Quietly and without fanfare, fresh life breaks forth everywhere, without any supervision on anyone's part.

I discovered these little beauties in what was, only last week, a brown, barren space of earth under the big, old tree in our daughter's front garden.

I wondered as I examined their delicate beauty, who told them that now was the time to come forth?

Their brilliant colors and exquisite designs draw everyone's attention.

So many varied shades and hues.

With an artist's pallette, and strokes from a skilled and gifted artist, the outdoor galleries are in abundance now.

And our world does their best to copy their colors and hues, especially this time of the year.

All of this, from small, round bulbs under the brown earth.

 

 

 

 

The stores offer their holiday creations, and traditions continue, year after year.  Treasures depicting the holiday, we pull out of our attics, and smile as we do.

But, best of all, herein lies the real reason for it all.  The reason we rejoice, and the reason we sing.  The whole purpose and original beginning of the holiday we know as Easter...all hinged on one powerful statement...He lives!  It makes all the difference, in everything!

Wishing each and everyone of you, time with those you love, time to just be together and share, time to enjoy the beauty of nature's fine outdoor shows, and time to reflect on the reason for it all.

Happy Easter my friends!

Dear Grandma,

Can you believe that I am now a grandma?  I think of you so often as I walk

past this picture, on my living room shelf.  You lived to be 96 years old, and

yet you never seemed "old" to me.  You were such a wonderful blessing in

my life.  You taught me so many valuable lessons, and you were

never too busy for me, or anyone.  Grandma, I clearly remember when you

turned 60 years old.  I remember the dinner to celebrate you reaching that

age.  I never remember stopping to wonder if I would ever reach that

age, but today I turned 59 years old, and I cannot believe it.  One more

year and I will be 60.  Thank you dear grandma for always being

a cheerful role model for me.   Even though you are now in heaven, I want

to share a few of the lessons I learned from you, with my blogging friends.

I smile as I do that, because I know that blogging is one thing you never

did.  You never even owned a computer or a cell phone.

That's okay, I will share them anyway;


You taught me that "haste makes waste", and to this day I find

myself repeating that phrase:)

You taught me that no matter what one's clothing looks like, they will

always look better when they are pressed neatly:)

You stressed the importance of clean sheets and a fresh smelling bed.

You taught me if someone treated me unfairly, that I did not have to try to

get even with them.  You said, "God would take care of that." 

You taught me that hard work never hurt anyone, and if a job needed to be

done, you would say, " just do it," and don't wait for someone else to do it.

I often heard you say, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."   I am

still a bit puzzled by that saying.

And, many times you repeated one of your favorite Bible verses to

me, and that was, "Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one

another."

So you see grandma's words and actions do stick with their grandchildren.

Today, as I celebrate another year, I also celebrate you and all that you did

to inspire and encourage me along my life's journey.   I sincerely hope, that

if I ever live to be 96 years old like you did in your last year of life here,

that I will be a kind, gracious, and caring lady like you always were to me.


To all of you my blogging friends, thank you for all that I continually learn

from each and every one of you, too!

I seriously hesitate to share this simple, weekend project, but I will anyway, just in case you want to add a touch of color to your Easter table.

Our dear neice and her husband have invited their extended family for an Easter meal and celebration.  Considering they are young parents of four adorable children, this is a most generous and gracious invitation.  When I offered to help in any way, I found out that I could help by providing bits of color and festivity to her four tables, with white tablecloths.

Since I was they are expecting 16 adults and 17 children, I went with a younger theme in choosing the arrangements.  Don't you think she and her husband are brave to tackle this meal?

 

I visited the local dollar store and purchased yellow paper plates, yellow napkins and some faux forsythia and white flowers(not sure their name).

I purchased one pack of jelly beans also.

What really inspired my simple arrangements though, were the packs of adorable duck lollipops that I found.  They had three ducks and three lambs lollipops in each dollar pack.

 

I pulled some recycled mayo and canning jars from my cupboard, soaked them in vinegar and hot water until they sparkled(as much as those kind of jars can sparkle:)

I added some epsom salts to the bottom of the jar, then sprinkled jelly beans on top, and a tea light candle.

I tied a sheer ribbon around the top of the jar.  I took the duck lollipop and a small bouquet of the faux flowers and tied them tightly with the ribbon at the top of the jar, and then tied a small bow.

Finally, I added a touch of hot glue to the back of the arrangement and the jar.

So you see, anyone can do it, and I am sure you all would come up with some creativity of your own, with the jars.

I took the rest of the forsythia flowers off the stem, and will give them to her to sprinkle down the center of the table, between the jars.  Recycling and dollar stores are a fun combination.  Ironically though...

...this is now the sight out of my back door, early on this Monday morning.

So, whether you are experiencing spring or winter, thanks for stopping by.

There was a job that needed to be done and he had it on his list.

Our little overnight guest was more than willing to help.

In her purple, ruffled Costco dress, her favorite red shoes, and her pink coat

she was ready. Afterall, it was Spring.  At my insistence, she wore my scarf 

and my warm headband.  It looked like spring, but felt like the middle of

winter.

Carefully and methodically she tackled her job, with her paw paw's

supervision.

Watching them work together thrilled my heart.

She insisted on carrying the heavy bucket of bird feed all by herself:)

 

Our little trend setter that marches to the beat of her own drummer, and is

so happy doing it, has the most helpful spirit about her.  Thanks to her and

her loving supervisor...

...the birds in our backyard are well fed and happy.


"Often the only thing a child can remember about an adult in their later

years, when he or she is grown, is whether or not that person was kind to

him or her."        ~Billy Graham

"Scatter kindness along the way and you will never walk alone."  ~unknown

Enjoy your Sunday!

 Birthdays...

"I think it is more important to celebrate a birthday than a successful exam,

a promotion, or a victory.  Because to celebrate a birthday means to say to

someone;  Thank you for being you.  Celebrating a birthday is exalting life

and being glad for it.  On a birthday we do not say;  Thanks for what you

did or said, or accomplished.  No, we say;  "Thank you for being born and

being among us."

~Henri Nouwen  "Here and Now"

Last evening we hosted a tiny celebration for a dear cousin and friend.   A few of us gathered around the table at our local Panera, and for two hours we talked, laughed, and caught up with each other's lives, in an informal get together.

Homemade oatmeal and chocolate chip muffins filled each beautifully decorated,  and recycled tin.  The favors were provided, thanks to the creativity and generosity of the evening's hostess. 

The birthday girl and me.  She is so much fun to be with!

Laughter was the predominate feature of the evening, thanks to the comedians in our midst.  My oldest daughter being one of them.

I grew up in a home where birthdays were always made special occasions.  Where one was made to feel important just for being who they were.

 

If you know someone who is having a birthday today, let them know how much you appreciate them and their role in your life.

 

Speaking of birthdays...today is my youngest brother's birthday.

He is an important part of our lives, and today we celebrate him.

 

"Happy Birthday" dear brother!  Oh, and lest you think this is his 50th, the picture was taken a few years ago:)

To each of you...you have an important role to play in this life we live.  I appreciate each one of you who visit me here, and if you happen to be having a birthday today..."Happy Birthday"!

I read a well written post on "Finding Happy" recently, and I know you would appreciate it too.  If you are interested in reading this inspiring piece written by Suzanne, you can find it at ...   http://www.privetandholly.com/

Thanks for stopping by today.

A random post on this Wednesday morning.

Tiny blessings in the midst of an ordinary day...

 

...thankful for the car carts that add excitement to little one's hearts during a necessary trip to home improvement store.

Costs much less than Disney World:)

The "cautious one" is buckling up his safety belt, and advising the "one less cautious", to do the same.  What kind of drivers do they think their grandparents are?

 

For the two floral foam wreaths I bought last summer at the dollar store, especially when I wanted to add a touch of color to our back and front doors.

Two wreathes.  One cluster of faux dogwood and faux forsythia from Walmart.  Greens from the bush outside our door.  Add some glue from the glue gun and the wreath is finished.  Price for one...7.00.  Now onto the one for my front door.

The delicate white vases that I found on the shelves of the local Walmart, for .97 each.  What a perfect little gift this would make, especially with spring flowers in it.

