Thursday, January 05, 2017

Five on Friday: My January World



The flicker of candlelight adds a glow to dark and cold evenings, a glow I crave these January days when I go to work in the dark and often return in the dark. What is it about candlelight that so entrances?


It's chilly out there! Jack Frost creates intricate beauty during the night, etching, sculpting, outlining in ice. 




Just before Christmas I was in a consignment store in Oak Bay purchasing a china teapot lid for my mother. Hers broke several years ago and they are difficult to replace. In the shop Good Things, I found an entire teapot, with the spout chipped, for less than what it would cost to order a lid from a replacement company. So I bought it. The shop was busy and the line up for the till passed by a book case filled with treasures. Good planning, I think. I found Susan Branch's Vineyard Seasons on the shelf and didn't think twice about picking it up. Her illustrated pages are so layered and interesting that I always find something to study in them. 


Most of the Christmas decor is gone, but I leave the beaded garland around the dining room chandelier up until spring. And the red dishes in the china cabinet until Valentine's Day. A bit of glitz is welcome in the winter, don't you think?


Tea and chocolate by the fire is so very cozy. This first week back to school seems to be stretching out interminably although it's only 4 days. I'm looking forward to the weekend and don't plan on accomplishing a whole lot. Maybe some reading, some sewing, perhaps some knitting. A bit of laundry. Lots of gazing into the fire, and watching candles flicker. What are your plans?

Linking these 5 glimpses of my January world with Amy's Five on Friday linkup. 

41 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Lorrie! May it bring good health and prosperity!

    I have the same Susan Branch cookbook, purchased years ago on my one and only visit to Martha Vineyard, where Susan lives. The bookstore in her town was called "Bunch of Grapes" and they had this cookbook front and center as she had recently done a book signing. I did not know who she was at the time but bought the book and fell in love with her art work and recipes.

    We're having unusually cold weather here and I've also been enjoying a evening fire most nights. It's so very cozy!

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  2. January definitely can use some bling! I wish I had some Christmas lights around my kitchen window still -- I didn't put any up this year -- but lacking that kind of lights, I do like candles. I also like to put some good smelling oil in the diffuser with a tealight.

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  3. It is nearly Friday, Lorrie! Your weekend plans sound lovely. We are supposed to get a bit more snow and ice and I am hoping to stay cozy inside and make some progress crocheting/knitting! xx

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  4. Stunning photos Lorrie! Jack Frost is an artist! The beaded garland looks ah so lovely. Happy weekend!

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  5. Good morning Lorrie, your photos are amazing and I like candlelight too. Have it over the whole year.
    Have searched for books of Susan Branch (I collect well illustrated books), but it seems, they are not translated into German...
    Happy New Year

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  6. Such a great idea to keep some of your red pots out until Valentines I had never thought of it. Jack Frost has been hard at work here too, leaving behind his beauty. Impressive weekend plans.

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  7. Schools have started back here this week too - I was surprised when my youngest son said that he was already back again last Tuesday.
    Some lovely images especially Jack Frost's artistic touches.
    I too have left a small part of Christmas in the house - I bought some red chillie LED lights for the kitchen and they look so cheery that I have decided to leave them where they are.

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  8. Your home looks so welcoming, I would be round in a jiffy if I were close by :). Enjoy a cosy weekend. B x

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  9. I've enjoyed your lovely photos, keeping the candles and just a couple of small decorations eases us into to January without an abrupt change. Happy New Year

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  10. How lovely - and still warming for January. My decorations are all gone - but I still have lots of candles around!

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  11. I'm with you on the candles and leaving a little bit of Christmas decor around through the winter. I choose to leave up pinecone garlands across the kitchen windows. It really does keep the winter months a little less bleak. Today we are having bright sunshine (and cold!!), but it's a nice change from the dreary week through Christmas and New Year's that was all rain and mud. Now we just need some snow ;) One more day Lorrie, and then a rejuvenating weekend!
    Wendy

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  12. How wonderful! Your photos are stunning. I like the sound of your weekend, very gentle and cosy:)

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  13. Yes, some glitz is important in winter. These photos are so beautiful. I'm going back just to gaze on them. Now why have I never thought of visiting the flea markets to replace lids and such? Brilliant!

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  14. Beautiful photos especially the one of the frost. It has been very cold with drizzly rain here today. I did not want to venture out. You will be glad that it's Friday and your weekend plans sound good with the opportunity to rest and relax.

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  15. Glitz is good year round. Leave up or out whatever pleases you. You'll love the book.

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  16. January is looking cozy where you are. I bet that book is delightful ... a wonderful little find. Enjoy and have a lovely weekend.

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  17. Lovely to look at and read your post.
    I agree a bit of glitz is welcome in the winter ...

    Have a good weekend

    All the best Jan

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  18. I like to leave something out for January, usually the snowmen and snowladies. I also love candles at this time of the year. But very slowly the days are pulling out.

