And Then There Was Whitewash

If you saw my last post, you know that right here, in the nation's midsection, where the average annual snowfall is around three feet, folks were out and about this past week in shirtsleeves, shorts and sandals in the near-70-degree temps.

Today, it's a different story.

Most winters, we'd be sick of snow by now. We'd be whimpering 'cuz Phil saw his shadow and we had six more weeks of an already long winter left. But this winter, as is the case in much of the country, we've hardly had snow to speak of. A small event in December, a tiny flurry here and there and temperatures 10 to 40 degrees above normal. We haven't had a winter--yet.

So--for me anyway--this is as exciting as that first big snow event we usually have in December. It's hard to tell how much is on the ground right now, but predictions are that we will have about 12" by this evening.

Let's add a little color to a beautifully whitewashed day. Here's how the bulb garden looks now.

Ours is indeed a world of contrasts.

Make it a great day!

White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer

Fill a Gap--Quick and Easily

Ever need a quick solution to fill a small wall space?

After I took down a holiday wreath I had on the dining room wall, I wanted a change from the picture I normally hang there. 

Without a specific alternative to fall back on, I dug into bits and pieces of things I have around the house for a solution.

This pretty vintage gold-tone frame has been hanging on a pegboard in the basement gathering dust for ages. A little scrubbing and it looks pretty good.

A piece of medium-wide grosgrain ribbon and some luxurious, sparkly vintage rhinestone brooches create an eye-catching display within the frame.

The amber/gold tones of the glittery rhinestones and the gold frame pick up the gold accents in the wallpaper. Looks as if it were all meant to be.

So what's going on with the bulb garden in my dining room window?

Funny thing about bulb gardens: everything blooms at its own pace. The first daffodils you saw last week are waning, the second wave is now in bloom. The white hyacinth is now the brown hyacinth.

But the crocus look magnificent and a large, regal purple hyacinth is powering its way to the sunlight.

Three tulips and a second large hyacinth are budding beauties.

Stay tuned for the next wave of glorious color.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop
Talent Tuesday at Vintage Wanna Bee
Trash 2 Treasure at Kammie's Korner
A Little Birdie Told Me at Rook No. 17
Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty Decorating

Hello, Color

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

--William Wordsworth

A few years ago, my thoughtful husband surprised me with a beautiful bulb garden to brighten a cold and colorless January. Now, the bulb garden has become a tradition, bringing a shot of warmth to the dreariness that is winter in the Midwest. 

When my husband brought this one home a couple of days ago, the daffodils had just popped their colorful heads out of the buds. The white hyacinth was just peeking through and the crocus was a mere green nub.

I hope you'll come back over the next couple of weeks and watch with me as the illusion of spring unfolds in my dining room.

Don't forget to enter my 100th-follower giveaway. There's still time:  enter by 11:59, January 27, HERE.

Make it a great day!

Linking to:

Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop at Homemaker on a Dime
Simply Klassic Sundays at Simply Klassic Home