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February Musings

February snow

February we are almost done with you. For a short month why does it feel so long! Just the mere mention of the month, February, seems to elicit groans from people. This month, while short, seems to go on forever and at this point winter has lost its white fluffy sparkly magic. Sort of like a child on a car ride asking, “are we there yet”, we find ourselves asking “is winter over yet?”

february frozen grass

“February is merely as long as is needed to pass the time until March.”
Dr. J. R. Stockton

There’s just not a lot to look forward to in the month of February. Oh sure, there was the rodent forecasting the weather on Groundhog day and of course there was Valentine’s Day. Even our provincial government took pity on people and gave us something to look forward to in the month of February. They gave us something called “Family Day” in the hope it would get us through the month of February.

february geese

I suppose I can look forward to the flocks of geese returning from their winter vacation or the robins that arrive by the hundreds with their cheerful songs, but they better bring extra feathers to keep warm. I’m sure we are not over the snow and cold just yet.

Hmm, guess I shall go make a cup of tea and look through those seed catalogues again and dream of spring or perhaps go start some onion seeds. Now there’s something to look forward to.

february hands cup of team

“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle … a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream.”
Barbara Winkler

 

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January 6th CUDDLE UP DAY

 

cuddle blanket and hands

Many of us are experiencing extremely cold temperatures and dastardly weather so I thought it was rather interesting to note that January 6th is CUDDLE UP DAY

Cuddle Up Day is an opportunity to snuggle up to someone on a cold winters’ day or night. Chances are it’s cold outside. So, cozy up to a special someone, and enjoy some warmth and love. This day is enjoyed by both young and old.

This day is a great opportunity to:  cuddle with your cutie, snuggle with your sweetie, hug your honey.  And, of course, you do not have to cuddle up with someone……

cuddle snuggle cats

  • Cuddling up in your easy chair is a great idea, even better by the wood stove or fireside.cuddle chair by fireside
  • Cuddling up with a pet is always rewarding.cuddle dog by fireside
  • Cuddling up to a stuffed animal is quite secure and comforting.cuddle stuff animal snuggle
  • Cuddling up with a good book is enjoyable.cuddle read a good book
  • Cuddling up by the fireside is warm and cozy.cuddle popcorn fireside
  • Cuddling up with a hot cup of tea or coca is relaxingcuddle steaming blue mug

However you chose to spend Cuddle Up Day, stay warm and relax – you deserve it.

cuddle cat pair

“Come cuddle close in daddy’s coat Beside the fire so bright, And hear about the fairy folk That wander in the night.”

Robert Bird

 

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2018 New Year Musings

Bling - sparkle clock

New Year Musings

“We all get the exact same 365 days. The only difference is what we do with them.” 

 Another New Year welcomed, and suitably rung in with all the glitz, glamour and fireworks we seem to ascribe to the event.  I have often thought of the New Year as being a bit like an Etch-A-Sketch.  We draw and write all over the year and then on Dec 31st, we flip it over, give it a good shake and start with a blank screen.   

I don’t make resolutions per se.  I do make wishes that I try to turn into something that I can do something with or about over the course of the year.  Call them goals or resolutions if you must but for me it seems to work.  Whenever I start off a statement with “I resolve to…” I am heading down the path of disappointment. That only took me 65 years to figure that out about myself. 

Make a Wish

 

When I look back on the year past, I do so with an eye on accomplishments and things that went right; perhaps in an attempt to duplicate success.  I don’t spend a great deal of time lamenting what didn’t happen or what I wished I had done – for me that serves no purpose.   

For things I would like to accomplish in the year. I do write them down and post them somewhere where I can see them and be reminded of them.  This process works for me as I need a constant reminder to stay focussed and not get too sidetracked with things that seem like way more fun but are not as rewarding (financially or emotionally).  Fun is important, don’t get me wrong, a short trip to the casino does wonders to lift one’s spirits. 

NY blog 2018 goals 

This approach over the last 20+ years has lead me to where I am today – living the life I love, doing what I want and following my heart’s desire.  So, when it comes to your goals be creative, be daring, work towards that dream you have in your heart and start on the road to those goals (aka resolutions, wishes, statements of intent whatever you want to call them).  Don’t procrastinate or try to make them perfect, just get started and see where it leads.   

Flip over the Etch-A-Sketch with 2017 on it, shake it good and hard, then start off with a blank screen and get busy wishing.

“A new year is like a blank book. The pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself.”

Cover

 

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2017 Holiday Gift Guide – GIFT IDEAS FOR THE YOUNG ONES IN OUR LIFE

This gallery contains 21 photos.

Originally posted on Forget-Me-Nots Daily Discoveries on Etsy:
? The magic of the Christmas season is reflected in the eyes and smiles of our children.  Gifts, large and small, inspire laughter and sheer joy.  Here we offer this virtual gift basket filled with treasures to help with ideas for the young ones in your life,…

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2017 Holiday Gift Guide – DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE

This gallery contains 18 photos.

Originally posted on Forget-Me-Nots Daily Discoveries on Etsy:
? Whether fresh cut or out of a box, the Christmas Tree stands as a centerpiece of much of the Christmas holiday celebration.  Now standing at the ready in your room, waiting for those special touches to decorate each bough we offer this virtual gift basket filled…

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Valentine’s Day Musings

valentine-floating-heart-banner

Valentine’s Day is not a big deal for me, yet I do consider myself fortunate to share my life with an incredible man.  Somehow way back our souls found each other and like Velcro we have been stuck together ever since.  Enjoyably so I might add which is important when you spend 24 hours a day 7 days a week with someone, it’s good to enjoy their company.

boy-and-girl-in-red-heart

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird.

And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible

with ours, we join up with them

 and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness —

and call it love — true love.”

Robert Fulghum

two wooden hearts on a wooden background

 

Personally, I find this to be one of those over-the-top celebrations with cupids, chocolates, flowers, hearts, cards and raised expectations.  Perhaps over the years I have come to accept the fact that my dear husband does not celebrate days like this (well, he also forgets birthdays but that is for another post) so I am fine with this being “just another day”.

pair-cupid-and-telephone-3

 

We still laugh every day at something, talk like friends do about everything, never go to bed angry or disagreeing about something and we can argue like the best of them even over things like how to shovel sheep manure.  And even after 35 years of marriage we still discover things about each other – I just discovered he dislikes whistling, big time.

I don’t need a special day to tell him how much I love him.  Okay, I’ll admit I will probably make him heart shaped French toast and I did decorate the Hoosier cabinet with two joined hearts but that’s it.

valentines-day-two-hearts-as-one

 

I stitched this for my parents many years ago as an anniversary gift as I was so taken with the quote, it has become one of my favorites. This framed piece now hangs in one of my guest rooms.

dsc_1463

 

 

“Love does not consist in gazing at each other,

But in looking together in the same direction.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 

This is more a day to celebrate all those you love, parents, siblings, friends.  Pick up the phone and call them and let them know how important they are.  There, I feel better now – Happy Valentine’s Day to you and all those you love.

valentine-teddy-bear-love

 

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Happy 2017 From the Shops of the FMNDDTeam on Etsy and Help With Your Resolutions

This gallery contains 8 photos.

Originally posted on Forget-Me-Nots Daily Discoveries on Etsy:
“The old year cracks under the burdensome weight of twelve heavy months, and the next year emerges fresh and anew from its shell. A cracked bell still tolls” ~Terri Guillemets The New Year offers us the opportunity to look upon 2016, now in the rear-view mirror and…