cff February 2017 | Simple and Serene Living

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

FAT TUESDAY AND THUNDERSTORMS

No, I am not attending Fat Tuesday celebrations. My fat Tuesday has an entirely different meaning. 



My fat Tuesday has to do with the fact that I stepped on the scales this morning. Eeeek!!

Apparently I thought that sitting around for two months and eating whatever I wanted would be okay. 

So I am only showing my feet, and there will be a drastic change in my eating and exercising if I want to get into any of my summer clothes.


The lamps are all lit in my apartment today. About 5:30 this morning I was rudely awoken by something that sounded like a bomb going off. It shook my whole building.

We were having a doozy of a thunderstorm and thunderstorms are forecast for the rest of the day. 

Good day for me to stay home and catch up on some things I need to do. 

I recently opened my Etsy shop back up and I need to get some new listings up and running. Don't you love this creamer and sugar that I found at an estate sale. My favorite pattern.


This is my little plant hospital. It is where I am putting the new plants I have propagated and my basil plant that I have nursed over the winter. 

This window is in my bedroom so it is one of the first things I see in the morning. As plants always make me happy (unless they are dying) it makes a great start to my day. 

What do you do on rainy days? Do you just go about your normal routine or do you have a rainy day plan?

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Saturday, February 25, 2017

YELLOW IS THE COLOR OF....

Yellow is the color of my true love's hair.... or in the case here, it is the color of spring. 


We have definitely jumped into spring early here. With record high temperatures this past week everything is starting to bloom. 

The forsythia is escaping its confines.


Even the dandelions are poking up their little heads.


But my favorite sign of spring is the yellow daffodils. I know when I see them that we are starting to put winter behind us.


Yesterday as I was out driving around I couldn't believe how much things had changed over a couple of days. Leaves are popping out on trees and bushes, and there are pink and white blossoms everywhere. 

I had hoped to get out and take some more photos today, but an evil wind blew in last night and today is forty degrees colder than yesterday. I think those photos will have to wait.

Thank you for all of your kind words about my mom. She is gradually getting better. I can tell because she is grumpy. I had to give her a talking to this morning about the importance of taking a shower and getting herself going. I think it will make her feel better.

Have a wonderful Saturday.

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Tuesday, February 14, 2017

CONTENTMENT AND CHANGES

Yesterday I was reading Claudia's post at Mockingbird Hill Cottage about a Danish decorating term called Hygge. It boils down to finding a sense of comfort, coziness, and contentment in your home. 


Not a problem for me. That has always been my goal in decorating any space that I call home. 

When I walk in my home and close the door on the chaotic world we live in I want to feel that I am releasing my breath. That I feel love and safety in my surroundings. That it simply is home. 


I have found that in my small apartment. 

That being said, I have realized that I will not be in this apartment forever. Changes are happening. My older sister is moving out to Arizona to live with my younger sister. She will be gone in a few short months. It will be a good thing for her because she isn't able to adequately take care of herself any longer. It will be good for my younger sister because it will give her some needed help with finances. 


My mom is 92 and will not be here forever. She has said she just likes being with her friends. 

As for me, I have finally decided that I need to stand up for what I want, and that is to be closer to my daughters and grandchildren. I am tired of living in limbo. My grandchildren are growing up and I am missing it and I am missing them. 


I am going to Georgia in a few weeks and I am going to look at another retirement apartment. Their waiting list is two years, so it won't be a quick move, but at least I will feel like I am moving towards a goal that I really want. 

Life is too short and I believe we need to live it as we want. We all deserve happiness. 
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Saturday, February 11, 2017

GARLIC AND APPLES

I still haven't thrown off this wretched respiratory infection, but my younger sister is visiting from Arizona and told me about garlic and apples. 

I'm pretty desperate, so am willing to try pretty much anything.

wire egg basket apples

Apparently this worked for her once when she had pneumonia and two rounds of antibiotics didn't get rid of it. She also has friends who swear by it, and as I am desperate after six weeks I am willing to try pretty much anything. 

It's pretty simple. Slice up a clove of garlic and put it between two apple slices. Chew away making sure to bite into the garlic.


If it doesn't get rid of the infection, it will probably drive away my friends and family. 

My friend told me that if it doesn't work to tie it around my neck to ward off weirdos.


I'll let you know what happens and if I become ostracized. 


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Wednesday, February 1, 2017

COLLECTING OLD BOTTLES

Pssst!!! It appears that I have been running I mean walking slowly around with a bit of pneumonia. My doctor has issued a stern warning and put me on a stronger antibiotic. My pneumonia appears to have laughed at the first one. 

Now that I am sort of behaving, I am looking around at my apartment and thinking about things I would like to do, and I took inventory of my old bottles.


I love vintage and antique bottles. I have collected them for years, but I have had to sell many of them because of the lack of display space in my small apartment. 

I have some in each room. 

These are in my kitchen.


The desk in my dining room.


The pine cupboard in my living room.


The window in my bedroom.


I guess the only room that doesn't have any is the bathroom. I will have to remedy that. 

What is your favorite collectible?