A day of rain.....

and the beautiful scent of wet earth, and cooler temperatures and tea, and cookies and all sorts of goodies.

I love days like these, when you wake up to cloudy skies and sprinkles that quickly turn to big fat drops of rain.

Aside from the fact that I really love the rain, I think I love the scent it brings even more, and for that reason alone when it starts pouring, my kitchen window is opened so that we can enjoy nature's aroma.

You may want to sit down with a cup of tea or coffee, because this post is going to be filled with photos.  I couldn't help it, the whole atmosphere of the day just propelled me into a photo taking trance.

No, it's not that bad, really....but yes, there are quite a few :)

There's something about candles and lamps, on a rainy day that just makes me happy. Maybe it's the reflections it paints on the windows....

Or the way that everything seems to look prettier with it's pretty glow

It also puts me in the mood for tea, not so much coffee, but copious amounts of hot tea that burn your lip when you try to take the first sip.

Reminds me of my greatgrandmother, that's how she loved her tea, scalding hot, and she would set it in front of her, wrap her fingers around the mug and take tiny little sips throughout the night.

So many topics were covered over a hot cup of tea. I would listen to her stories about her childhood and how hard it was, what she did, where she went and how she felt. She would tell me what a homemaker and wife should do, how she should act.

There were tons of ideas, advice, recipes, tips.

I often look at this book and think that for so many years, and during the most crucial moments of my life as she watched over us during the day, that she was my "Whispers of Encouragement". There in the flesh, always ready to offer comfort and always knowing just what to say.

I do miss her tremendously.

As the rain continued to come down, I spent some time admiring it from inside my house, just watching the drops splash on the glass panes

and trickle down the leaves of the plants

I pulled out my crochet and made myself a spot right next to the door, propped on comfy pillows and wrapped in my crochet blanket, I sat there for about 30 minutes, just mindlessly letting my fingers work their magic while I listened to the rain outside

Another pot of tea was brewed and enjoyed

along with some cookies

and while laundry was drying, and cookies were baking, I also made a batch of Homemade Vanilla Flavored Coffee Syrup

Oh it was a good day, a good rainy, dark day. One made for staying inside and puttering around the house surrounded by lamps and candles and blankets.

Now, the kids are playing a game on their Nintendos, my husband is at class, and I am going to finish my book on the kindle so I can start my new one, which I'm so excited about.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini. I've looked forward to this one for such a long time.

Before I leave though, here's what we had for dinner. A Husband's Delight, from one of the Amish cookbooks. The name makes me laugh, but it was delicious and got the thumbs up from the family.

Have a blessed night and as always, thank you for stopping by and visiting with me.