February is in full force. And with VAlentine's Day around the corner, I was just thinking of what makes me happy this time of year. It's very cold outside. I wanted to go for a run. But at 6 degrees F., it wasn't too comfortable. So I am really a homebody this time of year.
I enjoy bringing flowers into the home to bring nature indoors. I also enjoy crystals and the meaning and energy they can bring to a space. Other things I like in February are handmade things like notes, knits, and art, as well as something baking in the oven.
My little orchid.
For some reason, I remember a story I read as a child. I found the story in an old book at my library. The book was so old, the pages were yellow and weak. There were few pictures; and they were just black and white sketches. Anyway, here is the story. A girl and her school friends always past a bakery on the way home from school. There was a glass display full of lovely things like pies and cookies. But the best thing of all was the lovely tiered cake covered in frosting roses, swirls, and intricate details. The girl and her friends were always hungry after school and would sometimes stop in the bakery and buy something...
I came across these lovely warm blushing purple hydrangeas at the grocers a couple days ago and had to have them. There were traditional baby blue, pink, and white hydrangeas. But these ones caught my eye. I am enjoying two things. First. I am working on painting these. I am realizing that when I paint larger, I need much more paint and larger brushes. That should make sense. But sometimes one doesn't realize until after starting that one is in the habit of working on a smaller scale. So here is the first run. I will be adding more paint and layers to this including larger and more generous brush strokes of paint, and darkening glazes in shadow areas....
