Rabbits Run Wild at All About Home #189

Hi Everyone, thanks for coming by. Thankfully we're back to more normal March weather. Still ups and downs but it's been above freezing at night. My forsythia bushes are still alive, but the blooms were knocked out, so none of those brilliant yellow flowering branches, except for the faux ones in my decor. On a family note we were able to spend a fun evening with our sweet little granddaughter and her mommy and daddy. We had been waiting until her vaccinations kicked in for a proper visit. It was great!

Stacking Painted Baskets

I'm very fortunate to have a long wall in the Hearth Room that can handle multiple pieces of furniture, and I've made use of it to bring back two vintage pieces I've had for years. I didn't know how they would look together, but I realized I'd need something of a different size and texture to go between the two. 

Fun Easter Graphics and Pillow in the Spring Hearth Room

I've loved this Big Bunny Face graphic since I'd seen it several years ago, so when I found it on a pillow cover from Amazon recently I had to have him to celebrate the season. He reminds me of the Peter Rabbit illustrations of Beatrix Potter so many years ago. Realistic, but a little whimsical, too.

In the Pink at All About Home #32

Hi Friends and Welcome,

I sure hope you all are feeling well, and coping with all that's going on in our world around us. It's important to keep a routine if possible, and to keep our mood and spirits "upbeat". If you'd like to take a little break and look for some fun and Spring inspiration then you're at the right place. Thanks so much for coming by to join the party!

Backyard Naturals Bouquet

One of the reasons I love Fall so very much is the change in the coloring of leaves, flowers, and shrubbery. Where Spring is full of greens and lovely pastel shades of flowers and buds, Fall can be just as amazing visually with all the glorious brilliant color. 

Favorite Antique Furniture: Sideboard Dressed for Spring

Do you have a piece of family furniture that you dearly love and wouldn't part with, but just doesn't fit in your décor aesthetic? A piece you can see the potential, but in it's current state ends up in storage or hidden away in some "off the beaten path" spot? Well, here's my story of a lovely piece of antique furniture that had been relegated to the basement for years.

Vintage Easter Inspiration

Hi Friends, I know Easter Week is a busy time for all of you, and sometimes we might need a little "extra" last minute inspiration to bring it all together. Maybe you're thinking about the table or a small gift for those special friends and family.

Snow and lilacs...

...those two things don't go well together.

I guess I could say we were lucky as compared to others of you out there.

Lot's of precipitation, but no accumulation.

Where we are in SW Missouri, it snowed and sleeted all day yesterday but didn't stick much. At one point yesterday evening the flakes were HUGE. It was really beautiful... just not for May. So I decided since I wasn't getting out, that I'd redo the faux florals in my urn here in the entry. I'd had daffodils and forsythia in this for early Spring and Easter.

Easter

I have a teensy pet peeve...

I like to keep my faux flowers seasonal.

I can't have geraniums at Christmas

or tulips in the Fall.

They have to stay seasonal and current.

I'm sure these will be changed out again by the end of the month...

maybe daisies by then.

(I'm hoping I'll have daisies by the end of the month...)

Here's a snow pic from the deck and my kitchen window.

Can you see the lilac bush on the other side of the fence?

(bad photo, I know. I don't have a zoom lens for distance.)

yes...it's not mine, 

and it's in my neighbor's yard.

a bachelor...

and it drives me crazy. 

But my arms aren't long enough to grab a branch

and harvest a bouquet.

I have to admit I've had fleeting thoughts of sneaking over the fence by cover of darkness. We watched Zero Dark Thirty last night and I think that those high tech night vision goggles and other gear might work for this kind of mission. (just kidding...I wouldn't do that...just a little temptation of the blooming kind). What can I say...I was spoiled when I was young. We had two massive bushes of lilacs and we had fresh bouquets all over the house, this time of year.

So I just have to look at it and imagine a wonderful fragrant lilac bouquet

filling an ironstone pitcher or a large crystal vase.

I've thought of planting my own bush, 

but I haven't found a good spot for one.

excuses...excuses.

so I'll try to enjoy some silk ones and maybe find a room spray 

or candle that will make me think they're real.

and while we're here,

you can see that some of my birdies are back here in the Entry.

This is what you do if it's too cold for the sunporch...

