Midwest Blues

Well, it's snowing outside - what happened to the warm weather? It's a day for daydreaming and wishing I was somewhere else today. So I'm thinking of the beach, sunshine, leisurely walks and a good book while getting a little tan trying to shrug off the Midwest blues.

I'll say it again, this is the hardest season for me to get through in the Midwest. Last weekend I was working in the yard and getting excited about the prospect of being outside more and then the temperatures dropped significantly - major storm last night and today it's snowing! What's a California girl to do?

I think about my favorite warm escapes and use the time to clean closets, removing clothes I know I won't wear anymore, rearrange furniture and accessories to make everything look new again. And, when I go to the grocery I always pick up fresh flowers to brighten my indoor spaces.

What do you do to get through the temper mental Spring weather?

Note: picture was taken on the Outer Banks, Southern Shores

In Search of Spring

You couldn't ask for a better day to be working in the yard searching for signs of Spring. I could see the daffodils and tulips making their way through all the leaves so picked this section of the yard to clean up and see what's making an appearance. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised to see blooms by next week on the daffodils. I will be keeping a close watch on my garden waiting
patiently for any buds.

I couldn't be more thrilled! It was an early Winter and a long one. Can you see those buds? I hope you will join me in the weeks to come as I watch the blossoms appear in my yard and around town. It's such an exciting time of the year!

Are you looking for a great way to keep track of time? Check out my watches in the "trendy" section of my store.

Geraniums Indoors?

I was at a friends home last week and she had these beautiful geraniums in her window and they were actually blooming. I asked her, "Whatever gave you the idea to bring these geraniums indoors?" Apparently, her mom and grandmom always brought the geraniums in for the winter and she just kept the tradition. She told me she digs them up in the Fall and repots them for indoors in the Winter. Now, I have heard of people bringing in their geraniums, but placing them in the basement not in a living room window! How wonderful to see summer blooms in the Winter! So kudos to this friend for so cleverly bringing summer inside. The window faced North so they are not getting direct sunlight, but how green and lush they look. So, I'm thinking I might try this next year as I have a nice size window ledge facing North. Just to see something blooming would be heaven! I'll let you know how it works out -- provided I remember to do it!

Blog Post for WhatEver is On My Mind

Get to Know Me....Sandi Bates, owner of WhatEver Accessories

Let St. Patrick Shine His Love On You!

I was thinking about St. Patrick's Day memories and remembered this parade in New Orleans for St. Patrick's. It was the first time I had been to a St. Patrick's parade and was really shocked when the people on the floats started throwing cabbages, potatoes and carrots. The only thing I didn't catch was the meat.... if they even threw meat, I don't know. Do we do that anywhere else? Crazy, but fun times!

Last year I participated in my towns St. Patrick's parade that rolls through downtown Naperville. Parades here are a bit hokey, but 100% family orientated. We gave out "seeds" to plant from the Naperville Garden Club and at the end of the day we won a trophy for the "most colorful"! It can be pretty cold here in March so I'm not sure what they saw that was colorful other than a few feather boas worn over winter coats and someone was dressed as a daisy. But, like I said, a bit hokey!

I think it's funny how everyone claims to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Sometimes I forget to wear green and feel like a traitor and I'm not really sure I have any "real" Irish ancestors. But the guilt of not wearing the green is almost too much! The bar hopping thing was fun when I was young, not so much anymore, which just proves I don't have any Irish blood in me!

Well, whether you are catching cabbages, parading yourself or just bar hopping this St. Patrick's Day, I hope St. Patrick shines his love on you!

People in Chicago Sunbathe!!!!

60° F: Arizonans shiver uncontrollably; people in Chicago sunbathe.

Yeah, that's right! We are all a little crazy here in Chicago when the weather hits 60. I can't believe it! I have all the windows open and really enjoying that "fresh" air. It even rained a little this morning creating that wonderful clean smell of Spring. BUT, it is only March! And, you know what that means? It could be 40 tomorrow which means

40° F: Italian & English cars won't start ; people in Chicago drive with the windows down

You know, it seems like just yesterday it was 10 below when Californians fly away to Mexico and the Girl Scouts in Chicago are selling cookies door to door.

At least we never have to worry about the weather getting so cold that Hell freezes over because that would mean the Cubs WIN the World Series!

All kidding aside, it is time to clean out closets, and start anew for many. But, for us in colder climates, we just want to appreciate the warmer weather and put the indoor chores aside and start thinking about basking in the sun once again.