spring cleaning

Well hey, look at that. I've got myself a new look! The amazing <a href="http://saramuellerdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sara Mueller</a> is giving me a new look and feel, so excuse us while we tweak and fine tune.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR81aZieDeTZh92-e-JRQVy6Szy1OUL3826bbyOYav8NZh3RJqKy8aRdsSobooxZx_UfRquiGZZNySac6DFCfoH7ENzFq0rVeMNmrbkXJ3jsu8Vf0vqT7tJvgQk0WnaHiPoY2XL-4TKCw/s1600/c60b435059ead50396573f66add3e1fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR81aZieDeTZh92-e-JRQVy6Szy1OUL3826bbyOYav8NZh3RJqKy8aRdsSobooxZx_UfRquiGZZNySac6DFCfoH7ENzFq0rVeMNmrbkXJ3jsu8Vf0vqT7tJvgQk0WnaHiPoY2XL-4TKCw/s1600/c60b435059ead50396573f66add3e1fd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />In the meantime, be sure to<a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2014/03/hip-traditional-house-tour" target="_blank"> check out my visit over at It's Overflowing</a>, where I share some updated tour photos!

spring cleaning

Well hey, look at that. I've got myself a new look! The amazing Sara Mueller is giving me a new look and feel, so excuse us while we tweak and fine tune.In the meantime, be sure to check out my visit over at It's Overflowing, where I share some updated tour photos!…

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fess up friday - freckles chick

<center style="text-align: center;"><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today's Fess Up Friday guest is a girl after my own heart. Nya, of <a href="http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Freckles Chick</a>, is hilarious and we like to share many sarcastic and inappropriate comments and jokes. Anyone who can serve up large doses of witty banter and laughs is aces in my book. And she just so happens to live in one of my favorite parts of the country. What is not to love?! So Nya, Fess Up and do me proud!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k7fEhj12_WKngfvyiQYNSyRdUpZ5SIHL-wWwYuuwiWhaqul1xFDL6mnFQNBjtmqo1SywaGGp-rCyo0dSGdb4ZsplnwPsqBbol_F6JFRhH9TwGxt3VhzB_zBw6kQpqf5lN3YDe3IkIC_i/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k7fEhj12_WKngfvyiQYNSyRdUpZ5SIHL-wWwYuuwiWhaqul1xFDL6mnFQNBjtmqo1SywaGGp-rCyo0dSGdb4ZsplnwPsqBbol_F6JFRhH9TwGxt3VhzB_zBw6kQpqf5lN3YDe3IkIC_i/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello Little Black Door readers!  </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm such a fan of Elizabeth & her Fess Up Friday series; refreshingly real & funny are right up my alley.  I'm stoked to be here!  On my blog, I share our renovating/decorating adventures & snippets of life with our glorious 2 year-old daughter.  I like sarcasm (even <i>I</i> don't know if I'm joking anymore).  I like red wine.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/lo6p"><img height="266" src="//i.imgflip.com/lo6p.gif" width="400" /></a><br /></span><center style="text-align: left;"></center></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hurry & scroll down to read my exciting post, just to escape that GIF!  ;-)</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a bunch of things I will readily fess up to: I cringe at selfies on Instagram that are just digging for compliments (& have been guilty of it myself).  I think Justin Bieber might be Miley Cyrus (has anyone ever seen them in a room at the same time?).  I have read Get Off My Internets because when my blog stats show me that some of my blog traffic was coming from there, how could I not (hello heart palpitations).  I eat an entire wheel of brie in one sitting.  I sometimes check Instagram whilst playing with my daughter.  Some days, my "happy hour" starts at <strike>5:00 pm</strike> <strike>4:30 pm</strike> 3:00 pm.  I'm the first to laugh at most inappropriate jokes.  I curse too much & am working on curbing it for my kid's sake.  I love being active but can't commit to a regular workout regimen.  I don't understand spending tons of money on a haircut.  I'm not on FaceBook (or is it BookFace?).</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I couldn't construct a real post out of those confessions, so today I'm fessing up to the day-to-day state of our home (as others have done here).  If bloggers are honest, I think most of us can agree that if you were to rotate the camera a few degrees to the side on some of our blog-worthy photos, you would see chaos.  "Messy" is subjective to varying degrees but I think we can all agree that no one lives in a perfectly styled vignette every day, right?  If you do live like that, I'm so jealous (& also let's be friends).  My home is far from perfectly styled <i>nor </i>is it teetering on "hey squatters might live here".  It just looks <i>lived in!</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at me.....</span></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BCiEed0iCsxjU387i3QZa_0WZvhnBmZ-UW3_LpY9B91HH0YSLrhi8NPmOYi4akUoo8P1gUpvEOGoww8mcO956sDMZagSh-NjKKyIRBoPOxPnxyWWL7qf-c732G2Ac3xasVEeY3XZI8JY/s1600/LR+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BCiEed0iCsxjU387i3QZa_0WZvhnBmZ-UW3_LpY9B91HH0YSLrhi8NPmOYi4akUoo8P1gUpvEOGoww8mcO956sDMZagSh-NjKKyIRBoPOxPnxyWWL7qf-c732G2Ac3xasVEeY3XZI8JY/s1600/LR+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't look at me!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkxz9q1aL6s4i5-ArcFtg4p8l32HcRLyRfAk-E1fbD12CFo9RGcWqGeCwSnefME9BFNb_OhLMweDinnaSUUzOuRx3f85Si3D45NoiAOt7lEm8X6LLR-7eGX_hHCHdkp8KyMWjrrJKA83a/s1600/DSC04599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkxz9q1aL6s4i5-ArcFtg4p8l32HcRLyRfAk-E1fbD12CFo9RGcWqGeCwSnefME9BFNb_OhLMweDinnaSUUzOuRx3f85Si3D45NoiAOt7lEm8X6LLR-7eGX_hHCHdkp8KyMWjrrJKA83a/s1600/DSC04599.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day I snapped pics of our clean living room,</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I just threw everything over the back of the sofa:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_0c-D9vVNphAlZL8juFsGjUnoFrzV7Mn0NfSszKZyEKQGSoE2CZQ31Upu4iaCc9Q0gDJwbaIko_sKdkbWGQwiHS1JqQC4s3mVjlbHEajuAYAy8QoImW4BoPzg__5y4eXqbsfL5cb3yNM/s1600/DSC04600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_0c-D9vVNphAlZL8juFsGjUnoFrzV7Mn0NfSszKZyEKQGSoE2CZQ31Upu4iaCc9Q0gDJwbaIko_sKdkbWGQwiHS1JqQC4s3mVjlbHEajuAYAy8QoImW4BoPzg__5y4eXqbsfL5cb3yNM/s1600/DSC04600.JPG" width="424" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Awww......</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9G-QKvX8ZrUwqOMYg3ZDpQ6KQ28AKn0NcsaOVoPlt5rObSjP0EYktTXGnTLKNucKoa72M09WNNHmUjZ1lQ2pcxIGtksUzSYVIJV_tmEj7hBIAc8h0uEqh3u1rgefw8-9FLFT8ug0e5M0/s1600/Playroom+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9G-QKvX8ZrUwqOMYg3ZDpQ6KQ28AKn0NcsaOVoPlt5rObSjP0EYktTXGnTLKNucKoa72M09WNNHmUjZ1lQ2pcxIGtksUzSYVIJV_tmEj7hBIAc8h0uEqh3u1rgefw8-9FLFT8ug0e5M0/s1600/Playroom+1.jpg" width="418" /></span></a></div><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Crap!</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiLZbURfxcp0q-vsN_kg-lV-O4RXlZdL2vtOETZ44dpUbB3APMzFDuCsbG2c8K6HwX1M-WKsu0BhbwMzT1uDZgvqhchbYGt-EOHyqQ5AH-ivDXjBFn985_M_Ym4UgHDR5h4ipGuJOCfLi/s1600/DSC04587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiLZbURfxcp0q-vsN_kg-lV-O4RXlZdL2vtOETZ44dpUbB3APMzFDuCsbG2c8K6HwX1M-WKsu0BhbwMzT1uDZgvqhchbYGt-EOHyqQ5AH-ivDXjBFn985_M_Ym4UgHDR5h4ipGuJOCfLi/s1600/DSC04587.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're not hoarders.  We just like for each space to tell a story.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This space says: we <i>might </i>be hoarders.</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisL4GMvsCy1zt6bVCDur_eLdxRA1SR2aKdDCdXbY43WPujs1UjN22Wq3UNEbjc5HhbKx-bnvPSjbAboVNvU3jYD9m_JWCBBmGaRKPGUYpr-rGfhK7GDJTX2usFXzlBfUroAqeeHBJKQws/s1600/DSC04595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhisL4GMvsCy1zt6bVCDur_eLdxRA1SR2aKdDCdXbY43WPujs1UjN22Wq3UNEbjc5HhbKx-bnvPSjbAboVNvU3jYD9m_JWCBBmGaRKPGUYpr-rGfhK7GDJTX2usFXzlBfUroAqeeHBJKQws/s1600/DSC04595.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, as long as we're clean, fed, happy, healthy & kind......I'm fine not living in a world of fresh flowers, brass/gold objects of curiosity, Domino-book-used-as-decor, fiddle leaf figs, karate-chopped throw pillows & such.  </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unless you totally have some & are willing to share :-)</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks so much for reading!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for having me, Elizabeth!</span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></center><center></center><center></center><center></center><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNOt5yfXmz6BDUNxSkwOUMFQ0ufGETWEwpk-fJL7_BleTEzL6sq6hQ3NTpP3ktd19cnZFQ0f7ADQhEm9dSNM9r0TRvOGOKlOVIXYGDKxmkOgua6MAqKiinQ56UeBADpXx1CZ2DGtOGz4/s1600/signature.png" /></center>

fess up friday - freckles chick

Today's Fess Up Friday guest is a girl after my own heart. Nya, of Freckles Chick, is hilarious and we like to share many sarcastic and inappropriate comments and jokes. Anyone who can serve up large doses of witty banter and laughs is aces in my book. And she just so happens to live in one of my fa…

