February

You know the old saying …

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Does the same hold true … “If you can’t say anything profound, don’t say anything at all?”

The dreary of February has been clouding up my brain and fogging up my windows. Words aren’t flowing with ease.

As the temperature drops, and I drive from here to there, mini snowflakes kiss my windshield.

Waiting for the light to turn from red to green, I watched the magic of water turned to one-of-a-kind crystal fall from the sky. I received my gift, as one mighty flake fell to rest near J-shaped crack of glass needing repair.

Nothing profound to share in dreary February. But we do have snowflakes.

And that is a beautiful thing.

February Favorite Things – 2020

It’s snowing again. While February is the shortest month, it’s often a long haul. Here are a few favorites to delight you while the weather is cold and gray and the promise of Spring is still tucked around the corner.

  1. The BFG by Roald Dahl

I’m sure I’m late to the party, and the movie version of Roald Dahl’s classic book warmed my heart. We all need to believe in magic just a teeny bit more.

2. Snake Skin boots

Because we all want to feel sassy. I’ve been told that trend was ‘So last summer’ so if you want to be on the forward edge, I guess leopard print is in.

3. Surface Dry Shampoo

Again, late to the party, but here I am. Perfect that tousled look and avoid wet hair for another day or two more.

4. Salt Lamp Tea Lights

They tell me the benefits of Himalayan Sea Salt are endless. So we put the lamps by our electronics and I light candles at my desk. Warm glows of healing rays. Perfect for gray days.

5. Winter bouquets

winter

Surround yourself with bright berries, and blue thistles, and tiny, delicate blooms of chamomile. Add some color to your space while we wait for things to think about preparing to bloom. You can buy online, or Trader Joes does a great job with flowers for cheap, cheap, cheap. This florist does floral subscriptions! Get fresh flowers delivered to you once a month.

What do you do to get through the long month of February?

February Favorite Things

I’m back on the bean.

The truth will set you free, they say, and the truth is tea is just not as good as coffee. I tried. I failed. I’ll drink a bit more Earl Grey tea, but coffee has my heart. I’m trying to limit the vanilla syrup and switch to honey. Again, not as good. But I’m sipping my way towards less sugar and more love for myself when I “slip up”… or sip up. I crack myself up.

Ahh February. Typically the weather is colder, we get more snow, and I’m sad because Christmas and my birthday are over. February means I’m in for the long haul towards Spring. It’s not my favorite month, but here are a few of my favorite things that can make the month more bearable.

  1. Felt Letter Boards

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My friend got me a changeable letter board for my birthday and I am so excited! I am using it for a little fun this month. Send me your favorite beauty quote and I’ll capture it on my board and share it on Instagram. Then I’ll round up all the contributions for a special post at the end of the month. Leave a comment here or send your thoughts on beauty to 52beautifulthings at gmail dot com. Keep in mind, the phrase has to fit on a felt board.

Other future uses: Cocktail lists for parties. Positive vibes. Dinner Menus. Bible Verses. Love notes to Dylan or to myself.  Show your friends just how quippy you can be. It has retro charm and modern day potential.

2. Zucchini Noodles

Cutting out carbs seems sad. I love pasta. And potatoes. And carbs. Yet, I’m slowly pulling myself up on the Paleo bandwagon and trying to integrate healthier meals into the rotation. This Spiralizer will help. Come over for zoodles or maybe I’ll make you ribbons of butternut squash. The possibilities are endless.

Let this cookbook be our guide.

3.Groundhog Day

The old classic. I like it. It’s a reminder that we have choices in how we live our lives. That we can make changes, break out of routines, keep practicing until we get it right. Perhaps About Time captures these themes better, but one must pay homage to Bill Murray every February 2nd.

4. Air Plants

I kill plants. But Pinterest promises me all these plants need to live is air. They can pull the nutrients they need from the AIR. I just have to soak them in water once a week and their tangly arms and blooming flowers can grace glass bottles and hang from my book shelves with little effort. I got six for my birthday and I’m still placing them around my house. And ps, did you know you can buy PLANTS on Amazon? Of course you can.

5. RxBars

My new favorite protein bar. Again, a Paleo thing. But these protein bars have real ingredients, low sugar, and are tasty! I like the mint chocolate flavor. Dylan prefers peanut butter. I like that I feel full in the morning and there are no mystery ingredients. Throw one in your purse. Stick on in your husband’s work bag. Have a snack. Share the love.

Throw Your Hands in the Air

February returned. The real February I mean. Not the Colorado teaser February, where I get to wear flip flops and a tank top. Today, I sat at my desk with my coat on all day ( I do this. My co-workers never get to see my cute, professional outfits). I ate chili out of a mug. Much better than a bowl, don’t you think. It snowed a little bit yesterday, and even though the sun was shining, it was still only 34 degrees. While the promise of 60 degree weather lingers in the breaking dawn on Thursday, the snow is supposed to return this weekend. Saturdays tend to be snowy lately.

I’ve been thinking about the weather, and I’ve been thinking about the ups and downs and uncontrollable elements that exist there. One day you’re basking in the sun, the next hunkered down with a little soul food, feeling afraid to be expansive, or creative, or brave. These weather patterns seem to be reminiscent of life patterns. How quickly sunny days turn into cold weather and layers of clothing. Yet the promise of sun is always lingering – especially here in Colorado.
This week, I had the beautiful realization that I have been with Dylan for seven years. The once ever so embarrassing reality of a Valentine’s Day Anniversary has become something that we are now nostalgic about. Seven years since a gangly, dark haired kid asked me out to dessert. Seven years since I first turned him down, and seven years since he persisted. That is a long time. We have seen our ups and downs. When you fall in love at 19, the choices you face and struggles you overcome are significantly different than the ones we face now. I put up this ridiculous picture on Instagram that was taken the first time Dylan met my parents. He had died his hair black at the time. I laugh now and make fun of him looking at that picture. He quickly rebuffs my comments, saying, “Hey, you are the one who fell in love with me.” Yes, Yes I did. Thank goodness my standards of hair fashion evolved. Thank goodness that he let his hair grow back to a more acceptable color. Dylan is my sunshine right now. Pardon  the cheese factor, but it’s true.
The cold and call to bundle up makes me draw into myself as I make some significant choices right now. Patterns continue to arise and messages of awareness, progress, and confidence in the choice to be brave ease my soul. Sometimes, we have to pause, and to trust, that things are unfolding exactly as they are meant to.
There is a Brian Andreas quote that has been resonating with me this week. Have you seen this artist? His work is absolutely stunning, unique, and soul searching. So much beauty in this man’s perspective. This reflection of the absurdity of life draws me in to his Story People over and over again. One time, Brian retweeted one of my tweets and I just about peed my pants. Brushes with fame, even on Twitter, are enough to make a person incredibly excited.
My mom has one of his pieces hanging up in her kitchen. Its rich colors and rough exterior make me want to drag my fingertips across the surface of the wood. Anyway, the quote taken from one of his Story People says, “this feels like some kind of ride, but it’s turning out to just be life going absolutely perfect.”  Look up his artwork. It’s good for the soul.
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I want to trust Brian and I want to delve deep into the roller coaster ride. The ride of emotions, of friendships, of connections to family. Of questions and of acceptance of answers you’d wish were different. There is beauty in the ride and I’m asking myself to just “Throw those damn hands up in the air”. Wheeeeeeeeeee!
Biscotti – none ( I see a bad pattern starting here)
Essie Polish: Forever Yummy