Flower Power

I am loving this warm weather! My forsythia bushes are just beginning to bloom. The bright yellow blossoms make me smile. 

I spent some time this week planting purple and yellow pansies. I adore pansies! They are among the first to bloom in the Spring. They appear so delicate yet withstand the last snowstorms of winter. They are a beautiful reminder of endurance and strength. 

Isn't is interesting how the sight and/or smell of flowers can stir so many emotions and memories? Every year as I plant my petunias I sing a childhood song that reminds me to try to gladden the spot where I've been planted. Whenever I smell petunias their aroma transports me back to my youth to an amusement park where my family would go each year to celebrate my birthday. There is such a power in nature, which is one of the reasons I enjoy gardening.

Last year I happened upon a person who was so enthusiastic about gardening that they found a way to take their garden with them. (Please forgive the quality of my old phone pictures)

I truly admire people who find creative ways to share their passion! 

 I hope you can find some time today to share something you're passionate about. 

Model Home Love

I love going through model homes! Not only is it cheap entertainment, it can also be very inspiring. I know some who say that looking through model homes makes them depressed when they return to their own home. Not me. I'm always excited to return to see my home with a "new" set of eyes. The funny thing is, when you live in your home day after day you forget to enjoy the details. Seeing beautiful homes helps me to notice the beauty in my own. It invigorates me and makes me want to move things, or paint things, or at the very least, clean things.
Recently I went through a lovely model home decorated by Alice Lane Home.
I was so excited that I pulled out my phone to photograph the pretty things. Maybe these pictures will inspire you too. Come tour with me. . .
The formal dining room. I LOVE the tablescape and the gorgeous mirror.The kitchen details. Love the faux boxwoods and the shining bottles in the windowsill.
The family room, the perfect combination of feminine and masculineMaster bedroom. Oh so cozy! Can you say "headboard envy"?Pretty bedroom with delightfully over-sized lamps.Bedroom number three. Neutral with a pop of green.

Are you inspired yet?!?
I hope so!

Happy Pilgrim and Helping a Friend

On my front porch there stands a grinning little fellow. He's a Pilgrim constructed from a large pole. I made him years ago when I was in my tole painting phase. He's a little outdated but how could I get rid of such a happy decoration. I love my Thanksgiving decorations!

My friend Meg

loves her Christmas decorations and is anxious to put them up. However her husband has given her a challenge. She has written and illustrated a beautiful book with an awesome message, which is a feat for anyone but most especially for Meg because she's quadriplegic. Her husband has challenged her to sell a few books before she pulls out her Christmas decor. If you want to buy a meaningful gift for someone special, go listen as Meg reads her book. If you love the message you can purchase the book. It's a gift that will make the recipient happy, as well as my friend Meg. Then everyone will be grinning like my little pole Pilgrim!

In Remembrance

One of the things my Mother-in-law was know for was her love of jewelry. She was always adorned with sparkly earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. She believed it was important for a woman to look her best, and up until just days before her passing she consistently wore make-up, nice clothes, and jewelry. She taught her daughters: If you spend the time to get yourself ready in the morning then you can focus completely on other people throughout the day.

After she passed I was fortunate enough to receive a couple pair of her old clip-on earrings. I placed them on the tops of the lampshades in our living and dining rooms. They are a sweet little reminder of a life well lived in

love, service, and beauty.

Lucketts Part Two

One of my favorite things to see at Lucketts had nothing to do with what there was to buy. It was the wonderful outbuildings (not outhouses) on the grounds.

(photo borrowed from Casey who also loved the vendors sheds at Lucketts)

Most were filled to the brim with delightful items for sale by vendors.

I loved gazing at the architecture of each building. Many were made from old doors and windows, and most had a touch or two of beautiful moudings.I think I may have mentioned before that my dream home would be on a few acres with no neighbors in sight. And have about five different outbuildings including a big ol' barn that would be used for family gatherings instead of animals (even though when my boys get together it tends to sound like a bunch of animals.) I don't think that dream will be coming true anytime soon so in the meantime I'll just drool over these. . .and maybe figure out how I can build at least one outbuilding in my backyard.
Isn't this a perfect spot for outdoor eating? Or, since I already have similar pillars, maybe I could build something like this. . . A girl can dream, right?

Lucketts Part One

My daughter asked me what activities
I might be interested in doing while I was visiting.
On the top of my list was to take a trip to
The Old Lucketts Store. I had heard about Lucketts by reading blogs years ago
and I was excited to see if it was really as wonderful as I had read.
I was not disappointed. Talk about eye candy! I took tons of photos and it's still just a portion of all there was to see.
So for those of you, like me,
who enjoy perusing the pictures in magazines and on blogs
much more than reading the words, this post is for you.
ENJOY!