Friday, February 18, 2011

Getting Through Winter

At the peak of our winter this year, here's what it looked like outside our place. 


But life has a way of providing warmth both physically and inwardly when you least expect it.  Like yesterday when I received this cheerful and very warm  sweater cowl from my sweet friend Vicki over at 2 Bags Full that I was lucky to win in her most recent giveaway.  Vicki also sells these lovely upcycled sweater cowls in her Etsy Shop that she creates out of retired or vintage sweaters.



She also included this beautiful card with a handwritten message sending me more warm hugs and bloggy love. 


And then, out of the clear blue my sweet friend Kat of Low Tide High Style brightened up my day with a beautiful metallic print of her amazing photography!



Kat just recently opened an Etsy Shop too where you can order notecards that she had made up from her beautiful captures.  They are the perfect breath of fresh air when Spring can't come quick enough! 



And now I will show you something that my dear Henri gave to me too.  Permission to paint over his beloved knotty pine wood in this one small area of our home.  (We have a whole room full downstairs, but for now I'm just happy for this one small spot over our woodstove.) 


All I can say is Ahhhhhh!   I have been wanting to do this for a long time. 



It's amazing how a small thing like this can really change the entire mood of the room. 



So take that Winter. How much worse could  it possibly get now anyway?



Oops! Well actually, Henri took this one in the parking lot of our local Home Depot a couple weeks ago while I was inside buying the paint to cover that knotty pine.    It IS kind of scary though, isn't it? 

23 comments:

Heather Baird said...

Wow, what a difference! You have a great touch with decorating. Love!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Ohhh that is lovely - what a fine gift for Henri to give you.

And the things in the mail - there is hardly anything more fun than a surprise package - unless it is painting and refinishing something. LOL

Low Tide High Style said...

Yikes that's a lot of snow! Vicki is such a sweet person and her creations are always wonderful. Thanks so much Lili, you are always so kind!!! And I LOVE the new "white" knotty pine...I'm betting Henri found out once again that you're always right!!! ;-)

Enjoy your weekend!

Kat :)

Country Girl said...

I absolutely love the pine with the white on it. Soooo much better. And I also love Kat's cards. Really pretty. (Yours are on the way, btw)!

Unknown said...

lili it looks great! what a huge difference! that snow pile is crazy! have a beautiful weekend! xo susan

Sandy, Sisters of Season said...

Hi Lili, Try to stay warm . . love all the goodies you got. You're easy to love . . you're are such a kind person too. I have knotty pine on each side of my fireplace in the den . . yes, I'll going to paint it too. I just need to decide what color . . maybe muted blue or mustard yellow. What a difference it made . . the white looks good. Stay warm kiddo, Sandy:O)

joanne said...

That is just way too much snow!! The white looks so fresh and new, it makes a huge difference and I like it!! Have a good weekend..;j

Linda in AZ * said...

* Hi, Lili~ Don't know HOW I "got here", but I'm so glad I did... I enjoyed your blog so much that I back-read for quite a bit!!!

You have a lovely sense and feel for writing, and I truly enjoyed my visit... and I LOVE all the breathtaking SNOW PICS and BIRD PICS... Sooooo pretty!!! And your "new white wood" looks FAAAABULOUS!!!!!

Sounds like you lead a lovely life, and it's so nice to read about!

"WARMEST" (!) wishes & again, sincere thanks!

Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Lee Weber said...

Hi Lili- you'r right, our stoves look a lot alike! The white COMPLETELY changes everything. I'm thinking about painting the brick this year too. What do you think?

Privet and Holly said...

Wow, and I thought
WE had a lot of snow!
Love your mantle re-do.
It looks so fresh and ready
to go for spring : )
Love your wins; I was
also lucky enough to
receive a package from
Kat. Stay cozy, dear
friend!!
xx Suzanne

Completely Coastal said...

I love the transformation!! And your shell covered sconce is now in the spotlight there too. And that pile of snow is about twice the height of the ones we have here in RI! Great capture!!

Malinda said...

