To Everything There is a Season

To everything there is a season... Ecclesiastes 3:1

The current season is winter, not my favorite, but one that the Lord created so it must have a purpose.  Every year right after Christmas when the Christmas wreath comes down off of the front door and gets stored back in the garage I'm left with an empty front door in desperate need of something cheery that says "WELCOME" to our home!  Here in the South where temperatures rarely drop below the 20's and we have  a variety of evergreens and pansies that bloom all winter, it's still difficult to come up with something that doesn't look too Christmasy or too Springy and that is fitting for the season.  So this year I was determined to find a perfect and fitting solution.   I had my old standby red berry wreath, but wanted something with a bit more pizazz so I decided to look around my yard and see what "wintery" things I could discover.  Of course red berries were everywhere as was Spanish moss and ivy.  Although our magnolias aren't covered with the gorgeous white blooms they are known for this time of year they do provide interesting pods in the winter which were perfect to add interest and texture.  If you haven't "murdered" your Crepe Myrtle yet, they too have some very interesting little pods that look like fluffy brown blossoms that are perfect for filler.  We are not at a loss for branches and vines that can be braided or twisted together and used for a base, but I cheated a bit there and used a bare grapevine wreath I already had.   With some new elements and ideas in hand I went to work and put together the new focal point for my front door.  All I was in need of now was a bit of whimsy and since we don't have snow, snowmen, snowflakes or icicles wouldn't work, but there is one thing that we always have plenty of and is very fitting for a "beach" home.......shells!  I chose starfish and a beautiful ribbon bow to top it all off.  I am very pleased with my new "Winter" wreath, what do you think?  If you're in  the same quandary then bundle up and take a stroll around the neighborhood and don't forget to take a basket to collect all the treasures you will find.  If you decided to take the wreath challenge, please leave a comment and let me know where to go to see your winter wreath masterpiece!  Happy hunting and designing.  

It's A Southern Thing!

We southern girls have some habits that might be considered strange to girls in other parts of the country, but which are perfectly normal to us. We like "things" and find many of these "things" to be necessities and not luxuries. When we hear the term "things" our minds often are quick to think non-essential or extravagant, but that's not always true. One such "thing" that is absolutely essential in the daily life of a Southern Girl is the beverage napkin! I always keep a variety on hand and change them to match my decor, my mood, or the season. I never knew they were anything but a normal part of life until I lived in New England. One of the dearest friends I made while living there said to me one day, I always use a paper towel for my beverages, is that improper? I assured her that it wasn't and that I use an occasional paper towel as well. She told me how much she loved using my "special" napkins, but that paper towels are just more practical and affordable and she thought it was a luxury to use beverage napkins. After that we started referring to my napkins as "Southern" napkins and to hers as "Yankee" napkins. That conversation took place in the summer and a few months later when I was thinking of something small with a special meaning I could get her for Christmas I immediately remembered the "Southern" napkin conversation. Since she loves the beach and collecting seashells I began my search for beautiful beverage napkins with a shell motif and a pretty holder to put them in. Of course that was a simple thing to find and had a variety of shell napkins to choose from. I couldn't resist dropping by "The Pig" to pick up a roll of decorator "Yankee" napkins to send as well. A few days later I received a call from her thanking me for the gift and letting me know she keeps them on her nightstand and uses one every evening with her cup of hot tea! That's been two years ago and not only am I still sending her "Southern" napkins for birthdays and Christmas (this year the were white with the SC symbol of the Palmetto and moon), but she's started to buy them for herself as a little "luxury". Once more it just goes to prove you can find pleasure in the simplest of things.