FRESHENING UP

For some reason, the couple of weeks after Christmas and New Year's always leaves me feeling a little, well, bleeeeck! My house just feels so plain after all of the lights and trees have come down, inside and outside. And where we live, here in the great Northwoods of America, it can be pretty dark and cold for a long, long time; why, just this morning it was NEGATIVE 5 degrees. But you know what? Wee Willie doesn't care at alllll--he still needs his walk! I mean really, could you turn down this face?:

I sure can't! By the time we returned, he was limping because his little paws got so cold, and I totally couldn't feel my face. I'm telling you, I fantasize about living somewhere like, say, Georgia, on a day like this! But for now, I'm continuing to bloom where I've been planted. Freshened up our centerpiece on our kitchen table--out came the cute red pomegranites and Christmas ornaments, and in went some faux Lily of the Valley that I picked up at Wally World for about 2 bucks:

Sort of fresh and woodsy looking, doncha think?

I also changed up the decorative basket on our front door, using fresh greens (they freeze solid here all winter long, so they stay green) and more little delicate white flowers:

I also collect snowmen, and don't put them away until spring--I find them quite cheery, welcoming us home on our front porch. My girlfriend gave me this cute little snowman sign (that I also hang outside), that says, "I'd melt for you". Sorry about the glare:

I've also been busy up in my new craft area (photos to come soon, I promise), making these darling little white felt stars. They are sooooo easy to make! In fact, I'll be making lots of little Valentine hearts out of felt soon, so I'll show you how then. But for now, I hang these little stars evvvvverywhere:

I found the cutest buttons and ribbons at Michael's. I have a serious problem when I go into any craft store--it's like my version of crack cocaine!

Come back very soon for my super Easy Chicken Manicotti recipe!!