hello march

'March is the month of expectation.'

~Emily Dickinson

Picked up a basket of apple blossom shaded begonias at the store for a song. It's amazing the difference fresh flowers make in the house. Combined with a few open windows, due to unseasonably warm temperatures, and you can almost believe it's Spring.

One late winter's day while I was still in college, I was slogging along the sidewalk and passed the florist's shop. Spring seemed a long way off, and I decided to go inside. With what little money I had, I purchased a tiny little pot of primroses. Upon returning to my apartment, there was a delivery man in the lobby holding a beautiful arrangement of flowers. Teasing him, I told him those were for me. He replied, 'Only if your name is Molly...' Would you believe my sister Katie sent me those flowers out of the blue?

Any plans for Spring break? I'd love to hear about it.

thunder snow

We awoke to Narnia this morning. A thick, heavy snow fell over night and blanketed everything in white. Everything's quiet. Not even one bird chirping.

Dramatic thunder and lightening accompanied the snowfall. The girls awoke hoping to hear the magic words... snow day. Instead, off they went to school.

While Rosie and I washed the slipcovers, and admired our new blue and white lamp. Is there anything better than freshly bleached slipcovers? I. Don't. Think. So.

Looking forward to the official first day of Spring, in just three short weeks. 

We can do it.

counting your chickens

The acquisition of new linens required some serious re-arranging. Have you noticed the prevalence of chickens in various places as of late? I'm powerless to resist, but mine are of the inanimate variety.

Much easier to take care of, and a lot quieter.

I've a serious thing for vintage tablecloths. Something about the cheerful combination of color and pattern. Ironing them is a pleasure. 

Cluckily, you can find them all over the place. Original ones and quality reproductions abound. Sunshine in cloth form.

What are you collecting these days? I'd love to find out. 

spring-like

The soft blue skies outside today could almost fool you into thinking Spring is on its way. If you didn't know better. The Mid-West has had many a snowstorm into March.

Rosie and I took a tour of the neighborhood, bundled up in our warm coats and mittens. We spotted quite a few trees starting to bud, and heard the chirps of a few hardy birds who forgot to fly South. By a few, I mean one or two. And of course, found lots of mud.

It won't be long. At least, that's what I keep telling myself. I'm looking forward to April showers bringing lots and lots of May flowers.

via katie daisy


What's your favorite part about Spring? Do tell.

sweethearts

When I was in second grade, my parents were out of town for Valentine's day. Wanting to celebrate the holiday, I carefully wrapped candy sweethearts in fancy tissue paper and tied it with a pretty ribbon for everyone in the class. Twenty five times. Imagine my surprise the next day, when everyone untied their treat to reveal... 

An empty little package. 

One of my brothers, had eaten all of the candy, and then, carefully re-tied each ribbon.

May your Valentine's day be filled with sweethearts of the 'real' variety.

'The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: 

there ought to be as many for love.'

~Margaret Atwood

dust bunny

'Mommy, I'm your little dust buddy, aren't  I?'

I paused to think about it. Deciphering what she might mean.

'Dust bunny?' I ask.

She nodded her head, up and down.

'Oh, yes.  I help you clean and wash the dishes. That makes me your little dust bunny'.

A quiet afternoon during a snowstorm,  looking for something, anything, to do. I suddenly remembered an extra set of dolly dishes I had stored away for 'some day'. Out they came, and they needed a washin'.  Guess who spent the next two hours wrist deep in bubbles?

She can be my little dust bunny anytime.

very valentine

Consider the valentine. A little card professing a 'sweet nothing' often accompanied by candy, a small gift, or flowers. Its sole purpose, putting a smile on someone's face. What's not to like?

The girls have been busy this week putting the finishing touches on their valentines. Their school is hosting its annual Valentine's Day dance this weekend. Special consideration must be given to the outfit, as the dress code specifies pink, red, or white attire only. Next, just 'the right' accessories, shoes, and hairstyle. But heaven forbid, a boy actually asks you to dance...

Even though, secretly, you're longing for it to happen.

 Happy to have participated in Holly's Dotty Swap. I sent off a dotty box of chocolates, a polka dotted book bag, and Make, a book filled with lots of polka dotted projects from Cath Kidston.

 Jennifer, my sweet partner from Sugar Pink Boutique, was thinking along the same lines. She kindly sent me some darling CK cupcake wrappers, colorful paper tape, and some ditsy polka dotted ribbon from her sweet shop. 

Thanks so much, my friend.

wall papered

via pbk

When we bought our first house, it definitely fell into the category of a fixer-upper. One of the first things we did was remove the sixties mod mirrored wallpaper. Yes, I said mirrored. Psychedelic, is the word that comes to mind. The removal was not without a few hitches, as the previous owner had applied the crazy paper directly to the unpainted drywall with super glue (or so it seemed). Attempting to pull it off, resulted in an unbelievable mess. I wish someone had explained the importance of using a good wallpaper 'sizing'.

via Pip Studio

Well, I've learned a thing or two in the ensuing years. Wallpapering is definitely an artform. We put up quite a bit of it in previous homes, and certainly made our share of mistakes. Our current house doesn't have any,  and I'm considering giving it another go... 

yvonne's kitchen via bright.bazaar

Especially, when you consider the possibilities inherent with the newer 'removable wallpaper'. That sounds like the ultimate 'good thing'.

Have you tried it?

paper love

Out and about, I'm always on the lookout for pretty paper, notebooks, notecards and accessories. If it's covered in a pretty floral, stripes, or polka dots, look out...

I'm taking it home.

Spotted this light blue wire bin languishing in the clearance aisle. Sporting a tattered metal label proclaiming it a 'dvd storage' bin. I made quick work of that with a pair of wire snippers. Much prettier filled with an assortment of stationery.

And speaking of pretty stationery, don't you just love getting letters in the mail? Valentine's day will be here before you know it. Let me know if you'd like to exchange valentines. I'd be happy to send a little love your way.

A life without love is like a year without summer.

~Swedish proverb