The February House
“China
tea, the scent of hyacinths, wood fires and bowls of violets – that is my
mental picture of an agreeable February afternoon.”
tea, the scent of hyacinths, wood fires and bowls of violets – that is my
mental picture of an agreeable February afternoon.”
~ Constance Spry
I would add a
ticking clock to Miss Spry’s requirements for the February Home although one
day in 2003, my handpainted floral clock ceased its ticking at 2:20 sharp and
nary a tick has been heard. Unrepairable, the clock is lovely to look at and is
steadfastly precise twice a day, so it retains a spot on the mantel. Prettier still is a clock that declares the
hours with soft chimes, as if someone has rung a small bell from a distant
room. It may seem that I have many
opinions as to what makes an agreeable February Home because in the depths of
winter, I need a sense of an invincible summer in order to carry on.
ticking clock to Miss Spry’s requirements for the February Home although one
day in 2003, my handpainted floral clock ceased its ticking at 2:20 sharp and
nary a tick has been heard. Unrepairable, the clock is lovely to look at and is
steadfastly precise twice a day, so it retains a spot on the mantel. Prettier still is a clock that declares the
hours with soft chimes, as if someone has rung a small bell from a distant
room. It may seem that I have many
opinions as to what makes an agreeable February Home because in the depths of
winter, I need a sense of an invincible summer in order to carry on.
Light now
lingers late in the afternoon but traversing the moody dusk that comes just
before nightfall makes me feel blue. So I light candles and take to drinking
tea at that bewitching time. A proper tea tray with some fruit
and a cookie cheers me fine. As well, the introduction of citrus flavors in cooking is akin to adding summer sunshine and fends off the blahs. Hot couscous salad tossed with olive oil, nuts, and mandarin orange slices is a February staple at my house. I also whip up a creamy ambrosia with pineapple (email me for recipes).
lingers late in the afternoon but traversing the moody dusk that comes just
before nightfall makes me feel blue. So I light candles and take to drinking
tea at that bewitching time. A proper tea tray with some fruit
and a cookie cheers me fine. As well, the introduction of citrus flavors in cooking is akin to adding summer sunshine and fends off the blahs. Hot couscous salad tossed with olive oil, nuts, and mandarin orange slices is a February staple at my house. I also whip up a creamy ambrosia with pineapple (email me for recipes).
February is a
lovely time to introduce flowers to rooms.
With a few ice cubes placed on top of the dirt for sustenance each Sunday, an orchid plant will highlight my dining table for months. I love
the white-blossomed ones tinged with pink the best, but tulips…tulips must be cheerfully yellow or hot pink. When I
look at their bobbing heads, I am reminded of brave Lottie Wilkins from Enchanted April, a favorite springtime film. Upon being
scolded by her husband for squandering money on flowers that only die, she cries out, “But I love the color!” – so bleak and cold was London. Lottie got her yellow
and hot pink and a veritable rainbow of colorful blooms later, in Italy.
lovely time to introduce flowers to rooms.
With a few ice cubes placed on top of the dirt for sustenance each Sunday, an orchid plant will highlight my dining table for months. I love
the white-blossomed ones tinged with pink the best, but tulips…tulips must be cheerfully yellow or hot pink. When I
look at their bobbing heads, I am reminded of brave Lottie Wilkins from Enchanted April, a favorite springtime film. Upon being
scolded by her husband for squandering money on flowers that only die, she cries out, “But I love the color!” – so bleak and cold was London. Lottie got her yellow
and hot pink and a veritable rainbow of colorful blooms later, in Italy.
Hyacinths will perfume the entire house.
They shoot up quickly and merely opening the front door just a crack makes me feel as though I have entered an earthy fragrant greenhouse. It’s a nostalgic scent that promises
happy things to come – like spring’s abundant lilacs and lily-of-the-valley.
They shoot up quickly and merely opening the front door just a crack makes me feel as though I have entered an earthy fragrant greenhouse. It’s a nostalgic scent that promises
happy things to come – like spring’s abundant lilacs and lily-of-the-valley.
I’ve never
been able to get an African violet to live longer than a minute but many women
have the Midas touch with them. I love the way violets look when
they are grouped together in large Chinese bowls set near a window. If anyone knows the secret to growing
violets, do fill me in. In February,
they appear so hopeful as they turn their faces toward the sun. And isn’t that what we are all trying to do just now?
been able to get an African violet to live longer than a minute but many women
have the Midas touch with them. I love the way violets look when
they are grouped together in large Chinese bowls set near a window. If anyone knows the secret to growing
violets, do fill me in. In February,
they appear so hopeful as they turn their faces toward the sun. And isn’t that what we are all trying to do just now?
I like airier music in my February Home.
My dark Baroque cd’s are hibernating next to the Christmas ones as I listen to my favorite soundtracks instead.
I adore Joshua Bell’s plaintive violin in Ladies in Lavender, and also Miss Potter and
Sense and Sensibility. The melodies add a soft and peaceful backdrop to my home. And lest I forget, mohair throws in pastels or sherbets lend delicious color to a room and warm my toes during long tranquil reading sessions as the snow flits just outside my window.
My dark Baroque cd’s are hibernating next to the Christmas ones as I listen to my favorite soundtracks instead.
I adore Joshua Bell’s plaintive violin in Ladies in Lavender, and also Miss Potter and
Sense and Sensibility. The melodies add a soft and peaceful backdrop to my home. And lest I forget, mohair throws in pastels or sherbets lend delicious color to a room and warm my toes during long tranquil reading sessions as the snow flits just outside my window.
If there are things you cannot live without in your February Home, do tell here…
5 Comments
Kay
What a lovely post and so relaxing to read it. I love all these ideas! My house is so tiny that one hyacinth is all it takes, too! Love, Kay
My Life of Domestic Bliss
I have fallen in love with hyacinths! This is the first year I have forced them – I usually only do paperwhites – and finally there are beautiful blooms. They were to be Christmas gifts but, I got the timing wrong and am so thankful for now when it is so cold and dreary these sweethearts remind me of what is to come. Have a lovely day, Lisa
donna macdonald
Thank you Lisa..I have such a small house that just one potted hyacinth works its magic throughout. No I don't know what February would be without them!
Amy
February delights for me: the "ballet" classical channel on Pandora; citrus candles; Cara Cara oranges; grapefruit body lotion; miniature potted roses; chocolate cherry coffee; Jessica McClintock perfume; red manicures, pedicures and lipstick; strawberry chocolate tea; planning my Easter outfit and hat; watching all of the Oscar-nominated movies; reading all of the Edgar-nominated books; keeping watch for the Decorah eagles online; making homemade peppermint lip scrub; chocolate covered cherries; field trip to the Orchid Show at the US Botanic Garden; Candlemas; watching for Groundhog Phil; the Superbowl; cherry cheesecake on Washington's birthday; Valentine's Day; fresh oysters and beer at Cross Street Market in Baltimore; the Winter Olympics every four years!
In short: I love February!
donna macdonald
Thank you Amy! That is a whirlwind of February! I should have consulted with you first. You named some wonderful wonderful things..Oh! Would I love the orchid show! Candlemas is such an old fashioned word (and day). Beautiful and thank you!