Playing in our own backyard

 My husband and I live in a small condo so we have to get outside and into the open spaces around us just to keep our sanity.  This is one retreat we like going to. 

 The snow capped mountains are so breathtaking.

 I call this one the road to the middle of nowhere.  We would love to build a house out here some day.  Concentrated living (stacked apartments) is not our style but we continue to endure.

Just being able to visit this open space often is pretty good too.  We weren't getting much cell service out here and the grocery store and schools are quite far a way too.  Just weighing the pros and cons of extreme rural living.

Hints of Spring

 Spring is just around the corner...I can feel it in the air.  And so can the plants.  My friend gave me some cut branches off of her pussy willow tree and they are brightening my office as we speak.  They are even growing roots in the water so my sister might be getting a pussy willow tree in the near future (condo living and HOA's are not conducive to planting your own trees in the yard).

 They are so soft to the touch.

 Then my Christmas Cactus decided to bloom (this is the first time in the 3 years I've had it).  It bloomed for me on Valentine's Day.  It's a late bloomer, it must take after its caretaker ;)

 The buds before they opened.

 And the flowers in all of their glory.

I'm looking forward to the warmer temps of Spring so I can finally get back outside.

Valentine Candy Home Decor

 Valentine's Day is just around the corner so I thought I would celebrate with some sweet and yummy home decor.

 Winco Foods sent me a $10 gift certificate in the mail so I bought the candy with that little freebie.  Love a good deal!

 Conversation Hearts, Valentine's Day M&M's, and Red Hots.  I used Mason jars I already had on hand.  The carafe and cake plate are from Hobby Lobby and the apothecary jar is from The Quilted Bear in Salt Lake City, Utah.

My husband thinks I have set up my own little candy store right in our living room.  He has been so good and not eaten any of my display until I could get the pictures taken.  Now he gets to dig in to this little stash.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Downton Abbey

I have been watching Downton Abbey over the last month.  It is soooo good.  I have a thing for British T.V.  My last obsession was Sherlock.  Can't wait for the new season of that one.  But for now, my Sunday evenings are filled with the Crawley family and the drama that ensues between them and the downstairs help. If you haven't started this show I highly recommend it.  It's on Netflix and other online sources.  Start with the first episode and work your way through it.  The storyline is so much richer that way.  I also like to have the captions on so I can catch the things being said in the occasional thick British accent.

Happy New Year 2013

 Sorry this post is a day or two late.  I decided I wanted to decorate for the month of January so I decided to take out all of my red ornaments and just leave my silver ornaments in my lamp.

 I already had all of these Christmas tree decorations handy since I didn't put up my tree this year.

 Took the red balls out and left the silver balls here.

 I thought gold would be a good color for January too.

And I filled my apothecary jar with ice crystal garland.  It has been frigid COLD here so I decided to bring some of that ice theme inside.  Hope everyone had a fun and safe New Year. Clark and I actually got to break away from our busy schedules again and went to see the movie "Lincoln".  My hubby is a huge history buff so this was one of his Christmas presents.

Merry Christmas!

 Wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Clark and I finally got a chance to break away from our busy schedules.  We went and saw the Christmas lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 It was a winter wonderland without the usual snow.  It was in the 40's so we didn't get all that cold.  We also went and saw Christmas Street and the Christmas Story Street in Salt Lake.

We also saw the candy windows that Macy's at City Creek Center does like ZCMI used to.  We are finally in the Christmas spirit.  Hope you have a good holiday with family and friends.

Christmas Decor 2012

 With my home decor this year I decided to keep things simple.  I did not put my tree up this year and instead used all of my ornaments in different ways.  We don't have room in our condo for a tree now that my husband got his new exercise machine.  Oh well, I had just as much fun as years past.

 This is the bowl I have on my coffee table year round.  It is so neutral I can change things up with every season.  These are all of my round Christmas ornaments all arranged.

 I filled this glass jar last year in purple and gold ornaments.  This year I chose red and silver.

 My rocking horse sits by the fireplace.  I put him out every year.

 My cute Santa that I use every year.

 This is a little variation on what I had in this spot last year.

 This is the lamp all decked out for Christmas.  All of my extra ornaments went inside my glass lamp.

 My apothecary jar with the same color theme.

 The view of the whole vignette. 

 Looking down on the ornament bowl.  Texture galore!

 This little wooden heart hangs in my kitchen and changes with the seasons.  I will call this my Christmas tree this year.  :)

And of course Santa hangs out in my kitchen too on this cute little dish towel.  My decor from last year can be found here and here.  Merry Christmas everyone!