This morning we woke to a serene and beautiful snow covered world. Everyone is still on vacation here, and the house is full of tired  people who have been enjoying so many wonderful holiday celebrations they  are grateful for a day to sleep in and be snowed in. Outside it looks like this….

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.and inside it still feels  magical from the holiday decorations.  A few years ago I decided to make “winter” a bigger theme in my holiday decorating so I can leave many of them up through the dreariest pat of the year.

On January 6th , which is the Epiphany, and the last day of christmas for me, it  is always so depressing to take down the tree and the santas. Now I continue to display the snowmen, mittens,snowshoes,wooden skiis,  and other winter themed decorations through February, and of course  continue to have all the evergreen-ery and pinecones cut and replaced often to add to the winter feeling..

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Also inside, . many of the houseplants are working hard to bring some joy…this angel wing begonia has been in bloom for over a year . I do not know it’s name because  was a stealth cutting taken by a friend from a mutual friend who does not willingly share cuttings/plants. Little does that mutual friend know how very many people have this lovely plant gracing their home  :).

The clematis florida that is winding it’s way around the picture window  is about to

burst into bloom and I have been feeling a  little crazy when people sit in the window seat under  it becuase I am so afraid  the vine  will get broken off before it get to enjoy it. So far, so good though , and I expect lovely purple flowers to unfurl any day now.

And of course, forced bulbs like this amaryllis, will help brighten our spirits until winter is over.

Hope you all had a peace and joy filled holiday!