Red on White

Here in the south, we really either hate snow or we get really excited.

Since I'm not from these parts originally, I get excited because being from Ohio, I miss it!

You out there in the colder parts of blog land kind of just accept snow as part of normal life.

So I tend to find ways to celebrate our few and far between snowfalls.

Of course, one of the ways is watching the birds go absolutely CRAY over it!

We always have a pretty good assortment of birds throughout the year, including cardinals.

I love feeding and watching all of them but when there is snow on the ground,
there just aren't any that compare to those stunning pops of red against the brilliant white snow.

I was able to get most of the bird photos through my dirty windows.
It was bitter COLD out there!

There were so many birds that I decided to put out an extra container of seeds on the deck.
It didn't take long for them to find it...and fight over it.
I love how the cardinal seems to be telling the sparrow, "This is MINE...go get your own!" :)

But I did endure the freezing temps for just a bit to get out in that lovely white stuff.
I walked the dogs down the driveway and when I turned around back towards the house,
it was kind of like seeing the red cardinals against the snow...except....different.

Our formerly-brown-but-now-red-house really stood out against the ground covered in white.

Also, the night before the snow came, Jim went out to the store and brought me back flowers.
I'm sure you see where I am going with this...

...and surely you remember how much I like to play with flowers in the snow :)

 Kind of a crazy idea for a post, don't ya think?
Oh well, it's only the beginning of January...surely things will get better :)
By the end of this week, we are to have temps in the upper 60's again.
Welcome to North Carolina!
~
And surely you have guessed by now that I'm linking up with Maggie at
Mosaic Monday


Have a great week!

Views From My Front Porch

A MYSTERY

~Author Unknown

 

Who turned the green leaves

And turned them red and gold?

Who touched the morning air

And made it crisp and cold?

Who touched the green grass

And left it frosty white?

Who changed the whole world

 While I slept last night?

Of course there is no mystery here...

...we know Who changed them :)
~
I found this darling poem online saved as a PDF file with no reference to it's author,
only that it seemed to be written by a 4th grader for some kind of class assignment.
I just had to share it with you...

...since it's exactly what I've witnessed here over the last day or two.

I've really been admiring everyone's beautiful fall foliage posts recently

and I've mentioned a few times in my comments that we didn't have much color yet.

Well, the color has just popped out here...literally over night.

All of a sudden, the woods have come alive with pops of reds and yellows...
...with the brilliant backdrop making it easier to spot the birds!
The views from my front porch have dramatically changed!

I better enjoy them while I can because we all  know what's coming next.

~

Come said the wind to the leaves one day,

Come o're the meadows and we will play.
Put on your dresses scarlet and gold,
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

~ a children's song of the 1880's


Sharing at:
Mosaic Monday
 

Little Red House in the Woods

I've been dreaming of it for years.

Now that it's finally a reality, I'm just tickled pink...but I'm seeing RED...
...in a good way! :)

~

Years ago when we first moved into our little brown house in the woods,

I really liked it's rustic charm but over time, the brown faded and became quite worn.

And after we had the garage built, we weren't able to match the browns exactly.
We lived with the slight difference in paint color for close to twenty years.

Yes. Twenty. Years.

It was time for a change.

WAY past time.
~
A couple of months ago, I posted an update and a little sneek peek of the upcoming changes.
It is still a work in progress but it's far enough along to finally be able to share.



It went from brown to primer gray to red.
Our contractor suggested that instead of replacing the old, decrepit front stoop,
he could build us a good sized front porch.
Ohhh...YES please!



We painted the existing shutters black and added new black ones to the back.

I painted the front door black...

...and sprayed the old green wrought iron patio set with oil rubbed bronze...

...and added new cushions and umbrella.

There is still some trim work to do and finials to add to the stairs,

but it was a happy day when just this past weekend we were finally able to use the new porch!

 

We have really missed having a front porch ever since we sold our cabin

and it has been exciting anticipating that fact we were going to add one here.
 I have been decorating it in my mind since June when the project began :)



 

Our vintage metal glider has been rescued from the garage since it's face lift...

...and is now at home on the new porch!

These wicker rockers were $3.00 (each) yard sale finds...

...repaired and sprayed with the same paint that I used on the glider.

The vintage ice cream table set was a present from my hubby for my birthday :)

 

We were trying to beat the clock to get the porch set up before our first visitors arrived...

...and we just made it with a few hours to spare.

 

This is my Nashville bunch, testing out the glider...

our first front porch guests.


And Buddy, their dog, made himself right at home, as you can see.

 It was little chilly to sit out there very long...

...but was much warmer sitting around the campfire in the back.

This is my oldest son with his two boys, his significant other, and her son.

And here's the whole bunch of us, all together at one time.

I was one happy Mama/Mawmaw, having the whole family gathered together :)

~

The home improvements are still a work in progress, like I said.

There is still plenty of work to be done.

The past few months have had it's share of stresses and there will be more before it's all completed.

And although I am thrilled with the newness of our surroundings,

there is nothing to compare to just being together under one roof...or sky...as the case may be.

 Brown house, red house...it simply doesn't matter.

Memories are memories and treasured wherever they happen :)

 

Sharing at:
Mosaic Monday

Grace at Home



A little sneak peek...

Good morning, friends...
I hope you all had a great weekend!
~
Isn't it unbelievable that it is already the middle of August?
I was hoping by now that things would be a little further along...
...the home renovation is going a bit slower than expected.

I understand this is a common occurrence when you deal with a contractor
who has many other irons in the fire.

BUT...progress is being made...

...and slowly but surely, a few big changes are taking place.

I'm really getting excited!

More updates later.

So in the mean time, you just might find me chillin' on my new front porch...

...if it isn't raining :)