Nail Art, Egg Art, the Art of Family

There's a good chance if you have a daughter under age 25 she likes painting her nails for special occasions. College Girl took a break from homework to color eggs with us today and I saw that she had given herself a manicure. Depending on the colors you choose, this design could go from 'after 5' to South West. I can picture her using a black base, then a golden yellow, then black again for a fun Kappa Alpha Theta event! 

 I got out our Paas kit, some vinegar and a variety of mugs for dipping. Nothing fancy this year, just a wax crayon and a rubber band, but we had fun nonetheless. Even Handyman got into the spirit of it and dyed eggs with us! His egg is the two-toned one in the upper left corner~

A couple eggs have a Scripture verse, there is a bunny, an egg for Captain America, Loki, The Hulk and more. Here are ten of the eggs we colored. Later we made cinnamon coffee cake and a baked egg dish for Easter breakfast.

The best part was being together in the kitchen overlooking our sunny backyard, talking and reminiscing about past Easters. "Remember when..?" I remembered when College Girl was a pre-schooler and couldn't wait to hug a big white Easter Bunny at the store! I was so surprised since she was still afraid of Santa, but a life-sized bunny towering over her - no problem! 

 

Here is the easy tutorial that College Girl used to do her manicure.

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A Special Blend!

I woke up to a sunny morning to find a surprise from Handyman leaning against the fireplace. My sweet heart is such a nut! Ever see the original Miracle On 34th Street? If you remember the end of the movie, there is a scene where John Payne and Maureen O'Hara visit an empty house for sale. They spot a walking cane propped up next to the fireplace as little Natalie Wood runs through the house looking in each room. The cane was just like the one Santa had carried - well, guess what was leaning against our fireplace? 

 

Miracle on 34th Street - Santa's cane

Yup, a cane! Has it come to this!? Ha Ha!  I had to laugh! When you are limping and your knee hurts it helps to have a sense of humor - gotta laugh or cry. At least I am getting around now and not rolling around the house in our office chair! The cane really helps.

 My day was made even sunnier by a package on our porch. This little treasure was part of the contents.

Isn't it exquisite? It is a work of heart from my dear friend A Sassy Scrapper.  If you haven't seen her work you are in for a treat. She has another one of these charming burlap hearts featured in her January 2013 post.  Her penmanship is lovely. She personalized the back for me and I have this hanging on a peg in our kitchen right now. My day was a special blend of love from two thoughtful people~

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Feathered Nest Fridays 

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Home Sweet Home

Favorite Things

Time Travel Thursday

Get Your Glow On!

I am excited to share this idea with you! Handyman and I did this last year and everyone had a blast looking for eggs in our backyard. 

OK, you need;

• plastic eggs, the bigger size is easier to use
• flexible glow in the dark sticks

 

 Shortly before your egg hunt, place a glow in the dark stick inside each egg. Of course, your egg hunt needs to be held after dark to get the maximum glow! We held our glow-in-the-dark Egg Hunt on Saturday evening. 

 

 


 The eggs have a small hole in one end. On some of them we knotted string inside in order to hang them in trees. Can you picture it? Glowing eggs hidden here and there in the yard, and dangling from trees?! 

 Have fun!

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Whatever You Want Wednesday 

Wow Us Wednesday 

Let's Get Social Sunday 

Mosaic Monday 

 

The Joy of Unexpected Mail

 I find joy in simple pleasures. It's part of my personal motto and is included on my blog header. In the past two weeks while I limped, grunted and groaned with a sore knee, I received two unexpected envelopes in the mail. Those of you who enjoy blogging, and all the wonderful people it connects you with, will understand how delighted I was by these thoughtful women. The timing couldn't have been better - just when my spirits were low! The first envelope came all the way from Guam to California. It contained a handmade shamrock pin, beautifully stitched, and a lovely note. I wore this token of friendship on St. Patrick's Day. It was a sweet reminder of the Trinity and what a blessing friends can be.

The second envelope came from Oregon. It also contained a handmade item. Isn't this towel sweet? I immediately hung it on the oven handle in the kitchen.
It adds hominess and charm.

Thank you, Kelley and Linda, for thinking of me and brightening my life!

 Every now and then it is nice to be reminded that you're thought of and wished well. I know how much it meant to me. Random acts of kindness bless everyone. Want to join me in surprising a few people next month? It'll make your heart smile.

Speckled Eggs, Bunnies and Tea

I'm a kid at heart! I'm rarely bored, I find it easy to amuse myself and I enjoy things that many have long ago put aside, like child-sized tea sets. Holidays give me the opportunity to display toys, children's books and whimsical decorations. Instead of sharing elegant Easter china this week, I decided to give you a peek at a charming bunny tea set belonging to College Girl. She is home on break this week and is a great help to me as I hobble around on my sore knee. We kept it informal and set everything on our farmhouse style kitchen table overlooking the backyard.

Kirkland Bunnies In The Garden Tea Set

Four bonnet-wearing bunny teacups await lemonade or Cambric Tea.

Cambric tea derives its name from a resemblance to cambric cloth, a very thin white fabric often used to make lightweight garments. It is believed that the French were the first to develop cambric tea, most likely as an alternative to the strong teas generally reserved for adults. Cambric tea was deemed suitable for young children since it was mostly milk and sugar with a wee bit of tea.

This tin sign has golden glitter around the edges. Aren't those chicks adorable?

 The Cottontail Family live in a tree stump, covered in flowering vines.

  

Would you like a Snickerdoodle? They smell so good and cinnamon-y, and are perfect with tea!

   

Our centerpiece is a pretty white rabbit, nestled in Easter grass, and she looks like she is covered in sugar! Her coat sparkles. Next to her is an egg with a tiny scene inside. Seated on a bench, Peter is busy painting eggs.

What would Easter be without a bit of chocolate? Here are some crunchy, creamy malted balls.

  

 The backdoor was open and we could hear the birds chirping at the outdoor feeder - that's all the music we needed today as we chatted about what to bake for Sunday morning! Hot Cross Buns? Poppy Seed cake?

Speckled eggs remind us of the empty tomb and resurrection of Jesus. 

For a completely different type teatime, wouldn't these simple cups be lovely? I can imagine sipping genmaicha or oolong from them. They are Kiyomizu ware and available online.

 

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Make It Pretty  

Clever Chicks Blog Hop 

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You're Going To Love It 
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Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 
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Home at Rose Chintz Cottage 

 

Blue - A Simple Joy

Blue looks like the ocean
At morning's first light
Or the dark, dusky sky,
Tucked in for the night.

  

Blue smells like an iris
On warm, summer days
Or the sweet scent of clover
That's made into hay.

 

Blue tastes like a grape
That's tender and sweet
Or like juicy, tart berries
The birds love to eat.

A Western Scrub Jay visited today

 

Blues sounds like the tone
Of pansies all singing
Or tinkling bells
In heaven a'ringing.

Candle lantern hanging in our arbor

 

Blue feels like true lovers
Ere soon to part,

Western Scrub Jay

Photo taken from our kitchen window

Or the depths of a lonely
Wanderer's heart.

Cindy Lynn

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Mosaic Monday

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Roses on My Table

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck~

E. Goldman

Here is a lovely way to have roses on your table! Aren't the pierced saucers elegant?

Handyman picked up a copy of the newly released HOBBIT movie, so we had a relaxing movie night while I rested my knee. Happy Pink Saturday!
 

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Pink Saturday
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Round

Today's photo inspiration at Little Red House is the word round. 

The old Court House clock tower in Santa Barbara, California, is visible from several blocks away. A short distance from the beach, it is surrounded by eclectic boutiques, trendy eateries and swaying palm trees. It's worth a visit; it is lovely inside. If local history isn't your thing, you'll still enjoy the view from the tower!

We stumbled upon this window while touring the old Court House.

 I took the photo from this angle because standing several feet in front of it, as the sunlight poured through it into the deep, cool corridor, produced too much glare. 

The same window an hour later - as the sun arced across the sky, the light pouring through the window increased, then gently faded with the approach of dusk.

Thanks for your well wishes. I was able to walk a bit last night and this morning. Yipee! My leg and knee are still hurting, but there is progress. xo

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Little Red House Photo Inspiration
Share Your Cup 

March Card Party

For this monthly card party you select four photos previously shared on your blog that you think would make nice note cards. Now that the shamrocks are stowed away, my thoughts turn to Easter. Can I interest you in buttery warm scones and fresh strawberries?

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, An Easter Hymn

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden. 

 ~Ruth Stout

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March Card Party 
Whatever You Want Wednesday