Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The $5 (or less) Cure for the Winter Blahs



     I am one of those people who doesn't "do winter" well. I don't like feeling shut inside, I don't like driving on slick roads and I really don't like that it gets dark so early. Do I have Seasonal Affective Disorder...I don't know. I have enough problems without giving myself that label! I have found that the past 3 winters have been a little better for me and I truly believe the reason is that I spend 2 weeks in Florida in December, where the flowers are still blooming, the grass is green and the sun shines.

     I discovered several years ago that a simple $5 or less expenditure really helps my mood. I know that many of us are budgeting this time of year. We don't feel as if we should "treat" ourselves to much of anything. I promise you that this is worth it. Give up that latte, that extra magazine or bag of Oreos and grab one of those bouquets from the grocery store. Our Wal-mart has them starting at $3.98, even less if you happen to hit the half-price sale. It doesn't matter what kind of flowers they are, just bring them home, snip off the ends and put them in water.



     We have been having sub-zero temps and snow around here. Friday night I found these gorgeous tulips at Wal-Mart for $5. They weren't white, but they weren't exactly pink either. Tulips are my favorite flower and with just a moment's hesitation, I put them in my cart. When I woke up Saturday morning, I'd forgotten about the flowers. When I walked into the living room, the first thing to catch my eye was the vase on the kitchen counter...I started my day with a smile. There is something about that touch of life in the house when the temperature is -10 that gives me hope that spring is coming, eventually. I call it flower therapy and I swear it works. Here it is Tuesday morning and they still look beautiful. What a deal for $5.

25 comments:

Stephanie @ BonaFide said...

I love fresh flowers! Really? Who doesn't?
You have inspired me. Next time that I'm at the grocery store I am going to pick up a bunch.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Your tulips are so beautiful -- a real perk for Winter. I agree --- thanks for giving me "permission" to treat myself!

Shellbelle said...

You couldn't be more right, flowers are always a pick-me-up. Maybe I should do that, since the cold here killed everything in my yard. I don't ever remember a time when something wasn't bloom throughout the year here in Florida. I guess I'm a big baby, because tears are welling in my eyes as I write this. Maybe I should stop what I'm doing and make it over to the Flower Mart.

Giulia said...

Absolutely. I'm on a very fixed income for the indefinite abstract future. But I almost always have something. Was brought up that way & probably why I don't feel guilty. Primroses are on sale at 3/$5.00 & hyacinths for $3.49, at "my" Whole Foods, even. Small blooming plants in the winter, in cachepots, baskets can really extend the $. But tulips & lilies are my favorites (though it's difficult to choose favorites) & I will be buying some tomorrow. The tulips at the other market near me were so tiny as to be silly. Cheers...I came here via Being Ruby, BTW.

Cheers & thanks for spreading the floral word...I have the hardest time convincing friends on this matter. Then they come over to my lil old apt. & say "Oh why is it so nice here?" Well, it's not really. I have so much less materially than they do. But they have these large houses with a ton of stuff...& almost no offhand flowers or plants. At all...That's why (I think). So whenever I visit, I show up not with wine, or anything like that...I show up with flowers (& a vase if it's an "event") or a blooming plant. Always.

Giulia said...

Well I made a mess of that but I won't delete it...sorry:)

dee dee said...

Sue,
We finally have sunshine today! However your flowers brought the same smile to my face as the sun!... Dee Dee

Blondie's Journal said...

I think the flowers idea is a great one, Sue I know just a little sunshine makes me happy so flowers would have me dancing!! :-)

xoxo
Jane

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

that is good Sue! I lover flowers but my Wal-Mart tends to have the crappy ones. I know I get down this time of year, enough winter already but we have a ways to go! Cindy

Unknown said...

What an AWESOME!!! idea, I love flowers. Flowers cheer up any day, any time of year.
Geri

Unknown said...

I think flowers would cheer up any gal.. what a lovely idea... thanks for sharing. Soon enough it will be warm, hang in there!

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

An excellent bit of advice for winter cheer - I'm pretty much terrified by winter driving and I need the sun, too. I do take sub-zero hikes but there's only so much of that a person can stand! Flowers work well.
Three Rivers Daily Photo

Lyneen said...

WOW these are Beautiful... maybe I need some flowers in the house!

Unknown said...

Such pretty flowers! They cheered me up! Have a sweet day!

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Sue
Lovely post... flowers always cheer me also, though lately I keep forgetting to buy them.. I used to buy them on a Friday at work so I would have them on the weekend when I was there to see them. Colleagues would always ask me if someone special had given me them. and I would say YES.. ME!! hahaha Have fun... xx Julie

J Rodney said...

You are so right about flowers Sue. After my mom got sick, she always made sure that they bought a bouquet of flowers for her dining room table every week.

While I cannot complain, we are still feeling the chill down here at the moment, and the bouquet of roses that my husband got me on New Years day really did lighten up the place.

I always love having flowers in the house, and the boys and I usually pick up some flowers on the side of the road on our walks. For the past month we have also been picking out flowers for our neighbor, as she had surgery right before Christmas. Roshane decorated a little glass and gave it to her for Christmas, and it has since been filled very often by my two boys.

Dixie said...

I absolutely agree! Flower Therapy... it's a very good thing...think I'll swing by Walmart and see what they've got for me... I'm thinkin' I'm in the mood for some flower therapy myself...

the O-R-B-S... I left Ricky a message this morning (he leaves for work at 5:30 am)...
it said... L-O-V-E U... ;)

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Flower power! Works for me!

The Rantings of a Drama Queen's Mum said...

That's a good idea. I think I have S.A.D. I light a lot of candles in the Winter.

Maria said...

Hi Sue! You are SOOOOO right about how flowers can lift our mood and our spirits~

$5 is an awesome price for tulips. On Sunday's we drive by a Walmart... If they have tulips, I'll think of you and pop a bouquet in my basket :)
For these winter mornings, when I must wake up in the dark, I have set up a low light with a digital timer. The light is softly lit from 5:30am - 7:00 ... that has helped me so much! I also sit near a window anytime the sun is out.

~Maria
ps. Thanks for the tip on the Privos shoes. I Googled them and they are amazing! It looks like Macy's has them, but a lot of the online stores do too. I'll def. be on the hunt!
ps.

Kathysue said...

Oh Sue I love pink tulips,they are my favorite! these are so pretty, aaaah a breath of spring. I left a comment to you on my last post,go and take a peek,Kathysue

Sandra said...

Oh so pretty! I've been looking for tulips at the Walmarts here but I can't find any. I hope they start carrying them soon. :) Yours are so uplifting. :)
Blessings,
Sandra

Holly Lefevre said...

There is something about fresh flowers that just lift the spirits. I try to pick up something at the Framers Market or the grocery store - even the "cheap" flowers to brighten the house and our day!

Michele P. said...

great idea! As I sit here suffering from a winter cold and yet another snow storm (hubby is out snowblowing the yard as I write) this would certainly add some brightness and cheer to the house after a long, dreary winter here in Central Maine. I am ready for spring!

Debbie said...

Grocery stores are now allowing us ladies to get ourselves flowers!! nice to treat yourself once in awhile. Glad to have found your blog! and I love my Mom too!!

Deb

Jackie said...

I totally can't do winter either, and just yesterday I was thinking how I'd love some flowers around the house. I may just do that this weekend!