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furbish studio's vintage sale

I can hardly wait. In just a few hours (11:00 AM EST) my favorite store that I've never been to, <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/" target="_blank">Furbish Studio</a> will be having a huge ONLINE sale full of vintage and one of a kind things. The next best thing for those of us not lucky enough to live close by.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2c-pq-hcGTlKwpXGh_1ASjN2OosYJdWp6QkHP2CU2aylO45wNGsCWnzvZOkctEOrbjITdPaIg9j_qpPWTLcj-gv3MQbtF2BkNbn3AHP32xcsafkBkjoPYMqCDs9V_OtK0LpTC-FqKXlNA/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2c-pq-hcGTlKwpXGh_1ASjN2OosYJdWp6QkHP2CU2aylO45wNGsCWnzvZOkctEOrbjITdPaIg9j_qpPWTLcj-gv3MQbtF2BkNbn3AHP32xcsafkBkjoPYMqCDs9V_OtK0LpTC-FqKXlNA/s1600/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Be sure to <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/" target="_blank">check it out</a>! I'm counting the minutes!

furbish studio's vintage sale

I can hardly wait. In just a few hours (11:00 AM EST) my favorite store that I've never been to, Furbish Studio will be having a huge ONLINE sale full of vintage and one of a kind things. The next best thing for those of us not lucky enough to live close by.Be sure to check it out! I'm counting the …

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seasonal style

We survived spring break! Several play dates, outings, babysitters, and a husband gone most of the week for work and we made it. Monday is here and a normal schedule can resume. Hip hip hooray! (Funny, that isn't the same reaction I used to have to the end of spring break)<br /><br />One thing I did to fill my time after the girls were in bed each night was read a stack of magazines as tall as my dog. Which, in my opinion, is a damn good time. But it stirred up the yearly quest for change - a chance to sprurce things up again after the season so evil we will not speak its name.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92MzjUDLfttslYc5gKh1-bm5XRuzk71hpI1Iq_3STiYq8v3rf30RQp7L1ZFeHfKaS3t6e8rTRZRVPRlrmqFDiNHKkiR1FC41F4C12XTfRljVEzFcENoT3uwJAkCdt5aeG7ryfOw5JfKQN/s1600/de45903fd31894a2f0d881b0c8e9d6f5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92MzjUDLfttslYc5gKh1-bm5XRuzk71hpI1Iq_3STiYq8v3rf30RQp7L1ZFeHfKaS3t6e8rTRZRVPRlrmqFDiNHKkiR1FC41F4C12XTfRljVEzFcENoT3uwJAkCdt5aeG7ryfOw5JfKQN/s1600/de45903fd31894a2f0d881b0c8e9d6f5.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/137922807308369414/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Magazines and designers have long encouraged the idea of having spring/summer accessories (pillows, throws, curtains, etc.) and then a stash for fall/winter. The theory being the changes would be enough to make you feel as though you have a 'new room' of sorts without having to do any major (and expensive) changes.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX0g87fZToTWqVDKP7vF62_-MSMuGzTLN-AM5iTc3S4oJDmsykFjCba-APFFDvDZA0oJAVHG222aqD-9Awey9XMuIdzlKL2US2U-hlZcyf0OUz_tOpTa3kKq7nq-H57FBqsgoqcvVgmsd/s1600/glitterguideoct15-2ndedit-2-e1382387267762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX0g87fZToTWqVDKP7vF62_-MSMuGzTLN-AM5iTc3S4oJDmsykFjCba-APFFDvDZA0oJAVHG222aqD-9Awey9XMuIdzlKL2US2U-hlZcyf0OUz_tOpTa3kKq7nq-H57FBqsgoqcvVgmsd/s1600/glitterguideoct15-2ndedit-2-e1382387267762.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theglitterguide.com/2013/10/28/a-fall-living-room-update/?slide=13#content" target="_blank">Glitter Guide</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Now I'm not talking "decorations" like throwing pumpkins around the room in the fall and adding rabbits in the spring. I mean <i>decor</i>, subtle but substantial changes that would give a different feel to a room. My trouble is always that my whim to change things never seems to line up with the change of seasons. Go figure.<br /><br />So what do you think? Is this a "sounds great in theory but I'll never do it" kind of thing? Do you have a stash of pillows that you change out with the seasons?

seasonal style

We survived spring break! Several play dates, outings, babysitters, and a husband gone most of the week for work and we made it. Monday is here and a normal schedule can resume. Hip hip hooray! (Funny, that isn't the same reaction I used to have to the end of spring break)One thing I did to fill my …

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fess up friday - emily a clark

After we fess up today, be sure to head over to <a href="http://www.drivenbydecor.com/2014/03/10-tips-every-blogspot-blogger-needs-to.html" target="_blank">Driven by Decor</a> where I am sharing my tip every blogger should know, along with a group of fantastic ladies. Very worthwhile reading.<br /><br />Our Fess Up Friday guest today needs no introduction, but since that's my job, I'll introduce her anyway. Welcome Emily, of <a href="http://emilyaclark.com/" target="_blank">Emily A Clark</a>! Emily was one of my very first blog addictions and in addition to watching her create some pretty beautiful spaces, I've loved watching her family of five grow to a family of seven. Yep, seven. So Emily, fess up!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5y71lH96O2jcrsFfQ1R1mMXA_PUJFzWIi5aw0Xoe9RLDiwgUIfwTpoN91gtUXNz3h_eWWTJ4CMe_Jdg8aZdIPLnSZ-yJf5OQG7CDRBylYMkJN4PVedSv4g8ruLe473cKjtTTmKK8Yd5_/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5y71lH96O2jcrsFfQ1R1mMXA_PUJFzWIi5aw0Xoe9RLDiwgUIfwTpoN91gtUXNz3h_eWWTJ4CMe_Jdg8aZdIPLnSZ-yJf5OQG7CDRBylYMkJN4PVedSv4g8ruLe473cKjtTTmKK8Yd5_/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I saw Elizabeth’s email asking me to participate in one of her Fess Up <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1065910682" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> posts, I will admit I got nervous. I feel like I’m a pretty open book on my blog, but there is a less than pretty side you haven’t seen of my life. But, today, I’m prepared to come clean and share my “dirty” little secret.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88bqSvpgcInZMVfgFqtYknME18OwVZbcvIAeutgnAaLZWkVeYF2dh19_7h_9Rx_39pvgvnjGuoYCbQy-YNum5MZ2Kp4OcwST0p3dJiytqNawt27hBco8LIG5_x2T0lokPGgM_BMpFoaAt/s1600/unnamed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88bqSvpgcInZMVfgFqtYknME18OwVZbcvIAeutgnAaLZWkVeYF2dh19_7h_9Rx_39pvgvnjGuoYCbQy-YNum5MZ2Kp4OcwST0p3dJiytqNawt27hBco8LIG5_x2T0lokPGgM_BMpFoaAt/s1600/unnamed.png" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.625;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.625;">That’s right. I’m a van slob. Oh, and I could care less.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know I should be ashamed of how big a mess our van always is, but I’m too busy to feel bad about it. It’s the one area of life that I just can’t keep up with, and it all comes crashing down in a big pile of papers, school craft projects, coffee cups and empty juice boxes on our van floor. I’m focused on a mission when it comes time to load kids in and out of the car, and trying to be tidy in any shape or form just goes right out the window. I’ve even seen some of our “debris” fly out of the van door when I’ve dropped the kids’ off at school. It’s not the most fun to see a teacher pick it up, turn her nose up and throw it back in the van. But, I’ll live. On the upside, I never fear that our family of seven will starve to death should we get stranded on the side of the road for any length of time. I’m 99% sure we could put together a small buffet, if need be.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I will admit that on a couple of occasions, I’ve had one of the kids’ friends comment on how messy it is and have felt a little shame. But, you know what? I’m not the only one contributing to this problem. I have three older accomplices (stuffed) in the back seat who have willingly admitted to drawing graffiti on the back of the seats, causing a ketchup packet to explode all over the ceiling and sticking the world’s strongest stickers to our windows. It’s really an uphill battle that this momma doesn’t have time to fight.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alright, confessional over. Don’t think less of me. I’m going to drive a really nice car with the cleanest interior ever when all of the kids leave for college. Promise.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.625; margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="line-height: normal;">I'm right there with you Emily! What about you?</span></div>

fess up friday - emily a clark

After we fess up today, be sure to head over to Driven by Decor where I am sharing my tip every blogger should know, along with a group of fantastic ladies. Very worthwhile reading.Our Fess Up Friday guest today needs no introduction, but since that's my job, I'll introduce her anyway. Welcome Emily…

