still in the throes of winter, but robins & valentine's day decor add some cheer

We're still in the trenches of winter here in northern Illinois and I'm officially sick of it and longing for spring. Two weeks ago we had a couple of big snowstorms, then we had record-breaking cold, and now this evening into tomorrow morning, we're under a weather warning for an ice storm. They're saying travel will be nearly impossible on untreated streets and not to be out unless you absolutely have to. I don't have to go anywhere, but both my husband and son will be traveling home from work tonight. They're also saying we could easily lose power from snapped power lines and falling tree branches. If we lose power, that means we won't have any heat either.

All worrisome indeed, but since I can't do anything about the weather, I can at least take pretty pictures. These were taken 1-1/2 weeks ago at a neighboring farm where I was picking up my custom pork order. Their hogs are pasture-raised and supplemented with a non-GMO, organic grain mix. If I'm going to eat meat, I feel better ethically eating meat that's been humanely raised and not fed GMO corn and soy. And our bodies thank us in the way of good health with that part, too.

 Last week I walked into my living room and saw a flash of orange out of the corner of my eye. I looked out the window and did a double-take when I saw a robin! I know not all robins fly south for the winter: there are "winter robins". Nevertheless, I have never seen one in winter. I ran to get my phone to take a photo and had to take this through the living room window, plus zoom in - hence the blurry photo. Someone on Facebook commented that she looked pregnant, too. Either that or she's just very fluffy!

 It's been gray and gloomy outside for what seems "forever". So I'm always glad when it's time to start decorating for Valentine's Day because the pops of red and pink add color and cheer around the house. Even though we don't make a big deal out of this "holiday", I've always liked it because there's no stress...and who doesn't like hearts?

In my bedroom, a tin heart and a hand-stitched Cupid pillow hang from the side of a bookcase...

and best of all, a heart banner made by Connie of Crafty Home Cottage hangs above my bed. I treasure all the things my blogging friends have made for me over the years.

In the kitchen...

Inside my small china cabinet...three out of the four hearts in the white box in the middle were made by Carol of Art and Sand. The fourth (the one in the back, right) was made by Penny of At Home in English Valley.

"The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love" (Hubert H. Humphrey)

Thank you for both. 💓

christmas aftermath, special visitors, and an ice storm

 Hello there! It's been a long and wonderful weekend of celebrating with family and I'm finally just now getting a breather so that I can post about what's been going on. Christmas Eve, Brian and I met up with his sisters for dinner. My father-in-law was supposed to join us, but he wasn't feeling up to it. He's in his early 80's and not in good physical or mental health. Brian thought maybe we could go back to his dad's place to visit him and his oldest sister told him not to bother - that Dad would be sleeping. It's so sad and hard to see parents decline. 

Christmas Day, we went to my sister's house where we joined her family, Mom, our cousin, and some friends of my sister's that have joined us on other holidays. Tim had to work on both Christmas Eve and Christmas, but before his shift on Christmas day, he drove out to my sister's house to be with us for 1-1/2 hours. 

We exchanged gifts, stuffed our faces with appetizers and desserts, had some wine, and played Cards Against Humanity for hours.

 Tim was finally able to come home in the afternoon on the 26th, so that's when the three of us had our own little quiet Christmas. 

 As most of you know, Tim's a photographer and one of the gifts he requested was this awesome professional tripod. He was very happy. It's even in his favorite colors - black and red. :-)

We ordered Chinese food and settled in with a movie - Samsara. Have you seen this movie? It's a non-narrative 2011 documentary that was filmed over five years in 25 countries around the world. The cinematography was mind-blowing.

Despite the ice storm going on today, we had two tiny ~ and very cute ~ visitors to our house. I dug out some old baby toys from storage, and Mr. Cutie Patootie was busy and happy the entire time they were here.

Oh, how I love squishy new babies!

The babes' mom, who is like a niece to me, is now married and lives in Canada, so I rarely get to see her. She's in town visiting her parents, so she and her husband, along with the two babies, came to visit us today. Loved holding a baby again - it's been so long.

 Even though I'm glad Christmas is over ~ and I de-Christmas'd the house this afternoon ~ I am feeling blessed and content. And needing to go back to my regular healthy eating. :-)