Bring in the Spring

Happy First Day of Spring!

It may not look very springy outside right now, but we did get a sneak peak a couple weeks ago.

For my birthday this year I asked the weather to bring sunshine and daffodils.  She obliged.  For the entire week of my birthday the weather was sunny and my spirits were too.

It was lovely.

Last week AND this week it snowed.  Apparently I have to pay for my pleasure!  But I defy the weather. I am bringing spring inside.  My tulips might not be up yet (and the deer will eat them once they are), but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a little springtime cheer anyway. When I have to leave the house I simply ignore the gray wetness and appreciated the flowering plum trees that are beginning to bloom all over town.


On another note.  One day soon I might actually get back to posting fun things.  Though since months and months have passed since I posted I am sure they will please mostly myself! Coming up: bedroom/ bathroom remodel (purchases have been made), and an entire 1914 craftsman bungalow remodel (Plus, it has a name - "Shadel House".  We purchased another rental property.  Too bad I have to stop with paint and tile and light fixtures (which my budget hinders considerably) and can't go on to decorate the whole house too!

But that is were my own room redo will come into play :)

I can't wait!

Moon Garden

I'm dreaming of spring.  In my dream there are lots of flowers. . . white flowers.  I love white--white dishes, white decor, white tipped toe nails, white clothes, white sheets, and white flowers.

I have an area of dirt on the side of my house that is screaming for attention.  I have ignored it for the past two years because I had it in the back of my mind that we were going to put an addition there.  Maybe, maybe not.  Not soon by any means.  So I am making a plan.  A plan for a moon garden.

I did not know that is what all white gardens were called until I started googling white flowers.  I have a few in mind:  Hydrangeas, ranunculus, peonies, sweet woodruff, lily of the valley, delphinium, camellias, crocuses. . . all in white.  Great profusions of white.  I want enough that I can cut some and fill my house with white flowers in white pitchers.

And in my side garden I want a white picket fence with a little white gate that beckons to the back yard.

Doesn't that sound lovely.

A Splash of Pink

One of the things I love about doing my kitchen all white is that I can add little splashes of color now and then for variety.  I love fresh flowers and I tend to get white flowers more than anything (Really, are you surprised?).  But now that my kitchen is all white, adding hot pink peonies, for instance, has a really lovely affect.

And to think I was disappointed when I learned my nine peony plants were various shades of pink instead of white.

For the Love of Flowers . . .

When I was first married my husband spoiled me with exotic flower arrangements from a great little flower shop in Salt Lake City. This lasted maybe two years, until the sheen of honeymoon bliss was over and we really got to know each other. Then the flowers ceased, never to return. I know my husband adores me, but he jokingly says, "I already won you, why should I buy you flowers? They just die anyway." Just so you understand, he has many other ways of showing his affection. For example, I have not put gas in a car for eleven years (and I haven't lived in a state that pumps the gas for you!) If you ask how much gas I have, I cannot tell you. Why would I ever look when Rob so valiantly keeps me filled? Not very romantic, I know.

Anyway, I love fresh flowers in the house and often would say to him, someday I am going to have fresh flowers in my house at all times. Fresh at least once a week!

Well, since Easter I have managed to keep fresh flowers in my house continually. I feel so decadent. The sight of them just makes me smile. I love a simple flower arrangement and most of them I have done, either from my yard or I picked up some random flowers at the grocery store and put them together. Here are few of my arrangements. . . . .(I make no claim to being particularly talented) Clearly I am partial to white.

Technically Signe picked the daisies on the side of the road, but they look cute in the little creamer.

I have enough space in my yard that one of my new goals is to have flowers blooming from early spring to late fall and if I can, winter. Enough flowers that I can cut them and bring them inside. My peonies are just starting to pop open and I will definitely be cutting some of those and bringing them in. I LOVE peonies--especially the white ones. Do you have a favorite?