Inside Winter Joy

It's cold and very windy today. We had to be out in it for a bit....but mostly we stayed tucked in where's it was warm and cozy. Sometimes I romanticize winter better from the inside.

I've started to tidy up the studio a bit as I ease back into some art play....but today I'm celebrating a few inside winter joy moments.

This is my favorite snowman that my friend Jane made. It's painted cloth...so very stiff and sturdy. I love the stick arms with the vintage quilt wired stars. I always save it until after Christmas so it can be showcased. Doesn't it just ooze inside winter JOY!

My Christmas cactus has been blooming for a few days. There are three or four full blooms now...and three or four buds coming. Inside winter joy!

I was just telling Paul as we were sitting in a waiting room looking at a very large photograph of a lupin field that it's hard to imagine a field of flowers when it's so cold outside. 

Just like when we are looking at a field of lupin and it's hard to imagine it covered in snow. 

These inside blooms brighten up the winter! Colorful glass balls help too! 

Speaking of inside blooms....one of my pencil plants has tiny yellow buds. I don't think I've ever had blooms before...or at least I never noticed them.

Years ago I got a split when I was visiting my sister Nancy and her husband Craig in Minneapolis. It has grown into several plant splits...and I've shared a a few with others. 

I thought this little split was struggling...but low and behold it's the one with the buds. 

And I just planted up another gifted amaryllis bulb from Colleen...our realtor. It clearly wanted to be out of the box...but it will bounce back. And UP!

And you can see the budding pencil plant right behind it...and another one in the window sill. 

Do you see the guy in the background? Bonus points for anyone who can guess who it is. He's one of my heros! 

No prize...just bonus points. 😉