Our weather this weekend has been unseasonably nice. We usually are dealing with sweltering heat at this time of year, but, it has been raining off and on and, then, this weekend was sunny and warm (not HOT!).
I have been thinking back, at how things have changed this year. In late January, this was the scene:
Now, it looks like this:
The tree that died is in the background of this picture with the Spode Blue Fitzhugh table.
The ice storm was difficult. Seven days without power. Loss of a so many trees. It was cold. We slept on the floor in front of the fireplace. Now it is green and lush and beautiful.
Life is like that a lot of times. Sometimes it just seem cold and bleak and other times it is warm and lush. I guess that is where faith comes in. When it is cold and things aren’t going well, you have to remember that the sun will shine again and life will be well again at some point. Hope all of you are feeling the sunshine. If not, remember, the sun will shine again in your life! As Scarlett said, “After all, tomorrow is another day!”
Visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday and Smiling Sally for Blue Mondays. You will find wonderful and talented women with fantastic posts!
Hope everyone has a wonderful week starting with a fantastic Monday!
Today’s Lagniappe: Honey Bun Coffee Cake
This is a great recipe for breakfast with friends!
Honey Bun Coffee Cake
1 box Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
4 large eggs
2/3 c. oil
8 oz. sour cream
1/4 c. water
1/3 c. sugar
Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour half the batter into a greased 9×13 baking pan.
Mix:
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. brown sugar
Sprinkle over batter. Pour the other half of the batter over this and swirl with a knife.
Bake at 350ยบ for 35-40 minutes.
While baking, mix together:
2 c. powdered sugar
1 T. vanilla extract
4 T. milk (not skim)
Mix and drizzle all over the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven – sprinkle with chopped pecans, almonds, etc., if you wish. Let cool in the pan.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Those ice storms are awful but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, as they say. Great post with some great advice! Love your blue dishes. Happy Blue Monday.
I hate when a sweet tree dies….but, I guess that is nature…..I hope this winter we have a much better one….
Hugs ~ Kammy
Hello, Happy Blue Monday! Beautiful post, cake sound yummy! Have a great week.
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage
We do need to remember that the unpleasant, be it weather or other difficult times, does not last forever. It just seems to while we are experiencing the worst of it.
Happy Blue and warmer Monday!
I love your dishes and sound advise!
Carolyn
Great table setting, looks so inviting. Speaking of inviting…that winter shot seems pretty inviting about now….it has been super hot.
Aptly put sister! Faith is key. Faith in knowing that the moments won’t last forever, like the seasons.
Love your post!
-Kim
Howdy
Blessings of joy to you .
Thank you for sharing such wise words today.
I am glad that the sun has come out and the ice has gone away for you.
Your photos are really wonderful.
Thank you for sharing them with us.
May the rest of your week be filled with special moments of joy.
Hugs
Happy Trails
Excellent message in this post. I tried to get this point across to our very disappointed son when he did not pass his driver’s test the first time. Things that seem soooo neverending and life shattering at the time…soon fade into distant memories.
Have a great day!
Becky K.
Hospitality Lane
Quite a big difference. The snow is beautiful but I think I prefer the pic without it. Love your outdoor tablescape…Christine
It certainly was a rough time, and I’m glad that you’re now havingg a better time of it. Happy Blue Monday.
Wow what a storm and now it is beautiful outside. Your table is lovely. I am having a blue giveaway so you might want to stop on by.
Love the blue spode! What a great view into your life! Happy Blue Monday!
This was such a lovely post with its spirit of renewal, memory and hope. Thank you for sharing your photos with us. Have a wonderful day.
Such a good reminder! I have to remind myself of that every two weeks or so…thanks to paramenopause. When the dark cloud descends I am searching valiantly for the sun! Well said, thank God for “tomorrow”. Hugs ~cindy s~
Life renewing itself. I think the cold weather this winter meant lusher plants for us in NE Florida. I can’t believe the way our plants have shot back to life.
Love your blue table. I’m wild for blue and white china, and that Spode is good looking.
Happy Blue Monday!
XO,
Sheila
I love you’re blue and white tablescape.
Have a nice day, Annemieke
Great post!
It is insightful to look at how we were a few months ago…we have so many extremes with our weather, as in life. We have to learn to be smart and flexible and always hold on to the true beauty of nature.
I loved this post!!
xoxo
Jame
The January ice storm we were without power 11 days. I live 17 miles south of Mt. View. But God has given us beautiful weather since Friday, early mornings feels like fall, I love it. Enjoyed your post and lets hope this winter just snow, no ice the trees look so sad.
Love the sentiment behind this post. Yes, we turn to faith in the cold and dark times, but I think it is just as important to thank God in the good times…I was reminded of this yesterday, when on a beautiful Saturday without a care in the world, my little one had a bike crash and we had to rush her to the emergency room. Luckily, it was just a minor concussion, but having those moments of great contrast – when one moment life is carefree, and one hour later you are watching your 6 year old in the scan machine checking for brain injury, really makes me realize that I need to be thankful for every single day. Great post!
What a great idea for a post!
Very uplifting and encouraging too.
And I love your blue (and white) table too! Very pretty setting!
The recipe looks great and I’m going to give it a try this week. Thanks!
i also have a winter scene today…go figure!
Happy Met Monday Christi.
Love Claudie
xo