Romantic Easter

Dear Friends,

It’s end of day and I am just steeping a cup of chamomile tea.  Would you like to join me?  It’s hard to imagine that Easter has nearly passed, particularly since the ground here is still covered in a blanket of white.  It has been snowing on and off over the past few days. This morning the roads were icy and treacherous in places.  Today, it was less like Easter and more like Christmas with a long weekend, shovelling, church services, family gatherings, roast turkey, wrapped gifts and chocolate.  Lots of chocolate. Our family and neighbours were even exchanging tongue-in-cheek greetings of “Merry Christmas!”  It was as if time had stood still and we hadn’t moved past the 25th of December!  Sigh.

PHOTO:  Aren’t these Easter cookies glorious?  They are sugar cookies made by my new friend Maria.  She is a genius when it comes to creating these confections for holidays and special occasions.  They are truly ‘Works of Heart’.  I was so excited that she was able to make me a batch for Easter gift giving.  She even packaged them individually in cello bags and tied them with pretty ribbons.  

 

My hubby and I were grateful to be able to enjoy a delicious dinner with my sister, niece and her beautiful family.  We had lots of laughs.  My niece Janell’s children are Lily, age 2, and Victoria, age 9.  They are always entertaining and just a barrel of fun.  They LOVED their Easter cookies! Lily’s first word when she spied them was, “WOW!” And, she ran to give me a big hug!  I hope you celebrated and enjoyed your time with loved ones as well.

I am enjoying an Easter vignette in a teeny corner of my kitchen tonight while sipping a cuppa. My husband has gone to bed. I decided to stay up for awhile to wind down after the day’s festivities and savour the quietness of the house. Our cat, Monza, is nearby cozily curled up in his basket and snoozing away. I think I can hear him snoring!  The cat. Not hubby.

 

I am loving the way the chandelier prisms refract the light and cast shadows on the wall at this time of night. A lamp stands on the pine dresser re-purposed as a sideboard. The glow from it is almost ethereal and bathes the entire room in its warmth. I thought I’d share with you some photos of the Easter decor before it goes away for another year…

 

 

 

 

I love the soft colour palette, touches of lovely pale blue, celadon, peachy pinks and creamy whites. Rabbits and roses, birdhouses and candles are whimsical touches that are lovely at any time of year. The subtle sparkle from the chandelier really adds that touch of glamour to an otherwise simple spring setting. I hope you don’t mind that the light is low and I let the pictures do the talking.  I need to sleep now…

I just want to tell you how touched I am by all the lovely comments you left on my last post, Easter Blessings!  I am so glad you enjoyed it. I was really quite surprised by the number of visits it received! And, thank you for coming to see me tonight, too! Sweet dreams of Easter…

Wishing you a beautiful start to a new week,

Linda

Rabbits and Roses Easter

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Easter Blessings!

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are having a lovely day. It’s spring! Does it feel like spring where you are?  I’m just popping by briefly to bring you a big beautiful bouquet of wonderfully warm wishes for a sublimely special Easter! I’m practicing my alliteration skills. Lol I was browsing through some old photo albums the other day, and with Easter fast approaching,  I thought that I would share these with you.  

A white rabbit appeared on the dresser in my kitchen! At first there was one…

Although most of our snow has already melted away and the sunlit days are lengthening, I have yet to see a crocus braving its sweet head above the soil.  There are no bird choirs rehearsing and just a few mornings ago, we awoke to a little snowfall that softly blanketed the lawns and streets. Thankfully, it left as quickly as it came. It’s cold here still and there is more snow in the forecast. The mercury is slowly climbing and so what happens to fall shouldn’t last long. Fingers crossed. Like many of you, I am done with winter. And, so I am sharing a decidedly floral theme to help brighten your day and warm your heart…   

Mr. Rabbit sits on a wicker basket filled with accoutrements for the perfect picnic!

I hope you don’t mind that these photos are not of ‘the real thing’.   Could you tell? Of course, there is no substitute for natural flowers but whenever I see a flattering imitation of a real bloom, I can’t help but scoop it up to use in my displays and projects, particularly my garden/tea wreaths.  I love crafting them for gifts and fundraisers.  (Click “A Garden Tea Wreath” for some beautiful inspiration.)

A gorgeous winged creature and a teeny watering can adorn my garden/tea wreath.

Many of these blossoms may look familiar to those of you who drop by regularly. They have been recycled from a ‘Surprise Wedding’ that I planned a few years ago for a co-worker. Yes, I did say, ‘Surprise!’ Have I peaked your curiousity? Well, you can read all about it here, if you like, at (The Gift of A Wedding)!  What delightful memories! Even though these flowers are ‘Everlasting’, I think they are very cheerful.  They bring a smile to my face every time I see them and I hope they will bring one to yours, too! Can you spot the real flowers amongst the imposters in the photos below?

Broken bits of china peep out from the delicate ferns and rose leaves.

This china cup with a rose motif is perfect for this symbol of welcome.

What comes to mind when you think of Easter?

• Decorated eggs hung on tree branches
• Tulips, lilies and hyacinths artfully arranged, tied up in raffia 
• Glittery greeting cards tucked inside minty aqua envelopes
• Easter grass, chocolate rabbits, marshmallow peeps 
• Names written on confection eggs, basketweave icing
• Rainbows of jelly beans in carrot-shaped cello
• Brightly woven baskets and pastel ribbons
• Floppy-eared furry rabbits and fuzzy yellow little chicks
• New skipping ropes, bubble wands, sidewalk chaulk and paint sets  
• Beautiful spring mornings and wide-brimmed hats
• Church bells and services at sunrise  
• Family gatherings for a special feast  
• Easter breads and hot cross buns fresh from the oven!
• Outdoor egg hunts
• The promise of renewed faith and hope 
  

Easter means many things to many people.  It is perhaps the oldest, most significant and most celebrated occasion of the Christian church.  The date varies each year falling somewhere between mid-March and late April. The symbolism and customs vary widely all over the globe.  Whatever the Easter season holds for you, may it be filled with love and joy and may you have the great gift of hope – and a little chocolate wouldn’t hurt either!

EnJOY, dear friends, and Happy Easter from Newfoundland!

Are you comfy in that chair? Here’s a plump little pillow for your back. While you are having a browse, would you like to share a cuppa ? I’ll put on the kettle. The tea won’t be but a few minutes brewing.  You pick the teapot!  I’m thrilled you came to visit…

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Linda

“The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.”  Robert Flatt

Mr. Rabbit appears in a corner of my kitchen every year around this time! The shelves of the wine rack are draped with leafy green garlands and blush silken roses peeping out here and there. In the photos below, a springtime wreath hangs on the wall and I arranged some flowers in a french bucket just for you!

A close-up of the blooms in the bucket…

A close-up of the spring wreath…

I do love the colours – they’re so uplifting!

There’s a rooster in just about every room in the house!

A garden faeries waits to return to her home in our garden.

A collection of tea books, a delicate nest and a packet of foxglove seeds hint to warmer days ahead.

Would you like to borrow a tea book?

Roosters sit on a re-purposed dresser in the kitchen. Can you see the reflection of the leafy trees in the glass picture frame?   The top pedestal was my great-grandmother’s.

A prettily decorated egg is being cautiously watched.  Can you guess what the birdie will look like when it hatches? Lol

Can you see the oval rose-patterned platter on the easel behind the Tea Library?

A three-cup teapot sits at the feet of a prized garden fairy and an attentive frog.

A whimsical teapot, a fairy shoe and a wee purse!

A lovely coffee pot…

This round rose-strewn cake plate is my favourite!

Pick a pot!

Another collection of beautiful books!

Would you prefer instead a glass of wine?

I love this decorative tin can!

The rose in the print is so similar to the roses on my tea wreath!

This gorgeous set has 6 matching teacups, saucers and side plates.

On another day, I will show you my collection of pink porcelain heart-shaped teacups (18 of them) that are the same colour as the teacup in this photo. LOVE!

This teapot is a Sadler. I love its lattice design and the roses that bloom on its face. The yellow jugs with pink lilies on the handles once belonged to my mom’s mother.

This teapot is over 100 years old and it weighs a ton! The sugar pot was made in Germany and its design is hand painted. Both are gold-trimmed.

The tiny framed photo of the olive tree was purchased in Provence where I toured with a friend some years ago.

My tulip wreath hangs on a half wall in the kitchen. The large jug is White Wheat ironstone and belonged to my mother-in-law’s mother. It, too, is over 100 years old.

