Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Setting up the table

I’m setting up the table...
To create a somewhat romantic country atmosphere, I’m using my new country style iron pot holder as a centerpiece...
I love this little piece... it is in perfect condition, the wide-mouthed glass jars are the perfect size, and it only cost me $3.00! I can use it to hold kitchen utensils and napkins, but also flowers... Roses from the garden would look extra dreamy in these containers...
Tea is ready, and I have made a scrumpdelicious chocolate cake to go with it; topped with my ever favorite cream cheese frosting...
You see, the weather around here calls for baking. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Is spring at your doorsteps yet? Not here! I have a little grudge with Ms. Spring this year, yes I do! She’s been playing a little game with me... hide and seek hide and seek, and I’m starting to feel exhausted! Yes, it's still cold and it’s been raining and raining and then the sun comes out for a little bit—just a little bit to tease me, and here I am getting all excited for warmer weather... I see the first budding blossoms of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths and think: “It must be spring”! And so I go running to my shabby winter garden... but what a fool I am! The minute I wander outside, the craziest of winds starts to blow... or the coldest of rain would fall, and I have to run back indoors. There’s so much to do out there... so much! And sometimes you just have to brave the weather and do the job the best you can.

I know... spring cleaning can wait a little longer, right? But I’m extra eager and extra energized with thoughts of bringing the garden back to its formal orderly estate. And so, it’s been quiet a nightmare working in the garden these past few weeks.... phew! I’m convinced that my neighbors must think I’m absolutely cuckoo. But what can I do!

I’m joining these ladies for tea today: Tea Time Tuesday, Tea Time Tuesday, Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday, Table Top Tuesday, Martha's Favorites, A Return to Loveliness.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Welcome to "SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY", a blog party I host at the beginning of each week to celebrate the things we love about our homes and how we live.
The House in the Roses
I’m ready for spring.... are you not? Well, spring is usually a little slow in coming here. Our mountains are still encased in snow, and it looks as if all the crazy winds of the world have decided to make our valley their home.... swish swoosh they sing and dance and destroy things too! ;) So while my unfaltering daffodils, sweet woodruff, spirea and every other bulb and shrubs in the garden spring into action, I’m turning my attention to sweeter things... like decorating my home. Do you remember my new chair here?
Well, she is now sitting pretty by my window all dressed up in Valspar Antique White! Doesn’t she look lovely! Oh oh and welcome to my "early signs of spring"—my new flowery tablecloth! I love the colors and flowers on this tablecloth... it reminds me of the first little flowerings of spring. I just had to show it to ye all! ;)
What are you celebrating today? Please take us to your cottage and share your blessings... You’re welcome to link, but please make sure you link back to the house in the roses!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

A little touch of loveliness

Ah yes, I should not be here today… weekends are reserved for special moments with family and friends, but it’s been raining all day, and the house feels very quiet. Outside the sky is blanketed by dark gray clouds and you can hear strange voices whispering, talking, shouting… It’s a wicked winter wind that’s howling this afternoon. I tried to do a little bit of spring cleaning in the garden—there’s so much to do, but nasty wind chills sent me straight to the coziness of my winter burrow; leaving me with nothing else to do but blogging… ;) These pretty pictures which I spotted in my picture file really inspire me. The colors, the petals, the ruffling loveliness imbue my heart with hope and beauty… and I hope it would do the same for you!
Be Peaceful.
Float Away. Have a most beautiful weekend My sweet friends!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Happy Weekend! - Can you hear it?

Ouch ouch ouch... I’m shoeless, the ground feels stiff with cold and frozen rain under my naked feet... it’s been raining all day long, and I shouldn’t be out here—not without my shoes anyways. But I saw this outside my window and had to come show you...

Tic tic tic.... can you hear the footsteps? A whisper; a heartbeat... yes, spring is approaching!

Have a super extraordinary weekend!

Oh oh by the way, early this morning while I was collecting wildflowers in Hollow Woods, I found a lost traveler.... I couldn’t imagine how she got there, so I followed her from a distance behind the trees, just to be sure. I think I might have scared her off, though... I promise I’ll be more careful when you show up! Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Celebrating Spring with Kathy

Happy Wednesday! Have you been by Kathy’s Delightsome Life lately? She’s celebrating spring with a post that would fill your heart with sunshine and hope! Yes, there have to be a light at the end of the tunnel, right?! You know how it is here in my little world... March, and for the most part of April, it is cold-cold-cold... and we’re in a constant battle with awful chilly winds these days... Although I haven’t seen the sun lately (perhaps for days or maybe weeks), I figure the sun must be still out there somewhere. Please tell me it is so! ;) Soon the earth will slowly start to warm up. Oh I am anxiously awaiting windless sunny warmer days in a garden filled with flowers and butterflies delights!! In the mean time, I find endless pleasure in flowers purchased at the market! Given to me by my husband... just because! So here are just a few ‘spring’ inspired images for you today.

Oh and don't forget to visit Kathy for some more delightful spring merriment!!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Welcome to "SHOW OFF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY", a blog party I host at the beginning of each week to celebrate the things we love about our homes and how we live.
The House in the Roses
A house shouldn’t look like a store, and I’d have to admit my cozy little ‘haven’ was starting to look like one with all the bauble and extra knick-knacks there... so I cleaned and dusted and got rid of all the excess stuff. I also decided to change the pink palette to white and cream muted colors. Pink home decor is still my favorite, but too much of a rosy glow can suffocate at times... What a difference it made doing just that much! Yeah, I’m celebrating simplicity!
What are you celebrating? Take us there by linking, but please link back to the house in the roses so that your readers can find us and share the fun!