Cabin Fever, Kitchen Cheer, and New Plans

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are starting the new year 

with a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose! 

Easier said than done in the midst of a long, cold

winter, especially here in the north woods. 

The snow is certainly magical and enchanting to look at, 

but a little too cold and slippery for me!

xoxo

I have a serious case of cabin fever, 

but I am content to stay inside and watch from the windows

for now. 

xx

Can you see Kai? He loves smashing his face right into the snow.

I think he has a bit of cabin fever, too!

He is free to come in and out as he pleases through

his pet door, but he prefers 'out' when the sun is shining.   

He loves the snow. 

You might guess that he would...his breed is 'American Eskimo'.

My 'Old Boy', Whitey-Bear, loves the snow, too, 

but prefers hanging out by the fire these days.

My little grandsons' doggy chair looks on. 

xx

It has been stormy for days, with rain, then snow, then wind, 

and sometimes all three in one day. 

But today.....there are glorious patches of sunshine and 

for the first time in many days, Mt. Rainier 

is emerging from the clouds. 

I've kept myself busy putting away the last of the Christmas 

decorations, and tidying up. 

Everything looks so bare without all the holiday decorations, 

so I found some treasures that were packed away, to fill in the gaps.

I love going through the boxes.
It's always a nice surprise.
Lots of little memories. 

I wanted touches of red 

 to add some cheer during these dark winter days. 

I found a few enamelware pieces with red trim. 

A couple of vintage red-rimmed saucepans with no chips, 

and some random lids came out to play. 

And my red timer. 

My 1961 Hotpoint stove timer still works, too. 

It's nice to have two. 

These canisters are not vintage, but look like they might be. 

 I found them in my 

local craft store a couple of years ago, 

along with the enamel sign. 

I had to have it :)

My Mom had this saying in her kitchen when I was young. 

I found the 'Mom's Diner' sign a couple of years ago

 at Seattle's Pike Street Market.

We had spent the day at a Mariner's vs. Red Sox game 

with my son and his wife; their treat. 

Afterwards we went to 'The Market'. 

It was a wonderful day.

You can see my post about it Here.  

Open 24 hours.

Always open. 

Once upon a time my kitchen was quite a busy place 

with four children, assorted friends, neighbors, relatives

and pets coming and going. 

Now it is just The Mr. and I, most 

of the time, but we do enjoy the peace and quiet. 

xx

Between the two of us, we still use a lot of dishes, though! 

Mostly coffee, tea and cocoa mugs at this time of year.

I have a thing for pretty tea-towels, 

and my local craft store sells them 

in all colors.

 I really love these red gingham towels.

Let's peek inside my 1930's 'Kitchen Queen' Hoover cabinet. 

Some happy little things. 

Memories of flea-market trips

and special gifts. 

Everything I need for blueberry pancakes,

  lemon/berry loaves,

and strawberry shortcakes.

With juice or tea. 

My daughter painted the 'mimosa' glass,

but the juice glasses are vintage. 

It's the start of a new collection......

Isn't everything? 

A photo of Ramblin' Man's dear Mom, whipping up 

her 'famous' spaghetti sauce, at my stove, in this kitchen.

My niece sent this special photo to us, with the recipe on the back - 

a sweet reminder of a loved one now gone, 

a wonderful visit and a lovely time in our lives. 

I had fun putting together the pillows and linens 

for the 1920 day-bed. Vintage gingham sheets, tea towels, crochet and 

a bit of fur and Sherpa were all sewn into curtains and pillows by me over the 

last few years. I gathered them from storage and other areas 

of the house. 

The quilt was my Mom's.

 She made me promise to take her favorite little companion, her kitty-cat, 

 Ling-Ling, when she was gone. Ling-Ling would only sleep on this quilt for many 

months when I first brought her here. She (and I) desperately missed my 

Mom and this quilt had her comforting scent - talcum and lilacs. 

Ling-Ling was our special little guest for 6 years 

and now I like to think that they are reunited once again. 

I have a small collection of flea-market paintings 

that I like to rotate. This one has all the right colors

and cheerful tone. 

This was my dear Mom-in-law's sewing kit. 

xoxo

Most of the time it stays upstairs in my sewing room.

 It reminds me of her and also, how much 

I love to sew, and that I need to make time to do it. 

My new cookie jar says it all. 

The tongs that fit on the top

are stamped, 'Guilt Free'. 

This was a sweet gift from my son

and his wife. 

Now I need to fill it up. 

Oatmeal-Raisin are the Mr.'s favorite. 

Icicles illuminated with the last of the day's light, 

leaving ghosts on the camera lens. 

Homemade Broccoli Cheese Soup and Irish Soda Bread

 are the perfect cure for Cabin Fever.  

A simple meal for a cold winter night

after a busy and fun day of decorating.

It's back to business tomorrow, the business of everyday life

and all the happiness and sadness each day can bring. 

I do have something special to tell you, though! 

Ramblin' Man has announced his retirement, 

and he's 'coming home to me'. 

xx

He still has a few more weeks to go, but 

we have been very busy getting ready for our 

'lifestyle change' and have been squaring things up. 

I am very proud of all his many achievements, drive,

determination, and dedication to his family. 

Now he deserves to relax and enjoy all that he has accomplished. 

Of course, he would never do that.....relax? 

Never. He has insatiable energy and many wonderful plans

for our home, gardens, travel and family time. 

We're looking forward to this brand-new excellent adventure. 

I hope you will come along. 

xoxo