Here comes the sun

My re-entry into the real world after a 4-day weekend went fine today, if I must say so. And I must, you know.

I got a lot done and I even had enough energy to take my afternoon walk. I almost didn’t take the walk, but had to force myself after George came over to me, put his chin on my lap and gave me the sad eye treatment. So I put on my trusty Sorel’s and my jacket and headed out into the snow with a now-happy dog.





This is what it looked like from my seat on the front porch where I spent a good deal of time during my snow day yesterday. It was an absolutely glorious day, and quite lovely on the porch.





In fact, it was so lovely that my cheeks got sunburned.

And now I do look like the proverbial country girl with rosy cheeks.

Ha ~




I sat outside for several hours, reading my book and just listening to the birds. OMGosh, can they ever sing ~

It made me so happy. In the summer, I can’t go near the porch and the plants we’ve put here have all shriveled up from the intense heat. But in the winter, the south-facing porch is absolutely the place to be.




It’s just the right size, too. Perfect for two people and a dog.

And ok, a cat too.

Hello, Miss Blackie.

: : :

Earlier this week, I found a wonderful free Photoshop action while visiting one of my favorite blogs, Donna Boucher’s Quiet Life. The action is from Sesame Ellis (Rachel Devine) and is available on her FB page. It’s a soft, vintage look and you can adjust the layers to suit. I lowered the opacity of the copper tones in the photo below.




This is a my wonderful sister, Charlotte (on the right), and her eldest daughter, Emily, taken in Philadelphia the summer before last.

Here’s the original shot below.




Sesame Ellis Free Coppery Black & White action


As an aside, Emily told us earlier this year that she’s getting married in September. We are all so happy for her and I think Joe will fit nicely into our wacky family. We all like Joe.

Emily is an artist and started a blog in 2009. This is my favorite post to date:

The Sketchbook Project

: : :

I love having you visit and want to thank you for taking the time to stop by today. It’s always a pleasure to see you.

Until tomorrow, then . . .

PS - This post is just beautiful. I mean it, Caroline.