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the strength of ten men

A while back I was at my all time favorite antique store when I spotted something I loved (no surprise there). True, I do always spot something I love there, or 10 somethings, but this was different.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRAzqw-flODccoe6kgsXgyqFMItwZtgxcQIP6QfW4vIFjlg6qSj6Wd4u5AHQkUE5Rgh6CHv3ozTJcxXdhBse1RMpnuSvaAzT68in1s8v7DnmjHgAX6eyCcHUI2B1Bs9rMiCbJuEIYIKgW/s1600/bamboodresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRAzqw-flODccoe6kgsXgyqFMItwZtgxcQIP6QfW4vIFjlg6qSj6Wd4u5AHQkUE5Rgh6CHv3ozTJcxXdhBse1RMpnuSvaAzT68in1s8v7DnmjHgAX6eyCcHUI2B1Bs9rMiCbJuEIYIKgW/s1600/bamboodresser.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><br />It was an antique English bamboo armoire. Cue chorus of singing angels. And it was just the right size to go down in the family room for extra storage (more on that idea later).<br /><br />Quick backstory - when I was 17 there was a fabulous antique English bamboo bed, dresser with marble top and armoire at an antique store I would go to with my mom. I lusted after it. Dreamed about it. But sadly I had nowhere to put it, as I was 17. And it was out of my price range, as I was 17. Not until now had I seen a piece in person that so closely resembled it.<br /><br />But there was a problem. See the door on the right - it<i> is</i> closed all the way. That sucker is bowed. And when you open it, the whole piece makes this popping and cracking noise as if it was going to bust apart at any minute. And the top has a big crack running right down the middle of it.<br /><br />The price is good, but the condition is not. So I did something that took all the willpower I had.<br /><br />I. Walked. Away. (gasp)<br /><br />My mom assures me my dad could fix it but I don't think the price is good enough to take in to account the months of hard labor. And at the pace my dad works, it would be months.<br /><br />Now I grew up with antiques. I have antiques. I'm under no illusion that they should always be in pristine condition, but I would like the damn door to close without fear of the whole things falling in on me.<br /><br />So I'm sharing to keep me honest. It is not worth the money to buy something in such bad shape...right? Even if it is so pretty?<br /><br />My only solace is that all of these months later, it is still sitting in the shop. I visit it often and always check the tag just in case it goes on sale. No such luck.<br /><br />Have you ever had to use all of your willpower in a store before? Ever bought something in bad shape just because you loved it? Know anyone who can will tell me this sucker can be fixed in a week?

the strength of ten men

A while back I was at my all time favorite antique store when I spotted something I loved (no surprise there). True, I do always spot something I love there, or 10 somethings, but this was different.It was an antique English bamboo armoire. Cue chorus of singing angels. And it was just the right siz…

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Dining with Birds and Bunnies!!!!

