it isn't much but Spring is on its way....

It's been bleak and dreary around here weatherwise.  No rain, no snow, just cloudy and dreary looking days. 

 

See what I mean, pretty bleak....

So, anyway, I was perusing my new Southern Living Magazine and came across an interesting article...

In the article it was describing how you could force blooms from cut stems of bushes you might have in your yard.  Well it just so happened that a few days before, the man in my life decided to get out and butcher, uh..I mean, trim back a bush that sits close to the shed out back.  I wasn't sure the cut stems could be salvageable since they had been cut a few days before, so I rushed right out and snagged me a few.

This is the pile of poor cut stems I picked through.  I found about four or five that I thought might work, brought them inside, cut about an inch off the bottom of the stems for a fresh cut, put them in a water filled vase, and hoped for the best.

Well lo and behold, yesterday I noticed this...

Can you see them?  The little buds are growing and popping out.

I know it isn't much, but for now it gives me hope in the Spring that is on its way.  I know that my sad looking Meditation Garden will go from looking like this...

to this...

AHHHHHH!  Spring coming to an area near you, March 2013.

2013, it's all good...

Welcome Year 2013!

 I put the last of the Christmas decor away.

 I dusted and vacuumed, changed sheets on all the beds...well almost, still working on that last one.  But as I wandered through the house, it seemed so quiet and empty.

The bedroom in the man cave is missing the boy's luggage and clothes strewn about....

The girl's room is even emptier and bare....no longer are we hearing the beat of the bass from the Boze playing Taylor's or Selena's latest.  You wouldn't have recognized this bed a week ago, clothes, boots, covers all piled on top, yet the girl would sit up in the middle of the bed happy and contented as a cat in a basket of warm towels fresh out of the dryer.  Ahhh, doesn't that sound cozy.

I don't know about you, but I don't usually make resolutions for a new year. Although I will say, this year I know of some things I would like to do.  I want to paint more, give more and Be more.  Maybe it was the beautiful sunshine we had today after the rainy and gloomy weekend I just had down south, but I was inspired to be productive and make some plans for the new year.  Set some goals for myself, if you know what I mean. 

I want to read more interesting books, see more beautiful parts of our wonderful country with my Ben, and I want to learn more about those delicious fermented grapes I enjoy so much.  This doesn't seem to be too unattainable, so stay tuned... I am hoping for a wonderful 2013 and I wish you a Blessed 2013 as well.