The vases can be found in the glass and candle section of the store.  Just in case you like them too.

"The happy glow that

 

sharing brings.

 

A secret smile, a small surprise,

 

A special look in

 

A loved one's eyes.

 

Comfort given, interest shown,

 

Quiet minutes spent alone-

 

It's the "little things,"

 

small and sweet,

 

That make loving so complete."

 

~author unknown

 

 

Wishing you some tiny blessing in the midst of this day today.

And, don't forget to buckle your safety belt:)

 

 

Today I was at my friend's home.  You remember the one who is so gifted at creating simple, elegant and intriguing vignettes.

She explained that at first she just had the rabbit sitting on the tray, but when she stood back to look at it, she knew it needed something added to it.  She looked around her house, sees the green wreath, adds it, and now it was complete.  Focal points change with the seasons in her home, and I enjoy seeing how she does it all.

Since fresh daffodils were not available, she opened one of her coffee table books, to the page of daffodils, and that did the trick.  What a beautiful and colorful idea!

She received this glass container for her birthday, and it looked so cheery sitting as a centerpiece on her dark wooden table.  A few bright red tulips with their stems cut short...what a great idea!

Don't you love their delicate design of these tulips?

On the round wooden table by the window, she displayed her old crocks, and a few more red tulips.  I like how she takes objects of hers that she likes, are of the same shapes, and clusters them together, so that they look so right together.

Including a small bowl crock filled with letters.  Who would have thought of doing this?  Made me want to sit down and start creating some words.

Her kitchen window sill with a few colorful votive holders.  Simple, yet so artistically arranged.

Pussywillows from last year, were carefully arranged in the white ironstone pitcher, decorating her kitchen island.  My friend has treasures from the past, an eye for grouping objects together, and gives everyone who enters her home, some visual treats. She excels in creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere in her home.

On this snowy, cold Monday evening, it is a fun to share these touches of Spring with you.

Thank you for stopping by.

Sometimes it is the pretty little things in daily life, that can lift my spirits and make me happy.  Hyacinths always do that for me.  I only have three plants, but each year I find myself looking forward to their appearance and fragrance.  Soon it will happen.

I also anticipate when this tree opens up with it's pretty white blossums.

The dogwood tree is filled with buds, and it too adds beauty to our landscape.  The delicate flowers have been one of my favorites for years, even though the time period of their blooms is short lived.

  

White china, hot coffee, and a delicately decorated chocolate strawberry are added to my list of spring's white beauties, and items that always add a smile to my day.

 

Wishing you all some pretty things to brighten your day!

You have no idea how much I appreciate you stopping by when you do.

 

 

Oh, and speaking of pretty little things that bring me smiles, I found these two pictures from Easter a few years ago.  Of course, they would add to my happy thoughts today:)  I look forward to the joyful celebration of Easter, coming up soon.

 

 

Happy Monday my friends!

 

 

If you walked to my backdoor, as I do so often, you would barely notice them.  They are nothing to look at.  Clumps of brown, slowly turning green sticks, with hundreds of sharp thorns on them.  That's it!  They have been there since October, only adding ugliness to what is left of the empty flower garden.

Oh, but I know what is coming.  I can see past the brown, ugly sticks.  I know what the Master Gardener is at work doing, in my flower garden and thousands of gardens around the country, this time of the year.  Quietly, without fanfare, most times unnoticed, the work takes place, and soon...

 

...very soon, you will start to see pictures like these, again on my blog.

I love miracles!  I love the Springtime of the year, when these kind of miracles happen.

 

 

 

I know this process has been happening for hundreds of years.  In fact, I read recently of a quote by Abraham Lincoln.  He said,  "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

I don't know Frank Stanton, but he said,

 

"This old world that we're livin' in

Is mighty hard to beat.

You get a thorn with every rose.

But - ain't the roses sweet?"

 

Ovid said,  "Often the prickly thorn produces tender roses."

Alphonse Karr said,  "Some people are always grumbling because the roses have thorns.  I am thankful that the thorns have roses."

Too often in my life, I am more absorbed with the nastiness of the thorns, than I am with the beauty and fragrance of the roses. 

A rose for you today.  Thank you for stopping by.