Love, Joy and Peas: January 2016

Friday, January 29, 2016

Pretty Pink Fringed Tulips

Happy floral Friday! These pretty pink tulips were becoming translucent, a sure sign that they wouldn't last much longer, so I thought it'd be nice to photograph their fleeting beauty for you.

Thanks to their interesting center, these pink flowers are even more beautiful inside than out.

Though I enjoy them from every angle.

I hope they brighten your day. Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
White tulips: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/01/white-tulips-for-floral-friday-in.html
National Cathedral tulips: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/04/spring-tulips-at-national-cathedral.html
Lilies: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/04/lilies-for-good-friday.html

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Blizzard Birds for Wild Wednesday

Happy wild Wednesday! As promised in Saturday's post, here are more bird pictures from during the blizzard. While you can't see the snow in the top photo, it's my favorite because of how soft the golden finch's feathers look.

All of the photos in today's post were taken through windows. I wish I could have gotten a better angle so you could see the dark eyed junco's eyes better but they were as dark as his head feathers.

This is another dark eyed junco. I lightened the picture considerably so you could see its eyes. I like that she has a seed in her beak.

I think this is a Carolina wren. He's got snow all over his beak from pecking at the fallen seeds.

I'm glad the birds were quick to eat the fallen seeds because the snow fell so fast that they were quickly buried. We feel blessed to be able to feed our feathered friends year round but especially during harsh weather conditions.

The plows are still working on the roads but life seems to be getting back to normal here in Maryland. We were really blessed to retain our power throughout the storm. It went out for a little bit today but it's back on and I'm thankful for that too.

May God bless you and those you love!

Related posts:
Maryland blizzard photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-maryland-blizzard-photos.html
Snowmen & post blizzard photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/01/snowmen-and-post-blizzard-walk-photos.html
Tiger cubs in snow: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/02/baby-tigers-playing-in-snow-photos.html

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Snowmen and Post Blizzard Walk Photos

Today was my first walk since the blizzard and I loved the decorated snowman in the photo above.

The snow ended a few days ago but it's still piled high. Even though today was warmer, with temperatures in the 40s, there's so much snow that while it's melting, plenty remains.

I'm thankful for all the people who worked hard to shovel and clear the streets the best they could. There's clearly still more work to be done.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you, all those still without power, those working hard to clear the streets, our emergency workers and may He also provide shelter for all who need it, healing for the sick and comfort for those who grieve.

Related posts:
2016 Blizzard photos: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-maryland-blizzard-photos.html
2013 Snowy Morning: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/02/snowy-morning-in-maryland.html
2015 Snowstorm: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/03/maryland-snowstorm-photos.html

Saturday, January 23, 2016

My Maryland Blizzard Photos

By God's grace, we still have power and I am very thankful. I pray it will continue and pray for all those who don't have power and/or are out in this storm, as well as for the emergency workers. May God bless and protect them.

During lighter snowfall the birds flock to the feeders and gobble up the fallen seed. In order to get the photo above I had to sit on the floor and aim my camera through the little open area near the bottom of the sliding glass door (see photo below).

This door is set about eight inches above the ground so that gives you an idea of the amount of snow; though the drifts are much higher.

The birds managed to push off big piles of snow to access the feeders.

Visibility worsens as the winds increase, blowing snow into the screens and all over. I haven't ventured outside at all today so these photos were taken through our Maryland home windows.

May God bless you and keep you safe!

Related posts:
Tiger cub in snow: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/03/tiger-cub-launches-sneak-attack.html
Sea lion loves snow: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/02/sea-lion-loves-snow.html
Birds in the snow: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/01/snow-bird-photos-and-haiku-poem.html

Friday, January 22, 2016

White Tulips for Floral Friday in a Blizzard

Happy floral Friday! With the blizzard starting here in Maryland and it being the middle of January I thought we could all use some floral cheer. My prayers are with all those affected by the blizzard and extreme weather everywhere. May God bless you and keep you safe and warm.

My super thoughtful husband bought me these tulips last week. I love the contrast between the white petals and yellow insides as well as the fringed edges.

We've kept them away from heating vents in hopes that they'll last longer.

They certainly brighten my days. I hope they do yours too! May God bless and keep you!

