beauty all around us

 It's amazing how, when spring gets going, plants seemingly grow overnight and

bushes and flowers burst into bloom. The cilantro in my herbal fairy garden is already

taking over much of the pot! And I've even clipped and used some in my cooking.

My lilac bush is blooming now and the fragrance is heavenly. Outdoors, that is.

I have allergies and if I bring the blooms indoors, it makes my schnoz very unhappy.

My fern plant unfolds a little more each day.

 This wicker rack is on the patio. I'm not done with it yet; I'm still filling it

in with plants and decor. See the three flowered pots in the blue wooden box?

I got those at the Dollar Tree yesterday.

I was hunting around in the garage for other items I could possibly use outdoors

and I found this wicker stand. It was faded with wear, so I spray-painted it 

bright blue to liven things up. I only had time for one coat yesterday though.

Still needs another coat or two. And more plants too, of course.
I got this pretty pot at the Salvation Army thrift store. If you're looking
for plant pots, thrift stores and dollar stores are the way to go! I couldn't
believe how expensive plant pots are even at Wal-Mart.

 I like how the wicker stand adds dimension and interest to the flat ground coverings.

Will be even prettier when those day lilies by the fence start to bloom!

I went to water my hanging fuschia plant a few days ago, and was surprised to find

that a bird decided that the plant would be a good place to build a nest!

It was still muddy inside....mama bird was obviously still building. No nesting

material inside the nest yet.

Well, imagine my surprise and delight when I peeked into the nest today and found

not only the nesting material, but one blue egg, too! A robin's egg!

There's a big lake only a few blocks from my house and I was down there the

other evening with my camera, so I was able to capture a couple of beautiful

photos. I'm not sure what kind of tree this is (I'm terrible at remembering names

of trees and plants), but it sure looked pretty, especially with the cat tails in the 

background.

And then I was able to capture this photo of a lone fisherman.
So peaceful and serene, isn't it?

Linking up to Sunny Simple Life Blog Hop

bursting with newness

 New arrangements, new pretties, new drop-leaf table.

I hung two plates by the mirror...the mirror was just too plain and needed

a little something more.

And I'm still playing with that darn arrangement on the kitchen wall!

I forgot I had these little metal shelves. What do you think? I like the 

arrangement, but not sold on all the little tchotchkes, especially on the 

metal shelves. I can't tell you how much I've "played" with stuff on the

shelves to make it look right. Giving up for now!

Found this trio of adorable egg cups in a  home decor consignment shop

by my house. (Bringing them lots of stuff for consignment tomorrow - yay!)

Couldn't resist these cute, colorful measuring cups and chalk-paint labeled
jars from Michaels, especially at 50% off.

I've been looking for awhile for an antique drop-leaf table and can you 

believe my mom just now remembered that she had one in her garage?!

She had started to prime it and never finished. She said I could have it.

I was hoping it'd look beautiful in front of my living room windows with

chairs flanking its sides, but sadly, not meant to be. The table is too small

for this space. But I love this table, so I will find somewhere to use it! I

obviously need to finish priming it and then paint it. 

 PS - this photo was taken just a few days ago when it was actually cold

and we had the heat on - hence, the kitty (Clementine) lying under the table

on top of the heater vent! Yesterday was 90 degrees. Go figure.

Linking up to Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday (even though it's Wednesday!)

who believes in you

 We all have our support systems ~ family, friends, coworkers...perhaps neighbors

or those that are in a like-minded group we belong to. Those who support us and

believe in us, no matter the path we choose.

But there's nothing quite like the love and support of mom - if we're blessed to

still have our mom in our lives. I'm still blessed to have mine, and as a lot of the

world chose to celebrate Mom yesterday on a "Hallmark holiday", I enjoyed a visit
 with my beautiful mother at her house. She just got home from a two-month
 stay in Kentucky, taking care of her 97-year old father who suffered a heart
attack. She is always willing to jump in her car and travel eight hours to take
 care of her dad, putting her own needs aside. That's just one of the things I love
 and admire about my mom!

 And, as a mother myself, I've always believed in my two sons. One of the things I

always said to them was, "The world is your oyster and you are the pearl." Very sad to

say though, that my oldest son, Philip believed in everyone but himself. Some of you know

that he suffered with depression and God-only-knows whatever other mental demons

and that despite all the love, support, and help we could find and muster, ultimately it

was drugs and alcohol that took Phil's life at the tender age of 21.

 (Phil, me, Tim ~ 2008)

My youngest son, Tim, who is now 22 thanked me yesterday for my patience 

(patience - me?!) and belief and support in him. And I got a couple of long, hard

hugs from him. What more can a mom ask for? He told me that this card said everything

that he was feeling. I was moved to tears.

 My "baby" will be moving out in just seven weeks ~ renting a house with his cousin

and a few other young people ~ and attending university which is a 1-1/2 hour drive away.