I added a full-blown rose to the ringlet of budding tulips.

The milk-and-honey jug came from Winners.

Abundance…

Supermarket soup tureen

A tea set from Bowring (See post  “Life Can Be A Walk in the Park”)
https://beautifulideas.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/a-walk-in-the-park/

Another tea set from Bowring, teacup print from HomeSense

A trivet from Winner’s

Love this tiny ‘chocolate’ bunny

Bird condo

I am addicted to teapots!

Hmmm…What a great cuppa!

The tulips are real. The rabbit is not.

Isn’t this a cute little bunny plate?

Did you choose a teapot yet? Or, would you prefer the-Tea-for-One pot?

This gorgeous butterfly candle always lifts my spirits.

Would you like a ‘Cuppa Cookie’?

Sweet blessings!
Thank you for your beautiful footprints on my blog!
You are all awesome! XO
Hoppy Easter!

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The First Snow of A New Year!

Happy 2013, Dear Friends!

The first snow of the New Year fell last night.  I always love the look of fresh snowflakes as they float through the clear air down to the ground and all around, and catch on every spray and limb and twig. Reminds me of the perfect, sparkly snow on Christmas cards… I wanted to fully appreciate the brand new snow of a brand new year, and headed to our patio with camera in hand to try and capture the moment.  I didn’t use a fancy shmancy camera with all the fandangles and flashes. And, inspite of not having a proper night flash, I do like how they turned out…Kind of magical. Spiritual. The stuff for snow angels…

I love when the garden furniture is clothed in snow, how its lines are made more distinct. Intricate. I especially love seeing the snow pattern on the seat of  the iron bench, and that cast beneath it compliments of the porch light.  Hmmm…makes me hungry for waffles. SMILE.

At first, I was being careful to tread carefully so as not to disturb the gentle carpet of soft white beneath my feet. But, alas, someone came behind who was more heavy-footed than me and seemingly turned on the vacuum! Lol

Look closely and you’ll see a fresh pineapple nestled within the flower box above…

‘Garden child’ looks so pretty on her ‘green’ cushion.  A sweet little fairy sits in the palms of her hands.  I wonder what they are  whispering to one another…Can children really understand the language of faeries?  You can, too, if you only believe…

The silhouette of the rusty iron angel against the night sky is magical…

“Kindness is like snow.  It beautifies everything it covers.” Anonymous

Angel is kneeling inside a wreath of spruce, boxwood and holly beneath a flower box piled with cedar, magnolia and pine cones…

I’m am always excited that you come by to visit and just want to let you know how much I appreciate your beautiful comments, both on the blog and in emails, and for letting me share with you my tiny corner of the world this past year. I hope this fresh new year is a special one for you and that all your dreams come true…

Warmly yours,

Linda

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‘Still Winter’ Scenes – Houses In The Snow…

 

My favourite flavoured green tea (so far) - 'Japanese Cherry': a blend of Chinese green tea and Japanese cherry flavouring makes for a sweet, blissful break...And, it tastes so much better - as all teas do - in a pretty china cup. I looove to 'mismatch' my china. What could be prettier than this 'mixed marriage' of cheery rosy patterns?!

Welcome, Dear Friends!

Oh, what a glorious day this has been!  It’s still winter in our corner of the world but, take heart, it is warming up.  Today, the sun shone through the ice candles – they are at long last, letting go of the eaves…

I thought I’d share with you some photos – before spring arrives – of  ‘Houses in the Snow’…So, pull up a chair, grab a ‘cuppa’ and enjoy a snowy slideshow that’ll warm your heart.

Wishing you a beautiful day, my lovelies!

Linda

CLICK BELOW & TURN UP THE VOLUME

‘HOUSES IN THE SNOW’…

More ‘Beautiful’ STILL WINTER scenes…Enjoy! 🙂

 

A welcoming door...

Wrought-iron envy...

A 'Christmas card' minutes from the city...

Fresh-air fun...

'Snow-garden' arbour...

Red, white, and blue...

Postcard worthy...

Waiting for visitors...

Welcome winter/spring?...

Residential development...

Picnic in the snow...

Couple of swingers...

Tea in a thermos would be nice...

Sit a spell...

Keeping watch...

Picket fences...