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  19. I love having some things that sparkle around during the dark winter months...and candles. I kept some snowmen out too since we don't see the real thing here in FL. I plan to start a crochet project this weekend. Sweet hugs, Diane

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  20. Anonymous5:22 PM

    Lorrie, I think we will just stay inside due to the snow. I do have my Christmas things put away. I love all things Susan Branch. Her artwork is like comfort food! ♥

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  21. Anonymous5:49 PM

    What a great find at the consignment shop that teapot was. Susan Branch is always fun to read. I hope you have a very relaxing weekend!

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  22. Glad you survived your first week back at work! I've always enjoyed Susan Branch's beautiful artwork; "A Fine Romance" is on my to-read list. I'm taking down the Christmas decor this weekend.

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  23. Happy New year, yes candlelight does seem special at this time of year. Love a good cookbook.

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  24. So glad you found a teapot (lid) for your mom...and a Susan Branch book to boot. I love all of her artwork. I have never read her book though! I did get all my inside Christmas stuff taken down and put away but haven't touched the outside stuff yet.
    I hope you have a great weekend- xo Diana

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  25. What a wonderful find for your mother's tea pot, and the Susan Branch book!

    I like a bit of glitz in the winter! It is absolutely needed!

    Enjoy your weekend!

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  26. A beautiful post, Lorrie. I too love the solace of candles at this time of year, and we definitely need glitz and sparkle to keep our spirits up in January. I hope you are fully recovered now. Take care. x

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  27. I think the glow from candlelight is cozy and reminiscent of simpler times. Most people are mesmerized by fire and water. That's why so many fire pits are sold and people always want to live on the water! I have several of Susan Branch's books and love them all. I would have purchased that one too, at a thrift shop, even though I already have it! Too good of a deal to pass up. This weekend, I think I'll do what you're doing!

    Cindy Bee

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  28. I love candlelight in the winter as well. Don't want to go out ...it's about 8 degrees right now.

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  29. It sounds like the kind of weekend we all need. I put some white lights back up on the mantle I missed them so much. I think candlelights and fires bring warmth to our souls and to our homes. I don't have evidence of this, but my gut tells me people stay around our dinner table longer when its filled with candlelight then when it's not (which is rare.)

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  30. Your home is sounding very cozy. Hugs,
    Meredith

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  31. I felt the same way about work this week. 4 days, but it felt like forever. Doing practically nothing sounds devine. I buy her books everytime I find them and give them away. :) Kit

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  32. Happy New Year Lorrie!
    From our warm languid days o f summer - those icicles look inviting!
    I lmagine coats, scarves, hats, boots and gloves are the order of the day before stepping outside!
    After experiencing three Christmases in France, I often wish we could have snow here for a few days over Christmas - to enjoy mulled wine and mistletoe!
    Your house looks lovely and I think there's no nicer way to spend an afternoon than gazing into the fire!
    Shane x

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  33. I love candlelight. Im still burning a snowman and two red trees with glitter. I got the three of them for next to nothing at our resale shop. They are reallly Flickery at the current stage. Anyone else would toss them, but I just cant. I like the flicker and they remind me of the fun we had a Christmas. Casting on a new sock next

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  34. Winter does slow us down, doesn't it. The new year always does seem to get off to a slow start, yet it passes quickly. Your weekend activities sound great.

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  35. In the dreary days of a Canadian winter, candlelight and anything sparkly is quite welcome. It's been much colder this year and our gas fireplace is on every night and welcome for the flickering light is provides besides much needed heat.
    Hopefully you are relaxing this weekend and doing whatever brings you pleasure.

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  36. Anonymous3:53 AM

    Oh my yes, starring into a fire wrapped in a quilt on the sofa perhaps with a Susan Branch book. I love your five choices for Five on Friday and look forward to checking your blog for many upcoming Fridays. I'm not a new participant but I've been away long enough I guess to be considered new :) I love your blog, especially the header, what a creative design!
    Hugs for now from snowy New Hampshire, and hoping you have a Spectacular New Year!
    Beth P

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  37. Wonderful five on Friday. I love candles. Even on the coldest days there is something warming about the flicker of that light, so comforting.

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  38. Beautiful winter vignettes...love the cozy feel of this post!

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  39. Well, our weekend is winding down now that I've finally taken time to catch up on a few blogs. We went for two rides - it has been so cold here that I've spent too much time indoors. Without a job to tend to every day (I love retirement) I don't have to go out in the cold if I don't want to - so I can sit indoors and crochet hats for the homeless, read a book, drink some tea, rearrange some pretties in the china cabinet - and just enjoy the days getting longer. Happy New Year from the other side of the bay - it is raining over here - are you getting rain too?

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  40. Definitely glitter and candle light during these dark days. Fun find at the thrift shop for sure. Hope you are not stuck at home with ice and snow. We were stuck at home this weekend, but hoping for everything to melt tomorrow. It was a good time to clean up loose ends on my desk.

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  41. Dearest Lorrie,
    I so love your world, thank you for sharing your sweetness and your kindness with us !

    Wishing you the best of weekends,
    I'm sending my dearest love to you

    Xx Dany

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