I have "Springified my kitchen, breakfast room, mantle and coffee table so far! I set this new table and wanted to share it with you. I hope you like it and will come back to see the rest of my Spring!!!! I made a new centerpiece. You may remember this box with the chalkboard on the front. I found this wonderful bunny platter at Home Goods and knew just what I would do with it. I love that it is green and cream, I am getting away from all the pastels right now and am LOVING using greens and whites.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD6begkjJ3KRiqgij0qj-JfH5-3en42ZoILpU2SEu-W7JpLf5VrOMEYs_GkSfuFHeOjihPZMYuqAuWHcCiYr7Si-uQjsg13koHths3O6lRb_j3U-BwBwTXOwFDAZJkJI4yqHjnzBKRus/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD6begkjJ3KRiqgij0qj-JfH5-3en42ZoILpU2SEu-W7JpLf5VrOMEYs_GkSfuFHeOjihPZMYuqAuWHcCiYr7Si-uQjsg13koHths3O6lRb_j3U-BwBwTXOwFDAZJkJI4yqHjnzBKRus/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> With the platter I added a nest, a gardening shovel, a votive candle in a green cup and a bird house. And do you see the asparagus too? What else signals Spring like asparagus:)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9K-Ukf577P7DZSUZBwHr5d5_nGRgwh4-UaDXYWm0WdcGei9UyhqZtj9uREd-hwXU0RglaXTTBKgOP-Z_Flyn3GLhcA25Jq0CmAqhUsw71YqWnl5mLJM0LYehaHS2IOFAWD3Ajf6BZsg/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9K-Ukf577P7DZSUZBwHr5d5_nGRgwh4-UaDXYWm0WdcGei9UyhqZtj9uREd-hwXU0RglaXTTBKgOP-Z_Flyn3GLhcA25Jq0CmAqhUsw71YqWnl5mLJM0LYehaHS2IOFAWD3Ajf6BZsg/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I sprinkled a few eggs around too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKvNBTl_TowRC1jACjuvISf9593LSOBUzPSivmte8MvD8abrGiYq4eT_C-5VkZ88BFPotacGFxIn6kQuZX_wGLB89vsv8Gvu7rR3eOp6SRov3XBHHEF47FA8t3m-jKm9Y4KeZ2BgbIEU/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKvNBTl_TowRC1jACjuvISf9593LSOBUzPSivmte8MvD8abrGiYq4eT_C-5VkZ88BFPotacGFxIn6kQuZX_wGLB89vsv8Gvu7rR3eOp6SRov3XBHHEF47FA8t3m-jKm9Y4KeZ2BgbIEU/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyGOK1h_VByFAUK6Mj6nMRmlGojt4vUbeCCHDboIyosGgw7whkel9ExePjjFZnLcjfSEdH_i9_NDqbxNOTFaJeJ-Jexw-8XAYWb7QmCcXD7hPp2rIhbo-6pfV_GlQgpPQwJ93YZqnoEU/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyGOK1h_VByFAUK6Mj6nMRmlGojt4vUbeCCHDboIyosGgw7whkel9ExePjjFZnLcjfSEdH_i9_NDqbxNOTFaJeJ-Jexw-8XAYWb7QmCcXD7hPp2rIhbo-6pfV_GlQgpPQwJ93YZqnoEU/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Here is our place setting. I covered the table with a light green cutwork tablecloth, then layered a green and white placemat, my glass charger, a leafy white dinner plate, a green and white salad, my pedestal bowls and inside a bunny on a goody box!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-7qb_JlcEQK9YVVBJbnfc6wyylgf-armNjylVLEnhP0JfhcDO3kZK-c9Y2TnEYgCIPFhTT5Ja9WB_1mkrACOxuYbmzfqXInXmosJxrxeTcGma3k-kKynJ4Tlp-UKfLkgTmw0nYm2GcA/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-7qb_JlcEQK9YVVBJbnfc6wyylgf-armNjylVLEnhP0JfhcDO3kZK-c9Y2TnEYgCIPFhTT5Ja9WB_1mkrACOxuYbmzfqXInXmosJxrxeTcGma3k-kKynJ4Tlp-UKfLkgTmw0nYm2GcA/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyofQgY9FR9NZyOA9YoBB8qrq8z6XpK3zTEDyk6wHueGJtri6eK5VihF0zHaKVrcwjymw3umJXV_zo0iW_qBxr10BfOrEf_Hpu8mD7pv2CjatDH2n8XMpoc6zyYZuzIm5qTJkScdP3OI/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyofQgY9FR9NZyOA9YoBB8qrq8z6XpK3zTEDyk6wHueGJtri6eK5VihF0zHaKVrcwjymw3umJXV_zo0iW_qBxr10BfOrEf_Hpu8mD7pv2CjatDH2n8XMpoc6zyYZuzIm5qTJkScdP3OI/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> 2 napkins are layered: a green that matches the tablecloth and a pretty white one. They are caught up in my garden chair napkin rings. A tiny bunny sits on the chair!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjTCBJ7x04tCflzZJIfXiyaGF-5YAD5cCxzj-4j30s1bSxUAKIPjkKfJiHbiwr1BTvNdm1e29WaXH7aytAI6zi70SJl-Lp4sMet2SFcod6maTExQnPV-fo_BogSZ4THzF7nhnHqsEy5Y/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjTCBJ7x04tCflzZJIfXiyaGF-5YAD5cCxzj-4j30s1bSxUAKIPjkKfJiHbiwr1BTvNdm1e29WaXH7aytAI6zi70SJl-Lp4sMet2SFcod6maTExQnPV-fo_BogSZ4THzF7nhnHqsEy5Y/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> More layering! 2 candle rings are entwined around a white pillar.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKtAvzF5pVSoirarx-u1jHApsq1nTQBJhCYXhyphenhyphenpN8uHCMh0luij3CkxhQ0iju2h6oRMuhDSnrymrqU35R2Ml-nYSnS77VvoYXdbgzylaVi4Mi-4KKaswG-iMxYJAhyphenhyphens0StyKCZRWW7rk/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKtAvzF5pVSoirarx-u1jHApsq1nTQBJhCYXhyphenhyphenpN8uHCMh0luij3CkxhQ0iju2h6oRMuhDSnrymrqU35R2Ml-nYSnS77VvoYXdbgzylaVi4Mi-4KKaswG-iMxYJAhyphenhyphens0StyKCZRWW7rk/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> My green flatware makes another appearance.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNasDX1Z2Q-WGyucJ2Yo7GL6zwtf4Fd2zzGiGDFJ9GTRC6Ot2YlWQtKVaWNoJV66rF82-7OhScviGGNehZb8rDVsbMO0cMbMZQF2oMvP50-ArRs0guHQUIiSVzynBPlzjwZa0H1AtbIrA/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNasDX1Z2Q-WGyucJ2Yo7GL6zwtf4Fd2zzGiGDFJ9GTRC6Ot2YlWQtKVaWNoJV66rF82-7OhScviGGNehZb8rDVsbMO0cMbMZQF2oMvP50-ArRs0guHQUIiSVzynBPlzjwZa0H1AtbIrA/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09_GRRUqXZfbwyViWWJy-hdpWOoqJG6jsE_giAggxR7YGibxq795fgTJ-4E4juoK2-CbB7kNRimMLH3Rj_XaUsBPQs57g-juVuvnQ3ovyxQgWvz_1C2ev42LojDihKMndIRv52kkUzlE/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09_GRRUqXZfbwyViWWJy-hdpWOoqJG6jsE_giAggxR7YGibxq795fgTJ-4E4juoK2-CbB7kNRimMLH3Rj_XaUsBPQs57g-juVuvnQ3ovyxQgWvz_1C2ev42LojDihKMndIRv52kkUzlE/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTg1X5wp3r6oJZdtm-D-4QJkkccz5MUrVEJeEZJTNei85DiguLWg-ygvSkUqia3ATi21-U5R8RKPbC6VWb2NpIPxEqCc80Pe-Mn-6R_FAHOyLqCSQ02axEuGH-iIDDss_EzABH469H_g/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTg1X5wp3r6oJZdtm-D-4QJkkccz5MUrVEJeEZJTNei85DiguLWg-ygvSkUqia3ATi21-U5R8RKPbC6VWb2NpIPxEqCc80Pe-Mn-6R_FAHOyLqCSQ02axEuGH-iIDDss_EzABH469H_g/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> To enhance the garden theme a pair of garden gnomes sit next to the pillars.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3cKs-Qc4GU2Y-EHBo5aY42F81pWGR4XfFfert2gi34U521sKj9gkXoV_BqLGFGO-BnbnSgO2p20Tshg2Jkdm4GC10DhPCNKMD-fIOBGUSJpfltD_DQWCQCbqB79J4Mfm4yo6cnggQzs/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3cKs-Qc4GU2Y-EHBo5aY42F81pWGR4XfFfert2gi34U521sKj9gkXoV_BqLGFGO-BnbnSgO2p20Tshg2Jkdm4GC10DhPCNKMD-fIOBGUSJpfltD_DQWCQCbqB79J4Mfm4yo6cnggQzs/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguERCpp0c8f05bERmQ_FoT3zEuefSJ4he843ukIfS6Vjh7AcuC4s27FB2YjiWtxQxmMS7vatpcfWiVZzUwN114uzaRzpRqiEWAFJhxIxiX4b_nfywFqpIH0y-RSTT9QY50os-MX2Ni5A/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguERCpp0c8f05bERmQ_FoT3zEuefSJ4he843ukIfS6Vjh7AcuC4s27FB2YjiWtxQxmMS7vatpcfWiVZzUwN114uzaRzpRqiEWAFJhxIxiX4b_nfywFqpIH0y-RSTT9QY50os-MX2Ni5A/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rY2W8yvjUpxRtjTjvYrcy11cXYzYcg8ZLeZDuV0AhKsCqBbNgpAPWSidaFPrl6l7LVmUYlBvaAsVyVJZx5NqhByNioM3KqbfacyPm3qIff9f-7mPLrKXygiyKoGC9xqG459S3vx0VFE/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rY2W8yvjUpxRtjTjvYrcy11cXYzYcg8ZLeZDuV0AhKsCqBbNgpAPWSidaFPrl6l7LVmUYlBvaAsVyVJZx5NqhByNioM3KqbfacyPm3qIff9f-7mPLrKXygiyKoGC9xqG459S3vx0VFE/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCUXgQr-1P8G-7mfZwmTUtX_k5PNUFGkShhQJFhTLdr_ZamoCL78N8Pclaj2QkdY_aBiRxIjmOw1Uo8bOPhpl47ymmeKf51itFK5hyvwbDWVZ0rtlbNP-an35hiWDLzKb3WWZoHrTWZQ/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCUXgQr-1P8G-7mfZwmTUtX_k5PNUFGkShhQJFhTLdr_ZamoCL78N8Pclaj2QkdY_aBiRxIjmOw1Uo8bOPhpl47ymmeKf51itFK5hyvwbDWVZ0rtlbNP-an35hiWDLzKb3WWZoHrTWZQ/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUC5iwio2LoUgwsQci4O3aHyWcjFlfdnr4yIHX2Z45lKp-K6IZiv1uWhNtpdYWtxXAO-wrlPQ828uD4ioKIifMEpVd3oEEk59DT37oXbHyXD73MpjMCLNWLXLkdgR4kC8xiazEQtNauo/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUC5iwio2LoUgwsQci4O3aHyWcjFlfdnr4yIHX2Z45lKp-K6IZiv1uWhNtpdYWtxXAO-wrlPQ828uD4ioKIifMEpVd3oEEk59DT37oXbHyXD73MpjMCLNWLXLkdgR4kC8xiazEQtNauo/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM2X97jhyagJ61GHnRzjKH7QObaIYj9OpbUmHznFE6keXg2m3vIhj4Xf_V5bc1wxCWLbkkox9useGcpkRP4oFEJ2oXg6ydrb9JpZLLiezbqWIddOAKtLoDQwW05z7-llaRKpQHj8cMr0/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguM2X97jhyagJ61GHnRzjKH7QObaIYj9OpbUmHznFE6keXg2m3vIhj4Xf_V5bc1wxCWLbkkox9useGcpkRP4oFEJ2oXg6ydrb9JpZLLiezbqWIddOAKtLoDQwW05z7-llaRKpQHj8cMr0/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> These little boxes are so sweet and can be used as a take home gift too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff_w3m0Skw6XoUvr0B5AGtHkK8pvKj-4ld-lSWh-jRMmRKDWIfLxeoixthM8xZd4oyFtT5UKF4sUU8AyL0jwmuIVX2QfXXXwPl_ys92IvlFuIcqFT7hUOmg1g0dr_bUs2A-_3VicN8_A/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff_w3m0Skw6XoUvr0B5AGtHkK8pvKj-4ld-lSWh-jRMmRKDWIfLxeoixthM8xZd4oyFtT5UKF4sUU8AyL0jwmuIVX2QfXXXwPl_ys92IvlFuIcqFT7hUOmg1g0dr_bUs2A-_3VicN8_A/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKrqvaRrn78NSVHt7riv1AYI6Ne8MOzmaVm0mtMt9XPFUURFVUvSqLkgQO4Q6MCZemOoFb5CsmKTQwlOAGlfzztwV9swE1jREwoBaeRpSemD_oiLy0aRI0SXCH3yMHP5mh3lHsEqd3ks/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKrqvaRrn78NSVHt7riv1AYI6Ne8MOzmaVm0mtMt9XPFUURFVUvSqLkgQO4Q6MCZemOoFb5CsmKTQwlOAGlfzztwV9swE1jREwoBaeRpSemD_oiLy0aRI0SXCH3yMHP5mh3lHsEqd3ks/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQtiPvKIT3WJyVVyw2Yg4zP8ssL0YLnpQ3yxQzyMDPG2S4PD1oL24UTrIZ1TsTq6Ab40BW6LKRzJyf8tSnz7P87arU1UVFsuztr00K8nV7yKmDfN04caZhMvIESntcilDm7grYFkpfF8/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQtiPvKIT3WJyVVyw2Yg4zP8ssL0YLnpQ3yxQzyMDPG2S4PD1oL24UTrIZ1TsTq6Ab40BW6LKRzJyf8tSnz7P87arU1UVFsuztr00K8nV7yKmDfN04caZhMvIESntcilDm7grYFkpfF8/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Here are the garden gnomes, this guy is relaxing:)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpDbz6mIsWwOqtinyILlVEEf65O94YrM0aGbQZJd0mznJQebS8j84UWn-Zi8D_VTjRX65DYjBCV_zETOi7S049j9mGEzALGjflg61nNffEECyKxMU5KEbotGmy35tFhT9o8CrSxsIsOE/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpDbz6mIsWwOqtinyILlVEEf65O94YrM0aGbQZJd0mznJQebS8j84UWn-Zi8D_VTjRX65DYjBCV_zETOi7S049j9mGEzALGjflg61nNffEECyKxMU5KEbotGmy35tFhT9o8CrSxsIsOE/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> And she is carrying a bucket into which I placed a TINY shovel.