Pictures From a Spring Day

The weather today is so wonderful.  I was hoping that by the time I got home from work it would still be nice so I could go on a little walk with my camera.  When I got home I loaded up the camera and put the leash on the dog to set out for a walk.  What I didn't realize is that the dog + camera + leisurly stroll do not equal happiness for me.  It was really nice to get out of the house and wander my neighborhood on my own time at my (nearly) own pace, but the dog made picture taking a little more difficult than I had imagined, so our walk ended a little sooner than I had expected.  Even so here are a couple of shots Tink & I managed to take:

And for the last picture of the day - Tink, after her near meltdown, happily realizing we are very close to home after an apparently stressful walk (for both of us).  Stinkin' dog.

Spring Table Setting

We've finally gotten a brief reprieve from the cold, nasty weather here in the midwest.  The sun was shining through my windows and warming up my spirit!  As much as I told myself to do something more useful I just couldn't resist giving my tabletop a spring makeover.  A few weeks ago I picked up these plates from Target for about $1 each.  I've been waiting until it warms up to do something with them. 

Admittedly this setting has A LOT of color to it, but I just couldn't help myself!  White, yellow, pink, blue, green...the more the better!  Even the hubs found a smile when he walked into the room - hopefully Spring has finally sprung!

This was also the perfect time to bring out my vintage cake stand (a gift from Sarah a few years ago).  YUM.  Hopefully this spring weather stays around to inspire me to do more around the house!

May Table

I'm suddenly finding myself with the month off.  Hopefully some inspired posting will commence very soon.  In the meantime here is a tabletop to share!

I whipped this together the other day using a very basic green color palette.  I can't say that I think it's anything spectacular, but I think it is a nice, fairly plain tablesetting for the season.  The day that I put this together it was rainy, so I was inspired to use brown as the accent.  I was also very pleased because I made the table runner!  I purchased the table runner fabric in the form of a smallish tablecloth from a garage sale 2 summers ago.  I'd always liked it but it was far to small to use on any of my tables.  I didn't have a runner to use and I had some no sew tape sitting around so 10 minutes later I had a new table runner.  I have to say I'm very ahppy with it!

I've got a new table top idea forming in my head.  The pieces are coming together but aren't quite there yet!  Stay tuned to see how it turns out!

(I am also very excited because I picked up a bottle of Mrs. Meyers cleaner tonight.  I've been eyeing it for a while and I'm excited to try it out myself.  [WOW - how is it possible that I am this old blogging about cleaning products....]  Since I'm going to be off the entire month of May my main goal is to get this house CLEAN!  Once I try this out I'll let you know what I think!)

Spring Fever

I've really got the itch to make some changes around the house lately.  I don't really have any one project specifically in mind, but instead have millions of projects that have crept onto my radar!  A few of the projects that I have been eyeing are:

• Finishing our bathroom wall:  We had plumbing issues about 3 years ago that required them cutting into our wall.  The wall hasn't ever fully be repaired....I think it's time to spackle, sand, and paint!
• Redoing our master bath:  Wallpaper needs to come down and paint needs to go up!
• Planting:  I've really been wanting to take a trip to our local greenhouse and buy some plants and flowers to pot and plant in our flower beds.  I have no green thumb (AT ALL), but I'm ready to get my hands in the dirt.
• Kitchen:  Although it is SO not a possiblity to redo the kitchen right now, the hubster referenced how ugly our kitchen was the other day and it really got me thinking how I'd love to brighten that room up (not to mention update), but alas, this is purely just a dream.

Anyone else got the bug to redo stuff in your place?

Spring Tabletop

I seem to behind everyone else in blogland since I'm just now posting my spring tabletop.  I had this up before Easter and then on Easter threw in the easter eggs for more color.  For those of you out there who don't like a lot of color you may not like this setting!  Thanks to the hubster for taking these pics!

This setting is all about color and pattern and layering, layering, layering!  For a post Easter look all I have to do to keep it current for spring is remove the easter eggs and maybe put the napkin in the glass in their place for an additional layer/level to the tablescape.  I've also since added two medium sized glass hurricanes that have frosted colors on the outside for additional depth.  All of the items featured were things I already owned, so this setting cost me zero dollars!

To see last years place setting (which features the same pink and green plates) click here.

Spring

It is finally Spring here in the Midwest.  There is rain and thunder mixed with bright sun and fresh color.  When I wake I hear the birds chirping, thankful that Spring has finally arrived.

I've been mulling over this poem the last few days, reminds me of rolling green hills, friends, family (with me and those loved and lost) and makes me feel the promise of what's to come.

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in

my heart) I am never without it (anywhere

I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling)

I fear

no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) I want

no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

-EE Cummings

 

So in that vein I hope all of you are welcoming not only our changing weather but also the feelings of new life that Spring brings. 

Spring placesetting

This morning my camera finally had batteries with power so I was able to photograph my spring table settings. I picked up the majority of this (minus the silver chargers) from Target on sale. I am still working on a centerpiece, but so far I'm pleased with the individual placesettings.

Spring has sprung!

Spring is here and I've caught the urge to lighten up my indoor spaces with splashes color! I was going to take a picture of my current dining table placesetting, but alas my camera batteries are dead (again) and I will have to wait for them to recharge. In the meantime I thought I would share some inspiring dining pieces and tablescapes.

Here is a very fun and springy serving platter from Pottery Barn (currently on sale!)

These acrylic ladies from Target are perfect for an outdoor event - croquet anyone?

This lobster fest photo from Toasts & Tables {www.toastsandtables.blogspot.com} looks super clean and fresh. I can almost feel the brisk air looking at this picture.
Wouldn't these plates from Target be perfect for a lobster party?

Spring tabletops are bare without newly emerged flowers. Isn't this an adorable way of displaying them? {Martha Stewart}

These are adorable and fresh place card holders from beau-coup. {www.beau-coup.com}

Isn't this breakfast table from the Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon inspiring? This reminds me that I need to pull out my beautiful vintage tableclothes for the seasons ahead and throw some life back into my house!

Just one of the things I love about my house

I love this time of year at my house because all the various flowers are in bloom. I especially love the peonies. When they first bloomed I dug out nearly every vase in my home and made arrangements for our dining room, our kitchen, family room, formal living room, guest room, office at work, and my boss's office. Okay, so I went a little crazy...I just really love peonies.