Another Mantle Post

I apologize for the lack of creative posts. It has been a l-o-n-g winter! My creativity and the view outside my door seem to be one and the same...dull and boring.

 Between adjusting to widowhood and (what seems to be an endless amount of) gloomy weather, I've had little desire to do any decorating. One of the few creative outlets has been my mantle. 
I appreciate that you have tolerated my (what seems to be an endless amount of) continuous mantle photos. I, like the weatherman, promise that there will be changes soon. But until then, here's a look at the state of my mantle today.

It reflects the weather outside---browns, creams, with a glimmer of gold (the hope of sun shining through the clouds/smog).

Sprinkling in a Little Spring

When the weather outside is full of  

white and gray 

it can get a bit depressing.

Just look at all the snow 

on my make-shift spray paint table---

that's enough to make any DIYer a bit sad. 

To help lift my mood I've sprinkled in 

a little bit of Spring green 

 in with my winter decorations. 

 Green accessories and plants 

(faux and real)

 

 give me hope that  

Spring is just around the corner.

Winter Mantles

January's mantles at my house are 

a reflection of the weather. 

 Although I am honestly a bit tired of 

the snow outside

 there is such beauty to be seen after 

a winter snowfall;

the bright blue skies contrasted with the 

sparkling white snow.

  I suppose I wouldn't mind another snow storm

 or two before spring,

   as long as I can stay warm and cozy 

 inside with my family. 

Winter Florals

I love to use amaryllis flowers in my
winter decorating.

I've always used the fake variety

but for Christmas a friend gave me
my first amaryllis bulb.It was so fun to watch it grow, it changed almost daily.
I was so happy with my real live amaryllis
that I partnered it with a live orchid. Both are easy and rewarding to grow.
And they're beautiful too!

Pretty Penguins

Decorating in January can be tricky. It seems strange to use spring items when there's snow outside. I've decorated with snowflakes and snowmen in the past but I've been wanting a different theme. Over the past year or so I've tried to pick up items from the thrift store that would work well for January. And it seems that I have an attraction to penguins which I didn't even recognize until I pulled out my new-to-me decorations.

I'm enjoying my pretty little penguins. Do you have a decorating theme for January?

Where's the Snow?

We have had very little snow this winter.

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed having
spray paint days in December and January,
I know that we need an abundance of snow
for a prettier spring and summer.

So I am doing my part to encourage Mother Nature.

And Mother Nature, if your listening,
can you make it snow mostly in the mountains
so there's less to shovel in my driveway?

Thank You!