Rose Chintz and Tulips

Life is like a camera...
Focus on what's important
Capture the good times
Develop from the negatives
And if things don't work out
Take another shot. ~ unknown

Hello everyone! It has been very cold here on PEI. At the moment, the sun is shining brightly but the temperature is cold at minus twelve degrees Celsius and a wind chill of minus twenty-one. So, what does one do when it is too cold to venture outside? Well, one hunkers down inside with a cup of tea or coffee. 

It was one of those weeks when I didn't have a lot of energy so I didn't get a post ready until the weekend. Extreme temperatures play havoc with my body and I figured I had better get a picture of these pretty tulips before they start dropping their petals. 

They were the most gorgeous shade of pink in the beginning but after a few days, they have faded and they are opening up to resemble something else. Tulips this time of year are such a welcome sight because they bring a little touch of Spring into one's home.

Tea is to the body as music is to the soul. ~ Earlene Grey

Tea is on the menu today as well as some sugar plums I had frozen from Christmastime. My family loves them and I have a few left to nibble on.

I brought out my Johnson Brothers Rose Chintz as I haven't used it for tea time in a while. I have many pieces of the pattern now since my auntie gave me all of hers and I use it every day. I oftentimes use other teapots but the colour of the tulips goes so well with the pattern. 

The curtains are drawn most of the way today because the wind is howling outside and one can feel the cold just looking out the window.

Another angle I thought was pretty. Yes, I have eaten one cookie already!

Tomorrow, there will be another snow storm with twenty to thirty cm of snow. The older I get, the more I detest the wintertime. I try to enjoy it but it's not easy. 

When one is sitting around home a lot like I do, you tend to do a lot of over-thinking. I am housebound most of the time because of a medical condition but I try to keep my mind active. These are the times when I have to turn my mind over to thinking on the blessings in my life and not the negatives so much. I'll be honest, I find wintertime the hardest. So, I drink some hot tea, read a good book, watch a good movie, or listen to music. On a good day, I will have a friend over for company.  And I pray. 

I often pray when I'm doing the dishes. The warm sudsy water on my hands is soothing and whenever I pull up a piece of pretty china from the water, it makes me happy. That's why I think it's important to use pretty china. Don't leave it in the cupboard until a special occasion. Use it now; enjoy it! 
In my case, the Rose Chintz reminds me of warm summer days and whisks me back to my childhood when I visited my auntie. Anyone who has followed my blog for any length of time  knows the story of the Rose Chintz and how special it is to me. 

Someone once said that if you have something in your home that is not beautiful or useful, then it's best to get rid of it. This is why I use pretty china. It is beautiful, it is useful and it makes me happy. 

How about you? Do you have pretty china that makes you happy? Do you use it often or does it sit looking pretty in your cabinet?

I lead a simple life and I enjoy simple things. A sunny day, the laughter and love of family, a message from a grandchild letting you know they love you, etc... My life is not at all the way I thought it would be but it's the life I have been given and I thank God for it.

Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you're living. ~ unknown

I am planning a special treat for Hubby on Thursday. I'll tell you about it next time.

Have a beautiful day, dear friends, and enjoy it to the fullest. Happy Valentines Day!

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi