Seasonal Sentiments February 2026 Rewind

Can you believe February has come and will be gone tomorrow?

It was one of those months that held a little bit of everything — unexpected detours, meaningful celebrations, and reminders of what matters most.

Even though it flew by (don’t they all lately?), it left me feeling grateful and ready to step into a brand-new season.

I always love sharing these behind-the-scenes glimpses with you, the real-life stuff that fills the spaces between blog posts and projects, so let’s rewind February together.

WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN February

A Home Improvement Project Switch

We had every intention of finishing our half-bath remodel this month… but life had other plans.

Instead, we pivoted to a different project — repairing our lanai ceiling, which started cracking and peeling after Hurricane Milton.

As you know, we usually tackle home projects ourselves, but we also know when something is way outside our skill set.

Stucco work definitely falls into that category, so we were thrilled to finally find a reliable contractor to fix the entire ceiling.

But, to save a little money, we took on the painting ourselves.

And by “we,” I mean Rich — he did it all himself.

He managed to get the first coat on before a surprise cold snap rolled in, forcing a pause until temperatures warmed back up.

Before putting all of the furniture back on the lanai, I spring-cleaned everything.

The good news?

The ceiling now looks amazing.

The bad news?

The half bathroom is still patiently waiting for its turn.

Bird Watching in our backyard

Every winter, our backyard holly tree becomes the hottest restaurant in town — at least for cedar waxwings.

The tree is loaded with bright red berries, and once a year, a massive flock descends and devours them in just a few days.

It’s honestly one of the wildest things to watch, so we’re sharing a video for you to see (be sure and watch until the end).

They arrive all at once, completely swarm the tree, then fly to the tops of the neighbors’ trees before swooping back for more.

Over and over again.

It’s equal parts fascinating and chaotic… kind of like that old Hitchcock movie.

This little backyard spectacle only happens once a year, and we always look forward to seeing it.

A Birthday Celebration

I’m feeling extra grateful to have made it around the sun one more time!

Animal Kingdom

We celebrated at Animal Kingdom and had an absolutely beautiful day enjoying the park, a few rides, and of course, the animals.

The gorillas were definitely a highlight.

Jiko- The Cooking Place

For dinner, we hopped over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and ate at Jiko-The Cooking Place.

We had a fabulous server who started our meal by bringing Rich their yummy signature giraffe bread ( it was a large serving, and he loved every bite of it) and me allergy-friendly rolls.

Next came a delicious appetizer, the Braai’d Wild Boar Tenderloin, which features creamy pap, tomato chakalaka, and herb-smoked oil.

It was so good, it could have been an entree!

I had the bone marrow-crusted filet mignon served with fingerling potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and chocolate-red wine demi-glace.

It was prepared perfectly and tasted very good, but I didn’t love the demi-glace, probably because I’m not a red-wine fan!

Rich chose the roasted seasonal fish with roasted tomato butter, tomato confit, mushroom ragu, and vegetables.

He thoroughly enjoyed it and said it was light and flaky, with no strong fishy flavor.

The only dessert I could have sounded too coconut-forward for my liking, so I passed, but Rich had the malva pudding, which consisted of amarula-infused malva kake, caramel-sea salt gelato, kataifi, with a chocolate garnish, and sweet shiraz gelée.

He said it was good, but he probably wouldn’t get it again.

Our server ended the evening on a high note, surprising us with two glasses of champagne on the house!

We went in with very high expectations, and while it didn’t dethrone our all-time favorite restaurant (Toledo-Tapas, Steak, and Seafood), it was still a wonderful meal and easily earned a spot in our top five.

And just so you know, dessert wasn’t a loss for me because we walked to the counter-service restaurant, The Mara, and I picked up my favorite Disney dessert: gluten-free zebra domes. (Zebra domes are a dessert served at another fabulous restaurant called Boma, and they are so popular that they have started selling them at the counter service restaurant as well.)

An Eye-Opening Trip to Kentucky

I flew home to Kentucky this month to attend the bridal shower for one of my best friends’ daughters, and it turned into such a special time.

The shower itself was absolutely lovely — beautiful details, lots of laughter, and so much excitement for the bride-to-be.

But what made it even more meaningful was getting to see so many dear friends I don’t get to spend time with nearly often enough.

We laughed, caught up on life, shared stories, and for a few hours, it felt like no time had passed at all.

Those kinds of friendships are such a gift.

However, while I was there, I realized that my dad’s health is declining, which brought a more serious note to the trip.

Walking alongside an aging parent can be hard, and I’m feeling the weight of knowing changes are coming.

If you’re the praying kind, we would truly appreciate being on your list.

WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN February

February may be the shortest month, but it was definitely packed on the blog!

If you missed any of our posts, now’s the time to catch up!

DIY

Sand Wax Candles: These candles look like something straight out of a boutique — but they’re surprisingly simple to make at home. If you love unique decor pieces that double as conversation starters, this project is for you.

Doily Tote Bag: Vintage charm meets everyday function in this sweet DIY. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with old lace or thrifted doilies, this project transforms them into something beautiful and useful. It’s beginner-friendly and turns out far prettier than you’d expect.

Leprechaun Hat Topiary: This whimsical little project adds a playful pop of green to your decor without going overboard for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s festive, fun, and surprisingly elegant — proof that seasonal decor can look high-end even if it’s inexpensive.

Decor

Valentine’s Table Decor Round-up: We shared a roundup full of simple ideas to make an at-home Valentine’s celebration feel thoughtful, cozy, and a little bit magical.

Spring Living Room Decor Ideas: Ready to shake off the winter blahs? These easy decor ideas will refresh your space for spring. Think lighter, brighter, and effortlessly welcoming — the kind of changes that make your home feel new again.

Organization

Office organization round-up: If your desk has become the place where papers go to disappear, this one’s for you. We’re sharing tips to organize your office, no matter how much space you have!

INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB

If you’re in the mood to freshen up your home for spring, these beautiful ideas from fellow bloggers are full of simple, doable inspiration.

• A bright, cheerful kitchen can instantly lift your mood, and these spring kitchen decorating ideas show how a few seasonal touches can completely transform the heart of your home without a full makeover.
• If you’re craving a calmer, more intentional season, check out this list of simple habits to help you unplug and be more present. It’s a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best way to refresh your home is to refresh your daily rhythms too.
• Curious what’s trending this season? Get answers from my friends in the Four Seasons Interior Design Blog Hop!
• Looking for a way to make your porch feel welcoming and pretty for spring? This post proves you don’t need a huge budget or a complete redesign to create a space you’ll enjoy every day.
• And if you love decorating for the seasons, you have to see this festive St. Patrick’s Day tablescape created on a budget — full of clever ideas you could easily adapt for other spring gatherings as well.

FAVORITE SEASONAL FINDS

I spotted so many beautiful spring pieces from Target that work just as well for a casual weeknight dinner as they would for an Easter celebration.

If you’re in the mood to refresh your table for spring gatherings, brunch with friends, or just a pretty family dinner at home, these finds are worth a look!

Pink Mug | Bunny Ears Napkin Rings | Bunny Serving Tray

Stoneware Sugar Jar | Floral Kitchen Towels | Pink Napkins

Pink Teapot | Egg Serving Tray | Stoneware Bunny Mug

Bunny Salad Plate | Woven Bread Basket | Pink Salad Plate

HOME ORGANIZATION WEEKLY TASK

If you’ve been organizing one space each week this year, March will look a little different.

Instead of closets and cabinets, we’re clearing digital clutter and finishing the month by freshening up our vehicles.

• Week 10 – Email Inbox: Time to tackle that inbox. Unsubscribe from emails you never open. Create simple folders if you need them. Delete what you can. Archive the rest. Even reducing your unread count by half feels like a win. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress and peace.
• Week 11 – Digital Passwords & Photographs: This is your gentle nudge to stop reusing the same three passwords. Update weak passwords and consider using a secure password manager if you aren’t already. Then spend a little time organizing your photos. Delete duplicates, blurry shots, and screenshots you don’t need. Create simple albums for the moments that matter. Future-you will be so thankful.
• Week 12 – Update Contacts, Phones & Addresses: Scroll through your contacts and clean house. Delete duplicates. Add missing information. Update addresses and phone numbers. Back everything up. It’s not glamorous, but it’s one of those tiny tasks that make life run smoother.
• Week 13 – Clean and Organize Vehicles: Let’s finish strong by cleaning out our cars. Remove trash, clear out the trunk, wipe down surfaces, and vacuum if you can. Restock essentials (napkins, wipes, emergency items). There is nothing better than opening your car door to a clean, uncluttered space.

Small weekly resets add up in a big way.

By the end of March, both your digital life and your daily commute will feel lighter and more organized.

POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Sometimes the perfect idea isn’t brand new — it’s just waiting to be rediscovered.

If you’re looking ahead to warmer days and fresh projects, these might be just what you need.

Decor

7 Outdoor Ideas for an Amazing Front Porch– As we inch closer to porch-sitting season, this post is full of simple ways to make your entry feel welcoming and pulled together. See how just a few thoughtful touches can completely change the feel of your front porch.

DIY

How to Craft a Charming Bunny Topiary – If you love seasonal decor, this sweet bunny topiary is such a fun project. It’s so adorable, you may want to make two, like we did!

Organize

Best Road Trip Essentials to Organize a Car – With spring break and summer travel around the corner, this one is worth bookmarking. A little planning makes car trips so much smoother — especially when everything has a place. Less chaos makes for a much happier ride.

Closing Thoughts

As we step into a brand-new month, I hope you’re finding small ways to refresh your home and your heart for the season ahead.

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for allowing me to share a little piece of our life with you each month — it truly means more than you know.

Wishing you a March filled with warmer days, fresh motivation, and plenty of moments that make home feel extra special.

Blessings, Donna and Rich