~leaving you with a touch of early spring

Longing for time to stand still in the days ahead...

as time is treasured with those

 we don't sit with often

we don't squeeze before daytime ends

and meals are not shared

as often as our heart desires

***

Enjoy your week ahead

while I am enjoying my time with family.

I hope to return and share

wonderful memories

and even a few captured through my lens.

Spring is close by~

'For behold, the winter is past,

The rain is over

and gone.

'The flowers have

already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived for pruning

the vines,

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.

'The fig tree has ripened its figs,

And the vines in blossom have given forth

their fragrance.

Song 2:11-13 (NASB)

 

~Unexpected Inspiration

Let's hear it ~ I have finally quit pinning

and completed a project!

My Inspiration was gained from this source

on Pinterest.

Source: bhg.com via Karen on Pinterest

I love the old antique umbrella,

but I did not go on the hunt for one with a wooden handle.

The one I found for $5.84 from Dollar General

gives the same effect.

I added tulips, morning glories and hydrangeas.

Most of the items I already had on hand.

The eggs were wired and added for a touch of fun!

Just never know what unexpected welcome

you might get at our front door.

But, one thing for certain I love to make

 our guests feel welcome.

Joining the others for

Inspiration Friday.

adding a little SPRING to the step~

The beautiful spring came;

and when Nature resumes her loveliness,

the human soul is apt to revive also.

Harriet Ann Jacobs

the color yellow just does me some good

we've not had much of a cold winter,

but the days have been long & dreary

the body don't seem to do well with those

I've noticed the wonderful forsythia bushes blooming

and adding such brightness to the landscape.

I added some sunny yellow blooms to our foyer table.

Just seems to add some cheer and life.

The lemons add just the touch to

brighten the top of the frig.

Don't take much just a half-dozen lemons

and some stems of forsythia to add

a little spring to the step. :)
~Karen

Linking to:

   

 

Light @ the End of the Tunnel

I can see the light at the "End of the Tunnel".

The computer chair hasn't been occupied too much lately

for a couple of reasons.  I feel as if I should play catch up.

This post is dedicated to "my hard labor".

I will not bore you with a tutorial. :))

And I really would like to forget the aches & sore muscles.

But, I would love to share with you,

PLEASE WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS -

BEFORE BUILDING A DECK

~High Maintenance~

We treat our outside area as another room of our home.

So up-keep is a must!

The deck & gazebo area is a little over 900 square feet.

The "fruit of the labor" is beginning to be enjoyed.

I will be adding accessories & flowers in the next few weeks, the excitement of starting to place accessories could not be restrained!

I began this project following the storms here in the south.

My "helpful husband" was completely wrapped up

in his work due to the need for electric poles.

His helping hands were not free to help

 with the staining & sealing.

SO DETERMINATION BECAME MY FRIEND!

The plants are soaking up the beautiful sunshine.

 The birdbath has been re-purposed, such a great place to sit

 "your glass of ice tea".

I placed our collected seashells in sand

 and covered it with a round table topper glass.

You can purchase the glass at Wal-mart.

  Fit just perfect for my size birdbath.

This makes an interesting conversation piece.

I don't know about you

 but, I've been longing for something "blooming".

The geranium & candleholder are sitting

 on top of a glass topped buffet.

The gazebo area is my perfect break-time from housework.

I'll be sharing more pictures as time allows of my "getaway" spot.

I am now spending a few hours each week working outside the home, another reason the blog posts and visits

 have been few & far between.

We are enjoying beautiful weather here in Mississippi.

40's at night & 70's in day

Beautiful blue skies after the devastion.

Please continue to remember those whose lives have been affected by the terrible storms.  Our small county lost three ladies, which

was in five miles of our home and lots of destruction.

~first touch of spring

Pots of home-made soup

Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows

SNOW in the South

Too many birds to count at the birdfeeder

Just naming a few of the many things, I've enjoyed these past few months.

But, oh the sunshine & the blue skies are beautiful!

What a Simple Pleasure!

They bring the much needed spring to the step
 and the excitement of the

new season Our Wonderful Creator is giving.

It is just around the corner my friends and

I'm not one to push forward to quickly

because I know every season has its length & purpose.

But, I brought the first touch into our home this past week.

These forsythia branches are the first signs of spring,

we see here in the south.

Oh, and I might add "my favorite color".  ;-)

These branches have given life & added color to the foyer and such a beautiful glow.

I had Mr. Goose perched on the floor in the living area,

but decided to give him a new resting spot.

He kinda makes a statement, wouldn't you say?

And, these little shiny treasures are new.

I found them marked down at Tuesday Morning.

We have never played this game.

~Bocce Ball~

I had never heard of it.
  The small and heavy box caught my eye

and I opened it up and saw the beautiful shiny balls inside.
  I searched the box for instructions, but none inside.
  I just happened to ask a lady

who was on the same aisle (the toy aisle) and she knew

exactly what they were.
   She was so kind to tell me all about the game.

I googled and printed off instructions when I got home.

We are looking forward to trying this new game out this spring.

I am linking ~first touch of spring~ to the following:

    

 

I hope you can spend some time visiting the others.

Oh, and these are waiting for me at the back door.

Just in time for pruning rosebushes and

 planting potatoes this weekend. :-)

Happy Springtime,

Karen