The Perks of Country Living
When my wife and I relocated from midtown Manhattan to a rustic cabin in upstate New York, we were seeking a lifestyle change. At first, the culture shock was almost too much to bear. We had to go without many of the cultural touchstones and conveniences that had characterized most of our lives. No more quick trips to Whole Foods or daily walks through Central Park for us.
In time, we came to embrace the peace and solitude that country life has to offer. I began taking our dog for romps through the thick undergrowth in the forest, and my wife put up a few decorative birdhouses. Right around twilight, it’s relaxing to sit out on the back stoop and watch the colorful winged critters flocking to their food. At this point, I can’t imagine returning to the hustle and bustle of city living.
Fairy Tales
Do you ever see things that remind you of the fairy tales you used to hear? Maybe you might see a wee little stuffed mouse in a store and think of a tale involving a cat and a mouse. You might see a picture on a book or in a frame that made you think of characters in the stories that were read to you or the ones you read to your children or grandchildren now. It is fun to hear what the little ones say when they see a character depicted that they remember from the tales they have heard.
Sometimes these character are on garden items that are used for a purpose or just something we might buy from our local stoneware store. They might be on a table, part of a statue, or even a sundial. Wherever they are, it is a joy to see them being recognized by children that have heard the stories about them.
A Special Day
Good Friday is a special day for Christians. It is a sad day and a happy day. We remember the sadness of Christ’s crucifixion, but now we also know the happiness of the resurrection. It seems a fitting time to be quiet and to be thoughtful. It is a time to think of heavenly things. It is a time to think about how earthly things fit into the picture. We have to live in an earthly home. We look forward to a heavenly home. Today let us just meditate and pray and think. God bless you!
A Place for Everything
Is your house full of things that you want to display, but you are not sure where to put them? We travel, we collect, and then we stash. We have many several small cabinets with doors on them. If you open those doors, you will see items we have bought and put away. Of course, we displayed them for a while, but now they have to wait their turn or wait until their season comes around.
People often have bookshelves or other cabinets that share places with books and knick knacks. A useful item for most any home is a curio cabine
t. It is a nice place to display items you have collected or have received as gifts. Enjoy your collectibles and your cabinets. They are often reminders of great places you have visited.
Thinking
Are you thinking about that trip you might take this summer? The weather has been warmer and you are getting ready to think of what summer will be like. Will you go on a short trip or on a long one? If you are going to be driving your car, you might be thinking about what shape it is in and if you are going to drive, fly, go by plane or bus or what you will be doing. If you are going by car, be sure you have a good tool kit
along in case you might need it.
At any rate, we are ready for summer to come and some warmer days without wind that threatens to blow us away when we go for a walk. When the cold wind blows and makes those 60 degree days feel like 35 degree days, it is comforting to know that soon it will be warmer and we can enjoy the warmth even if we do not get to go on a trip.
Giving Your Garden a Theme
Gardens are outdoor landscapes that have been designed, created, and maintained by humans, representing a harmonic marriage of nature and civilization. Gardens have existed in almost every culture since the beginning of civilization, and as such, there are several different styles. For example, an Asian themed garden might feature bamboo trees, large boulders, a koi pond, and bamboo wind chimes. While a Mediterranean garden might feature an herb garden, flowering plants, and an ornate garden statue. Designing your garden to fit into a cultural theme will allow you to enrich yourself within that culture.
In general, garden stores will feature a variety of statues, fountains, and plants that can be utilized to create a different kind of garden. If you can’t find what you want in a garden store, online is a great place to find everything you could want.
Somewhere Else
This time of year when we have a beautiful day now and then, even if we do not live in one of the warm states,we can dream of being in or taking a vacation to one of the warm spots on our planet. Maybe an item in your house, like a clock
or a figurine or a picture, will make you think of that warm place and make you dream of going there. We have lived in warm places, like Texas, and cold places, like Alaska. They both have their wonderful places and times. Each member of the family has their favorite spot in those places and sometimes we dream of taking a vacation there and sometimes we actually get to do it.
Anyway, right now we are where we are and have what we have. We may curl up on the couch with a nice cup of coffee or hot chocolate and look at that item we bought in the place we would like to be again. We can dream even when we can’t travel.
Think Spring
Today does not seem like spring. However, the calender says we are several days into the season. We just need to feel like it is spring and it will be. Well, lets decide how to do that magical feat. Maybe we can concentrate on something and it will help.
Lately I have been admiring a certain vase. 
It looks like all the colors of the rainbow wrapped around a form. It is beautiful even without flowers. With some beautiful artificial flowers, it might help make the feeling of spring just leap into our heads. Maybe we can create the feeling of the season in our own living rooms, then it will spread throughout the house. When we step outside spring will be inside of us, even if the season is not apparent in our yards.
Weather or Not
I don’t believe it! Just as I thought spring was here a huge snowstorm is in the forecast. We had just begun to put away the winter clothes! We were invited to a birthday party for the new one-year-old in the family. Now that is supposed to be the worst day of the storm! And I can’t do a thing to stop it! I think I will just put out the Holiday Garden Sign 
that says “Spring” and close the doors, pull the blinds and pretend. What harm can that do? We can’t stop the storm, we can’t drive in a blizzard, but we can heat up the fireplace, curl up on the couch and drink hot chocolate. Oh well, we can take the baby’s gifts another day and it really will be spring.
Gifts for the Devout
Candles have long been associated with religious faith - they are often lit symbolically during prayer for the benefit of a sick or injured congregation member. The downfall to candles is that they are a fire hazard and emit sufforcastiong smoke. Now you can enjoy the ambiance of candles without any of the downside with a candle lamp.
Candle lamps are renowned for their aesthetic virtues as well as their functionality. These lamps do more than simply illuminate your home - their candles cast a warm, spiritual glow. The best candle lamps are handcrafted with richly detailed intricacies. They add to the character of any interior space, and make exceptional gifts for the faithful.