Related posts:
Orange fancy tulip: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/04/tulips-daisies-and-more-flower-photos.html
Bright spring flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/05/pansies-primroses-lilacs-and-angelique.html
Early spring flowers: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/03/happy-spring-floral-photos-this-week-in.html

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Mystery Corner in Master Bedroom: Clutter Clean in 2016

Today's main clutter busting project was the mystery corner (below) but I also took a few more items away and rearranged the dresser top featured in yesterday's post. I originally left the middle of the dresser open for folding laundry but decided that I'm fine with continuing to fold it on the bed. You can see the individual items more easily this way but the front 2/3 of the dresser is clear so it's still nice. I will probably continue rearranging until I think it's just right.

This mystery corner used to hold my hamper but I moved it closer to where I use it (you can see part of it in the next photo). This corner is a clutter magnet because there's no purpose to it at the moment, other than holding the floor lamp and a cat bed (the basket). We have no overhead lighting in the bedroom so the lamp is needed.

Here's a better view of the area I worked on today. The pile of black clothes isn't clutter; it's just laundry. So the first thing I did was to put the load of black laundry in the washer. I had put the empty box out to see if Baby cat liked it more than her basket. She did not, so it's going to recycling.

Two of the containers were full of weird stuff (from old love notes to painting supplies to an organic buckwheat pillow). There was even a box full of notes from books I read long ago (the box fit inside another box - boxes within boxes!). So I put away the keepers that belonged elsewhere (none of it belonged in the corner) and added the rest to the recycling or donation bags (recycling is in the kitchen and donation is in the office).

The white basket is currently being used for new items that need to be washed before used. I like to save the environment and money by doing fuller loads of wash so I wait until I have enough of the new item(s)' color (new things often bleed when washed for the first time) to make it worthwhile. I relocated that basket to the other side of the hamper so it's not one of the first things you see when walking in the bedroom.

This is the finished view. Much neater and less cluttery. I'd like to make use of that corner but I'm not sure if I want a little reading nook or a makeup vanity so until I decide, it's fine as a cat bed/lamp spot. What would you do with this corner if it were your room?

Lessons learned/Tips:

Shutting the lid on things makes them look neater (see the hamper open vs closed in above photos)
Having the floor clear makes the whole area look better
Less is more when it comes to the floor

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you and all you do!

Related posts:
Dresser clutter: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/01/clutter-clean-in-2016-first-project-top.html
Old hamper arrangement: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-journey-week-7-day-7.html
Cabinet clutter: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/02/clearing-cabinet-clutter-clutter.html
Closet clutter: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/07/from-disaster-to-delight-organized.html

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Clutter Clean in 2016! First Project: Top of Long Dresser

Happiest New Year wishes to you! May God bless you and all you set your mind, heart and hands to do this year!

I've decided to make this the year of clearing the clutter for good. Not just clutter busting the excess in our home but actually changing acquisition habits so that I only bring in things that we need or love. Because of ongoing health challenges, the physical removal of clutter may be slow going but as long as I'm making regular progress, I'll count it a success.

My super kind hearted Facebook friends suggested that I journal this process and share tips and this article is in their honor. Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers!

I started on this dresser yesterday but didn't take a photo until today. It looks cluttered in the "before" photo above but yesterday it was even worse. Yesterday I just took things that belonged elsewhere and put them where they belonged. Today I cleared everything off the top of the dresser (using long shallow plastic baskets I have on hand) and moved them to the living room for sorting. I determined to only keep that which I need or love so a lot went into charity bags.

My little cat, Baby, immediately jumped on the newly cleared space. She loves to explore and I love her. I will likely do a backdated post, but, sadly, Moose the cat passed away after Christmas. Moose was about 20 years old and was greatly loved. Now Baby is our sole feline companion. God willing, Baby will be 16 this spring. But back to the clutter busting.

Here's the "after" photo. I like it so much better than the before. While there's still plenty of clutter in the room, the whole place feels lighter and nicer. I will probably reconfigure the top in the future but for now it's my "Clutter Clean in 2016" inspiration point. My goal for this week is to keep it clear and take time to enjoy the newly organized space.

If you have a completed clutter clearing or organizing project with before and after photos and want to be considered as a feature for my "Clutter Clean in 2016" series, please let me know! There are so many of us looking to simplify, streamline and create space for what truly matters. You'll be an inspiration. You can leave a comment below or email me at lovejoypeas@gmail.com. If there's a lot of interest I'll look into creating a Flickr pool for the photos.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Quick desk clearing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/02/16-minute-desk-decluttering-project.html
Disaster to delight: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/07/from-disaster-to-delight-organized.html
8 minute clutter bust: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/8-minute-microwave-and-cut-flower.html
3 shelves in 9 minutes: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-i-decluttered-3-shelves-in-9.html
My simplifying home journey: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-journey-week-8-day.html