Winter Inspirations - First Snow

 

Did you hear that happy sigh?  That deep down in my bones completely happy sigh.  Yeah, that's how I'm feeling right now.

Life here is everything I dreamed it would be.  Peaceful, sweet, calm.  We have had to turn towards each other because the distractions are so much less in a small town.  We've grown closer together over the last month, which is an accomplishment with teenage girls. We've turned inward as the year ends and Christmas beckons us to prepare our hearts.  Our spirits are more alive than they have been in years. 

 

These are photos from our first snow two days ago.  I woke up absolutely giddy seeing the fields and trees covered in a blanket of white.  These two pines tower in our front yard.  Yep, twin pines.  I think that's what I'd name this place.  These trees are about 30 feet tall.  I don't think you get that from the photo.

 A little juniper bush in our driveway.  The snow hung perfectly to it's feathery branches.

This had me thinking about the little birds we were watching frantically swooping in our backyard earlier this weekend.  Jess found them entertaining.  Oliver (the cat) found them mouth-watering.  It had me thinking we need to make some find of bird seed thingy for the trees.  I need to google that.  Bird seed thingy. 

Did I mention in my giddiness at sunrise I threw on my shoes, coat, gloves, hat and scarf and ran outside with my camera.  I was greeted by the most amazing pink and purple hazy sky, it was the perfect background for our winter wonderland.  This is the view from my studio.

 Sigh...

Inspiration is found in the grand views and the minute details.  Happiness abounds in the Humble Home.

And speaking of happiness, Becky Meverden won the Charmed Pendants giveaway.  Yeah Becky!  She is a frequent Humblebeads shopper, so I was happy to see a familiar name drawn. Thanks to everyone who commented and pinned their favorite collection.  It was fun to hear from you!

And more happiness - check out my latest newsletter for last minute gift ideas.  

Snowy Woods Earrings

Stopping by Woods on a Snowing Evening

Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

(Photo credit: adapted from a photo by Mike Sandman.)

Hurry up snowflakes!

Free Earring Project 

Charms & more are 20% off until tomorrow.

Discount code HolidayPreview.

My Etsy Store

Winter Forest and a Gift

One Christmas my Dad took my cousins and I for a walk in the woods. There had been an ice storm the night before and the forest was covered in ice and frost. We came upon a brush that was covered in hundreds of tiny icicles. It was amazing, I could have stared at it for hours. My cousins, being boys, grabbed some sticks and started smashing the icicles to pieces. I was 8 and I was so mad at them for what they were doing. I remember that was the first time I realized I saw the world different from others. Where they saw sticks and ice, I saw magic.

It didn't matter whether I was 8 or 28 I always felt a little tinge of that winter magic whenever the first snow of the season would descend upon our sleepy little Michigan town. Three words - lake effect snow - oh the joy! These little pendants conjure up those cozy holiday feelings for me.

I whipped up this bracelet using one of my new toggle clasps. I used icy sterling silver wire and pewter branches. I could see this design used with copper branches and one of my Willow and Wildflower toggles too.

And here it is in action.

I added the toggle clasps to my shop and you can find them with the rest of my winter collection.

And because I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy I'm going to offer a 20% off coupon for my blog readers.

Check out as usual and wait for an updated invoice.

Use the discount code: Winter20 in the notes section when you checkout.

This is for my Etsy shop only.