Mitten Moments

Happy Sunday, friends! It’s another cold, maybe a tad warmer day in Michigan. The temperature has been below zero or in the single digits more times than I would like to admit over the last couple of weeks! If you’re feeling the cold chill along with me, or maybe you’re looking for some Sunday inspiration, grab a cozy blanket and get ready for this week’s Mitten Moments!

Mitten Moments 148 blog post graphic showing winter ice on a tree limb, the interior of a historic Michigan concert hall with blue stage lighting, and a cozy indoor plant setup with a Fittonia in a beaded planter.

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.” — John Burroughs

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My Personal Moments

  • Last night, Big Al and I braved the bitter cold for something spectacular! We went to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra where they celebrated Epic Film scores. The DSO celebrated the musical suspense of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, a few selections from classics like the The Godfather (Big Al’s favorite movie!) and James Bond. They also played the scores from some well known adventure movies with music from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Star Trek, and Star Wars. It was a magical night!
  • Yesterday was National Hot Chocolate Day! Perfect timing for so much of the country, right? I’m not a big fan, but felt I needed to have a cup in honor of the cold weather and national day.
  • You know I love British television. If you love it too but don’t have Brit Box, PBS is a great place to find quality British entertainment. I’m happy to report that All Creatures Great and Small’s newest season is out and runs through February. Bookish is also entertaining and you still have time to catch up before tonight’s episode. Both are very good if you’re looking for something new to watch. PBS also have two new British series starting in March. Mark your calendars!
  • Some of my plants have outgrown their current pots, so I needed to do some replanting. I bought the prettiest new planter from the My Texas Home line at Walmart.
Pink and green Nerve Plant in a beaded stone planter with a gold metal trellis standing on a dark wood surface.

Recently on the Blog

Last week, I shared a simple tutorial for making easy Valentine’s garland. It’s a perfect last-minute craft to add a little handmade love to your home. Just in case you missed it, you can still catch the post on the blog!

Close-up of a DIY Valentine's Day mantel garland featuring red and pink ribbons, 'XOXO' printed streamers, and rustic fabric hearts on twine, hanging on a white fireplace next to a potted aloe vera plant.

Motivation Monday / Wednesday’s Word

Amazon

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Set against the backdrop of 1964, this big-hearted family story explores what happens when America’s favorite television family faces a rapidly changing world.

A Few of My Favorite Moments

Are you hosting a Valentine’s Day gathering? If so, my friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms shared 7 Easy Valentine’s Day Table Decor Ideas. It’s the prettiest table setting and wait until you see how she displayed the conversation hearts. Perfection!

A close-up of a blue and white Chinoiserie-style vase filled with a lush arrangement of pink tulips. The background features a moody navy blue wall with framed art, a lit white taper candle, and a white dining chair, creating a classic and cozy interior aesthetic.

Looking to update your mantel for the winter season? Yvonne from StoneGable shared Winter Mantel Decorating Ideas That Feel Simple And Cozy. Having a mantle is the soulful centerpiece of your room and Yvonne gives some great ideas for decorating yours perfectly for the season!

Cozy winter living room decor featuring a white brick fireplace, a large landscape painting of a barn, and green ginger jars on the mantel, flanked by two white spindle chairs with olive green velvet pillows.

Local in the Mitten

For the very first feature in my new Local in the Mitten series, I knew exactly where to start. A place that combines my love of books with great food. What could be more perfect?

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Elliot May from Novel: A Book & Sandwich Shop in Rochester, Michigan. Elliot and his wife Rachel own this small business and I must say it’s a lovely place! Their indie bookstore and sandwich shop was created from Rachel’s love of books and Elliot’s dream of owning a sandwich shop. And let me tell you, it delivers both!

The store is a true gem stocked with yummy sandwiches, best sellers, book accessories, seasonal items, and quaint corners to sit read and eat. I had the vegetarian sandwich and it was nothing short of amazing!

Novel also hosts monthly book clubs. You can sign-up online and each one is open to 12 people. Starting in March, they will be having Story Time Sunday for kids. Make sure to check their website for all upcoming events and store hours.

Welcoming, friendly, eye-catching and delicious! I will be back many times to come. If you’re local, love books and a good sandwich, this is the place for you!

Local in the mitten

Novel: A Book and Sandwich Shop

307 South Main Street, Rochester, Michigan 48307

Check online for hours.

And Now…

Here are some other WONDERFUL moments I found:

This Comfortable Georgia Cottage

These 20 Winter Skillet Dinners That Are Cozy, Quick and Easy

These Football Party Ideas Everyone Will Love

This Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

How to Spend 5 Days in Wales

Until Next Time!

I’m so grateful you stopped by today! I hope you enjoyed all the goodness and my new corner Local in the Mitten!

Have the best week ahead!

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Shop My Storefront

If you enjoy the home decor, DIY projects, and cozy finds I share here on the blog, you can find many of my favorite items in my Amazon storefront. Shopping through my storefront is a wonderful way to support Cottage in the Mitten, and it means so much to me. Thank you so much for being here and following along!

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9 Comments

  1. The orchestra sounds like so much fun. I saw that the Boston Pops is coming to our performing arts center, and I really want to go… now to convince my husband! Thank you so much for sharing my game day party tips. I can’t believe the Super Bowl is this coming weekend already. Stay warm, friend, and have a great week!

  2. Hi Kim, could you please tell me what the silver thingy is in your new planter? I love all your emails!
    Thank you, Donna

  3. Oh, what a cute book and sandwich shop! You can just feel the welcome from the photos. Still cold, snowy and icy here…so ready for a warmup!

  4. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing my Valentine’s Day ideas!!!! I so so so appreciate youj!
    Wishing you extra joy today friend!

    Happy day!
    KariAnne

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