Sunday, March 15, 2015

Purple Passion Easter Table

Hi, there! How ready are you for Easter? Me: Nope!

Have you bought the Easter-basket goodies? Me: Huh-uh!

Do you have your menu set? No!! I can’t make up my mind with all the Pinterest ideas I keep pinning!! Help!!

Have you made at least one of the Easter decorations or vignettes you’ve pinned? Me: Not a one. :( I think I’m living vicariously through Pinterest. :(

Okay…but have you at least set the time for your gathering and invited guests???? Me: Kind’a….sorta….the guests know we’re doing SOMETHING. Time to be determined.

Do you have a plan for your table yet? Me: Ummmm….no (in a meek voice).

I may not have it all together—at all—

…but I can help YOU!!

Well, with the table at least. :)

I’ve seen several PURPLE EASTER TABLES this year, so I thought I’d bring last year’s PURPLE table out again, seeing as PURPLE might be getting to be a trend. I hope it serves as inspiration and helps you get on track. Happy Easter to all! I hope the Easter bunny stops by your house, and I wish you the true blessings and joy of Easter.

I’d seen a gorgeous purple table on tumblr that served as a huge inspiration, but alas, woe is me…I don’t have the gorgeous amethyst Ajka goblets that ‘scaper (I haven’t been able to identify him/her, though believe me, I’ve tried, because I so wanted close ups of this table!) has. They’re pricey…I don’t think I can justify them for one.table. Oh, I’m sure I’d use them and sooooo thoroughly enjoy having them, but reason must prevail at times, I think someone once said. :(

So this is the Chickadee Home Nest version of a purple table, just in time for Easter, and spring, and flowers.

I’ve used these Limoges dishes for several tablescapes, and I’ve so enjoyed them. They were purchased at a local antique shop on a day when reason {happily} did not prevail. I remember the day well…summer-almost-fall sunny day. I almost ran to my car, clutching them in my arms, sure that they were going to call me back because they’d made a mistake on the price, but happily, they didn’t! The “chargers” are Lenox Eternal dinner plates.

I have eight of these dishes, but three different floral patterns.

Four of these beauties live with us.

And two of these…

And two of these!

And their rims are just as beautiful ~

Hmmmm, lovely, yes? And…

Another one.

It’s funny…I just realized, as I wrote about how beautiful they are,that I do that quite often—I talk about the beauty of items, as from afar; as though they don’t belong to me. And it occurs to me that that might sound like I’m going on and on about “things” I own, but it’s not that at all. I marvel at the mastery in all things beautiful, and I so enjoy others’ talents and vision in creating beautiful things. It’s really about them, and the creative process. I have vivid memories of my sweet grandmother doing that too, like admiring the stitchery in fine linens the same way…as just stating a fact. I’m just happy that these beautiful creations live with me so I can enjoy them!

So how did I partner these lovelies?

With lots of purples, to bring out the purple in them. I wrote about the silver goblets recently (a happy auction find!), and the crystal wines are big favorites of mine. The pattern is Pristine, made by Reizart at the time, which was eventually bought by Gorham. The pattern was discontinued in the early 70s. Unlike Waterford that is so heavy (and I also l-o-v-e), these stems are delicate and paper thin. Of the original set of 12 (waters, wines, and sherbets each) only a couple have small chips! I’m so glad I still have them and still like them!

Were you wondering if I’d forgotten the napkins? :) Nope! They’re here! I decided to do something different with them and stack them on a silver server (not visible in this picture), tied with a shimmery purple ribbon. They will be passed around the table, just like the bread will be, when all my imaginary guests are seated. (The real Easter table this year will involve birds and nests. :) )

Lots of purple.

As I often do, the grandchickadee’s high chair is part of the ensemble, this time with a mix of purple and white flowers. Little does he know that his high chair serves another purpose when he’s not here! :)

The centerpiece was created to give the illusion of a runner, extending the full length of the open center of the table.

Have you noticed the challenge of silverware placement on round placemats? The placemats don’t appear to be too small, but because we lose the valuable real estate of the corners, we have to get a little creative. So I moved the salad forks and teaspoons up a bit and liked it!

Some of the details (you know I love details!).

And now, as they say in Hollywood…

It’s a wrap!

So, do you think I need those purple Ajka goblets? (There’s only one right answer, you know…because I’ll be reporting the results of this unbiased, statistically sound survey to Mr. CHN so he understands my “need.”)

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wednesday at http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

Thursdays Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Share Your Style Thursday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fabulously Creative Fridays at http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/

Design it Friday at http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

Friday Party Junk at http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simply Sweet Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Saturday, March 7, 2015

My Outdoor Office and Other Summer Dreams

I’m dreamin’ of warm summer days—aren’t we all?! A couple of nights ago the overnight forecast was for between zero and -5°…yes, that’s right: MINUS FIVE DEGREES! In March! Our grandchildren in southern Ohio have missed almost the entire last three weeks of school because of snow and or too-low temperatures!

BUT…it’s looking BETTER! Our local weatherman (the one we watch is a “he”) is now teasing us with a possible HEATWAVE of high 40s next week! Oh, joy! That has me thinking not of spring…no, I’m going in for the full SUMMER DREAMS!!!

As I glanced out to our snowy scene beyond our screened porch the other day my heart wished I could go sit out there for a spell (as you know, the screened porch is my favorite space in our cottage). I thought of the naps our babies (and yes, I too!) have taken out there, the quiet times sitting there doing “nothing” but being, the puttering and happy hours, rocking our babies out there as night falls, visits to blogging friends, birthday celebrated there…and yes, actually working out there.

Working is much more palatable when I can work here:

Just look at that GREEN! Awash in sunshine! And in the protective shade of the porch, a blooming Gerbera daisy, and the happy/going-crazy purple flowers that I don’t know what they are (help! I’d love to know if you know!!). I’ve had that plant—in the same pot!!—for at least 8 years! Sometimes, when she’s wintering indoors, she still blooms, but she’s happiest in the summer—just like I am!

A close-up might helps those of you serious gardeners to help me identify her. The precious Gerbera was a birthday present from our grandchickadees last summer (yes, I even have a summer birthday—August—the HOTTEST month of the year, and perfect for me!).

DSCN4130 This is the sweet note the chickadees’ sweet Mamá added to it: “Thank you for being such a good “Ata” and helping us bloom and grow! OXOX Happy Birthday.” Oh, this Ata does love that daisy!! (I used it in last summer’s Last Hurrah post here.)

But I digress…get me on the topic of summer and I’m off in every direction possible!

One beautiful August day last summer I was fortunate enough to be able to work from home, and as I do every chance I get, I took my laptop to my “outdoor office.” It occurred to me that I needed to capture the blessing—that very moment! Notice that there’s no fancy staging…no glistening glass of iced tea with lemon slices and a bit of mint from my garden. No lovely napkin, or coaster, or long and beautiful iced tea spoon. Just simple, easy, real life happening: Laptop, mouse, Bluetooth, Bible, pen and paper.

First…ahhhh…a moment (or two or three or more) to breathe, to read His Word, to reflect, to write, while basking in His glorious gifts.

My up-close view.

This winter I have been working hard to not complain much about His ways with the weather, as I know I don’t know ~~much~~ anything about His reasons. But even through my strongest effort He knows that in my little human heart I CAN.NOT.WAIT until I am feeling, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling His summer gifts:

~ Bright sunshine (I dare not complain…we’ve had many sunny days this winter);

~ WARM sunshine;

~ Birds singing (they’re singing their little hearts out already; I think they’re as anxious as I am for summer days!);

~ The sound of gentle breezes murmuring through the leaves instead of winds howling through the bare branches;

~ Our wind chimes playing their soft, tinkling music in the breeze;

~ The scent of fresh grass and dirt waking from their long and frozen sleep.

Oh, and I’ve promised myself that I WILL.NOT complain about a hot summer! :) Please hold me to that!

How ‘bout you? Are you as ready for spring and/or summer as I am? Are you dreaming in spring and summer colors yet? Are you the type who wants to be OUTSIDE every moment of summer? I kid that I’m like a little kid in the summer…I.DON’T.WANT.TO.COME.INSIDE!!!

Oh, and I’ve often wondered if my love for summer has anything to do with the fact that I was born in August. What do you think? Do you love the season in which you were born more than the others?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Monday Show and Share at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Monday’s Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Market Yourself Monday at http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

Monday Just Something I Whipped Up at http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

CraftOManiac Monday at http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

Mondays Something to Talk About at http://www.karensuponthehill.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Tuesday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,

Tuesday’s Simply Klassics at http://www.simplyklassichome.com/

Too Cute Tuesday at http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/

Wednesday at Tea Rose Home at http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/

Wednesday’s Hoo’s Got Talent at http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wednesday at http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

DIY Design Wednesdays at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Share Your Style Thursday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Friday Tatertots and Jello at http://tatertotsandjello.com

Friday Bacon Time’s party at http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com

Fridays at Bloom Designs Online at http://bloomdesignsonline.com

Friday at Shine on Fridays,

Fridays at Stuff and Nonsense,

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Friday Favs at http://www.naptimecrafters.com

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturday Strut Your Stuff at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com

Spotlight Saturday at http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Peter Rabbit Birthday Party

Easter will be here in just a few weeks, so while we’re thinking of bunnies and Easter flowers I thought it would be timely to share our chickadee’s 2-year-old Peter Rabbit birthday party. Thinking that by his third birthday he might be more interested in not-so-sweet things such as turtles and superheroes, his mamá and I decided it was a now-or-never moment to do one more baby-theme party. (And aren’t I blessed to be able to be an integral part of the chickadees’ birthday parties?!)

I’ve always loved Peter Rabbit—especially his escapade into Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden, so over the years (and I DO mean over the years, as in since my boys were little), I’ve bought quite a few cute Peter Rabbit things. Once the chickadees came along, even more were added, but I had NO.IDEA how much of it I had! It was so fun to start gathering it all for his party!

We had three food stations, simply because, as is usually the case with our family gatherings, food is one of the main attractions—only second to the babies and family present. We pushed the table back into the bay window, and the Peter Rabbit canvas (found by our DIL at GW right before the party!) became the absolutely perfect backdrop.

We served cucumber and Boursin cheese tea sandwiches (left), an array of fresh veggies tumbling out of a large flowerpot, Brussels sprouts and bacon in a honey mustard glaze, and chicken salad in lettuce and cabbage leaf beds.

A close-up of the fresh veggies tumbling out of a flower pot.

The Wedgwood bowl we used for the Brussels sprouts is really a berry bowl with drainage holes at the bottom, but how could we resist using it for Mr. McGregor’s vegetables? Lettuce leaves solved the problem beautifully!

The next food station was for drinks and desserts—yes, of course, carrot cake cupcakes!

Here’s where we were able to showcase a good portion of the Peter Rabbit collection, along with blue bunny Peeps, an Easter egg tree with tiny carrots, and a Peter vignette. We purchased the darling Meri Meri Peter Rabbit wheelbarrows as well as the cupcake liners, but I’m thankful that our son and DIL like to use “real” plates and silverware for their parties, so we didn’t purchase the other Peter Rabbit paper products.

And what farm would be complete without chickens? Our DIL’s grandmother’s s&p shaker set were the perfect touch.

Aren’t these wheelbarrows the absolute sweetest?! You can see that the babies’ Bunnykins bowl was also in use (behind the wheelbarrows).

Are you noticing the carrots on the cupcakes yet? I’ll tell you about those in a minute. Yes, they’re edible. :)

The little ones’ drinks were in carrot-adorned plastic bottles (psssst…remember when I made them for Baby Love Chickadee’s shabby chic lil cowgirl birthday party here? I like to use these because 1) they have a lid, and 2) they’re plastic, so they’re safe—oh, and 3) They’re so, so cute! And please don’t tell anyone, but they’re nothing more than Nestle chocolate milk bottles!) It just so happened that in my stash of Easter goodies I had the darling carrots to add to them (somehow we just know when we see things that someday we’re going to need them, don’t we?). My rusty carrier seemed like the perfect “garden fence” to corral the bottles.

Watering cans (oh, I have maybe a dozen or more, for someday), and rattan (?) carrots (you can see them better here and here, and if you look carefully you’ll see the teeny carrot “clothespins” used as name card holders…again, a someday purchase). The base for this vignette is a vintage metal Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd. Peter Rabbit tray I had to have, from an auction.

Our third station was in the dining room, where we used my tiered basket for potted herbs and extra cupcakes.

I promised I would tell you about the carrots on the carrot-cake cupcakes. They were sooooo fun to make! I’d never worked with marzipan before, and although I could’ve used the carrots that I instead used for the drink bottles, I just had it in my head that I wanted to MAKE the carrots!

