclectic restaurant that I have always loved.  I think my nieces are going to love it, too.  Since our temps are in the teens, I doubt there will be any retail therapy involved!  Can't wait to see you Mindy and Katy!  Friday, Emily and I meet with the wedding shower planner at the country club we decided on, and Saturday The Husband and I are escaping to Cedarburg, Wi., again for a a little winter respite at that little inn we found in November.  If it's not too frigid, maybe we will get that carriage ride in!

Well, I'm looking out my window and it has started to snow.  It's so pretty, I hope it sticks.  I hope all of you are having a good week.  See you soon! :)

Joining Claudia at her Favorite Things party.  Visit Mockingbird Hill Cottage on Saturday and join in on the fun!