Hello Spring

Hello, Spring!

We've been eagerly awaiting your arrival.

I refreshed the terrace containers 

with spring bulbs, geraniums, and violas.

And of course a touch of whimsy!

My Frog Prince doesn't linger outside,

but what's a celebration without a regal touch.

This guy on the other hand is 
one of the containers.

He moves about from table to terrace.

I'm grateful for Trader Joe's.

They sell potted bulbs that instantly perk up

one's garden in time for the spring equinox. 

These two beautiful ceramic vases arrived 

this week, also in time to celebrate spring's arrival.

The Tulip Garden Egg Vase is a MacKenzie-Childs limited edition.

  I filled it with a petite grocery store bouquet, but it will

be perfect for simple blooms from my garden.

The Odd Fellows tulipiere is also a new piece this season,

and was a belated birthday gift from my husband.

Filled with springtime daffodils, I anticipate it too 

will be well used for cuttings from the garden.

I'm totally smitten with this charmer!

As I am with the petite egg vase.

The garden center is close by Goodwill, so of course I took a look.

I couldn't resist bringing these three cuties home.

Less than $2 each, and full of charm!

Easter is just two weeks away!

Sadie and I wish each of 

you a colorful spring!

Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado  All About Home @ Common Ground  Before and After @ Between Naps on the Porch You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Centerpiece Wednesday @ Karins Cottage Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge 

Lucky in Life ~ Celebrating Green at the Table

Welcome to the St. Patrick's Day Table Setting Blog HopIf you are here from my friend Jenna @The Painted Apron, I know your enjoyed her Green Table.  Jenna is amazingly talented!

I'm thrilled to join this entire group of talented tabletop stylists to share our table inspiration for St. Patrick's Day.

Neither my husband nor I are Irish.  

We don't officially celebrate St. Patrick's Day, 

but I usually bring out the green for a tablescape.

I titled this year's table, Lucky in Life! 

It's all about celebrating with gratitude for all we have.

Last year I was extremely lucky to snag one of the 

limited edition Lucky Check Clover plates

produced by MacKenzie-Childs in Aurora, NY.

It's absolutely one of my favorite pieces

 and was inspiration for my

St. Patrick's Day tea tray last year.

Lady Luck was on my side again this year when 

MacKenzie-Childs offered another limited group of these beauties.

Lucky Me, now I have a pair for our table for two.

I filled our Olfaire Cabbage Leaf tureen with grocery store blooms.I love the Raffine Dianthus for a touch of lavender among the mass of green and white.

Green Ball Dianthus ~ Green Ranunculus ~ White Alstroemeria I also added kale, a tip from my friend, Mary @ Home is Where the Boat Is. Great filler for less than a dollar a bunch!

I immediately pulled out my new Crown Linen Design 

dusty pink ruffled velvet placemats.

They are the perfect base for my Mackenzie-Childs stack.

Courtly Check Charger

Chelsea Luster Luncheon Plate

Lucky Green Check Clover

Irish Crystal Stem

I used my new Crown Linen Damask Silver napkin rings 

with Crown Linen black and white check napkins.

The beautiful Chelsea Luster

 plates are dated 2005.

Lusterware was popular in Victorian England and uses

copper luster that becomes iridescent with age.

The flower details are hand applied decals.

Do you see the buzzing bee?

The Irish Coffee mugs were a lucky Goodwill find.

They are rimmed in gold and have an 

etched shamrock for good luck!

I thought you might enjoy an Irish Coffee

before hopping over to visit

Zucchini Sisters ☘ Green & Orange 

St. Patrick's Day Table

Thank you for stopping by.

I hope you'll leave a comment and let

me know how you celebrate.

A big shoutout and thank you to 

Debbee @ Debbee's Buzz 

for organizing this group hop.