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNxkm_Cl3dODME8K77G30jrHHxgL0L0lPNUxs-I0YgNw7SuzgSj8JlenbWbuo913AQu9fYzakrkxz0eaI6vWgnp1fQ4sA2qxHb2GMEJkIfbKse2PlV196pfCto91zfaUv2eeA84U6UxE/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNxkm_Cl3dODME8K77G30jrHHxgL0L0lPNUxs-I0YgNw7SuzgSj8JlenbWbuo913AQu9fYzakrkxz0eaI6vWgnp1fQ4sA2qxHb2GMEJkIfbKse2PlV196pfCto91zfaUv2eeA84U6UxE/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7rSRU6dfksJbEvGzSAkCk-5UELitUb1xckGdMvcpI2VycMGcGXFwaxDJW6ZF4gfNtOD3l6FkKM_KTK9E6ndziSl_U2y-OdL6ahj31o19axN_r00U2QdO2UVpZjpl4wrZNAycTOChQuA/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7rSRU6dfksJbEvGzSAkCk-5UELitUb1xckGdMvcpI2VycMGcGXFwaxDJW6ZF4gfNtOD3l6FkKM_KTK9E6ndziSl_U2y-OdL6ahj31o19axN_r00U2QdO2UVpZjpl4wrZNAycTOChQuA/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gkYjzZilin0YQ1gnoEWNJa87M68OyAN9NaHUxQvBQC4TAyS-XNsziwi5xoa_uxtErxtGqAfBCJ-zE0w5Ey9TGOgjmfzm6NVUNEc7D71A967jpOLAOucQGkoQkJsiGUWCedLB-kQ2pK0/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">.</a> WE are OK. No idea how long it will take to get car fixed:(</div>I will be sharing the rest soon IF I can figure out how to do that with my new tablet:) We leave in the morning for Fl. and I can not WAIT to get to warmer temps! UPDATE! Joe and I were in an accident  in SC on the way down to Fl. WE are OK, no idea how long it will be til car is fixed... will be linking to:<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Between Naps on theporch <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/" title="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">. Monday</a></div><br /><div>Judy @<a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/" title="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> DIY by Design</span></a> for Sizzle Into Summer Wednesday</div><br /><div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">The Dedicated House – </span><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDedicatedHouse+%28The+Dedicated+House%29" target="_blank" title="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheDedicatedHouse+(The+Dedicated+House)"><span style="color: #45818e;">Make it Pretty Monday</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Confessions of a Plate Addict - </span><a href="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/07/please-join-me-for-scoop-77.html" target="_blank" title="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/07/please-join-me-for-scoop-77.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">The Scoop</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"> A Stroll Thru Life – </span><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/175th-inspire-me-tuesday.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank" title="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/175th-inspire-me-tuesday.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">Inspire Me Tuesday</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME</span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: #0066cc;">Happy List Tuesdays</span></u>~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Worthing Court - </span><a href="http://worthingcourt.blogspot.com/2013/07/homework-wednesday-11.html" target="_blank" title="http://worthingcourt.blogspot.com/2013/07/homework-wednesday-11.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">Home(work) Wednesday</span></a></span><br /><div><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-140.html" title="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-140.html"><span style="color: #4a5850;">Kim's Place: Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Ivy @<a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/" title="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> Ivy and Elephants</span></a> for What's It Wednesday</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #33aaff;"><a href="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/">Let’s Dish!</a>,  </span><div><span style="color: #33aaff;"><a href="http://www.flusterbuster.com/search/label/Fluster%20Muster%20Party" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.flusterbuster.com/search/label/Fluster Muster Party"><span style="color: #5c4e49;">Fluster Creative Muster Party</span></a>, Wed.</span></div><span style="color: #33aaff;"><div>Katherine @<a href="http://katherinescorner.com/" title="http://katherinescorner.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> Katherines Corner</span></a> for Favorite Things Thursday Hop</div></span><br /></div></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: andalus; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/02/thursdays-inspiration-white.html" title="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/02/thursdays-inspiration-white.html"><strong>THURSDAY’S INSPIRATION</strong></a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: andalus; font-size: medium;"></span><div><span style="font-family: andalus; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" title="http://www.impartinggrace.com/"><span style="color: #ac6b0f;">Imparting Grace</span></a> for Grace at Home</span></div><span style="font-family: andalus; font-size: medium;"><div><div><a href="http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com/2013/09/all-things-thursday-blog-hop-10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20GlamorousAffordableLife%20(Glamorous,%20Affordable%20Life)" title="http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com/2013/09/all-things-thursday-blog-hop-10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: GlamorousAffordableLife (Glamorous, Affordable Life)"><span style="color: #336e62;">All Things Thursday Blog Hop</span></a></div><br /></div></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><a href="http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/" title="http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for A Favorite Thing.</span></a><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;">Between Naps on the Porch – Tablescape Thursday</span> </div><div><div><a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" title="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #7f001f;">Treasure Hunt Thursdays</span></a></div><div><div><a href="http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-6-plus-features.html#more" target="_blank" title="http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-6-plus-features.html#more"><span style="color: #b81212;">Create It Thursday</span></a></div><div><a href="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/">Tutorials Tips and Tidbits</a>, <a href="http://www.adelightsomelife.com/" title="http://www.adelightsomelife.com/">Home and Garden Thursday</a>, <a href="http://www.commonground-do.com/" title="http://www.commonground-do.com/">Be Inspired Friday</a>, <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">Feathered Nest Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/01/be-inspired-friday-121-whats-new-in-new.html" title="http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/01/be-inspired-friday-121-whats-new-in-new.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Be Inspired Friday</span></a></div><div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://dakotacreekchic.com/" target="_blank" title="http://dakotacreekchic.com/"><span style="color: #60502a;">Dakota Creek Chic</span></a> for Weekend Beautiful Blog Party</span></div><br /><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party.html" title="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Fabulously Creative Friday</span></a> <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday.html" title="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Feathered Nest Friday</span></a><br />Show and Tell Friday, <a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/">Seasonal Sundays</a></div></div></div></div></div>

