A Sight for Sore Eyes...

I haven't shared my garden with you,

in what seems like forever...

 

 it is mostly brown

these days...

 

 

but,

the first tender sprouts of spring

 are popping up...

 

they may not seem like much,

 but they are a sight for sore eyes...

 

the tiny Cyclamen...

 



 

a garden  rabbit keeping watch

over the first Hyacinths...

 

 

Woody Hyacinth

pushing off their winters blanket..

 

Hellebore unfurling...

 

 

raising their heavy heads...

I have saved a little color for last,

the Crocus are up...

 

 waiting,

for a little sun,

before they will open their heads and shine...

 

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
Thomas Blackburn

 

I'll be joining...

Outdoor Wednesday

and

Saturday Show Off

 

 

Thanks for joining me today....

My New Foyer Chandelier...

We have been busy 

with lots of projects around the house...

trying to get 

all the loose ends tied up,

before the spring...

spring clean up in the garden is a big job,

but one I am looking very forward to...

we bought this chandelier

right after Christmas...

for the foyer...

it started off like this

(I had already taken off some crystals here)

the bright gold and smooth plain arms

were very boring...

but I was completely smitten 

with these flowers,

and all the crystals!

do you see the rhinestone center of the flower?

they are attached like this,

with earring backs...

as a matter of fact I wonder if they are earrings,

added by some crafty lady long ago...

I used plain acrylic craft paints,

like I always do...

here is the before pic 

of the "candle"...

I used big fat drips of hot glue to create

the illusion of candle wax..

then just painted right over it...

I am loving the bling...

 

tonight I am joining...

Blissful White Wednesday

Wow us Wednesday

Tutorial Tips and Tidbits

Time Travel Thursday

Open House Party Thursday

Transformation Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

and

Metamorphosis Monday

 

Thanks for visiting me today...

Old Roses & New Roses...

 

It's still so cold here,

yet...

 

I see the tiny tips of green bulbs,

popping up in the garden...

 

the greening of the garden

 isn't going to happen fast,

yet,

 

it stirs my mind...

through the Winter,

I hold on to each bloom,

that comes my way...

 

bundles of spray roses always

seem to have a few broken heads,

I had been tucking them into this frog

on my kitchen window sill...

 



 

I ordered a bundle of new Rose Books...

 

something to cuddle up with

on cold nights...

 

I love to enjoy a little early spring in the house...

 

I just line my baskets with a heavy plastic garbage bag,

and tuck nursery pots right in...

 

 

 

Reindeer Moss,

hides all the inner workings,

 

and is so soft and fresh...

 

I save mine from year to year in a zip lock baggie,

it freshens right up

with a splash of water...

 

I am making my final decisions

on new Roses for the garden...

 

Don't forget if you order from David Austin's Catalog

by January 28th,

it's buy five get one free...

 

 

I plan on going vertical this year,

with some climbers

and ramblers...

 

Sir David Austin,

knows just how to make you feel like

you've stepped off of Downton Abbey...

 

Maybe,

Carson will serve tea in the garden this summer...

;-)

 

 

counting the days till fresh roses

bloom again...

 

 

Tonight I am joining,



Tabletop Tuesday

 

Thanks for stopping by...

Forcing Spring on a Cold Day...

 

It's been COLD here...

 

not the good kinda cold with snow,

just the icy cold...

 

I don't know about you,

but for me,

cold without snow

is just blah,

 

like dessert without a cherry on top...

 

 

so I am forcing a little spring into my day....

 



 

I picked up some forced Hyacinths at the store...

 

 

it's cold so I needed the big German mug...

 

 the bouquet of Roses and Lily of the Valley on the side

have spring written all over them...

 

a Limoges sugar bowl...

 



a bright and cheery hankie

 for a napkin...

 



 

I made Lemon Bars...

 

a dose of vitamin c can't hurt...

 

 

I picked up these Lacy edged metal pots

at Ikea...

they are watertight

and the perfect size to hide small round nursery pots...

 

I hope there is something

sweet on your plate today...

 

I'll be joining...

Tea Time Tuesday

and

A Return to Loveliness

Thanks for joining me today!

Ballet Dreams...

Do you buy yourself something

absolutely frivolous on your Birthday...

 

something just for your heart?

 

my birthday was last month,

and I bought myself

these tattered old pointe shoes..

 

to me, perfect...

I love ballet

 

the grace,

the tutus,

and perfect pink of the slippers...

the shoes tell their own stories...

 

Julia's penciled in commitment...

 

 

dedication!

 

another whose dedication wavered...

 

 it would be impossible to take photos on a bed,

without a few lazy dogs showing up...

 

Miss Daisy...

 

 

Miss Iris,

always intense!

 

the girls are coming up on their second birthday!

already!!

 

 

the Prince of the Pillow,

Randy...

 

Sweet Ballet Dreams...

 

 

the dreams of old dogs...

 

maybe the ballet of squirrel chasing?

 

could I resist a Cinderella moment

and not slip these tattered old shoes on my feet?

No..

 

they are a perfect fit,

so if you see the dents from ribbon laces on my ankles,

you'll know

I have been dreaming of my own little ballet...

 

My secret is safe with you...

right???

 

Today I am joining the fun at...

Pink Saturday

Saturday Show Off

Tuesday's Treasures

Feathered Nest Friday

and

Show and Tell Friday

 

Thanks for stopping by....