Pussy Willows.

Our trees aren't blooming just yet but

we have a ton of pussy willows. So sweet

and so soft. I cut some last year and put

them in a vintage jar on our kitchen table.

And guess what I found in the cupboard?

The same jar with the pussy willows from

last Spring, looking just as nice as the

ones that are currently popping up each

day. We take little walks by the forest

to see how they are progressing. Lovely.

A New Trend.

We bought our first house back in 1984 and one of the things that endeared us to buy the tiny home was the wallpaper in the nursery.

Over the years, we would decorate with wallpaper in different rooms. It was the trend then. Some rooms, we used a border and other rooms would have wallpaper on all walls. We used it sparingly for enhancing. Then wallpaper stopped being a "thing" and we ended up stripping off any remaining remnants and painting all the walls instead. It was fresh and light and we liked the new trend then. Until now ....

Now, 6 houses later and out in the country, and guess what is making a return? Wallpaper. We won't be putting it through the house as we tend now to ignore trends. But we have one space though that after a lot of thought, we've decided it does need some lovely paper to make it a warm and cozy room to be in. The room? Our main floor 1/2 bath, with 9 foot ceilings and a very loud echo noise. We came up with a plan,  searched and searched for months for the right design and today, we ordered our wallpaper. Best thing ever, as instead of having to order from the U.S., with extra duty, exchange rate and taxes, we were able to order from a local store and today, they had a 50% off sale! Bonus and so worth the wait. Here's what we chose: 

It should be here in 2 weeks and then we can start making this tiny, cold, loud room a warm and cozy spot. I'll be doing some before then after pictures and hope you enjoy the reveal once we're ready to show it off. So excited to add some additional classic touches to our new home. 

Twelve Days.

The number of days off of work I

during Spring Break this year: 

And what have I been doing on this

lovely time off? Let me share ....

* organized my office on my last day

* created a "to do" list to work on

* meet with our landscape artist

* meet with our builder and trades

* empty boxes from our art studio

* learn how to make chalk paint

* chalk paint an old hutch and drawers

* learn how to use wax on furniture

* organize master bedroom closet

* chalk paint mirrors and small items

* help daughter buy a new car

* set time with our gate guy

Things on my list to complete still:

* gather all the documents for our taxes

* set up time with our accountant

* move boxes then paint the art studio

* paint then reorganize the mud room

* paint then reorganize the laundry room

* paint them organize the storage room

* take bottles into the bottle depot

* revise chapters in my book project

* visit with a dear friend next week

* learn how to make a bracelet

* put wicker furniture on veranda

* organize one section of the garage

I had 12 items at first, completed those and

added 12 more. A very focused time off but

so productive and I'm so grateful for this

gift. Holidays from 2016, so I still have just

over 4 weeks left to take off for 2017. Love

my boss and my organization. Worth the work.

Did you have time off during Spring Break?

If so, what did you do with your time?

Spring Mantel.

Many bloggers are currently hosting Spring Blog

Tours. I feel kind of silly just opening my home

up without being connected to an organized group

"party" or "hop" of some sort at this time. I'm not

sure how to connect to such events. Doing some

research today to see how to bump up my blog.

For now, I will share our Spring Mantel in our

Master Bedroom. I love the sunlight streaming in.

Special treasures we've collected along the

way. A vintage frame and a SSI cut out.

My family presented this beautiful statue

a few Christmases ago. Our family ....

An Angel from a friend. I love gifts from

special people. Truly given from the heart.

Two sets of Angel wings for our sweet babies. A

tiny Brambly Hedge thimble from England. And

a stitched picture we found at the Antique Mall.

I was going to change out the frame. One day.

We found this plate on a trip and were so

thankful we got it home in one piece. Truly

some of the inspiration behind the ideas for

our new home and the color scheme as well.

A vintage lacy purse, a tiny framed print, a

vintage bowl holding scented natural seeds

and pinecones, a vintage doily and finally, 

two rose inspired scented candles. Love.

See that tiny bear? The lavender color is what

we used for the wall color and so many of our

accessories. Sage green, sweet lavender and

creamy ivory, with wood floors and white trim

are the basics in our home. Not for everyone.

But for us, soothing and calm, visually ours.

What colors are prominent in your home?

How did you choose those colors?

Writing Niche.

When we designed our house, we wanted

to have a spot that was multi-functional.

We ended up adding the turret to the far end

of the house, between the Great Room and

the Living Room. On the blue prints, our

builder marked it as the "sun room".

It lives up to it's name with the afternoon

sun pouring in and the late day sunset that

filters the light in to darkness. An eclectic

spot, it has been our music room, our sun

room,  our play room, our Christmas room

and now it is finally our sweet writing room. 

My favorite place in the house, I love

the location, the light, the lamp, the

desk and most of all, the feeling of

being in a spot that is private yet open

to the family all at the same time. I can

sit and dream, write and chat, and be

part of whatever is going on in the house,

without feeling isolated and shut out.

Do you have a dedicated spot to write?

A place just for you to be and dream?

Through the Trees.

The last day of Winter, I took these shots

of a blue sky and lots of snowy grounds.

The trees have started budding and we

finally found some pussy willows on our

walks. The snow is melting, the puddles

have formed and the mud is everywhere.

Lavender Ecocube.

I received this sweet gift at Christmas from a

colleague who knows how much I love lavender.

A complete kit to start seeds and add to our

garden in the Summer. Hope this works!

Easy instructions .... take off the wrap,

add some water and then cover with plastic.

Now we wait to see if little buds will begin

to sprout sweet lavender for all to enjoy.

Winter Morning.

Winter finally showed up in March

this year .... so late but here.

Our mornings are a bit dark and

it's still quite gloomy outside.

But the sun eventually comes out and

now we have great mounds of slush.

Is Winter still hanging on in your region?

Or do you have lush gardens growing?