Dining with Birds and Bunnies!!!!

I have "Springified my kitchen, breakfast room, mantle and coffee table so far! I set this new table and wanted to share it with you. I hope you like it and will come back to see the rest of my Spring!!!! I made a new centerpiece. You may remember this box with the chalkboard on the front. I found t…

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what do you want to be when you grow up

When I was little I wanted to be Walter Cronkite. And then Connie Chung. Then Blondie, Dorothy Hamill, John Hughes and Tootie (from Facts of Life). And with each new person/career I would imagine what my office would look like. My Walter Cronkite office had wall to wall bookshelves and a big mahogany desk. My Tootie office had awesome 80's blinds and a neon sign over my bean bag chair.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwxgF6Svnhilpvm83esfzkIFG_ZGhfOmOcnc2BN6mL-dMSg6na2XsMlEA1Z2qB0YIC5UaBc7no-ZaKwgYKKs8lQkbEvkIfD7jn-9GXttZgiCnTEWpfxf-Zrtf8Y7VkbEcq2Q_DPFDNk7t/s1600/LibraryAngusFergussonOct2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwxgF6Svnhilpvm83esfzkIFG_ZGhfOmOcnc2BN6mL-dMSg6na2XsMlEA1Z2qB0YIC5UaBc7no-ZaKwgYKKs8lQkbEvkIfD7jn-9GXttZgiCnTEWpfxf-Zrtf8Y7VkbEcq2Q_DPFDNk7t/s1600/LibraryAngusFergussonOct2013.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-sarah-richardson-designs?page=13" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My choices might have been... unique, but I think I went about discovering those options the same way everyone does - you see people you like/admire doing things you think look interesting. (or in Tootie's case - people who's skates your admire). Seems like a very logical way to discover and develop your path.<br /><br />The bummer of all of this though is that when you are encouraged to pick your life's profession, you have yet to meet a quarter of the interesting or admirable people you will encounter in life. Eighteen years old is damn early to make such a decision. I liked to write, so Journalism school it was. I imagined a cluttered dorm full of old books and a bulletin board with all my articles and contacts. Very Woodward and Bernstein.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUWz46at5dgRrMaAtwFkDMOy3ZmF00yRddraRyv6CanPs1b416IXEuovJlmEaLHHVf0irpoSIIurgZ7sRwxB74AoGwFPrmprQXPmFm1D8J-JI8om2aepgZmhaPpz4NPhBPjGBBCRYU_5F/s1600/47c4d501162242746da96abb54faa09a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUWz46at5dgRrMaAtwFkDMOy3ZmF00yRddraRyv6CanPs1b416IXEuovJlmEaLHHVf0irpoSIIurgZ7sRwxB74AoGwFPrmprQXPmFm1D8J-JI8om2aepgZmhaPpz4NPhBPjGBBCRYU_5F/s1600/47c4d501162242746da96abb54faa09a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-sarah-richardson-designs?page=13" target="_blank">domino</a></td></tr></tbody></table>And while I certainly do love to write, media wasn't my passion. But I stuck with it. I'm stubborn and I had made up my mind - journalism damn it. That is a real job.<br /><br />I graduated and landed in the tech world just as it was bubbling. I was good at my job and got an apartment filled with the things I thought a young person on their own would have in their first place. Ala early Carrie Bradshaw. I wasn't particularly passionate about my work, but man did I love my apartment.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDRdomI2fdqvhb7Oyhz2Jk70PeQMu3jaMGVRqae9tZUB2rZEuxYRS5PqIj4LciKGYAvCyBy6S-hG1Co2AjfOSrXLY1yRIgmbhC5J_6Cp0EAYjHUhdIsJy1sCeShj4qAw7T2NT7WOMCGUs/s1600/carrie_bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDRdomI2fdqvhb7Oyhz2Jk70PeQMu3jaMGVRqae9tZUB2rZEuxYRS5PqIj4LciKGYAvCyBy6S-hG1Co2AjfOSrXLY1yRIgmbhC5J_6Cp0EAYjHUhdIsJy1sCeShj4qAw7T2NT7WOMCGUs/s1600/carrie_bedroom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mirrormirrorblog.com/images/various/WindowsLiveWriter/carrie_bedroom.jpg" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table>It wasn't until my girls came and I got an old stack of childhood books from my mom that I began to put it all together. All of my favorite books had a common thread. I couldn't have told you the plot in most of those stories, but I could describe to you how each room looked. I got the movies I loved to watch so I could share them with the girls and again, I realized that the movies I loved were not about the stories, but about the interiors. Pollyanna - kinda boring but damn I loved her Aunt's house. The walk in closet in E.T. was about the best thing I'd ever seen with that octagon window and the banquet in the kitchen with those awesome Levolors - loved it.<br /><br />And once it finally clicked, I couldn't be stopped. All the research and studying I'd done 'for fun' for decades was paying off.  I started to take clients here and there and developed enough of a base that when the opportunity arose, I took my leap. I was able to become what I had always wanted to be, if only I had listened to myself. Sometimes it takes a while for your head to catch up with your soul.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarDMZ_axEwNEZUsyszlP7Bxs-cxyre2vUKJl5BhkhEINTxF90uO8eIZIhM7PTf09bwWvfAq09e8dcAaT3ETtDUApgeX8PrjGTsRWSMqr4pufaGk72iBJb17EXsrdKb-RMcBFUX588QVOL/s1600/bd21831e42c16d5f87864919125c6097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarDMZ_axEwNEZUsyszlP7Bxs-cxyre2vUKJl5BhkhEINTxF90uO8eIZIhM7PTf09bwWvfAq09e8dcAaT3ETtDUApgeX8PrjGTsRWSMqr4pufaGk72iBJb17EXsrdKb-RMcBFUX588QVOL/s1600/bd21831e42c16d5f87864919125c6097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Over the past few months I've experienced several growing pains in my little business which is, as my favorite boss would say, a good problem. But even with the stress and struggle, I really do FINALLY love what I do. I'll share more over the coming weeks about all the good things bubbling up, but for today, I just felt like sharing.<br /><br />So on St. Patrick's Day this Irish girl considers herself lucky to have finally found out what she wants to be when she grows up.<br /><br />What about you? Do you know what you want to be? Are you doing what you love?<br /><br />

what do you want to be when you grow up

When I was little I wanted to be Walter Cronkite. And then Connie Chung. Then Blondie, Dorothy Hamill, John Hughes and Tootie (from Facts of Life). And with each new person/career I would imagine what my office would look like. My Walter Cronkite office had wall to wall bookshelves and a big mahogan…

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fess up friday - sarah m. dorsey designs

No one is happier for this weekend than I am. I'll be honest, this week got away from me and I'm looking forward to a whole hour at some point to just sit down. So to kick off this glorious spring weekend, let's hear from the glorious Sarah Dorsey of <a href="http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah M. Dorsey Designs</a>. Sarah creates some of the most amazing pieces and her keen design eye blows my mind. She's also in the semi-finals of the <a href="http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-style-blog/makeover-madness/" target="_blank">BHG Makeover Madness </a>(<a href="http://www.bhg.com/blogs/better-homes-and-gardens-style-blog/makeover-madness/" target="_blank">click here</a> to vote if you like) and has begun work on a old house full of potential. So Sarah, fess up!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4cSv9eIx5S_VAvbOliTKEMRFDCRy6Suz399CMWv7XtSe9BTd9EbGc9B_aPtGcayQB_J-pCuCvBchyphenhyphen7mgc0aqyoFW5n7sUHgUq_PnSKoc_h-a83Ryt6mAj00xj_-axEwyfgjDDoZ5lfKV/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4cSv9eIx5S_VAvbOliTKEMRFDCRy6Suz399CMWv7XtSe9BTd9EbGc9B_aPtGcayQB_J-pCuCvBchyphenhyphen7mgc0aqyoFW5n7sUHgUq_PnSKoc_h-a83Ryt6mAj00xj_-axEwyfgjDDoZ5lfKV/s1600/FessUpFridaylogo.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Hi Little Black Door friends! I'm Sarah from <a href="http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sarah M. Dorsey Designs</a> and I'm so excited to be here today! I adore Elizabeth's blog, so it's such an honor!!<br /><br />When we moved to Ohio from California, we quickly realized that our only options would be a furnished apartment/house. We're on blustery Lake Erie, so it's busy during the summer and practically vacant in the winter. The area is almost all (kitschy nautical themed) furnished vacation homes. One criteria in our search was a 2 bedroom .. so we could shove most of the furnishings in there.<br /><br />So the guest room has turned into storage for the existing furniture and my thrifted finds while in Ohio. Coming from California - land of horrible thrifting to Ohio - land of plenty for <i>oh so cheap</i>, I got a little excited ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0wmicABSiZFtM8VKP0O6imGMt9fpqhGame0Wjuj1KoIgJHwCVREL9kMNEfrPaFcqam82n8WHYQu98UzV3eEsSaEI5QVTTQayWmoZXZgwGkfFFX9nSemzNqjr-rlpMa5iezh1zeoY4ho/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0wmicABSiZFtM8VKP0O6imGMt9fpqhGame0Wjuj1KoIgJHwCVREL9kMNEfrPaFcqam82n8WHYQu98UzV3eEsSaEI5QVTTQayWmoZXZgwGkfFFX9nSemzNqjr-rlpMa5iezh1zeoY4ho/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's what came with the place ..<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHd21Km12UEpA75laD_oeskjGZGorsRmEkKnt-L3tk4hTD3zh_UTtO8WloWHs13DOv_X-HICMe2fxy5SCYL-44R3p6CcQrITbo4tNQZGVU5uL5XI-VzGbm7Yt_Gzr7TJZ2o34lpbVldk/s1600/DSC_00112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHd21Km12UEpA75laD_oeskjGZGorsRmEkKnt-L3tk4hTD3zh_UTtO8WloWHs13DOv_X-HICMe2fxy5SCYL-44R3p6CcQrITbo4tNQZGVU5uL5XI-VzGbm7Yt_Gzr7TJZ2o34lpbVldk/s1600/DSC_00112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />and here are my finds since I've been here (plus some project supplies).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHC3ZhuGbKEKfVBFRpP-XLGMPUuml2W3PQF-oAWNaljck9qoeen623TJa5g29EQqKTJXBDazUrw8_-IJs2lhvJKIH-lUjEGx9Tb7fcOpJItPE2OXGyVk4kWbpM9qsKF_-pl23l1bR37o/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHC3ZhuGbKEKfVBFRpP-XLGMPUuml2W3PQF-oAWNaljck9qoeen623TJa5g29EQqKTJXBDazUrw8_-IJs2lhvJKIH-lUjEGx9Tb7fcOpJItPE2OXGyVk4kWbpM9qsKF_-pl23l1bR37o/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It's not pretty, but it works while we don't have a garage! We're moving in a few short weeks, so hopefully I'll have a better location to store my finds!<br /><br />Check out my <a href="http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/p/diy-projects.html" target="_blank">DIY projects page</a> and <a href="http://sarahmdorseydesigns.blogspot.com/p/home-tour_25.html" target="_blank">home tour</a> for something a little more pretty :) and feel free to stop by my blog and say hi! I'd love to meet you!<br /><br />Thanks so much for having me today Elizabeth!<br /><br />

fess up friday - sarah m. dorsey designs

No one is happier for this weekend than I am. I'll be honest, this week got away from me and I'm looking forward to a whole hour at some point to just sit down. So to kick off this glorious spring weekend, let's hear from the glorious Sarah Dorsey of Sarah M. Dorsey Designs. Sarah creates some of th…

