Hello, Dear Friends!
I've been thinking of you, and hope that you are doing well
and enjoying the sweet, simple pleasures
of life that make you smile.
Some days are better than others, I know.
Some years are better than others...
I found this passage that seems perfect
for the moment:
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Fodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf,
"and so do all who live to see such times.
But that is not for them to decide.
All we have to decide is what to do
with the time that is given us."
- J.R.R. Tolkien -
xx
I've been very busy just trying to keep up with life,
while trying not to worry. Too much.
I've tried to focus on the things that really matter.
Lots of grandchildren time - going to school concerts and awards
ceremonies, (so proud) and soon, watching their football and baseball games,
along with sweet visits and sleepovers.
They are growing up so fast, and I'm trying to hold on to
every moment that I can.
Of course, seeing my adult children and their loves, is always special, too.
They are all wonderful people in their own right,
and it has been the joy of my life to be their Mother, Mother-in-law and now,
Grandmother to their children.
The circle of life.
xx
My daughter, Heather and I stole away for a day to go to
a local flea market, recently.
I was on the hunt for inexpensive Spring decorations.
I needed a refresh from the same old things that I've had for years.
So, let me show you my treasures.
One person's junk is another's treasure, I always say.
xx
These decoupaged wooden buckets caught my eye right away.
They are my favorite color, and I found the tiny birds to
match.
I knew they would be perfect in my kitchen window.
This little guy outside the window seems to enjoy them, too!
I was also looking for pink floral serving dishes to add
to my collection and was so disappointed
when I didn't see any at all that I could afford.
But just as we were coming to the last of the booths,
there they were!
The prettiest soup tureen, sugar bowl and creamer!
They were priced so low, and I couldn't believe my luck.
Aren't they pretty?
I can picture the tureen filled with cookies or scones
for tea.
Tea for two.
Wish it were you.
xx
"Come, sit down and have some tea.
Bread and butter, cream and sugar.
Now tell me of your troubles."
- A.A. Milne -
"There is no trouble so great or grave
that cannot be diminished by
a nice cup of tea."
- Bernard Paul Heroux -
I couldn't resist the miniature tea set I found to match.
It's missing one cup, so I'll have to keep my eyes open
for something similar.
You never know when the fairies might want to join
the tea party!
Speaking of fairies...
I told my grandchildren that
they are just now starting to come out of hibernation,
and I've captured one in a jar.
The gnomes have been active all winter, taking care of
their garden.
*smile*
I found the pumpkin salt and pepper, and tiny carrots
at the flea market.
I told them that
I'll keep the fairy inside until I complete her garden outside.
It's still a little cold for her.
I let her out during the day and feed her hummingbird nectar.
xx
(The youngest grandson believes me.
The older ones look at me with a smirk - Lol!)
She was a charming gift, handmade by my dear Sis-in-law.
I found a sepia-colored crochet table runner
and draped it around my straw market bag.
My little sign says, 'Junk Girl'.
Some of the flea-markets are called 'Junk Hunts' here.
xx
I couldn't resist this sheepish face.
xx
I found two more hand painted herb plaques to add to the two
I already had! (Part of a gift basket from my daughter a few birthdays ago.)
I love when that happens.
"A kind word is like a spring day."
Russian Proverb
I also found some faux tulips and daffodils which I displayed
in my favorite green pottery bowls.
The colored eggs are actually sidewalk chalk for children!
I love the soft, 'chalky' colors.
xx
"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."
- William Shakespeare -
I found one more of these pretty bowls at the flea market, and it's the perfect size
to display this little nest that I found wind-blown on the ground
a few years ago.
xx
"To be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter...
to be thrilled by the stars at night...
to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in the spring...
these are some of the rewards of a simple life."
- John Burroughs -
xx
I've put a few 'spring things' in the living room, too.
I crafted a rustic garland from some wood rounds and pressed wildflowers.
I used a matte decoupage medium to apply the flowers
and to coat the round afterwards.
I used tiny eyehooks for hangers and spaced
the rounds evenly by tying a knot in the twine.
They would make cute coasters, too.
xx
"No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still
spring up in the middle of nowhere."
- Sheryl Crow -
I was pleased with how they turned out.
Some faux Fritillaria in a pretty pot.
I wish I could grow them,
but alas, I'm sure they would be eaten!
Faux Lilly of the Valley.
I will try to grow these once the grandchildren
are older.
They are poisonous.
*Love*
I made some paper flower branches for 'big blue',
my 5-gallon water bottle.
Don't they look real?
They are so easy to make out of simple tissue paper.
Fold the tissue paper into 4 layers, then cut circles
by tracing around a drinking glass or tin can.
Fold the layered circles in half, then twice more to make the 'petals'.
Cut the corners to form an oval shape.
Unfold to reveal the 'flowers'.
Squish the middle between your thumb and finger
and roll and twist it, forming the base.
Once you have about 2 dozen, go outside and cut
3 or 4 bare branches.
Use a hot glue gun to secure the flowers to the branches.
These would look pretty in pink or yellow, too.
xx
"So I'm back to the velvet underground
Back to the floor that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the Gypsy that I was."
- Stevie Nicks, 'Gypsy'
The real thing.
Wild plum blooms in my front yard.
And in the back.
I can't wait for picnic weather.
It's still a bit cool and unsettled.
One part of the day is sunny, and the next is rainy and windy
with occasional hail.
"In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather
inside of 24 hours."
- Mark Twain -
Cheerful blooms.
You can see Ricky in the background.
This area is part of their fenced yard.
We've had a cougar sighting in the area recently, so we
supervise the dogs carefully.
Life on the edge.
Sweet box in the foreground, ready to bloom with roses in between, just coming to life.
Sweet box blooms in early spring and is very fragrant.
As you can see, mine are very large and overgrown,
but they can be trimmed if you wish to keep them neat and tidy.
It has pretty, evergreen leaves.
Forsythia at the base of the deck. There's a path between
the sweet box and these, going to the picnic area.
The iris are done blooming and now the daffodils are taking over.
xx
"Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers.
Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul."
- Luther Burbank -
I filled my plant rack with bright primrose and pansies.
Do you like my silly sign?
Everything needs a fresh coat of paint this year.
Including my 'herb bed'.
I've tidied it up, at least.
I've got chives, thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano,
3 pots of various mints, and strawberries.
All in need of re-potting.
I have enough to keep me busy.
Now if I can get a warm, sunny day...
xx
" The sun was warm, but the wind was chill/You know how it is
with an April day."
- Robert Frost -
Some pretty scenes from my travels this week.
xx
"That is one good thing about this world...
There are always sure to be more springs."
- L.M. Montgomery -
"Spring shows what God can do with a
drab and dirty world."
- Virgil A. Kraft -
"The day the Lord created hope was probably
the same day he created spring."
- Bernard Williams -
xx
Thank you for your visit, Dear Friends.
I always love when you stop by.
Keep the faith.
xx
