Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Winter lights coziness

We had a marvelous Christmas and extra marvelous long weekend last week! Did you take some time off work too? Oh I hope you did! Waking up to a wonderfully peaceful shadowy house was extra special. I always love this time of year when I get to stay home during the holidays. Even when I don’t have to wake up early, I still do! I’m a morning child and would never ever miss the wee hours of the morning to slept, ever! Are you this crazy about early mornings too? I feel as if I'm not awake to welcome the morning I would miss something wonderful that would hardly come my way again... you know, sort of like what Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “The days come and go like muffled and veiled figures sent from a distant friendly party; but they say nothing, and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them as silently away”.
So here I am worshiping those wee small hours of morning, before the dawn of day! And this is the marvelous part of it all! Not having to leave the coziness of home! I just love it when I get to stay home!

It's been super cold and gloomy here. Curls of ghosts like fog unfurl and travel the garden floor breathing in the austerity of winter... dark clouds during the day dress themselves in gray, and if it isn’t snow it’s rain. From blustery and cold mornings to afternoon rain pelting the windows to cold nights accompanied by high winds... That's how it's been. But I love the extra coziness winter imparts the house!

I can hear the wind from my bed early in the morning, moaning lonesomely outside, and I can hear the soothing song of rain tapping our window... snow, wind, drizzling rain, sun for a moment, more wind and an occasionally glorious sky, then more rain... but inside the house is always warm and cozy and I never want to leave this refuge of mine I call home. Do you feel this way about your home too?

Truth is, I don't like winter, but I can certainly keep the sweet calmness that winter conveys, the feeling of peaceful seclusion and shelter... glowing candles, a mug of hot cocoa and a blazing fire... in the wee hours of the morning (when I don’t have to go to work) the quieted house is a perfect cozy nest... I wove around the place, turning on little lamps in several corners, lighting candles, lifting up shadows...

I love the feel of clean wood floors under my feet and the soft light of lamps as I go around my house cleaning, arranging and rearranging things; always enjoying, always appreciating my little life and its surroundings...

Do you love lamps, or do you prefer overhead lights? Oh I do love my lamp-laden house in the roses! Something about the ambiance, the warmth and sense of belonging just captivate me!

Lamp light, candle light, soft light is much more romantic, provides a cozy, welcoming ambiance. Ah yes, a beautiful home is more than meets the eye; ultimately, it’s a matter of the heart... but you already knew that! Right? It's 8:49am as I write, and is still dark outside... cold, and raining the rain of the tropics. I cannot believe how much rain we'd had this winter. Is it dark and raining or snowing in your part of the world? Let's turn on our lamps; light up some candles!

22 comments:

  1. Hello Cielo,
    its so lovely and romantic description, so I feel to close my eyes and just recall all what you said. its lovely ... photography is marvelous... candles lit up, feel the calmness of winter. oh so lovely...
    Wish you a very Happy New Year
    I would love if you come to visit me at
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  2. I wouldn't want too many of them, but I do find overcast days very cozy. I love that Emerson quote!

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  3. Oh I prefer soft ambiance lighting!

    Gentle New Year's hugs...

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  4. Hi Cielo,
    I am definitely a homebody too but you expressed it so well.
    We had lots of rain and wind here on the Island too but finally snow-so much brighter and prettier.
    I wish you and your family all the best for the New Year.

    Carolyn

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  5. Couldnt' agree more and you said it so well. I love to get up early before anyone's awake and just stroll through my house. In the warm months, I head outdoors as well. With three kids, some of whom are early risers and another night owl, I'm never alone in my house. It's a weird phenonomen. I find myself getting up earlier and earlier so I have more time to enjoy the beauty of early morning hours. It's funny how I'm always late for work though because, for all the reasons you said, I just can't pull myself back to reality. It's a time when I feel immensely close to God as well, esp. in the garden and spend time reading Evelyn Christensen and the Bible. It just all makes sense at that peaceful time of day. Happy New Year.

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  6. Love those mornings when the house is quiet....except for my doggies barking. I do not like overhead lighting......gives me a headache. I love lamps and candle light.
    Also love having time off from work.
    Sweet post. Stay dry.

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  7. I just love your Romantic Home!!

    I light candles ALL of THE TIME!!! I just love the look of lit candles and fresh roses in vases.
    Happy New Year
    Suzann

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  8. HI Cielo....I LOVE winter...it's really dark and grey outside..but inside it's nice and cozy!!! I stayed home today from work because I've not been feeling good. However, I'm resting and enjoying the day all the same :) :) Your photos are lovely...especially that last one with those beautiful laces/linens :) :) Have a lovely week. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :)

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  9. I totally agree...love the soft lights and candles....I don't like the overhead lights at all...
    Beautiful home and post....
    Have a Blessed day...
    Tonja

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  10. Good morning, Cielo! It is such a sunny, beautiful day here in Cnetral Alabama. THe snow is beginning to melt, and everything smells so clean.

