The robins...

...they're on their way there...to where you are. We saw lots of them on Saturday.

Take heart...they'll be in your neck of the woods before too long...and Spring will be right behind them!

Setting the alarm, packing the car and heading here tomorrow.

Tallahassee is one of our favorite Florida cities. Mr. MW will be in meetings. Annie and I will making our annual trip to Thomasville, Georgia for a little shopping and antiquing. I'll keep you posted.

Stay warm and think Spring!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

...in the bleak midwinter

Today, in an effort to warm-up, I played with my mantle. Yes, it's cold here in Florida. Not that I can, in any way, imagine the frigid temps so many of you are experiencing. But today I am bundled up in a few layers. We refuse to run heat unless absolutely necessary, so we layer up and keep moving.

When we travel I always bring bits of nature home with me. I have pinecones from Concord, Massachusetts and pods from Mt. Vernon. I've picked dried hydrangea heads from bushes in Charleston, S.C. and Asheville N.C.. And, of course, I have rocks from everywhere I've been with the date and place written on them...thrifty souvenirs.

I've scattered them across my mantle, along with feathers and wasp nests, for a calm, neutral and natural look...great for this time... the bleak midwinter.

The sweet matron in this early watercolor has faded with time. Her dress is a warm brown and her bonnet is tied with a pretty blue plaid. 

*********

Thank you so very much for all the kind words and condolences so many of you left on my last post. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Your words comforted me. 

Please, if you are so inclined, keep my aunt in your prayers. At the age of eighty eight she has now buried four of her children...two infants, a six year old and now her oldest daughter, at just sixty-one...a mighty burden for such a good woman. She is the last of my aunties, my favorite...and my heart aches for her.

And also my cousin's husband. They were together since they were fifteen...46 years. They did not have children so he is alone now.

Have a great weekend and stay safe and warm!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

My heart is heavy...

Yesterday we attended my cousin's memorial service. She lost her battle with breast cancer last Saturday...smiling to the very end.

On my yearly Summer visits to Florida as a child...we were pals, confidantes, partners in crime. We played in the sand and sun, spit watermelon seeds off our grandmother's back step, shared popcorn at the local movie theater as we watched the latest Disney movie.

So many childhood memories wrapped around this gentle Southern girl.

Rest in peace, my sweet cousin, you will be sorely missed.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

January Kitchen Window 2014

After all the color and shine of the Christmas season, my January window is neutral and calm.  This little bird painting is by Steve Shelton, a talented folk artist from Missouri. The colors of this diminutive bird are perfect with my lighter colored stone fruit.

And some of my favorites...antique eagle on ledger page, my two loves in Williamsburg, and a candle stick from Pat and Don Gaddy of Bittersweet Farm.

I like the way the veins in the fruit pick up the veins in the marble sill.

This compote is the one I bought at American Harvest in Kentucky. It has become a real favorite. I can think of so many ways to fill it.

Thank you...thank you...to all of you who commented and asked me to continue My Kitchen Window this year. Your comments warmed my heart and made me smile...and humbled me.

 I want to make some new valances this year and I'm always on the hunt for new goods...especially folk art, both early and new. I'll try my best to keep it interesting!

I hope you all are enjoying the new year and staying warm! The severe cold many of you are experiencing is moving into our neck of the woods this evening. My windows are frosted over and the wind is howling...no sunshine today in the Sunshine State!

I don't know about you, but I need some "quiet time". We went to our last holiday party just yesterday! We traveled a few thousand miles in November and December, slept in five different hotels a total of twelve nights. In between trips we celebrated two major holidays. There was shopping, wrapping, Christmas card writing, baking and lots of eating. And the last three months of the year are prime time for Mugwump Woolies creations. I'm tired! So...I will be taking a bit of a rest over the next couple of weeks.

Stay safe and keep warm!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn