The First Freeze and a Dozen Roses

That sounds like the title to a country song, right?!  To really make it sound like the title to a country song it should be "The First Fight and a Dozen Beers".  Yeah, that sounds more like it. Or tears, that would work, too--"The First Fight and a Dozen Tears".  No?  Ok, ok so that's not my calling.  But while I'm on this train of thought (country songs that is), do you all remember the song "There's a tear in my beer 'cause I'm crying for you dear"?  We didn't listen to a lot of country music growing up even though we lived less than an hour from Nashville but that song I remember.  Why that song, I don't know but it's funny what sticks with you.

And moving on.

We had our first deep freeze this past weekend.  There's still a few flowers hanging on but for the most part, blooming flowers outside is now a thing of the past.  A distant memory.  Our generous next door neighbor (who has beautiful and abundant rose bushes), not wanting to see his roses go to waste clipped them and dropped them off to his neighbors.  We were out of town all day and it was such a nice surprise to come home to these waiting for us on our porch.

They're so lovely.  While I was deciding where and how to display them, I came up with my Christmas mantle.  I'm actually in the middle of working on a few pieces that I was planning on using for a fall mantle but it seems like Christmas took over.  I prefer my mantles and holiday decor to be simple. I've mentioned in the past how I don't respond well to the color red but I do love me some red when it comes Christmas decor.  I mean LOVE IT!

Yeah, I don't understand me either.

Is anyone else enjoying the smell of fresh flowers in their home thanks to a freeze?  Or should I be envious of you because you live in a sunny and warm locale and are still wearing flip flops and enjoying flowers blooming outside.  I might cry right now if that's the case.  I miss my flip flops.  My shoe selection still reflects my Florida living self even though we moved to Tennessee over three years ago.  Obviously I'm in denial over our cold winters.  I've gotta go put on some slippers, my feet are cold.