Using food coloring, I made the marzipan orange, molded it into teeny carrots, complete with the cross lines, and used fresh dill as their tops.

That ornery Peter just had to try them!

Mr. McGregor’s harvest, all lined up in garden rows, accompanied a sweet Peter Rabbit puzzle and book in the family room.

The chicken-wire cloche was a good way to keep Peter away from the fresh fruit, and yes, that’s the darling chickadee.

The drink station of course had to have…V8 VEGETABLE JUICE, along with other refreshments.

We used the chickadees’ darling Peter Rabbit Easter “baskets” as the base for the chickadee’s balloons.

And finally, the chickadee’s own cupcake—on his Bunnykins dish, of course!

On his 2nd birthday he wore the outfit his Papá wore for Easter many years ago, exactly as he did, with knee socks and high-top leather boots. Do you think that makes this Ata’s heart happy? :)

I’m so excited about sharing this fun birthday party with you! I hope you enjoyed it! Their birthday parties are so much fun!

I can’t wait to hear from you! And if you’ve worked with marzipan I want to hear about that too, and the masterpieces you’ve created. It wasn’t hard to work with it at all, so I’ll certainly be using it again!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Blog Hop at http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/

Sundae Scoop at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

Monday Show and Share at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Inspire Me Monday at http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Monday’s Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Market Yourself Monday at http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/

Monday Just Something I Whipped Up at http://www.thegirlcreative.com/

CraftOManiac Monday at http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/

Mondays Something to Talk About at http://www.karensuponthehill.com/

Mondays at Lou Lou Girls’ Fabulous Party at http://www.loulougirls.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Tuesday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,

Tuesday’s Simply Klassics at http://www.simplyklassichome.com/

Tuesdays at Roses of Inspiration at http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/

Too Cute Tuesday at http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/

Wednesday at Tea Rose Home at http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/

Wednesday’s Hoo’s Got Talent at http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/

Centerpiece Wednesday at http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/

DIY Design Wednesdays at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Share Your Style Thursday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Friday Tatertots and Jello at http://tatertotsandjello.com

Friday Bacon Time’s party at http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com

Fridays at Bloom Designs Online at http://bloomdesignsonline.com

Friday at Shine on Fridays,

Fridays at Stuff and Nonsense,

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Friday Favs at http://www.naptimecrafters.com

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturday Strut Your Stuff at http://www.sixsistersstuff.com

Spotlight Saturday at http://www.classyclutter.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Easing Into Spring—Adding Color to the China Cabinet

I am not complaining…compared to what the folks in the northeast are enduring with the snow and wind and ice, it’s a cakewalk in Ohio, although last night we broke records with temps in the –14 range (yes, that’s MINUS FOURTEEN DEGREES!), and the possibility for more record-breakers this week remains strong. It’s that time of year when we tend to get a little cabin fever and our thoughts start to turn to a little milder scene.

Since violets are the flower of February, and I’m not ready to put my Nippon violet hot chocolate cups away (see post HERE), I decided to add them to the china cabinet. Two for the price of one: I get to enjoy them longer, plus we get a much-needed shot of spring color.

Here’s the china cabinet BEFORE—Very calm and serene. It worked well for after the colors and the hustle and bustle of Christmas. But it was starting to look a little…two wintry, perhaps? A little too similar to what’s all around us??

It was time for a touch of spring, and the sparkle of a bit of crystal~

I’m always amazed at the impact from just a bit of tweaking. There’s no need to completely re-do some things; a bit of color brings us a fresh and lively feel.

The sparkle of the Waterford Alana wine goblets adds more depth and texture to the still-snowy scene…

…other touches of crystal, silver, and wood add more change and contrast.

And finally, the roses from our pre-Valentine’s dinner party, now aged to perfection, offer a bit of color without going into spring colors just yet. I’m okay for a few more weeks (sigh).

How do you spring into spring? :) Ease into it as I need to do, or do you jump in with both feet? Are you there yet, or are you waiting for a magic moment that tells you it’s time?

Here’s hoping for an early thaw and spring!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DIY Design Wednesdays at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com\

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Thursday Your Turn to Shine at http://blesserhouse.blogspot.com/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/