5 on 5: February is All About the Three R’s
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SHINE - succulents

5 on 5: February is All About the Three R’s

Relax. Renew. Refresh.

Those are the three R’s – absolutely imperative in the midst of a Canadian winter.

Don’t get me wrong, I love winter. I really do.

Up until around the middle of January, and then it can kiss my butt. I’m ready for Spring.

Alas, Spring is a long ways away and so, in February, I tend to nest a bit. Comfy clothes (usually pyjamas, and usually approximately five minutes after I get home from work), books, TV (too much TV) (have you been watching Blind Spot? Excellent stuff), a little bit of redecorating here and there, and a whole lot of store bought flowers and a few new plants. The plants are important. Proof of life and all that. Have you been outside? It’s a winter wasteland.

Okay, I’m exaggerating.

A bit.

It has it’s moments.

Like this one,

hush.
A still winter's morning can be absolutely breathtaking. As in, the cold takes your breath away. Literally, you can't breathe. Also? It hurts your face.

And this one too. A sundog, albeit a tiny one. Honestly, if you’ve never seen a sundog in your life, you’re truly missing out. They can be stunning.

A Canadian sundog. Although this one is more of a sun-puppy.

On the days when it’s just too cold, and too much work to actually set foot outside (layers of clothes, boots, hat, gloves … on and on and on) you nest. Snuggle up, settle in and relax. I’m quite adept.

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.
- Edith Sitwell
Coffee and a good book.
Coffee and a good book. And a fluffy blanket. Perfect.
fresh flowers - a winter luxury
Fresh flowers. A winter luxury. Pretty, pretty.

My husband gave me roses for Valentine’s Day. And then the day after, I sent him out for a few groceries and he came home with these. For no good reason other than he wanted to. That means more to me than any obligatory holiday bouquet ever could.

‘Just because’ gifts are the best gifts ever. Period.

Winter also means that you spend a lot of time scratching your head wondering what in the world you can photograph that you haven’t already photographed over and over during the past five years of 365 projects. Yes, five years. That’s a LOT of photos.

So you do weird stuff like this,

teacup succulent
What? You don't put your succulents in teacups? What?

As it turns out, February does have one redeeming quality. A few many years ago, at the end of one particular February, I was born. Hallelujah. Right? Right. This particular February, the birthday fairies (okay, my Husband) gifted me with a shiny new canon lens I’d had my eye on, took me out to dinner and fed me cake. And then my girl and I got out the instax and all kinds of fun and stupidity ensued.

insta-FUN
There really is NO way to take a flattering photo with this thing. I LOVE IT. Fits of laughter and an impromptu nose shot whilst trying to turn the damn thing off. So much fun!

And because it was my birthday, I snuck in that extra photo. Sneaky-like. I’m allowed. IT’S MY BIRTHDAY.

*ahem

The wonderfully talented Stephanie is next up, showcasing her favourites for this month’s 5 on 5. Please stop by her blog and show her some love! She’ll have a link at the end of her post as well, telling you where to go. Where to go next. Like, the next photographer’s post.

Just go.

6 Comments
  • kim
    Posted at 01:12h, 05 March Reply

    Your captions crack me up. And I absolutely would put a succulent in a tea cup. In fact, I have a favourite broken tea cup that I’m going to re-purpose this weekend. (and then I might take a picture of it) Liking the Sondra Rimes book? Need to pick that up….

    • Jan
      Posted at 16:28h, 05 March Reply

      Make sure you take a photo! hehee!
      The book as fantastic, as is she. Amazing, brave woman.

  • Lianne
    Posted at 02:12h, 05 March Reply

    What Kim said. lol Love all of these, but that first photo of the snowy road? Just WOW.

    • Jan
      Posted at 16:30h, 05 March Reply

      Thanks Lianne! You had some fab shots this month too!

  • Stephanie Smith
    Posted at 22:19h, 05 March Reply

    1) These images make me want to live in your house 2) I am obsessed with succulents and would love one in a teacup 3) I would hang a large print of that snowy road in my home. What stunning images.

    • Jan
      Posted at 00:11h, 07 March Reply

      If you come and live here, can you bring the little ducklings with you? hehee

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