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~~~My Spring Mantle~~~

The winds are HOWLING outside and the temps are dropping like a stone but we had 2 beautiful days in the 60's so I decided to put away ALL the winter decor and get the house ready for Spring. I just hope it gets here one of these days!!! I started with my mantle so will share that first. Forsythia just says Spring to me so I used Forsythia, yellow with green tulips, a tiny white flower, some long creamy branches and some sticks for the arrangements in the vases.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCpMFjnLQjXQhXfCoad7ZCmI3NaG3TT2APd5_oEJFTs-k1IwdmbT-WTkeZCIvgtcKZhoJ4P7qYrV3Hc6rXzYgjZb3Cn18oSGwtglfN8rcEh1BNjm5ClXDDpGIbcWbp1U9lqqqZgZ3awA/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCpMFjnLQjXQhXfCoad7ZCmI3NaG3TT2APd5_oEJFTs-k1IwdmbT-WTkeZCIvgtcKZhoJ4P7qYrV3Hc6rXzYgjZb3Cn18oSGwtglfN8rcEh1BNjm5ClXDDpGIbcWbp1U9lqqqZgZ3awA/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlgYtc43-6Kx0KU8f1ZRCH5Fceq2vBiLTFtX0xDxdacB28VPwkgoquuEF_fcedqJS0NnEOJDzlN4SNP_Gperib4bvnCUqJryve24koTqRLSfqxtCSzErnuRwq7v89avv5e_nE-uD6KXk/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlgYtc43-6Kx0KU8f1ZRCH5Fceq2vBiLTFtX0xDxdacB28VPwkgoquuEF_fcedqJS0NnEOJDzlN4SNP_Gperib4bvnCUqJryve24koTqRLSfqxtCSzErnuRwq7v89avv5e_nE-uD6KXk/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> I ran a white berry gartland through the mantle for some added texture and interest and PIZAZZ!!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlphJv-O_tTM0NQxh-E3ATYd4IuCnpuudqyJARDjDxwSm-Yp6N6Z7VKsPcT7VAbSxuek4BzdjA9DKbeizqDM8gLmcFxDttaQfHPY9lhsa7yR0JSglU4jWS5cVQ3_u0-yWIAg5bXujAcU/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlphJv-O_tTM0NQxh-E3ATYd4IuCnpuudqyJARDjDxwSm-Yp6N6Z7VKsPcT7VAbSxuek4BzdjA9DKbeizqDM8gLmcFxDttaQfHPY9lhsa7yR0JSglU4jWS5cVQ3_u0-yWIAg5bXujAcU/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z2NmWVHUhHm7SQ1F2sB0DmscxzCBJAiE6KTkq6qaGsw1o2q_KLAc-skFFKxzQzaNaM9ogDL4I0j9U4IXIch4j4pwqv4Z3dwp2MzPLdd07Xq1-BE0q-q3gyungZ9yGe4CY9JgcyPGT5Q/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z2NmWVHUhHm7SQ1F2sB0DmscxzCBJAiE6KTkq6qaGsw1o2q_KLAc-skFFKxzQzaNaM9ogDL4I0j9U4IXIch4j4pwqv4Z3dwp2MzPLdd07Xq1-BE0q-q3gyungZ9yGe4CY9JgcyPGT5Q/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdWIGkuzqPEAlchxTTovqTgwSDDxE_g-sxj7p2mcNbBpQ1W7XHTYkRrJsjvekNun9j3Q3MiesSzcfzXBplR-zBlfXvuugY5WyvzbJFkwOfMVdSW4iBmXWhaxBjYQjIWZDcISlPPTT04s/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdWIGkuzqPEAlchxTTovqTgwSDDxE_g-sxj7p2mcNbBpQ1W7XHTYkRrJsjvekNun9j3Q3MiesSzcfzXBplR-zBlfXvuugY5WyvzbJFkwOfMVdSW4iBmXWhaxBjYQjIWZDcISlPPTT04s/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivs8n6ca1VwDn7zCkxricaniO0WZcK10rOWGmh59sYz5bw-20f_o3YTuU0kkrJHBrljOSOjIHgt7Bo7HQ7ZXEfkgSKAY568e5dJDfOZ6KP-lW0UM-cJURdy81XTbwcZetKNwDa7yv8VGI/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivs8n6ca1VwDn7zCkxricaniO0WZcK10rOWGmh59sYz5bw-20f_o3YTuU0kkrJHBrljOSOjIHgt7Bo7HQ7ZXEfkgSKAY568e5dJDfOZ6KP-lW0UM-cJURdy81XTbwcZetKNwDa7yv8VGI/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCA41o6IXOgerQCszKtnEVspAjRVU6g3GleK48E-5u-QOqdl5-ILItjlFFKVO5opghaeg6H3zEdyA_wEhhNNrHVd-AIxYkM_BY_Qo3vq8fksVawLrMXjKmd4ZUgkREBzhUcxmnf3utTs/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCA41o6IXOgerQCszKtnEVspAjRVU6g3GleK48E-5u-QOqdl5-ILItjlFFKVO5opghaeg6H3zEdyA_wEhhNNrHVd-AIxYkM_BY_Qo3vq8fksVawLrMXjKmd4ZUgkREBzhUcxmnf3utTs/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD-2PUfOwl3noYTz_2pjwk6tpTf1lrV6_c6WKVRGhHweOjAskrAUsfTmhcrDlY6IkpzP8FCDQ0Q5RmgUu2ODlhdV0sdgpSMERhjhWmnHUwHIlFshyzkzHRCHRlbo9-27Ys7zm9YUiYs4/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHD-2PUfOwl3noYTz_2pjwk6tpTf1lrV6_c6WKVRGhHweOjAskrAUsfTmhcrDlY6IkpzP8FCDQ0Q5RmgUu2ODlhdV0sdgpSMERhjhWmnHUwHIlFshyzkzHRCHRlbo9-27Ys7zm9YUiYs4/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> In the center I placed an arrangement I made several years ago. It is in a TINY urn and it is all done on a styrofoam ball. I cut all the pieces off the stems of hydrangeas, picked them all and placed them into the ball. Then I added some pieces of a berry bush I had. I love this piece.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0Fn7VHajwadP-j6o3t31b_wFvQ3L9M3f_xF1a08JLcp20hKRdDJ5VgUmTJFYPdMMF6n2mRWep7mZQMUWeM_5XDrr_QZP3_yrAsJMa_xEEqW1itanxw5j6lipgPQn2SA4KD60o-blHKw/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0Fn7VHajwadP-j6o3t31b_wFvQ3L9M3f_xF1a08JLcp20hKRdDJ5VgUmTJFYPdMMF6n2mRWep7mZQMUWeM_5XDrr_QZP3_yrAsJMa_xEEqW1itanxw5j6lipgPQn2SA4KD60o-blHKw/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbD32Bfh1mIzaW2M5Ny7Ih65SAhcBF1uivrJ5Sitrp3WnJCTvsPUadBF458bppsW4LhnOyxKEHgtEluADq9JsvJ7NVShfhd-JPUW0elyj26QWRw_efddpUFKBxmQKmPdS-K7YDHeumG4/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbD32Bfh1mIzaW2M5Ny7Ih65SAhcBF1uivrJ5Sitrp3WnJCTvsPUadBF458bppsW4LhnOyxKEHgtEluADq9JsvJ7NVShfhd-JPUW0elyj26QWRw_efddpUFKBxmQKmPdS-K7YDHeumG4/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> 2 new birds have flown over to the mantle this year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62AzWVSMhehw4uatT9pzqeVCxWgddxQX35geFAEqwJykD8fj-6DhQ9dkcga25G_k3n5o0DGVh2zKMlJ6Ewbo0KW-GyQN0hwUTwlVTiQj9yr_ewbf2HZ5gZ5aiCKWFWzJ7v1HKfBofvv4/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62AzWVSMhehw4uatT9pzqeVCxWgddxQX35geFAEqwJykD8fj-6DhQ9dkcga25G_k3n5o0DGVh2zKMlJ6Ewbo0KW-GyQN0hwUTwlVTiQj9yr_ewbf2HZ5gZ5aiCKWFWzJ7v1HKfBofvv4/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpE1xtqVRREOk0ntgXPa0PgQb7ZO9COYsa46ofMGzHPwO4FIF7o1MsXW0cjZjpCSy00mlh7KAab1OsZMiwNT9HcDzOogxONIiyLxcP-1QHyAxecCocRTaapuSGD9zbbmLvYBYaxlVB_4/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpE1xtqVRREOk0ntgXPa0PgQb7ZO9COYsa46ofMGzHPwO4FIF7o1MsXW0cjZjpCSy00mlh7KAab1OsZMiwNT9HcDzOogxONIiyLxcP-1QHyAxecCocRTaapuSGD9zbbmLvYBYaxlVB_4/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This shows you how tiny the urn is!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5KpeUVHMtkd7iqps6E_emi_qJJgqjxMdzlGjtTAQUW5tyFBRt90QMcqa6vKWYKH2VLxvHN4YlkAbDIc_J7YkLC9QbEhFhjORGpe2hYYtfAQ37pK-9q5SIqaGeHMB2jzVe4l-ZGMkBDc/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5KpeUVHMtkd7iqps6E_emi_qJJgqjxMdzlGjtTAQUW5tyFBRt90QMcqa6vKWYKH2VLxvHN4YlkAbDIc_J7YkLC9QbEhFhjORGpe2hYYtfAQ37pK-9q5SIqaGeHMB2jzVe4l-ZGMkBDc/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> On the hearth I put this wire cloche with some moss at the bottom and resting on that is my green bird and a found nest is snuggled in there too. Do you see the bird at the top of the cloche?