February. The Simple Woman's Daybook

Robin, Whitebreasts, and Snowdrops, February 1906

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

A new day, a new week, and a new month ... all rolled into one. Certainly cause for bouncing out of bed with anticipation. That is, if you are a morning person.

Do you bounce out of your bed of a morning? Or do you require time to feel yourself waking slowly, preferably to the fragrance of coffee brewing? For me, I relish a more leisurely tempo -- I save the 'bounce' for other times of the day.

Although the Edwardian Lady, Edith Holden, makes mention of robins and snowdrops in her February 1906 journal entry, there are no signs of these harbingers of Spring in our corner of the world yet. But we dream. 

With it being the first Monday of this new month, I'm linking with The Simple Woman's Daybook Edition.

Also linking with
No Place Like Home
 Mosaic Monday


Wishing you all a beautiful week and Happy Heart Month,

Brenda

♥ ♥ ♥

For February 1st...

Outside my window... Sunshine sneaking over roof tops, streaming over fences, tumbling into snowy garden corners. Filling my day with brightness and light.

I am thinking... About what special treats I could make for Valentine's Day. Heart-shaped vanilla rolled cookies with pink icing? Or, perhaps a toothsome chocolate layer affair with a creamy raspberry filling and a glossy glaze dripping off the sides? I'm also wondering why it's the sweet treats that come to mind first thing.

I am thankful... For the mostly milder weather we've had so far this winter. Thanks, El Nino!

I am wearing... Comfy jeans with glittery designs on the back pockets and a green patterned top with a slightly frilly collar.  

I am creating... Chaotic piles in my study/office. Because as we clean the other rooms, some items I'm not sure what to do with yet go in here. It's quite the pile -- a jumble of books, old calendars and Christmas cards, stationery and office supplies. It'll be the last room to sort and declutter. I'm keen to once again make my work space into a tidy, comfortable, and inviting nook for creative pursuits.

Source

 

I am going... To write out a few Valentine's cards on this first day of Heart Month. You know how the date will sneak up on a person if you don't get to it right away.

I am wondering... About nothing in particular today.

I am reading... Susan Branch's new post (with spoilers) on last night's episode of Downton Abbey. We really love her commentary on all the highlights (and the low ones too) each week as the series unfolds. Besides DA info, Susan includes lovely sneak previews into her own 'goings on' in her corner of the world, as well as her and Joe's upcoming trip to the UK later this summer.

I'm also reading An Autobiography by Agatha Christie. It's a fat, satisfying book so far. In her Foreword, she confesses that...

"I ought to be writing a detective story, but with the writer's natural urge to write anything but what he should be writing, I long, quite unexpectedly, to write my autobiography. The urge to write one's autobiography, so I have been told, overtakes everyone sooner or later. It has suddenly overtaken me.

... So what I plan to do is to enjoy the pleasures of memory -- not hurrying myself -- writing a few pages from time to time. It is a task that will probably go on for years."

I am hoping... that somewhere under those chaotic piles in my office, I will find my little sketch book soon. For I've realized suddenly the other day that I have not played with paper and pencil for a long while.

I am learning... To stay in the present in my thoughts as much as possible as I go through my day. Not to cast my thoughts down the road about what needs tending in upcoming tomorrows (unless there is something specific I need to plan in advance). For it often brings a sense of niggling unease and slight anxiety. I'm not sure why -- perhaps I tend to forget that 'sufficient for the day is our grace'. I have grace for today's projects, I will have new mercies and strength for tomorrow's work. Even the slightest of frets wastes today's good energy.

In my kitchen... What pleasure to see sparkling clean glassware and china again.

In my garden... It's all aflutter with birds at the feeders and heated birdbath. Worn looking snow piles. Blue jays asking for peanuts. Resident Northern Flicker feasting from the peanut suet ball.

A favorite quote for today... "Don't dawdle. It won't take as long as you think." BL

A peek below into one of my days... Working away at making my house feel nice again as we clean, sort and discard, tidy and declutter.

One of my favorite things... A supply of small continuous treats in my life, such as a few stolen moments of idleness enjoyed somewhere in a busy day, or that lovely sense of refreshment after a freshly brewed cup of tea. 

Post Script... If you're so inclined, here's a link to my past editions of The Simple Woman's Daybook.

the end