Brrrrr! I am so happy that the weather is beginning to break here in Virginia. I love pine paneled walls, but I agree that the paint made a positive difference in you room. Stay safe.

Vicki Boster said...

Lili - Oh my gosh - all that snow!!! I cannot even imagine how that can be - I will stop whining about our miserable winter here right now!

Kats cards are beyond beautiful. I am going to go buy some of these as soon as I leave here! She is a fabulous and intuitive photographer - I love her photographs!

Thank you for showing your winter cowl prize - it does look beautiful on your blog. I can appreciate that you will certainly have occasions to wear it for the next few weeks!

Your makeover of that knotty pine wall is fabulous _ I adore the white- what a difference that makes in the room! It is so very beautiful Lili!

Hope that Spring is not far from where you live and love~~

Vicki

Linda Myers said...

Isn't it funny how wonderful the white looks on your mantle and how scary it looks outside in a pile?

Rain said...

The new white wall is the best gift! We have an 8 every room pine walls-log cabin-that I like-but- please-after 30 yrs-he's only given up three walls of all those walls to the beautiful white "pick me up" paint!! Bless his heart! I'll keep working on him though!

jennyfreckles said...

We seem all agreed that the white wall is great. It lightens up your pretty room. The white wall of snow is less desirable. And when it melts there'll be a flood!

Elenka said...

Doesn't look like you have those dreaded Ice Dams, dammit. We do.....leaks inside the house. But not lately, things are changing...the sun is warmer..ahhhh.
BUT we still have the entire month of March to get through, dammit.
I've had enough.

spindrift,maine said...

Lili--Although I am fairly new to the blogging world, I have been following your blog for several months, and I enjoy it immensely. The other day, someone who has visited me often in the three weeks since I have been blogging was kind enough to give me a Stylish Blogger award. I am passing one on to you in admiration of the work that you do, and in appreciation for being one of my inspirations for starting my own blog. Here is what I said about you in my last post:

"for her evocative and very lovely photos and texts about living in a small Maine coastal town just northeast of Acadia National Park. Lili has also been my inspiration, and a great booster."

You probably have received one of these before. Each person who receives one of these is asked to do three things: 1. link back to the person who sent it to you in a post on your blog. 2. Choose 5 other blogs to pass the award on to and post on your blog. 3. Write 7 things about yourself and post these on your blog.

You may not want to do these things if you are busy. However, I did want to let you know how much I have enjoyed your posts, and wanted to encourage others to visit you.

;o) mike at spindrift,maine

Sharon Lovejoy said...

OOOOOOHHHHH my gawd,

That pic of the truck with the MOUNTAIN of snow???!!! So amazing. My friend Marilyn, who has lived in Maine for 50 years, says she has NEVER experienced a winter like this one. But then, I'd never experienced a summer like the last one in Maine.

Yes, THE PAINT looks GREAT!!! SIMPLE. Glowing, charming, a great contrast. HENRI DEAR, thank you.

Love,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Shellbelle said...

My gosh, all that snow just made this old beach gal shiver uncontrollably, lol.

Lovely goodies you received, I just adore Kat's photography and if I were to ever find myself in the snow, one of those gorgeous cowls would be on my "must have" shopping list.

I love what you did with the room, while I do love wood, painting it really brightens up a room.

Have a warm and lovely weekend.

regan said...

Hi Lili....I just found you through Peaceful Afternoon....love your blog! I live in Maine as well, and your photos really capture how beautiful it is, especially now while it's blanketed in snow.

Your mantel is gorgeous in white....it makes such a difference....good job! And your sea urchin cookies are beautiful....look just like the real thing! Well done! (Yeah, I went back a few posts! Also caught the marshmallow recipe...I am so gonna try that! Yum! Thanks!)

Karena said...

That was a beautiful makover!!What a difference! Congrats I adore the sweater.

Come and enter my Artful Offering and read a great Interview!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Whosyergurl said...

I came over from Sandy's blog to see you...that looks lovely!
xo, Cheryl