 Even though this will be a hard adjustment for both of us, I know we'll both be fine.

 Because I believe in him and he's going to shine and grow and develop into

the most beautiful pearl I've ever seen.

that lusty month of may

Let the planting begin! Outdoor flowers bring me so much joy.

These were the first flowers I planted about 3-4 weeks ago when it was still

quite cold here. I always get so excited when I see pansies at the garden centers ~

it means spring is on the way!

 I went to Home Depot today and bought annuals and more herbs.

I normally don't care for marigolds because of their scent, but I thought they'd

look sweet in this little wooden box, and I was right.

I think this large pot on my patio will end up being my favorite.

It's holding assorted colors of gerbera daisies, a few extra marigolds, and

sweet potato vines - which will be beautiful once they start growing over

 the sides of the container. See those stalks poking out of the ground in the
background? Those are hostas - which grow so huge every year, that they
come up over the patio.

Dianthus and more basil...

A hanging basket of gorgeous begonias...

The awesome beauty of an unfurling hosta leaf...

My lilac bush is ready to burst into bloom...

OK, technically these are weeds in my lawn. But, aren't they pretty?

We obviously don't use any chemicals on our lawn.

In case you were wondering where the title of my post came from, it's

from a poem by Sir Thomas Malory (an English writer in the 1400's).

The month of May was come, 
when every lusty heart beginneth
to blossom, and to bring forth fruit; 
for like as herbs and trees bring 
forth fruit and flourish in May, 
in likewise every lusty heart 
that is in any manner a lover, 
springeth and flourisheth in lusty deeds.  
For it giveth unto all lovers courage, 
that lusty month of May.

Partying at Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday
and Green Willow Pond - What We Accomplished Wednesday

how to create a fairy herb garden

 Have you noticed that things like fairy gardens and terrariums are all the rage right now?

I planted some herbs (dill, cilantro, basil) in a big pot yesterday and since I've been
wanting to create a fairy garden, today the idea came to me:

Why not combine the two?

I added a white garden fence with decorative moss in front, then an arbor with a rake leaning against it, marbles as stepping stones leading to the arbor, a small glass cloche with a decorative rock under it, a sweet bird hiding under the cilantro, then a couple of miniatures: a red tricycle and a plant pot with a tiny ceramic bunny peeking out.

 If you can find small, flat rocks, you can use those as a path. I went with what I had on-hand today, which was marbles.

I love the little red tricycle.

Creating a fairy garden needn't cost much. I was at a garden center last year where they had a display of all kinds of things for making a fairy garden. And they were so expensive! It's interesting to see how places can charge more money for miniatures because they categorize them exclusively for fairy gardens. I found the arbor and rake at Goodwill. The white fencing was from Hobby Lobby and it was 50% off (keep your eyes on the sales), the moss was from Wal-Mart, the tricycle was in a package of miniature Christmas decorations at The Dollar Store, and all the other items were "shopped from home". Interesting to note that the tricycle alone at the garden center was $4!

I will probably play with this a little bit more as the plants grow and I find some other things around the house. I'll probably also spray paint the arbor turquoise.

 Linking up to The Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop and Tweak it Tuesday.

creating an inspiration board

 I bought a bulletin board at Hobby Lobby awhile ago and never hung it up

until now, as I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it.

I knew I wanted to make an inspiration board, but what to put on it?

Basically, an inspiration board is a collage of anything that "speaks" to you

or inspires you. It's anything you want it to be. You can use photos, fabric,

postcards, paint chips, lists, ticket stubs, a flower, drawings, recipes.

Whatever attracts you and draws you in.

In the end, I went through some photos, cards, and other little sentimental 

mementos and decided to just start pinning them up, not really stopping to think

  about it. Just go with it and see what evolves. There's pictures of my sons, one

 of me and my hubby, a beautiful card from my husband, little mementos from

 friends, a particular poem I like, and in the middle right ~ two photos of myself: 

one when I was eight years old and a flower girl at my aunt's wedding, and the other

 of my young (just turned 22) self as a bride.

I have this inspiration board hanging in my office (what used to be Phil's room)

which still doesn't have blinds or curtains! Have I ever mentioned we are very

pokey about completing room makeover projects?!

For more inspiration board ideas, visit  my Pinterest board.

Have a beautiful and inspiring weekend!

 Linking up to Mockingbird Hill Cottage A Favorite Thing

 

whatever is lovely

Freshly-ironed vintage pillowcases.

Happy I made the red-wall-at-the-end-of-the-hallway choice.

Beautiful salad with homemade vinaigrette for lunch.

First hanging basket of spring flowers.

Light-filled living room.

Phil's memorial shelf.

Red and yellow shelf delights.

Cats and quilts.

If you sweep a house and tend its fires and fill its

stove, and there is love in you all the years you are

doing this, then you and that house are married, the house

is yours. (Truman Capote - The Grass Harp)

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is

pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent

or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Phil. 4:8)