Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. ~John Muir
January isn't a particularly beautiful time in my part of the country but it's there and if I look I can usually find it. I'm looking for the brightness in this bleak and gray time of the year. For me, beauty isn't only something that I see with my eyes. Sometimes it's a small gesture or a kindness. Sometimes it's a feeling or an emotion. In January and February I'm usually seeking it out...this year is no different...
I'll begin my quest with photos from our Valentine Tree at home. This year both boys wanted to decorate the tree and I sat and watched them. They had a lot of fun decorating the tree and I had a lot of fun watching them. The tree isn't arranged as maybe I would have done it but ...the beauty of our tree is in our time spent together.
And...although I'm struggling with living in our construction mess right now...I saw a small, bright spot on top of our displaced dishwasher this morning. A sweet coffee mug mingling with the waiting supplies.
Where do you find beauty during the winter?
I see it today - that big bright spot in the sky! What's that called again? Oh yes, sunshine. O' Sunshine how we've missed you :) Many of these winter days it's been really hard to find that beauty.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Jackie - all the work will be SO worth it! -Tammy p.s. love the Valentine's tree. the boys did a great job.
I too, love the Valentine Tree!
ReplyDeleteYes, this time of year can be hard, in lots of ways. Cold... Dark... Etc.
Well I find beauty right now, in the new look on your blog. It's simple and it is lovely!
A Valentine tree, now that's one I hadn't thought of. I must confess I do have a Noah's Ark tree in where else, my Noah Ark bedroom.
ReplyDeleteI did pull out some of my red things today and filled my china cupboard. I put up a wall hanging too.
It might snow tomorrow, that will brighten my winter day!
Patti
Your valentine tree is beautiful! What a fun idea. And that cute hearts mug amid all the construction stuff was very cute.
ReplyDeleteI am finding so much beauty in my children's laughter. The changing sky--all grays and whites in heavy clouds. And the way God is revealing Himself to me lately.
Elle
PS I love that Muir quote--I've never heard it before!
You know - here its summer and it's hot! we had this lovely wet interlude after Christmas - the hills I look out to were misty - so much beauty it was lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI read this post when you posted it and meant to comment. I got busy with something and then.... Anyway, I like the idea of a Valentine tree. If one was going to do it then just leave it up after Christmas. Hey I know, leave it up all year.Next will St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July etc, etc. Then there's no draggin it out at Christmas! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhere we find beauty in the winter is going to our local nature center. They have an inclosed room with big glass windows. It faces where they have a ton of bird feeders. All kinds of birds come and feed and there are sqirrels, turkeys, the occasional deer ,and other critters. We love to watch them. We just may have to take a trip this week, who knows.
Have a good one!
It's kind of hard for me right now. I'm really struggling. The weather today is really windy. Part of the siding on our shed blew off and our basketball hoop looks like it's about to snap in two. BUT, I am thankful that I can be safe and dry in the house. And I'm finding the more I look around our house, the more prettier it seems to me. Filled with memories of happy times that I know will return soon. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a Valentine tree as that is such a fun idea decorating it with the kids. I save tons of travel magazines and sit down in January and find the beauty in places that are warm and even if I never get to visit them it is a beautiful thing to dream warm thoughts on a cold winters day:)
ReplyDeleteJoyce
A Valentine tree...that is too cute (and clever)!! Do you use the same tree as your Christmas tree?? So sweet:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we have to find beauty this time of year in unique ways. It must of been very sweet watching your boys decorate the Valentines tree together. That is beauty! This time of year...I try to be more creative and I find beauty in that. When the warmer weather comes...I'm outside!!
ReplyDeletei love the valentine tree. i find beauty in snow covered everything, in foggy days and in being in a warm house when it is freezing out. and also i find beauty in knowing that spring is just around a few short corners!
ReplyDeleteLove the mug shot (ooh, bad pun).
ReplyDeleteNo, seriously, I love the little quiet space it creates in the midst of construction.
I like your Valentine tree! We like to do a little decorating for Valentine's and Chinese New Year, which fall on the same day this year. Fortunately, red decorations work for both of them, otherwise it could get a little tricky!
ReplyDeleteBe well
~Andrea~
It's neat that you found the mug in the mess...and it is a cute one. My Granddaughter says you have to just look really, really good cuz sparkly is everywhere. Sometimes it just seems hard to see.
ReplyDelete