Out Like a Lamb...

As the old saying goes

"March comes in like a lion and,

goes out like a lamb" ..

That didn't hold true in my neck of the woods today,

the lion is roaring here...

(click photos to enlarge)

So I dug out my favorite Easter Ornament

this little lamb...

and created a soft springy world,

under glass...

I have never put fresh flowers under a cloche before

today I wondered why...

since cloches were originally designed

 to protect plants in the garden from frost...

So why not...

yesterday when I was out for a drive..

I saw the first sweet newborn lambs of spring,

on a little farm down the road...

Precious!

Speaking of sweet...

This darling little rose cottage arrived in my mailbox

this week..

Cindy from

Dwellings - The Heart of Your Home

sent it to me...

She said she thought of me

when she found it in a lot box from an auction...

How sweet is it to be thought of?

I am keeping it in my little office space

to use as a nightlight,

where I am sure to enjoy it!

(lots of late night blogging happening here:-)

Thanks Cindy!

...............................................

Tonight I am joining..

Show and Tell Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Home Sweet Home Friday

and

Flaunt it Friday

Thanks for stopping by...

Faux Sugar Bunnies...

Rain, rain and more rain

afforded me the perfect excuse to play...

besides my hobby room

 is a room with a view,

 it overlooks the garden and it's a perfect place

to watch it rain and daydream...

(click photos to enlarge)

I am crazy for those sugar eggs that you look into

with the little Easter scene inside...

so when I bought a bag of these glittered rabbits,

who's colors were a bit too bright for me

I knew I wanted to sugar them :-)

there were sixteen in the bag for two dollars

so I'm gonna have to come up

 with some more ideas for the  rest!

first I painted them white,

then glittered them using plain white glue...

nothing fancy...

I am so happy with the sugar sweet pair...

she with a paper rose tied around her neck...

he with a pretty bouquet...

hopping down the bunny trail.

I am joining...

100 Ideas Under 100 Dollars

Thrifty Thursday

Transformation Thursday

Trinkets and Treasures

Inspiration Friday

Making the World Cuter Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

and

Best Of Easter 2011

at Funk Junk Interiors

Thanks for stopping by today!

White Basket Planter & New Roses...

I had planned to plant my new Roses today...

but it's not so nice out there :-)

(click photos to enlarge)

So instead I planted this little planter

for the side of my front porch...

I don't make a lot of planters

in the back garden,

but like to do a few on the front porch...

I love to do this basket style...

and am hoping to get a bunch planted this year

for the back patio...

They are super easy and inexpensive,

I just line a basket with a heavy plastic trash bag.

I hot glue the top in place to keep it water tight.

They last for years...

I filled the basket with

Fairy Primroses..

They are one of my favorite spring flowers for planters...

last year we had a long cold spring and they lasted for months

this year our forecast calls for a similar spring...

white Pansy with deep purple veins...

bits of Alyssum tucked in for their sweet smell...

Since I was on the front porch

I couldn't resist sharing a photo of my Camilla....

I told you yesterday

I lost a few roses to the cold winter...

It's always sad to lose a plant,

but it's always fun to try something new too :-)

One of the joys of cottage style gardening

is the garden is always evolving..

One year there is an abundance of one flower

another year a different flower thrives,

and there are always the volunteer plants

produced by wind and squirrels...

each year is fresh and full of it's own surprises...

I don't always buy the most expensive roses

or really care about name brands...

some of my favorites are just bagged roses

from the grocery store,

bought much cheaper than a bundle of cut flowers...

But,  last year with our cold wet spring

the David Austin Roses excelled,

and had no problems over the winter...

not to mention I bought a Mary Rose

last summer

and have fallen head over heels in love with her..

so I picked up these four to add to my collection

this year...

My heart is pitter pattering in anticipation:-)

I am joining,

White Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday

Show and Tell Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Cottage Flora Thursday

Frugalicious Friday

and

 Saturday Show Off

Thanks for visiting me today...

Violets at Play...

I hope everyone had a fun weekend?

I had a busy weekend...

I bought new appliances for my kitchen

and had a gas line put in for the range.

I have always had an electric stove

 so I am excited to take that baby for a spin:-)

delivery is Wednesday!!

I bought a few new roses to replace some that were lost

 to  record low temperatures over the winter.

We got down to 9 degrees eeek!

I'll tell you more about those tomorrow..

 and I found a bit of time

 to do some spring clean up in the garden...

(click photos enlarge)

playing in the garden is always good for my soul...

I have this little wall statue

that I picked up at a garage sale last year...

it has yet to find a permanent home in the garden,

I am always moving it here and there...

strangely I don't think I have shown it to you before...

It's little bowl is too shallow to hold much...

but perfect to hold a few tiny Violets

and a bit of Thyme...

Today I am linking to...

Second Time Around Tuesday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

and

The Tuesday Garden Party

Thanks for stopping by today!

Breathing Deep...

Today we hit the big 60

(degrees that is)....

For the first time,

it felt like spring!

it smelled like spring!

glorious and sweet...

(click photos to enlarge)

morning sun on a hyacinth

with another happy garden rabbit...

it was a frosty spring morn

the frost had just melted when I arrived outside...

(I am not an early riser :-)

The Primrose are producing

sweet untattered blooms...

the first ladybug I have seen this year

came out to bask in the sun...

and along came a fuzzy spider

to sit down beside her....

the are little bits of this and thats around

like this first English Daisy

beginning to unfurl...

the still nameless white flowers...

the first Grape Hyacinths popped open...

Sedum bursting up like green roses...

I keep a big patch,

because it's good to be good to the bees :-)

the climbing Eden Rose

is crawling toward the blue skies...

it will still take quite awhile

to have roses...

one of the most exciting plants to unfurl this week

is the King Edward Currant.

It usually opens in late February,

it is a major source of spring food for the Anna's Hummingbirds

and they are a buzz with delight...

Oh what a joy spring is....

I am joining,

Tracie at Fishtail Cottage

for Cottage Flora Thursday

Dayle at A Collection of This and that

for Simple Pleasures

The Brambleberry Cottage

for Time Travel Thursday

and

Simpily Sweet Home

for Friday Favorites

Thanks for joining me today!

Floating Camillas...

I've been enjoying a beautiful day of rainbow weather...

sun then drizzle, 

repeat...

(click photos to enlarge)

my front porch Camilla bush is just starting to bloom...

the blooms start a so soft blush

and fade quickly to almost white...

With their short stems

I think the best way to display it's flowers

is to float them...

besides isn't it so serene?

perfect for the centerpiece of a lingering meal...

and a great excuse to use my shallow Limoges bowl...

I am joining

White Wednesday

Watery Wednesday

and

Wow Us Wednesday

Thanks for visiting me today...