Decorating spirit...

My home... (I love that word, home,) is my palette. Lately I've been feeling artistic and messing about, moving rooms, painting, hanging new curtains, and getting rid of items that I do not love or are not useful.

My mother loved nothing more than rearranging furniture, re-doing rooms, borrowing furniture or decorative items from one space to reinvent another space. Many of my favorite pieces of furniture and "stuff" came from my mom. I can feel her spirit as I shove sofas about, polish crystal and china, hang pictures.

Today, as I put the finishing touches on my living room, I went outside to cut some flowers for the table you see here. I peeked at the new rose bush I planted this season, not expecting it to have any blossoms yet. To my delight it was laden with blooms. Beautiful, heavily scented, yellow roses. My mothers favorite flower. The funny thing is that I planted a pink rose bush.

Thanks, Mom!

Lambs...

Ok, it is just a hoot to look out my window and see this scene. Who needs a lawn mower?

Puppy shower....

Yesterday we threw a "puppy shower" for a co-worker. She is getting her first dog, a little rescue girl from Texas. The shower was a surprise, and boasted goodies such as a new leash and collar set, dog treats, food bowls, a bed, a name tag, a gift certificate to the veterinarian, and more. The best part? A cake that read, (instead of "it's a girl,) "It's a Bitch!"
A wonderful time, (complete with some high quality belly laughs) was had by all.

The chicks...

The chicks are almost 3 months old now. I've had a few requests to see photos and hear how they are doing... the answer is, GREAT! They are fat, sassy, healthy and getting pretty. I am certain that the Silver laced Wyandotte on the left of the lower photo is a baby rooster. I've never had a rooster, and hope he will not be too naughty. The other two are females. The White Wyandotte in the top photo? I say it's a girl, (pullet) but Chris thinks its a boy,(cockerel.) Stay tuned!

The chickens not only have a wonderful new coop, they also have almost an acre of fenced yard to roam. They nosh on clover, bugs and earth worms, pick up the sunflower seeds scattered under the wild bird feeder, scratch, nap in the sun or under the lamb lounge with the sheep and pretty much live a charmed life.

As for me, I enjoy watching them more than I can say. And those eggs...? Frosting on the cake.

Eye popping paint...

We did some major re-arranging of the downstairs of the house last weekend. Rachel (my kidlet) has been painting some of the downstairs for me, bit by bit. Our previously yellow kitchen got new yellower-yellow paint. There is some dissension in the ranks... my sister and her crew hate it, as does my friend Meg. I think its quite nice, and a pleasant change from my normal paint pallet of white, white and more white. So, for now it stays. This spring has been an unusually wet, gray one, so this spash of color seems welcome to me. Besides, as I am very fond of saying, "This is my house and I shall do as I please." (I am such a rebel. Ha!)

Outta this world scarecrow...

On a recent stop at a local upscale cafe/gourmet shop, I was enchanted to find this sumptuous scarecrow overseeing the berry crop. Apparently she was the creation of a young woman in last falls scarecrow contest! Proof that there is a contest for anything you can dream up. This lady of the garden boasts a flowing shawl over her capable shoulders, a fashionable hat, earrings and luscious red lips. Head and shoulders above your garden variety figure, methinks!

At the farm stand...

We went to our favorite farm market yesterday. Bought some yummy fresh peas in the pod, some fresh picked strawberries, and some local honey. On the way out, past the potted plants, something caught my eye. Two small chickens, hidden amongst the hanging petunias. They made me smile.