A Family Celebration

Hello, Dear Friends, I finally have 

a bit of free time after my week of 

being the 'Domestic Diva' for spring cleaning,

and 'Hostess with the Mostess'

for Easter Dinner. 

I think I have 'The Mostess' aches and pains, 

because today I am resting with my 

heating pad plastered on my back! 

I love celebrating the holidays, though, 

and this lovely holiday of spring's resurrection 

is particularly special. 

I hope all of you who celebrate Easter had a 

very blessed day. 

So come inside, won't you?  

My little cottage has no entry vestibule, 

you open the door and there you are! 

You can see the treadle sewing machine

where I am sitting right now. 

It doubles as a sewing machine/desk. 

Yes, I still sew with it when I want 

to spend time with my Mr. in the evenings. 

I found these little watering cans

and thought they would make 

great Easter Basket Favors. 

My antique English buffet doubles as a

serving station when I entertain. 

I love colored glass - especially blue and green.....

A view of my rose arbor. 

Some vintage glazed pots with moss, glass eggs and flowers. 

It was a beautiful, sunny day. 

Can you see Weenie Baby on the deck? 

She can go in and out through the pet door

to a small pen in the yard. 

Having the large deck expands my tiny cottage's

footprint and opens it up to the outdoors. 

There is fresh snow in the mountains

and a flush of new growth on the trees. 

Spring can be very fickle here.

I set the table for 9 of us. 

The 'raggedy' chick went home with my eldest daughter, Heather. 

She has allergies to 'real' pets, so we try to 

find 'almost real' pets for her. 

She doesn't know what she is missing....

my cat just upchucked a hairball

on a laundry basket full of newly

washed vintage linens. 

sigh......

I baked these for dessert. 

They are mini-cheesecake 'nests' with toasted coconut

on top. You can find the recipe Here. 

On the menu:

Baked ham with apricot glaze

Rice pilaf

 Green Salad 

Broccoli in cheese sauce

Deviled Eggs 

and 

Sweet potato/quinoa rounds for appetizers

Also, Peach nectar Mimosa's, 

wine and artisan beer. 

It was a collaborative effort 

with everyone bringing a dish. 

The family - from left - new Mother and Father to be, Erica and son Gabe, 

Jen and son Dustin, Eric and daughter Heather, 

and daughter Jennie. 

It has been a while since we have all been together - 

since Christmas - although I have seen them separately. 

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to have them all together, again. 

We also celebrated my Ramblin' Man's birthday. 

He loves having his whole family together, 

although after blowing out his candles

we hesitated to eat our cakes. :)

But not for long.....they were very good! 

I received this sweet basket as a gift. <3

One for the 'Birthday Guy', too! 

And a new hydrangea for the garden. 

Today the house is so quiet. 

Even the pets are melancholy. 

( I have 3 dogs sleeping at my feet)

But the happy memories linger. 

(And I don't have to cook tonight - 

there are leftovers :)

The dishes are washed and ready to be put away, 

the washer is sloshing about, 

and I have a day to relax until the next

celebration - a baby shower this weekend! 

I will be cooking and crafting once more....

Speaking of crafting, I remade these napkin holders...

This is what they originally looked like. 

When I can find napkin 

rings in quantity for my large family, 

I snap them up. 

These were found at my favorite vintage shop

for next to nothing and I knew I could 

make them pretty. 

So I sanded and painted and wrapped them in ribbon

and glued on pretty buttons that I had in my stash. 

I knew they would be perfect for Easter. 

The eyelet lace napkins were also a thrifty find. 

I was so excited to find 11 of them in perfect condition! 

We have had a few showers today 

but when the sun comes out it quickly 

warms up. 

My 'captured' Angel's potted azalea

bloomed for Easter. 

Pale blushing pink. 

I also found a new urn for my 'dirty' angel vignette. 

They really need a good bath! 

And my wildflower garden's new narcissus are in full bloom. 

And a little surprise - a bright red tulip! 

I remember the 'different' bulb when I was planting

last fall and wondered what it would be! 

I think red tulips are on the list for this coming fall -

won't that be pretty? 

Although...I don't know if they will survive the squirrels....

I hope you had a lovely and blessed Easter, 

my friends! 

Thank you for stopping by and sharing 

this sweet celebration with me! 

xoxoxo



Linking with: The Enchanting Rose - Roses of Inspiration

and

My Salvaged Treasures - Vintage Inspiration Party