Happy Easter Week at All About Home #139

Hello friends and Welcome to the 

All About Home Link Party!

We're so glad you're here and sharing all the fun of Spring and Easter. I've been loving all the wonderful ideas that you all come up with week after week. The gorgeous tablescapes, creative DIY's, lovely decor, and yummy recipes give us all joy and inspiration for us personally and for our homes. Thankyou for being here each week to share your blogging fun. I'm hoping you have a happy Easter week and a blessed Resurrection Day!

Vintage Cottage Weekend: Spring and Easter Mantels

Hi Friends, today I'm sharing a few photos of my Easter Mantles through the years. To be honest, decorating a mantel has always been a challenge for me, no matter what the season. One reason is that at two of my previous houses the fireplace and mantels have been ginormous... and since I'm a vertically challenged gal, that always meant dragging out a step ladder and climbing up precariously to make adjustments. The mantel at this current house has been so much easier to work with. No ladders here and slightly more compact in size so it doesn't have to be a monumental task. These first photos are from last year and I'm using my favorite Spring canvas sheep print, who has shown up on the mantel each Spring these last few years.

Vintage Linens in an Easter Vignette

Hello dear Friends, I'm so glad you came by today because I'm sharing a few ideas about using and displaying vintage linens in our decor. If you love "vintage", then you probably have at least a few pieces of old linens in your cupboard or cabinets. Old tablecloths, napkins, lace and embroidered pillow cases, quilts and tea towels are easy to find at flea markets and estate sales. Often after many years they are still in good shape, but may not be practical for daily use. So many are still pretty and can be used for a fun vintage vignette or display.

Cottage Garden Easter in the Holiday Cupboard

Hi Friends, Springtime is non-stop fun in the Holiday Cupboard. First comes Valentine's Day... then St. Patrick's Day ...and now Easter. The green transferware and Ivy dishes are still here from St. Patty's, so they make a pretty "garden-y" base, dish display for the pastels of early Spring and Easter. I added a few pieces of my French faience to bring in some florals along with a gorgeous tulip pitcher, my vintage cauliflower teapot, cabbage veggie tureen, and a majolica rabbit themed pitcher. 

All About Bunnies at All About Home #138

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All About Home Link Party!

Today the bunnies have taken over! Dishes and tablescapes, a tiered tray and an adorable little napkin technique using vintage hankies. So fun for Spring. Easter will be here in a few weeks and you all are sharing so many gorgeous ideas. Thanks so much for coming by and joining in with the Link Party, we appreciate you all being here!

Vintage Cottage Weekend: Dining Room French Country Easter

Hi there Friends, thanks so much for coming by our Vintage Cottage Weekend. I've been working in the Dining Room the last few days to bring out some Easter decor. I found a new piece of fabric for a tablerunner that I'm so excited about. I love a brown and pastel floral for Spring, so it's a fresh new subtle look for my table. But before I shared this year's look, I wanted to take a look back at last year's Dining Room with French country vibes for the Easter season. 

Mini Easter Brunch Tablescape and Vintage Decoupaged Bottles

Every once in a while the crafty bug bites me and I get the urge to create a little something fun, especially if it's for a  "holiday".  I really enjoy using decoupage with Mod Podge because it's such an easy method. Well, I say "easy" as a relative term, since it is a bit messy and imprecise. But since I love vintage goods, I've found using old bottles for decoupage to be a wonderful way create small gifts and holiday mementos.

Spring DIY and Decor at All About Home #137

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All About Home Link Party!

Oh how I love the Seasons... each one of them! I can't imagine living in a place where it was the same all year. So, we're now at the end of March and the  weather is warming and green bits are popping out all over! Spring and Easter are such a beautiful time of year and I'm loving all your many fun ideas and inspiration!  Thanks so much for coming by and joining in with the Link Party, we appreciate you all being here!

Vintage Cottage Weekend: Wicker Florist Baskets for Easter

Hi Friends, so glad you're here for Vintage Cottage Weekend. Amber and I are sharing some fun from past posts, mixed with our current decor, and fun ideas and inspiration on Vintage Cottage Style. Today I wanted to share some snips and snaps from a few Easter posts from the past, and where I shared vintage baskets decorated with Easter goodies. 

Easter Picket Fence Centerpiece

Monday I looked out my kitchen window and oh my gosh, there were little yellow blooms on one of my forsythia bushes. Now there were only a few, but how fitting that they show up in time for the official start of Spring! So today, all four of the bushes have blooms and I'm hoping to get out this weekend to snip a few branches to bring indoors.

Hello Spring at All About Home #136

Hello friends and Welcome to the 

All About Home Link Party!

You all are coming up with so many fun ideas and Spring inspiration! Hard to believe we're heading in to late-March, and I'm definitely ready for that warmer weather and starting to see all that gorgeous green that will soon be popping up everywhere! Thanks so much for coming by and joining in with the Link Party, we appreciate you all being here!

Vintage Cottage Weekend: Blooming Seed Box Display

Hi Friends, thanks so much for coming by our (Amber and my) new weekend get together where we are sharing our thoughts, ideas and inspiration for vintage cottage living and decor. 

Coffee Table Garden Room Vignette

Hello Friends, Happy St. Patty's Day! Are you wearing green today and preparing your slow cooker dinner of corned beef and cabbage? I am wearing green, and I do love corned beef, but I can't get there with the cooked cabbage... Anyway, I'm celebrating today that I'm a teensy bit Irish. I thought I'd share a little bit of St. Patrick's Day out here in the Garden Room with a new Shamrock plant and an old pink/green quilt on the wicker settee.

Spring Decorating Ideas at All About Home #135

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WOW. We had so many great posts last week, honestly I could have done a dozen features. You all are coming up with so many fun ideas and Spring inspiration! Hard to believe it's mid-March, and I'm definitely ready for that warmer weather and thinking about planting flowers and getting outside for a good yard clean-up.

Vintage Cottage Weekend: Spring Shopping at The Vintage Peddler

Hi Friends, glad you stopped by Vintage Cottage Weekend where Amber (Follow the Yellow Brick Home) and I are sharing some fun posts and inspiration with all things "Vintage Cottage Style". Back in January I mentioned that I was on the lookout for a small table or cabinet to use in the Hearth Room. It's naturally dark in that space since it's in the middle of the house with no direct windows, and because of that it can be a bit dim and dreary cozy. The little table I was using was not very stable and really too small, but I was desperate for a table lamp to brighten up that corner.

Flowering Bulbs Spring Vignette

I mentioned last week how we didn't have any flowering bulbs planted at this house. (insert sad face) This last 2 years after 2 spine surgeries, I just wasn't up to a plan for bulb planting in the Fall, but I'm hoping this year I can get a few out. (optimistic face!) A mental plan is the first step to getting something accomplished!

Waiting for Spring at All About Home #134

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

We're back in the deep freeze this week, but know within a few weeks more and more warmer days will get us closer to Spring weather. We're loving all the wonderful Spring-y inspiration, and even though it may still be chilly outside, on the inside I'm ready for Spring. On a more serious note, I continue to pray for all those in Ukraine as I know you all do also. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We're always excited to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardening, recipes, and seasonal fun that you're all creating.

Vintage Cottage Weekend

Hello Everyone, welcome to the first 

Vintage Cottage Weekend!

Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home and I thought it would be fun to start a weekend tandem post where we celebrate our love for all things Vintage Cottage. We both have our roots in buying and selling vintage and antique goods in vintage shops and markets, AND we both love English Cottage and French Cottage decor. We want to share some of our ideas, inspiration, and thoughts on all things Vintage Cottage Style. Today I thought I'd kick off our new weekend get-together with some inspiration from a cottage staple.

You all know I LOVE any kind of vintage cupboards...

So I thought it would be fun to do a little celebrating the Irish way

and share some decor inspiration with an iconic kitchen staple

...the Irish Cupboard.

Pinterest from Southern Living

St. Patrick's Day in the Holiday Cupboard

Here in the lower Midwest, March is coming in like a lamb, and what a wonderful way to start my birthday month. We have a week of upper 60's and low 70's. It won't last of course, but it's a lovely, optimistic way to bring on thoughts of Spring. I'm just hoping that buds won't pop out and then we have a freezing spree.

Fun Spring Inspiration at All About Home Link Party #133

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

We may thaw out a bit this week, as we're supposed to get into the upper 60's. I love all the seasons but I'm ready for Spring. I imagine most of you are feeling the same. This week it's all about some fun Spring-y inspiration.

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We're always excited to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardening, recipes, and seasonal fun that you're all creating.

 On another more serious note, most of us know this has been a long sad week with the invasion of Ukraine. We also have lost two lovely talented ladies here in blogland. Paula from Virginia Sweet Pea and Michelle of The Painted Hinge. Please join me in praying for strength and peace for their families and the Ukrainian people.

Early Spring Faux Daffodil Centerpiece

It's cold, snowy, sleet-y, and generally yucky outside but there's a little bit of Spring in the Garden Room. I really like to keep my floral arrangements and decorating "seasonal", with what is happening outside be what is happening indoors. It's about time for the Daffodils to show up; their happy little faces peeking up through the cold garden soil and even snow. 

All About Home Link Party #132

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

I'm counting down the days to March and the unofficial start of Spring. How about all of you? We are in an up/down cycle of cold weather and snow/ice then warmer weather up to the 50's and low 60's. The plants and little critters aren't sure what to be doing. I even saw my last year's baby chipmunk out running around on the back porch this last weekend. "I'm ready to ditch the hibernation folks... Is it Spring yet?" Yep, I agree! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We're always excited to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardening, recipes, and seasonal fun that you're all creating.

Scottish Tartan Throws for Decorating

Hello friends, how's your mid-February going? Warm... cold... a little of both? Since it's still February and currently 20 degrees today, I guess technically it's okay if I share a little something in the warm/snuggly/cuddly category. I'm talking about Tartan wool throws and blankets. I have several that are vintage, that I use for Thanksgiving and Christmastime décor. I just love anything Tartan plaid and I'm a teensy bit obsessed with all things Burberry or resembling that particular plaid.

Spring Inspiration with Mossy, Woodsy Things

No matter where we live, I think we all feel like the days after Valentine's Day allow us a little shift in our thinking. We may still be in the midst of winter and cold weather, but our optimistic hearts and minds tend to want to give permission to thoughts of warmer weather and "Spring". 

Celebrating Valentine's Day at All About Home #131

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

Are you celebrating Valentine's Day today with your Sweetie/s? Flowers... candy ... dinner out?  No matter what you're doing this evening, let's have some fun with great ideas and inspiration for some yummy treats and a little romantic decor.

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We're always excited to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardening, recipes, and seasonal fun that you're all creating.

Using Vintage Chairs for Decorating in the Garden Room

Hi Friends! Today I'm part of a great group of vintage loving gals who get together every other month and share some fun themed vintage and antique items that we use in our decor. The Lifestyle of Love Blog Hop, is hosted by our wonderful friend, Cindy of County Road 407, so if you're coming from Cindy's, thanks so much for following the Hop. These gatherings showcase our vintage pieces that we often consider "out of the box" ways to use. This month our theme is Vintage Chairs and Stools. It just so happens that of all the junk that I do have, I'm short on old chairs... 

Valentine's Day on a Tray

Hello Everyone, today I'm excited to be part of a fun Valentine's Day Tray Tour hosted by our sweet friend, Katherine from Katherine's Corner. Katherine has had the wonderful idea to share ideas for decorating "trays" for the holidays. And part of the fun is seeing what kind of trays can be used. If you're following the Tour and came by from Laura's blog at Everyday Edits , welcome, I'm so glad you're here. Let's find some great Valentine's Day inspiration and have some fun!

Are you ready to celebrate Valentine's Day? ...a quiet dinner at home? ...a family gathering with kiddos and cookie making? There are so many fun ways to put a little love and romance in the Day that everyone can enjoy. Most people don't go crazy for Valentine's Day decor, but like to have a little nod to the holiday with some sweet red and pink Valentine items. 

Romantic French Couples in the Holiday Cupboard

Love is in the air in the Holiday Cupboard!

In my meager quest for a bit of organization after Christmas, I went through a few more unopened  boxes in my storage room in the basement. One of them has been in plain view but haunting me for the last 3 years because I just didn't have a place for the contents. Two houses ago I had a curio cabinet in the dining room where I kept a few of my more delicate pieces of porcelain and china. During my "shabby" French-y phase I collected a few porcelain couple figurines... but they've been packed away for the last 9 years. It was time to open the box and enjoy them again. 

Valentine's Day Decor at All About Home #130

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

February really came in with a wallop for so many of us, especially here in the Midwest. We had 5 days of rain, sleet, ice and snow, and I know many of you to the east of us had it even worse. My husband is retired as of last year, so we've been able to stay put and not risk being out in this stuff. We didn't have much ice accumulate so our area escaped the power outages this time. Hope you all are starting to thaw out and not letting bad weather get you down. We can actually see the streets and our driveway today!

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We're always excited to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardening, recipes, and seasonal fun that you're all creating.

Valentine Vignettes in the Garden Room

Hi Friends, are you all digging out of the latest snow and ice storm like we are?

We had a big blast of ol' man winter come through last Wednesday and Thursday with a layer of ice and then about 8-9 inches of snow on top. We stayed in and I had to postpone a doctor's appointment, but other than that we managed to keep our power and no ice damage (that we know of). Valentine's Day is definitely "winter" around here so in my Valentine decor I still have out some evergreen and bottle brush trees mixed in.

Vintage Botanical Valentine Entry

I wanted to put together a romantic Valentine's Day vignette in the Entry, but I wanted to do something just a little different than my usual Valentine decor. Any time I can create a setting with a "vintage garden/botanical" theme I'm excited, because vintage-garden goods are some of my favorite items.

Valentine Inspiration at All About Home #129

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

Oh my goodness, this is the last day of January, friends. How's the weather where you are? Hopefully you are warm and cozy and staying out of the snow and ice. We had a few days reprieve and are expecting another whopper storm this week. I'm trying to keep my mind off the cold weather with some Valentine's Day fun. Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We always look forward to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardens, recipes, and seasonal posts that you are all creating.

Easy Ivy Topiary for Valentine's Day

Hi Friends, hope you all are well and staying warm. And I'm hoping all our friends on the East Coast are safe and staying home somewhere away from the blizzardy snow and winds. Although we're having a sunny day here in the lower Midwest it's still cold and shivery. Anytime I can sit still for awhile you'll find me wrapped up in an electric blanket or throw. It's days like today that make me want to play with some plants and then put out a few vintage Valentine's to brighten up the house and shelves.

A Winter's Walk in the Holiday Cupboard

Hello friends, since Valentine's Day will be here in a few weeks, I knew I needed to share my January edition of the Holiday Cupboard. January has been cold and often dreary here, but I'm trying to be present and look for the good to enjoy each season... including winter. One of the fun ways I celebrate each month and season is to refresh my old pie safe, aka "The Holiday Cupboard". 

Winter Inspiration at All About Home # 128

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

How are you all doing this Mid/Late January? Are you enjoying winter and cozying up your home and surroundings?  I generally love this time of year because I'm a homebody, but the cold weather is already wearing thin and I'm dreaming of a bit warmer weather. In the between time let's enjoy sharing all the inspiration out here for winter and Valentine's Day.

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We always look forward to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardens, recipes and seasonal posts that you are all creating.

The Baker's Rack with a Woodsy Theme

It seems I have an abundance of shelving pieces. Yes, I've been blessed with the space at this house to have a few extra pieces to display all my vintage goodies. And then there's the fact that I love decorating with the seasons, so there are always fun ways to mix it up every month or so. Since the new year I've been leaning toward decorating with neutrals with a woodsy theme.

Keeping it Cozy in My Winter Hearth Room

This is the perfect time of year to look for the "Cozy" elements for our homes and personal life. Whether we're crazy about winter or not, we all want to make our homes warm and comfortable for our family. It's been cold and windy here this month so I'm sharing a few ways I keep it a place where we can snuggle up and enjoy our surroundings. 

Brrrr. It's Winter at All About Home #127

Hello friends and Welcome

 to the All About Home Link Party!

How's January going? Are we feeling optimistic and energized in the New Year? (I'm working on it, haha!) We've had a lot of cold weather around here and I still have some Christmas things outside that need to be put away, but the snow is not making it easy! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We always look forward to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardens, recipes and seasonal posts that you are all creating in the New Year.

Nature's Neutrals for a Winter Farmtable

One trend I've seen in the bloggyworld this last few weeks is that so many of us are leaning into January and winter weather using nature's cue with more neutral colors. Whatever our basic "style" might be, doing it in neutral colors, is a clean feeling way to start the new year.

January Inspiration at All About Home #126

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

The New Year is here and now it's about getting back to a normal routine and getting ready to cozy up for a few months of winter weather. Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to this week. We always look forward to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, crafts, gardens, and recipes that you are all creating in the New Year.

The Snowy Day

When we bought this house three years ago we got an added bonus with a finished basement. It's a 1964 brick rancher that had all we needed on one level, which was the requirement. So the basement became my husband's domain with his office, a storage room for him and one for me. It also has a large living space for a big screen TV and fireplace, bath and exercise area. The stairs are easy to navigate, unlike what we had before which were terribly steep and daunting. I was thrilled to have a lower level and the storage; even better because I didn't have to visit it each and every day. 

Fresh Look for January in the Dining Room

I'm one of those people that start putting Christmas decor away the day after. Not all of it, but mostly the obvious bits and pieces with Santas and anything red plaid. I get itchy if I have holiday decor out after said holiday. I've tried to train myself to not do this, but it's something that I've done forever, even pre-blogging. I'm always ready for a fresh new look for the New Year and new season.

Welcoming the New Year at All About Home #125

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 to the All About Home Link Party!

It seems like yesterday that we were heading into 2021 with a lot of optimism and energy. Well, it didn't quite live up to it's expectations, but since I'm basically a positive kind of person, I'm praying and believing that this is the year for things to turn around... for all of us. 

I hope you had a beautiful Holiday Season,

 and wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for taking the time to come by and share what you're up to 

this week. We always look forward to seeing all the great DIYs, decor, 

crafts, gardens, and recipes that you are all creating this first week of the New Year.

New Year Lookback: Starting a Prayer Journal

I'm re-sharing a post from last year, January 3rd, 2021, and realized upon reading it that it's just as relevant this January as last. Hope you're having a wonderful New Year's weekend. It's snowing here and winter has definitely arrived!

"Hi Friends, How's the first week of the New Year going? Could we say any week of year 2021 might be more hopeful than 2020? I've noticed that there aren't many "Word for the Year" posts in blogland like we've seen in past years. Not many posts on resolutions either or many posts on plans for this new year. I think we all feel like we've been kicked in the proverbial pants by 2020 and are a little apprehensive about making huge plans (or even small ones) for awhile."

*This is not a sponsored post.

New Year's Tree

Once in a while I have a post that stands the test of time and I like to share it again. After 12 years this little New Year's Tree still feels relevant and lovely in photos and sentiment. Thinking back 12 years ago, it's a new group of friends and bloggers, now. So I hope you'll enjoy taking a peek at this small nostalgic moment in time to reflect on the New Year.

(please excuse the older camera version)