Wednesday's What If Posts…"What If I Told You A Secret?"

What if I told you that I don't like winter? That it makes me sad? Would you understand? Do you know that I am a person that truly needs sunshine and and warm weather raindrops? That I need cheery environments to thrive in and beautiful sunsets to make my life complete? Well then you might ask, "How do you cope with winter"? I've often asked myself that same question! One of the greatest gifts God gave me is my three children! All three of them were born in the winter time! Two in January and one just two weeks later in February! God definitely has a sense of humor and knew I needed to be given a gift that would lift my spirits in the winter! But if it hadn't been for that, how would I have coped with winter time?

I don't cope with it in smooth, milky cocktails that might taste good...

Or bask in the beauty that surrounds the Aspen trees that I grew up with in Denver...

And I don't day dream of wintry outfits and accessories…

 Now, I do adorn my home with glorious lights in the holiday season and even though I dream of snow…I still do not want the cold….

 And I can truthfully tell you I love a good fire in the fireplace…nothing makes me happier!

And a warm cup of hot chocolate with lots of cream….who could ask for more?

I can often find myself dreaming of being on a snowy river…and then I realize I am truly dreaming….for this would never happen with me unless I get out of my comfort zone! Which I am happy to do!

Circa 1997

I found my comfort zone ages ago when I set my sights on this bedroom in a very old issue of Victoria magazine….

I knew the minute I saw it that Winter White was my new favorite color! I also posted on my love for Winter White just last January…you can see that post HERE!

My love for old, antique white ironstone had already taken off in flight…but after this issue of Victoria it began to soar….

to new heights…..in fact, it led me to open Mulberry Heights Antiques...

And the rest as they say, is history!

Literally, I saw this issue and my heart took off….and my bedroom became a reality along with my shop! We still have this lovely fabric in our bedroom today…it is discontinued and I will never part with it!

I've added to it over the years…but I will not ever part with it!

So glad they showed it in this past issue of The Cottage Journal!

And I've always wished this was me…sitting in my bedroom enjoying life…loving this picture and relaxing!

Instead, I'm running around as usual trying to finish the last minute things we all try to finish this time of year! And still trying to enjoy the real meaning of this wonderful Christmas and Holiday season! And just yesterday, I finally finished reading this issue of The Cottage Journal and didn't even realize that they had used our kitchen for this great section on creamware and brown and white transferware! You really do need to check out this new publication! I am quite impressed with it! Here are the last few pics I saw in it that show wonderful recipes along with a few pieces from my shop. 

I had no idea they had gotten out pieces from my silver collection to use along with my favorite stemware or the creamware oyster plates I had just brought back from our home at the beach. We never use them and I decided it was time to bring them back…they have not made it to the shop yet…but they should! They are quite lovely!

Love this little antique brown and white transferware sugar dish they used as a vase!

And please, do yourself a favor and check out these yummy recipes! You won't be sorry!

(I truly loved looking back at all of the reasons I love Winter White even though I'm not a huge fan of winter…and then I remembered another blessing that winter has given me…just last January…Jim gave me Zoie…sort of as an "appeasement" to Miller leaving for college! She has been a true joy and just turned a year old! She is still about this size but oh, so much more feisty!)

But more than anything….more than enjoying a fire or a snowy evening or even enjoying just reminiscing with me over old fabrics and old publications and seeing cute pics of Zoie….I hope and pray that you have yourself a Very Merry Christmas And A Very, Very Happy New Year!

I love and appreciate each of you very much…I am so glad to have gotten to know you this past year or so! May God richly bless you and yours!