refresh / reuse

solo post - L, Nikon

I sometimes have a sense of sadness after Christmas - the packing up of Christmas and the closing of a year can sometimes feel a bit depressing. But after I get started taking it all down, the sun starts to shine a little brighter in my home, I smile and get a feeling of rejuvenation - a sort of refreshed feeling comes about. It feels good. Take a deep breath and breathe new life into this new year - there are a lot of possibilities ahead and they are attainable if I put my mind to it.
It's all cleaned up and there is a sense of calm and peace in the house. It's very cold out there but my fire is burning and it's cozy in here.
And another thing that makes me smile - I take the popcorn/cranberry garland outside for the birds to enjoy.
Hope the New Year is off to a beautiful start for you all.

little mug / big trees

This evening I enjoyed a cup of Earl Grey tea in this little mug that makes me feel happy every time I use it - it was the very first mug I made on a wheel and glazed. / Taylor didn't send a photo again ( oh so busy i guess). But I always have plenty to choose from. Taylor took this photo exactly one year ago when my brother and his family visited from Maryland. We took a family hike at a place called Big Trees Forest Preserve, just few miles from home. It feels like a secret haven there. It's a 30-acre tree, plant and wildlife sanctuary right in the midst of a highly developed area. There are several, nicely managed, mulch trails, big rock boulders, 2 creeks, tree bridges, a variety of flowering plants and trees including white oak trees that are 100 to 200 yrs old. It's a wonderful escape so close to home.