Saturday, January 19, 2013

Sunshine, freedom, and a little flower

I’m going to start by saying that never in my life have I put holiday decorations away as late as January 19. After New Year’s, there’s nothing that gets old faster than Christmas as far as I’m concerned. It’s just how I’ve always felt about it and so all of my adult life since I began decorating for the biggest holiday of the year, I would always have it all put away by the weekend after New Year’s.

I’m sorry to keep going on about it but glad to say that it’s all finally done.

My husband had already taken down the two small trees, putting the ornaments into a new cardboard storage box with drawers that I bought on sale last year.

 

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And early this morning, I walked around the house, gathering all the detritus of the holiday and depositing it on the dining room table, my staging area for packing. Surprisingly, I had it all done within two hours, my husband helping by taking all of the crates to storage.

In retrospect, I guess I really could have squeezed two hours from one of the previous weekends but with everything going on, it was all just too much.

 

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I did some cleaning before putting everything back in its usual place. Then I brought in some of the geraniums that have been wintering in the mudroom, cleaning them up and giving them a good dousing with water before placing them in the west windows where they’re sure to get a lot of sun.

I finished my book, The House at Riverton by Kate Morton. It was a decent read and kept me interested. Next up are The Thirteenth Tale, and The Book Thief, both of which I really look forward to. I read outside in the sunshine this afternoon in a protected spot. Sunshine can do a world of good in the middle of winter, can’t it?

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."  ~Hans Christian Andersen

 

 

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This afternoon, the light coming in the west windows was beautiful. So I picked up the camera. Here at the kitchen window, I have the remnants of the poinsettia plants on one side of the deep windowsill and geraniums on the other.

 

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And then I turned the camera to the window, focused on what was up close to my lens and caught the sun going down.

I love the blur and the colors.

Tonight I’m going to watch a movie that I received in the mail from Netflix yesterday. It’s up for an Oscar and a co-worker recommended it. It’s Beasts of the Southern Wild. I’ll keep you posted.

And now for a question, a single one this time.

What was the last movie you watched? Doesn’t matter if it was on tv, through the mail, at the movie theater . . . wherever.

See you in the comments.

123 Signature[5]

55 comments:

Country Girl said...

I watched A Cat in Paris, a cute little animated movie on Netflix instant streaming. Liked.

Caroline said...

I honestly don't remember the last movie I saw. Maybe Elf... Omg...I need a life!

Christie - Fine Lines said...

The last movie I saw was Zero Dark Thirty. Before that, though, I saw the Life of Pi in 3-D - it was AMAZING!!!!

Anonymous said...

Last weekend I watched You've Got Mail for the 6th time. That flik never gets old for me. I admire your reading list. I'm still working my way through the tech books re. Lightroom4 & Nik Software but I have Eight Girls Taking Pictures waiting in the wings and I can't wait to get to it. And speaking of admiring...your geraniums are wonderful. I put them in window boxes on the porch during the spring/summer but have never had any luck with keeping them through the winter. Beautiful! Happy weekend!!!

Sabrina Steyling said...

The last movie I watched was "Joyful Noise" with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. I watched it last night with some of my friends/coworkers over pizza for a really nice girls' night in. :)

Chrissykat said...

The last movie I watched was Avengers from Red Box. But, gotta confess, I've been glued to my computer the last two weeks watching all 4 1/2 seasons of Breaking Bad. Awesome show.

DesertHen said...

The last movie I watched was Six Days and Seven Nights. It was the hubby's night to pick out the movie. It (the movie) never fails to make me laugh out loud a time or two.

Michelle said...

"Christmas Lodge" was probably the last one we watched (I loved it but it probably wouldn't be most people's cup of tea), and my husband is setting up his computer as I type so we can watch "Gifted Hands."

imquilternity said...

I was just listening to a discussion regarding Beasts of the Southern Wild and it sounded very interesting. I'll be waiting to read your opinion. We just recently watched "Bird Cage" for probably the 15th time, but we just can't help it because it is sooo good and sooo funny!

Bluebird49 said...

I'm afraid my husband chooses the movies around here--so it was probably Open Range--which is years old and on TV! Myself--I have a few TV shows I don't like to miss-Chicago Fire and Downton Abbey--after that, I check out Hulu for tv shows I may have missed the first time around. Sorry--I should have just stopped with the movie! lol

You know--I think people who care enough about plants to look after them are happier for some reason!

Suz T said...

My resolution for 2013 is to stop lurking and start commenting. So, here goes. Love your blog! Hub and I saw Lesmiserables last night. Beautiful and tragic.

Donna S. said...

Can not even remember!!!! How sad is that? Hubby isn't much of a movie person.

Country Gal said...

