Winter warm ups...

After the crazy, warm, temperatures and sunshine of the last couple days, you could almost believe that winter might be over here in the Northwest...sadly, I doubt it! But didn't that warm weather feel great...in January? Today, however, felt like winter was back, even though we are not getting loads of snow like the East coast. 

Winter is usually a time to snuggle inside with a warm blanket, a fire burning in the fireplace, a good book, and a hot cup of tea.  After all the lush reds and greens of Christmas, I like to keep the living areas pretty simple and neutral...lots of cream and white. Though I love more color in the spring, summer, and fall...the winter speaks quietly to me.

These craftsmen leather chairs actually recline and are oh so comfortable. When I want to be near the fire, this is where I settle in, with all the candles light and glowing. 

On the other end of the living room, the sofa has white wool and cashmere pillow covers on the pillows to warm things up. Whenever I put out the buffalo check tan and cream cashmere pillows, I'm reminded of a trip to Italy. My friend, Pam, and I went for a week and stayed with her cousin, Deb, who was living in Treviso with her husband, Mike. They had already been in Italy for about 5 years so Deb spoke pretty fluent Italian and was the consummate tour guide and hostess. We fell in love with cappuccino, pumpkin gnocchi, eggplant parmesan, and Prosecco! One day, as we were walking the streets of Venice, I spied this little home interiors shop. We had to go in, of course! The dishes and glass ware were beautiful, as was the bedding. These buffalo check pillow shams caught my eye and we asked for the price. I was pleasantly surprised to find they were amazingly affordable...even for cashmere! I purchased them, brought them home and tried them on our bed. Not loving how they looked there, I took them to a seamstress who cut them down to fit a 20 X 20 pillow form...so glad I did. Every winter they come out and grace the sofa for a few months in the winter.

I may be in the minority, but I do hope the mountains get some more snow soon. So many businesses in the Leavenworth area depend on having snow to draw the cross country skiers, the snowshoers,  the snowmobilers, the sleigh riders, the skiers and snowboarders. Psalm 147:16 says, "He spreads the snow like wool, and scatters the frost like ashes." Isn't that a beautiful word picture? I just love it! Keep warm and snuggle in during these cold days.

Warmly, Gracia