Tuesdays With Tracy: January Joy
Hi Friends,
This month I decided to continue my December thoughts on joy. Sometimes after the holiday decor and lights are put away it can get a little dreary. So I have some things I do this month to bring January some joy.
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January Joy
Each season my mornings on the pond are different. In January we have spectacular sunrises.
And some beautiful snowy mornings.
January Flower Joy
Remember the waxed Amaryllis I had last month? Well they are still blooming! I have them in front of a window in the kitchen. As the pond freezes and everything turns brown, these babies are still bringing me joy .
Those are actually faux ivy plants that they are sitting on.
January Food Joy
On cold mornings I love to make porridge with steel cut oats. The first time I had it was on a trip to the Highlands of Scotland. Eleanor, who owned the B&B that we stayed in, had it on the breakfast menu. It was so yummy and now I make it at home.
Porridge is healthy & hearty and I swear, every time I make it I think of being in Scotland. It can be made on the stove or overnight in a crockpot. On the stove it takes about 30 minutes. I usually double the recipe and make four servings, saving two bowls in the refrigerator for the next day. A nonstick pan really helps.
I know it sounds funny but when I first started making it I didn’t like the film that formed on the top. But now I realize that as you stir that film in, it disappears and makes the porridge creamy.
Kind of crazy that something so simple can bring me joy, ha! I like mine plain and Larry likes it with fruit.
Peppermint Shake
During the holidays Chik Fil A has peppermint shakes. So, early in January I made sure I had one before they were gone. Mmmm, Joy!
Scones
In December I made some scones and froze the extras. It sure was fun to have scones, clotted cream, and jam in January. Yummm…Joy!
January Home Joy
“In the winter silence January speaks: try again, begin anew.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
After putting the Christmas decor away, I begin to add cozy touches like candles and comfy throws.
If you recall, we had our Christmas tree in an old vintage goat cart. That cart has been tucked away in the kitchen corner for years. I decided to leave it out and use it to hold collected quilts and blankets. Those linens being accessible and visible brings me joy in January.
I just took a basketful of quilts and plopped it in the cart. I will eventually take the quilts and blankets out of this basket and just fold and lay them in a stack in the cart so I can enjoy seeing them.
A candle in a teacup. What more can I say…
January joy!
Tea Settings
Every winter I place a tray set with teacups, teapot, and a candle on our coffee table. On days when we have an opportunity, we love to take some time to sit and have afternoon tea. And yes, my husband Larry enjoys having tea too.
The teapot was a special joy filled gift from a dear friend. I brought the teacups home from England in my suitcase. The Burleigh Factory has seconds for sale and I had fun filling a small carryon with a few bubble wrapped items.
The creamer and sugar bowl were found at a local flea market. More on flea markets later! The candle holder was my mom’s and the bowl full of candles was also a flea market find.
The little covered sugar bowl was a gift from my sister.
This tray brings me so much joy just remembering the history behind each item while having tea.
January Joy…at a Flea Market
Let’s have some fun. The other day I went to one of our local flea markets that is full of vintage finds.
I took some photos of items I liked and I want you to see if you can guess which item came home with me.
Below is a little case containing tiny butter pat plates and also a cool basket hanging on a hook.
How unique is this cement gray hound dog, and the willow whale?
And last but not least, this is a green glass flower frog bowl with legs.
So, what do you think I brought home? Scroll down and leave me a comment with your guess.
Thanks for joining me for some January Joy. I appreciate each and every one of you!
Love,
Tracy
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Love the snowy morning vibe, Kelly! You’ve shared such a great idea for continuing home decor, especially those tea crockeries, I’d love to know where I can find ones like yours. Thanks you for sharing
my guess would be the frog bowl……love the idea of a afternoon tea with plenty of Memories
Eva that’s a good guess, you’re in good company as that seems to be the favorite at this point.
I’m with you, afternoon tea with good memories! Cheers!
Good Morning! I hope the answer is you bought all of it! If something doesn’t work for you, I’m sure you could gift it to a friend.
Mimi
Mimi how fun would that be to bring it all home and then gift some to friends! I will reveal the purchase in February. Thank for your fun comments!
Hi Christina! Thank you for your kind comments. Most of the teaware on the tray is from Burleigh pottery company. Etsy and EBay are good sources. The company website is:
https://www.burleigh.co.uk/
Thank you for the link, let me have a look dear.
I’m in love with blue and white dishes so your tea tray was a delight to see.
I think you brought home the green depression glass with the flower frog. But I would have brought home the butter pats ☺️
Rhonda thanks for your sweet comments. We are blue & white sisters! Aren’t those little butter pat plates the cutest?!
I love your guess on the green flower frog bowl, I will reveal the answer in February.
I love the tea tray, too!
My Mom is 93 and is moving to assisted living. She has an array of lovely teacups that I’m going to bring home with me. Maybe I’ll start looking for a tray. Thanks for the idea.
I would say you brought home the flower frog.🐸
Hi Marsha! Thanks for your sweet comment. I love that you want to enjoy your mother’s tea cups. Good guess, I will reveal the flea market treasure in February.
Cheers!
Hope you brought it all home. I would have brought home the footed bowl and flower frog since I collect frogs but really loved the butter plates too. I couldn’t find mention of the sheep on the tray. Did I overlook it? Happy New Year Tracy. I enjoy your occasional posts. I think we must enjoy similar treasures. Vicky
I love everything about the January Joy post… I have maybe 3 of the flower frogs but had no idea what they were called. They were given to me.. I love the one on your post with the green frog/bowl … I loved all of the choices and would be happy with any of them.
.Maybe the green frog/bowl or butter pats was your choice… Your home looks like it is full of joy…. Love and blessings, Michelle.
Michelle I’m so happy you enjoyed this post, thank you for your kind comments. How cool that you were gifted the flower frogs! I will reveal my flea market purchase in February. Cheers!
Vicky, I love that you hope I brought it all home, how fun would that be! I didn’t mention the sheep but I purchased it years ago because I have a very small collection. I loved the flower frog and butter plates too! Happy New Year and thanks so much for your kind comments.
I’m betting on the flower frog ! I dont bring any of that kind of stuff home anymore. I am 81 and have so much “stuff”, my kids will never get to the bottom of it.
I like my oatmeal with a pat of butter and sugar. I enjoy the blog, too. it’s snowing where I am and frigid.
Kathy isn’t oatmeal great on a cold winter morning?! The flower frog is a good guess, I will reveal my purchase in February. Stay warm my friend!
I won’t guess what you DID bring home, but I am sure it wasn’t the cement dog. lol
Love this comment Pamela! 😄
Check back next month to find out.
What a great post, I really liked it
Hi Aussie Jo, happy new year! Thanks for you kind comments.
Love a great flea market find! I think you bought the flower frog for all the zinnias you gals grow!
Cheri we must be flea market friends! Good guess on the flower frogs, I will reveal my purchase in February. Cheers!