Finding Joy In Another Blizzard in Maryland

Did I really just type those words!? Finding joy in another blizzard???! “As if” is what my California born self wants to tell my new Maryland self. I am not known for being weather tolerant. I like blue skies, sunshine and temps ranging from 60-80. I do like an occasional snow and I like some rain, can’t stand wind and really can’t take days on end of rain, cold temps or huge amounts of snow. Considering that our little town is bracing itself for it’s 3rd blizzard (a record breaking winter in the way of snowfall) of the winter, I am not naturally thrilled about it. I feel claustrophobic and limited by the snow. I want to move about freely and go when I want to go. I want to paint without worrying about the many brain cells I am losing in an unventilated space. Wah, wah, wah, wah right? Exactly! Which is why I am searching for joy and embracing the moment. Big deal, it’s snow. We have a warm home that I spend so much time caring for, it’s days like these I should enjoy it enveloping us in it’s warmth, and memories we are creating in it. My family is safe, warm and healthy and they are all HOME! It always comes back to this for me, being HOME. So what’s to cry about, we are HOME.

Joy is….

My girls are sitting around the kitchen table playing a board game, and they’re NOT fighting.

Dan is making us dinner tonight

We have power (knock on wood and say a prayer it stays that way)

Enjoying the pretty spaces in our home we’ve created:

I bought this chippy house pillar in Denver to give our then suburban house character. I still love it and have it in a corner of our 1910 Victorian home. My husband shakes his head at it & thinks I’m strange which makes me enjoy it even more.

I usually see this Buddha candle holder when I am doing yoga at home (don’t be impressed, doesn’t happen nearly as often as it should and the kids are usually running through the house, slamming doors while playing hide & seek—not all that Zen sounding) and something about this black Buddha brings me joy.
I am excited that we will be carrying a few Buddha hands and heads next month. The anticipation for the store and my home thrills me.

Beautiful, weathered stones collected from a Palos Verdes, CA beach on my last trip out to see family. Joy in the simple. Joy in nature. Joy from the memories.

I love this chair that sits in my home office. It’s an old industrial office chair Saule & I found at an auction. I reupholstered it in a faux fur leopard. I love the contrast of the masculine, sturdy metal with the fussy, bold fabric. Every time I step in to my office I experience joy.

Not only is this pretty, but it is a family piece reupholstered so it always brings me joy. My Mother-in-Law gave this to us and I appreciate her generosity every time I see it. It was a fabulous red when I received it but 3 girls later, it was showing too much wear.

I LOVE, love, LOVE this antique chandelier. I found it at The Brass & Copper Shop in downtown Frederick, MD and smile every time I pass it.

My new obsession, Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman brings me joy. Many laughs as well. These snowy days are perfect for curling up with good books, a stack of decorating magazines (just stocked up) or reading about someone else’s fabulous life and ignoring the stacks of laundry piling up.

This little corner brings me joy. The Mission oak rocking chair, my brother-in-law rescued from his parents’ attic, re-finished it and shipped it to me for Christmas. A wonderful surprise and generous gift. The iron piece leaning against the wall is off a window from a European church.

Saule found an old industrial store basket and had the great idea to line it and use it for the unruly pile of kids mittens, hats, scarves, etc that was taking over her house. When I saw what she had turned her find into, I told her I wanted one. Well, she found me one and made the liner to go with it. So in addition to loving the looks and function of this basket, I appreciate the time my friend took in finding it for me.

Vintage art of a pretty fairy girl. My daughter Lily (who reminds me of a fairy) wanted this so bad when I came home with it from an auction. I love that my kids dig vintage style. Every time I pass this, it makes me think of her & how groovy she is.

I love this picture so much, I burst with joy & laughter every time I pass it. Lily drew it in Kindergarten. She loves telling everyone how old her parents are. Look at Dan & his 3 hairs on his head!!

As much of a pain as it is, it sure is lovely. I’ll find joy looking out from my warm & cozy home.

My 3 girls in their jammies commenting on how sparkly the snow is when the sun shines on it. Beautiful!
I could keep going, now that I’ve started this quest to find joy, it is all around me but this is already too long. Ultimately the snow will pass and I will have the memory of time spent in a home I love with my family that I LOVE even more.

Enjoy the snow!!

Be Sociable, Share!

•