Below is a complete list for our 

St. Patrick's Day Table Setting Blog Hop

Debbees Buzz  Vintage Dishes & Lucky Clover Fold Napkins

Home is Where the Boat Is ☘ Loads of Shamrocks St. Patrick's Day Table

Panoply ☘ An Unpretentious St. Patrick's Day

My Hubbard Home ☘ Putting on the Green & Yellow

Life and Linda ☘ Keeper of the Traveling Shamrock Cloth

Corner of Plaid and Paisley ☘ Reprise of Ewe & McGreggor St. Patrick's Day Table

Me and My Captain ☘ Not Lucky, Just Very Blessed

Red Cottage Chronicles ☘ Channeling My Inner Irish

Celebrate and Decorate ☘ St. Patrick's Day Luncheon Tablescape

Calypso in the Country ☘ St. Patrick's Day Table Decor

Design Morsels ☘ St. Patrick's Day Table

The Painted Apron ☘ Celebrating the Green Table

Hyacinth for the Soul ☘ Lucky in Life ~ Celebrating Green Table

Zucchini Sisters ☘ Green & Orange St. Patrick's Day Table

Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado  All About Home @ Common Ground  Before and After @ Between Naps on the Porch You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge 

Tales of the Traveling Tote #26

~ Rabbit, Rabbit ~ Welcome March!

Welcome to the 26th edition of 

Tales of the Traveling Tote.

I live in Central Texas where the weather can cause you to break a sweat one day, and the next you are breaking out the sweaters.  It's like a rollercoaster!

~ December Recap ~ You will find a look back atDecember here and hear.  

January is my birth month, and I have to say the 18th was filled with lots of fun phone visits, a mailbox full of thoughtful cards,and a few at the door visits.  

And a trip to Hill Country Galleria to meet up with our

MacKenzie-Childs loving friend, Pamela.

Miss Meri Mac and I were eager to try out a new French Bakery.

 

Lobster Shrimp Roll French Bun

FoliePop's is a French Pastry and Coffee House.

"FoliePop's is the home to never-seen customizable pastries 

and savories and signature recipes handcrafted with French excellence and savoir faire in the heart of Austin, Texas!"

Egg and Bacon Croissant

You pick your base, you pick your filling,

and you melt your cheese.

These petite savories are the perfect light lunch!

Madeleine with Lemon and a Pop of Caramel and

Red Velvet with Cremé Brulée and a Pop of Strawberry.

For the Folie Pop you pick your base, 

add your cremé, and top it off with a pop.

When ready to eat, you pop the Pop!

Yummy Goodness!

Kudos to Chef Antoine and Audrey, 

the creative duo behind this unique bakery.

You'll find a complete look at FoliePop's here.

Miss Meri Mac and I already have plans 

to visit again for Pamela's birthday.

January brings my favorite winter Antique Show. 

Miss Meri Mac and I rarely miss this show, 

and have been known to drive over in snowy conditions.  

Not so with COVID.  Still being cautious!

January also brought a winter snow!

You'll find a recap here and here.

When February arrived, there was a dire message from 

Punxsutawney Phil. "Winter was definitely not over!"

Texas plunged into historic freezing temps.  

Many across the state were without power and 

water for much of the duration. 

By Valentine's Day, we had more snow 

and record single digits for Austin. 

The unprecedented winter storm gripped the state of TX for over a week with snow and ice.  But we survived!  I began calling it the

"Frozen Tundra of Texas!"

Sadie was not a fan, 

and preferred to stay indoors.

For Miss Meri Mac and me, it was a unique adventure.

Be sure to visit all the adventures below.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women  

A number of years ago, Patti @ Pandora's Box

painted a silver teapot for me with my favorite black and white.

I like to use it as a container for fresh cut flowers.

Though I filled it with anemones rather than tulips, 

it reminds me of our giveaway for this edition.

Scroll down to see.

Jackie @ Purple Chocolate Home is our hostess for the giveaway.

To be entered to win, stop by Jackie's blog and leave a comment.  

Be certain she has an email to contact.

Here's to spring and warmer adventures to share on June 1st.

Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado  All About Home @ Common Ground  Before and After @ Between Naps on the Porch You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge