It’s been freezing here in the Northeast and we’ve already had plenty of snow, rain and ice. While I consider myself a summer person, as soon as the snow falls, I begin getting excited about making snowmen, throwing snowballs, baking cookies and watching my two boys play on the hill in our backyard. Now that the snow has briefly melted after a few days of warm weather, I’m thinking about spring and looking for inspiration, knowing that spring is a long way off. I’ve started walking by the store windows to see if anything grabs me. So far, nothing has. But at least I bought some purple flowers to put in my kitchen and drank a cup of hot chocolate. I love deep purple irises – they just make me smile. Sometimes it’s the small thing that inspire us.

What inspires you and keeps you going through long winter days and cold dark nights? Is it a cup of hot tea, a good book, a glowing fire? A trip to the Caribbean? A new pair of shoes? Walking your dog? Helping a person less fortunate? Please let me know. I’d love to hear from you. Email me at csiroka@aol.com. Hope you are well and enjoying whatever the season brings you.