Earlier today we watched the movie Hitman I recorded it last night , love zooming past commercials lol !
Love your photos . I to like geraniums and mine are also doing well, nothing like having blooms indoors during the winter months. I like to read in the sunshine . I take my Christmas stuff down new years day always have just one of those things lol . Have a good evening !

sharon said...

last movie I saw was The Ambassador's Daughter off of Netflix
Olivia de Havilland and John Forsythe
starred in it. It was okay as far as the classics go. I was late putting my Christmas decor. up too. Since today was a nice day we finally put away the Christmas lights outside as well.

Tammy said...

Thank you for the book ideas, I just bought them both for my Kindle. As for Movies, we went to see Lincoln which I loved, we watched Men in Black III from Netflix and it was okay and tonight we'll watch Loopers. Looking forward to hear about the movie you're going to watch. Hugs!!

JaneK said...

Despicable Me....... Twice; such is the life with a 5 year old! Also just saw Mr Poppers Penguins. Both were cute! I actually found Jim Carrey quite handsome in this one.... He is aging well in my opinion :) gotta couple of good ones ready to go in my queue thanks to you!

Anonymous said...

Guns, Girls and Gambling. Guess who selected it. LOL. And no, not recommending it.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I loved "Beasts of the Southern Wild". I have some 'Southern' in me ... spent my teenage years in South Carolina. 'Southern' just feels like home.

I just finished watching "Life of Pi" (not in 3D) ... on my TV. I very rarely give 5 stars to movies. If I could have given any stars, I would have given way more than 5. Spectacular, soul-satisfying, thought-provoking ... even without the 3D.

I haven't had indoor plants for over 14 years. Kitty babies think they're salad greens :LOL:

Barb

Elizabeth said...

Hi Kate...I finally put away my Christmas decorations today, too. See? You were't the last one. :)

I'm currently watching The Natural on CoziTV. Robert Redford looking swell...what more does one need?!

Anonymous said...

We went to see Lincoln and we loved it.

No sitting outside here because the wind is fierce. I can't even remember the last time I saw the sun. :(

Debbie from gloomy Illinois

jinxxxygirl said...

The Hobbit!!! Loved it but not as much as the Lord of the Rings series. I currently have my nose in the Eragon book series by Paolini Love it! I'd love to hear how you like the 13th tale...i've seen it a few times but not picked it up. Hugs!deb

mudmaven said...

Last weekend I introduced my grandchildren to Secondhand Lion. I was so thrilled that they loved it as much as I do! Their mom tells me that they have watched it at least 3 times again since they were here as it has been on one of the cable channels and they recorded it. Love that pink geranium! Gorgeous! ~chris

thecatalanway said...

Hello! I love how you care about us enough to want to know! It really gives me a lovely feeling.
So, I saw a French film called Un Hereux Evenement which is translated into A Happy Event and is about a couple dealing with life change after having their first baby.
I love French films and am rather proud of myself how I now watch things in one foreign language with subtitles in another! Usually French/Spanish. Lots of films in Catalunya are dubbed so we go every week to a Film Club where they are in original version.
love and yes I too want it all down and packed away after New Year. Have to make myself wait till 12th night. But my mother used to leave them up till much later - sometimes still there when next Christmas came around!!! Did us no harm Kx

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

THe Rite...last night... with Anthony Hopkins. Only because he's one of my favorite actors. I hate the subject, but he was marvelous in it.

Now why didn't I bring in my geraniums last fall?? I had great success the year before with a white one. *sigh* lovely images here.

I take our Christmas stuff down a week after Christmas too. It actually bothers me to see Christmas trees still lit in some house windows...lol.. when it's over, it's OVER.




wildbanshee said...

Not really a movie, but a BBC series, Doc Martin. It's very good, on Series 3. the scenery is beautiful, set in a fictional town of Portwenn, very quirky characters.

Rocky Mountain Yankee said...

The last movie I watched was Men In Black. I have no idea why but every time it is on tv I have to watch it!

Snap said...

The last movie I watched (I'm not much of a movie fan) was The Kings Speech followed the next day by The Devil Wears Prada. I was shocked that I watched two movies! Enjoyed both of them. This movie stuff isn't bad! :D :D

I still have a Christmas tree to take down. !!!!

BB said...

Ha - my decorations have been down for weeks. The boxes they live in are still in my living room however!

As for movies, watched The Lorax today with Violet (who has temps at the moment). Sweet and disturbing - I hate when too much deep 'message' gets into a kids movie... kids need to just have fun and not worry about the world, I reckon. (Leave that to us adults!)
:-)

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I couldn't sleep again last night and Bridesmaids was on so I watched it *again*. I am not one to watch a movie a second time. I am curious to hear what your opinion is about Beasts of the Southern Wild.

