Breath of Fresh Air

I  know I shouldn't complain about winter, especially this year when it's been so mild -- at least compared to the record-breaking amounts of snow we've gotten the past few years. But I can't help it. I'm ready for spring! So I'm going to dream about sunshine and flowers and rain showers, and I'm going to pretend I'll be spending spring in this lovely waterfront Victorian in Massachusetts, featured in Better Homes and Gardens. Doesn't it feel so fresh and cheerful?

Photos from here. 

Pretty Pumpkin

I love seeing people decorate their homes inside and out with pumpkins. It's such a rich reminder -- and celebration -- of autumn.

While I like a good jack-o-lantern at Halloween, I am smitten with this pumpkin-decorating idea from Better Homes and Gardens. They recommend using a doily and black paint to stencil a pumpkin. The result is so pretty -- almost like a henna pattern.

I bet this pumpkin would look just as gorgeous for Thanksgiving as it would for Halloween.

Photo from here.