    I love your posts, Cielo. They are so romantic. Your little lacy votives by your pretty lace is such a nice vignette. Thanks for sharing. I am so happy I found you and your little house in the roses :D

    xoxoxo
    Ricki Jill

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  11. What a lovely post!

    I love lamplight and early mornings with no where to go, too. We had snow that started Christmas afternoon and didn't stop until sometime Monday night. The flakes were small and the snow was powdery so all those hours of snow produced just about 6". The Christmas lights, lamps, and candles made the house magical. I confess to liking lamps more than candles because candles require attention and must be extinguished before you leave the room. Lamps are better behaved when unattended!

    Enjoy the coziness!

    Hugs!

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  12. Hello Cielo!

    I've been visiting your blog "in silence" for some months now. I have always left, feeling such peace and magic, after enjoying each post. Your descriptions, photographs and lovely wording are very special indeed and shows great love, serenity and talent.

    Thank you again for another extremely beautiful post!

    Hugs,

    Des.

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  13. Dearest Cielo,

    So true about the coziness of our home at winter-time! The clean wooden floors or even our tiles (laid on wood) feel so good for walking on at night! Light, from candle, sconces or overhead (aimed halogen reading lights) all contribute to the glow of evening and feeling sheltered.
    Contrary to you being a morning person, I'm most productive late in the day... Maybe because I was born at 1:00 AM? But nevertheless when we worked and lived in the tropics I never had a problem with rising at 5:00 AM. Nor at home as a teen for rising at 4:00 AM to help out Mom & Dad in the greenhouse before going to school... It is rewarding to make good use of the early hours.

    Stay warm and enjoy the final days of this year. Happy New Year to you!

    Mariette's Back to Basics

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  14. Hi Cielo, your photos show how your home has a romantic mood, which is conducive to chatting or reading or quiet activities. All of the decorative touches are very pretty.

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  15. Just gorgeous Cielo, your home is so beautiful and peaceful looking! Have a wonderful evening and happy holiday!
    Tina xo

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  16. I'm a morning person too. Sometimes I will go to call someone and think..OMGosh it is only 6am and I will know that they are sleeping still.

    I like lamps..and although we do have overhead lights- I like the soft glow of lamplit rooms.

    Another beautiful trip to 'your place'...thanks for sharing it- xxoo Diana

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  17. Don't you just love the morning when everything is fresh after waking from a night's sleep? Beautiful post. I hope you and yours have a magical New Year, Char

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  18. Lovely post Cielo! Your home is so cozy and comfortable looking. I can see why you would love to spend as much time as possible there. You have really created a wonderful space.
    I am a night owl...and have been since I was a child. I love the starry night, very magical to me. I love the quiet when everyone else is asleep.
    Happy New Year to you!
    Terri

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  19. QUE HERMOZO POST QUERIDA CIELO ,LA TRANQUILIDAD DE TU CASITA SE REFLEJA EN CADA ESQUINA EN CADA RINCON,LA REFLECCION DE LAS VELAS ES TAN ACOJEDORA TAMBIEN LAS HERMOZAS LAMPARAS.TAMBIEN NOSOTROS EMOS EXPERIMENTADO SEVERA LLUVIA FRIOS Y ALTOS VIENTOS? YO SE QUE TU SUENO ES PODER QUEDARTE EN TU CASITA,NUESTRO SALVADOR TE REGALARA TU HERMOZO SUENO YA VERAS.......BENDICIONES Y CARINOS...SANDRA

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  20. Today was a sparkling day - a wee bit warmer than the past few days. We had an unusual snow the day after Christmas - brought out the child in me. New year's day may be in the mid 60's. The weather is so unpredictable here. We hope for more rain in the winter and in the spring - to offset the hot, dry summers!
    Love the coziness of this time of year - I dream more, plan more and read more! Hope you're still cozy and enjoying this wonderful evening,
    Kathy

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  21. Andrea at My Feathered NestDecember 31, 2010 at 9:56 PM

    I am totally 100% with you in spirit when it concerns the coziness of the morning, getting up before everyone else, reading my Bible with my kitties and doggies laying beside me. Then I get out a wonderful book or glorious magazine, while drinking my flavored coffees with one or two of my lamps( YES, I am addicted to lamps too) glowing.
    I have been blessed to not have to work outside of the home and I am forever grateful for this. I'm never bored. I love my nest, whether I'm listening to the drumming of the rain, the hollow echoes of the wind or just the purring of the kitties.
    Thankyou for sharing your heart. I loved your writing today!

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