Thank God for sunshine. I thought my eyes were going to go blind yesterday because they weren't used to the brightness!

Go Ravens!

mrs mediocrity said...

We watched The Company Men last night. It was okay.
The Book Thief is one of my favorite books, ever. And the Thirteenth Tale is also really good, she is a beautiful writer.
And those geraniums are fabulous. It's so nice to have a little color in winter.

Joyce said...

Last movie I watched was Hope Springs w/Meryl Streep & Tommy Lee Jones. I liked it, however I loved The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel which was the movie I watched before Hope Springs. Both movies are about middle-aged/older people. Hit home!

it's me said...

My husband has the remote control surgically implanted in his hand. I don't get to chose much. I have learned to tolerate a lot of John Wayne--he was a childhood hero of mine anyway. I enjoyed Midnight in Paris--a light movie, but fun. Gave us to a chance to reminisce a little on our trip to Paris.

MrsB said...

I watched The Driver - with Ryan Gosling. A good movie - disturbing - but redemptive.

Devon said...

I watched an Inspector Morris episode last night. I love British mysteries... just got the complete set from Amazon. Just in time as I started knitting a baby blanket and I fear the baby will come before I am done!

I liked your quote.. the simplicity is, we can all be happy with those three things as well :)

Linda said...

It's tough to get a movie in during football season but I managed The Quiet Man over Christmas break.

Linda said...

It's tough to get a movie in during football season but I managed The Quiet Man over Christmas break.

DesertHen said...

It was my turn to pick a movie last night, so we watched French Kiss. One of my favs. Had a nice fire going in the fireplace too.

The sunset photo is magical!

Low Tide High Style said...

I love that last shot...so pretty! And the last movie I watched was Top Hat with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. It was on PBS last night. :)

Kat

Anonymous said...

This afternoon we saw Sweeney Todd. Johnny Depp is my daughters favorite. Greetings from Holland, Hanny.

beth said...

we just watched "trouble with the curve" friday night and really enjoyed it.....

let me know what you thought of "beasts of the southern wild" as we saw it in the theatre and kind of left with a "what was that all about" look in our eyes :)
xo

Anonymous said...

I watched Hope Springs.

Mary said...

I cringe to admit this, but the last movie I watched -- on Friday night -- was Terminator 2. My husband got it on blu-ray for Christmas, and as he had spent the day at the office, I thought he should get to choose. Not really my kind of movie, but less dreadful than I expected...

I just finished putting my Christmas decorations away on Saturday, too. Actually, I still have to take down the ones outside. Crap.

So glad to see some sun this weekend! xoxo

maillady said...

silver linings playbook. thought it was very good. lots of different emotions really. went with my sister

Gail said...

Mother always loved geraniums and could coax growth and beauty to rival a tropical rain forest. I did not inherit that talent.

Unknown said...

The Hobit at drive in last night :D

Annie said...

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Couldn't remember until I read one of your reader's had seen it! Have it on DVD to watch again.
Would like to see the Quartet next. One day.
Have been watching the tennis on TV, The Australian Open. Some of it, some of those men's five set matches are exhausting!

Daryl said...

i read both The 13th Tale and The Book Thief ... did love either ...

we watched Silver Lining Playbook, it did not live up to the hype. and Django which i LOVED .. today we're going to watch Les Miz .. its fun to have friends in important places and get to watch these films on our DVD

WPgirl said...

Coal Miner's Daughter.

thotlady said...

I think it was Taken 2.

Carolynn Anctil said...

I'm currently working my way through the entire set of The Tudors. It was a fascinating time, and I'm glad I didn't live then. I started watching The Dark Night Rises last night with my husband, but couldn't stay awake, so had to go to bed about 1/2 way through.

Lisa Gordon said...

A Bronx Tale.
When my son was home for Christmas, he wanted to watch it again for the ?th time, and I watched it with him.
Absolutely loved it.

Lili said...

Your plants look so pretty over wintering in your window. And how you captured the setting sun was really nice too. Can't remember last movie, but watched documentary when I awoke in the middle of the night entitled "ribbons in the sand" about NC's outer banks. That counts, right? xo

kathy b said...

Buck

it is an amazing beautiful movie..documentary about the true HORSE WHISPERER

The JR said...

I think it was one of the Narnia movies.

I need to take my XMAS tree mosaic and stockings down. Call me lazy.

GailO said...

Last DVD I watched was The Other Bolyen Girl which was ok and the last movie in the theater was Django which was fantastic!

I hate to admit this but although I got all my ornaments down awhile ago, all the boxes are still lining the upstairs corridor because I am too lazy to find room for them in the storeroom...it is a matter of rearranging lots and lots of stuff:)

Gorgeous shot of that gorgeous geranium!