White and Grey….the colors of January

It was a cold and blustery January morning. The grey sky felt like a blanket that was covering the earth only it was trapping in the cold instead of the heat. This day was just what I needed. It felt like a break. The walls of the house seemed to be contracting. Cabin fever is real! I needed fresh cold air and nature to wake up my senses.

My husband agreed to go for a walk with me around Lake Waban. I was able to snap some pictures, collect some branches and sticks that had fallen from the week’s rain and wind. I could tell he was wondering what I was going to do with my collection. In reply to his curious look I told him, “A winter bouquet of course!”. I then let my creativity begin.

I feel a sense of connection walking through the woods. It is peaceful and quiet. I wonder where all the animals hide as we walk around the water. Funny thing about winter….everything looks breakable….the water like a sheet of glass, the evergreen trees look like they could snap, the leaves on the ground have an added crunch with the thin coating of ice. The campus buildings in the distance seemed to be puffing giant white clouds into the air. The plumes of steam are a direct contrast to how stiff and rigid the landscape around us looks and feels.

Making something fresh and new out of the remnants of nature feels nurturing. I add some fragrant pine and rough brown sticks to my stash as we navigate our way. My collection is growing. I become a bit more discerning in my selections as we still have a long walk home.

At home I place my collection on the counter. Now its time to decide where all of these treasures will be placed in the jar.

I fuss over the sticks, the pinecones and the hay-like pampas grass I found in the dirt. It is stark and simple. A perfect replica of our stroll. I even added a little sparkle as the sun did manage to peak out for a brief moment.

My completed bouquet sits on our dining room table on one of the doilies my grandmother crocheted. Bringing vintage and nature together feels satisfying. A brisk walk through nature on a dreary January day was just what I needed to feed my mind.