Winter Beauty in the Garden

This romantic and delicate beauty is a recent addition to my flower garden. And it is in full bloom right now! If you do not reside in the Southeast, it may come as a surprise to you that flowers are blooming in January and February. But this little beauty is a bright spot in the middle of winter. It is so well loved that it is our state flower.

I am posting more about the beautiful Camellia over on the Andrea Howard Blog today. Hop on over for more photos and info!

We Don't See This Much!

Some strange things are happening around here!

We are seeing things we've never seen while living in this small town of ours!

Here is a picture of one:

Yes, there is a fire in our fireplace!

I know those of you in warmer, more northern climates are asking yourselves, "what's the big deal?" Here's the big deal: We have lived in this wonderful blessing of a house for six and a half years, and this year is the first that we have used the fireplace.

As you are aware, it just doesn't get very cold here in southeast Alabama, so I never really had any desire to do the necessary work (haul in firewood, clean the ashes afterward, etc) to have a fire. I also had babies to care for and worry about and a fire just didn't fit into the picture.

But, as babies do, mine grew up and wonder of wonders, we are actually having a cold winter (for a couple of weeks, maybe)! So we have been enjoying our fire. Sitting in front of it with a nice blanket and a cup of coffee has become my favorite past time.

And while I am talking about wonders, let me show you this picture:

This is the fountain on our town square. I love this fountain and have taken many pictures of it during the time we have lived here. But, I have NEVER seen it like this! These two weeks of winter have provided a beautiful icy display.

The Magic of Snowflakes

As you've probably heard me lament before, we don't have traditional winters way down here in the South. That means we rarely (and by rarely I mean 'once in a blue moon') see any snowflakes and if there are snowflakes, they never stick together and accumulate on the ground.

So why not make our own snowflakes?


Making paper snowflakes is a fun activity that all school children partake in at one time or another.


This home school teacher wanted to take it to the next level, however.


When I saw THIS VIDEO I knew its what we would be doing!


I thought it might be a little difficult for the kiddos and would require a lot of help on my part, but they surprised me and were able to do most of it on their own.


They were proud of their accomplishment, and I was proud of the pretty decoration it made!


(I found this idea through a link on one of my favorite blogs: The Holy Experience.)

Memory

Memory is a funny thing!

It makes twenty years feel like yesterday.
Yet, it makes twenty years feel like the two decades it is.

Memory recalls funny snippets of times past.
Yet, it fails to remember some of the most important details.

I took a walk today....a walk back to twenty years ago.

She remembered too many practical jokes I had played on her.

I had forgotten them.


I remembered detention shared with her (my ONLY detention ever; probably hers too).

She had forgotten that.


My memory recalled a certain teacher with fondness, hers recalled with much less admiration.

She affectionately reminisced about another teacher, I...not so much!

She remembered letting me read an important journal entry.

I remembered her high school crush.

Memory is a funny thing.

We made new memories today....a shared past, a similar spirit and vision, a common Hope.

Southern Springtime

Spring in the South is so pretty! I have lived in the deep south for five springs, and I am still amazed by the beauty of the flowers that bloom here. One of my favorite things about spring is the wisteria. I love to see it in trees and along fence lines as I drive around town!


But what I really love about wisteria is it's fragrance! I love the sweet smell so much that every spring I try to gather some of it and bring it into my house. And today, I did just that...I picked some from an empty lot nearby and made some arrangements for the house.

When I first put the vines in a vase, they looked too sparse.


So, I cut some branches off some smaller trees in the backyard to add some color, texture and fullness.


I love how it looks in my entry and I love the fragrance that wafts through my house!