...and you're really lazy.

good thing there are two sofas...

one for each lazy kit kat.

joining in with these parties this week:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Hope you're having a great weekend,

I'll try to behave...

xoxo,

Grapevine Bunny Basket

Last week I was wanting something new and fresh for Easter and Spring; something that made a bit of a statement and that was fun and colorful. I was hoping (hopping) for a moss covered rabbit or something organic, so I headed to my favorite local wholesale-type floral shop to see what they had. I found this adorable black/white rabbit (made from some kind of grassy material) with a basket on his back. He was one of three styles of these cuties. Then I browsed their previously made floral arrangements and found an idea that I thought would work... 

The Skinny on Spring Wreaths

Each new season you'll find me fiddling with silk flowers and putting together wreaths, and this weekend I've been working on one for the front porch. But finding one that will fit is always a problem. Most of the time I just give up and go with a bunch of silk branches or flowers for the large wicker cone that's on the side of the front porch.

But last year we had an upset with some little finches that wanted to make a nest in the cone with my faux flowers. I thought I had managed to escape having to leave out green poinsettias until May...but no. They were all over that wonderful spot. So when I was able to hijack their plans, or so I thought, a nest of little eggs were dashed on the front porch concrete by accident. Well, birdie lover that I am, I felt horrible and realized that I would have to do better this next nesting season. 

That meant NO WICKER CONE!!!!

(said in the tone of Mommie Dearest's "NO WIRE HANGERS!!")

Here's a pic from last Fall so you can see the problem;

Lovely nesting spot in the white cone to the left.

 Please excuse the pumpkins,

but you can see what I mean.

...the perfect, out of the way, nesting spot.

You can also see my dilemma with my finding a wreath for the door. It's one of those glass storm doors, that only give you a few inches to work with. So if I put a wreath on the door, it has to be super skinny!

So, here's a better shot of my make-do creation, 

hanging on a recent purchase from Pier 1.

That naughty Nita, made me go out and buy this...

Isn't this blackboard just so cute and scrolly?

I have plans for it on the sideboard in the hall after Easter.

 OK, so back to my wreath dilemma...

I found a skimpy one in my stash, with white berries,

(Michael's for about 8 bucks)

which works for Christmas or Spring,

but it was too blah,

and needed something else...

like a twig or two of forsythia and a nest.

Just grabbed a few extra goodies from the flower bin and wired them on.

I think this may have saved the day.

Joining in on these great parties:

Savvy Southern Style

Cozy Little House

Mod Vintage Life

Creative Cain Cabin

Cedar Hill Ranch

The Dedicated House

Coastal Charm

French Country Cottage

Have a wonderful Sunday!

xoxo,

Cozying Up the Back Porch for Late Fall

We're heading into my favorite time of the year. Late Fall's brilliant color, cool days, and cozy nights have always been the season that renews my mind and heart. I always enjoy the change of seasons; winter to spring is my next favorite time of the year. But the brilliance of the leaves in late fall paints a canvas that undeniably lifts me body, mind and soul.

Container Planting and Painting Styofoam Pots

Like most of you, I've been excited to finally get some outside work accomplished. Earlier this Spring we had our deck rebuilt. It was torn down to the studs and given a complete overhaul. This is the point that I can get really negative on the previous owners for neglecting an amazing 10 year old deck and landscape, but I won't do that. So instead I'll tell you how nice it is to have it mostly finished except for some painting we need to do under the floorboards, and how it's quickly becoming a comfortable place to relax and enjoy our beautiful back yard.

Easter Celebrations at All About Home #85

Hi Friends,  Welcome to the All About Home Link Party.

Thankyou for taking the time to come by 

and share your week with us.

March is a busy month for Spring,

April will be here on Thursday

and Easter is this coming Sunday!

We're having some wonderful Spring Inspiration

and great ideas for your Easter celebration.

Hop Into Spring Blog Hop

Hi Everyone, I'm so glad you're here today to celebrate Spring and join us with our "Hop Into Spring" Home Tour. My good friend Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home has brought together a group of Bloggers who love to decorate their homes with the colors and warmth of the Spring Season. If you've come from Stacey at Poofing the Pillows, Hello and Welcome to Common Ground. I'm so glad you are here and following the Hop.