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_ReHKVBIJEfxVEF3KpWCHuUtJKLk62fr2MZHNfYSv5GC7MBTMQGVNoND6Pm99QjEOazVyIhRhFt5ZXns8GxY8Nxphc8XpTuz8BLTgeym4uDDmPtHTJe06nVpisftZwXYme9mVJHUvwg/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_ReHKVBIJEfxVEF3KpWCHuUtJKLk62fr2MZHNfYSv5GC7MBTMQGVNoND6Pm99QjEOazVyIhRhFt5ZXns8GxY8Nxphc8XpTuz8BLTgeym4uDDmPtHTJe06nVpisftZwXYme9mVJHUvwg/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY-IF0UsfDWmzlwX77MzNmYOyYmrVdslUiVK96mrG1905-1TK2_LT1MLXfmmVmQOkPY0wUSdfFHc3wUDbYcmXc3G0RwJ3sdJFPmBk-SETnEDZ9OQSIA-azbdrQXW8XPsFYvqHsVcfWak/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY-IF0UsfDWmzlwX77MzNmYOyYmrVdslUiVK96mrG1905-1TK2_LT1MLXfmmVmQOkPY0wUSdfFHc3wUDbYcmXc3G0RwJ3sdJFPmBk-SETnEDZ9OQSIA-azbdrQXW8XPsFYvqHsVcfWak/s1600/IMG_0317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXorIPkAKRm8LBDrFaLVxTr3uXYrOdE2_S1xEccU84USeEWmREr4egpicp-J9az7DCh6b3J34VwnFw1qK-60BThk84A3otfQiM5pIQ0XkUXXZArYPxocwI0P2HrobEF1cEn5W7kcYPAsk/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXorIPkAKRm8LBDrFaLVxTr3uXYrOdE2_S1xEccU84USeEWmREr4egpicp-J9az7DCh6b3J34VwnFw1qK-60BThk84A3otfQiM5pIQ0XkUXXZArYPxocwI0P2HrobEF1cEn5W7kcYPAsk/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1el5WlZIvCT6uW9jMei29-Dk4u1DHyzqoCJdFKQ9g8WL66qdBDjIe0AnIrnuJ6ZnW74teK1vd1BmGurS6obZ1rFWCU7bv5DoJapZ_JaO3SzC97bxjDavNFyWTT0REMQhnPCmPDIMTig/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1el5WlZIvCT6uW9jMei29-Dk4u1DHyzqoCJdFKQ9g8WL66qdBDjIe0AnIrnuJ6ZnW74teK1vd1BmGurS6obZ1rFWCU7bv5DoJapZ_JaO3SzC97bxjDavNFyWTT0REMQhnPCmPDIMTig/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> My tulips are about done so I cut them back and put them in my bee juice glasses for s few days.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmfokADxKEFx71en9q4k4Y_NRMvV9YFXeswVw3PNgcduFPxJObzECPXpT8simXWn99kdXWtxzum50SxdXxWJMOHGzv-D569qH7PK3zjFPaVhyEFrATo5Zx2DhCYgNUw0IOTvSSwvoiiY/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmfokADxKEFx71en9q4k4Y_NRMvV9YFXeswVw3PNgcduFPxJObzECPXpT8simXWn99kdXWtxzum50SxdXxWJMOHGzv-D569qH7PK3zjFPaVhyEFrATo5Zx2DhCYgNUw0IOTvSSwvoiiY/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUKv-CgQLj8Qo5-hwbOrp0ihyphenhyphenJdkkjgoTv-WXK98nXDsMFpvJDXa1U6RCFRRLRulcRjOFGuqALSTfrnVSfTQwTWtExO3isgHJBc7sdCKyy56rIEkNg5C2l1plFELirAsjkoOMrKwpr3Y/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUKv-CgQLj8Qo5-hwbOrp0ihyphenhyphenJdkkjgoTv-WXK98nXDsMFpvJDXa1U6RCFRRLRulcRjOFGuqALSTfrnVSfTQwTWtExO3isgHJBc7sdCKyy56rIEkNg5C2l1plFELirAsjkoOMrKwpr3Y/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also replaced the pillar candles with these yellow ones to bring that color down to the hearth.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVGSnw6kZVqOO8PolptWDtUDPjykv3d4MyZ_AtvUaujsoegmbzWwn6vnlgnAHeMo7htWsymMwkOZARV-1KoLUlPRtLipZVg16WrNmCLh8yxqLwIZFy1L6Ne7CNloRUCMMe8_pazDr1W8/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVGSnw6kZVqOO8PolptWDtUDPjykv3d4MyZ_AtvUaujsoegmbzWwn6vnlgnAHeMo7htWsymMwkOZARV-1KoLUlPRtLipZVg16WrNmCLh8yxqLwIZFy1L6Ne7CNloRUCMMe8_pazDr1W8/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GPUvPbDq6gF3i5_zMCSFXkq85O5MX7va8f1IcQqzOmF3gw6ntV5dmN9SsGg3w1GTSpqsHhaMtn96nKjLch2QhKJxNgWw7CextPJFXPLPyO1GTxzEM8GhcxYBZ_SjzOA0XRZvOC-jAS0/s1600/IMG_0300_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GPUvPbDq6gF3i5_zMCSFXkq85O5MX7va8f1IcQqzOmF3gw6ntV5dmN9SsGg3w1GTSpqsHhaMtn96nKjLch2QhKJxNgWw7CextPJFXPLPyO1GTxzEM8GhcxYBZ_SjzOA0XRZvOC-jAS0/s1600/IMG_0300_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope it is getting nice where you live and I hope it will be Spring when we get back from Fl. We are leaving this Friday but I am going to try to keep blogging while I am gone. XO, Pinky<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V8CLiC_hMlqoFbpv1FQIZPSgRWj9Xogk12GHECZ_m8oZrJO3F4n7EDDltmHHxbrsLi4qFCD7zXjbF3dhsLM13AyZBT1QhJrRsxUVuTid6gfvwPkfyNAw_yAiyS7uaeIIBxcIDS0fE60/s1600/IMG_0301_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2V8CLiC_hMlqoFbpv1FQIZPSgRWj9Xogk12GHECZ_m8oZrJO3F4n7EDDltmHHxbrsLi4qFCD7zXjbF3dhsLM13AyZBT1QhJrRsxUVuTid6gfvwPkfyNAw_yAiyS7uaeIIBxcIDS0fE60/s1600/IMG_0301_1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am linking to:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Between Naps on the Porch for <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/" title="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/">Metamorphosis Monday</a></div><br /> <div>Judy @<a href="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/" title="http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> DIY by Design</span></a> for Sizzle Into Summer Wednesday</div><br /> <div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">The Dedicated House – </span><a href="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheDedicatedHouse+%28The+Dedicated+House%29" target="_blank" title="http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheDedicatedHouse+(The+Dedicated+House)"><span style="color: #45818e;">Make it Pretty Monday</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Confessions of a Plate Addict - </span><a href="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/07/please-join-me-for-scoop-77.html" target="_blank" title="http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/07/please-join-me-for-scoop-77.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">The Scoop</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"> A Stroll Thru Life – </span><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/175th-inspire-me-tuesday.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank" title="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/175th-inspire-me-tuesday.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">Inspire Me Tuesday</span></a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME</span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: #0066cc;">Happy List Tuesdays</span></u>~</span><br /><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;">Worthing Court - </span><a href="http://worthingcourt.blogspot.com/2013/07/homework-wednesday-11.html" target="_blank" title="http://worthingcourt.blogspot.com/2013/07/homework-wednesday-11.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">Home(work) Wednesday</span></a></span><br /><div><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-140.html" title="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/10/wow-us-wednesdays-140.html"><span style="color: #4a5850;">Kim's Place: Savvy Southern Style</span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333333;"><div style="text-align: left;">Ivy @<a href="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/" title="http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> Ivy and Elephants</span></a> for What's It Wednesday</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #33aaff;"><a href="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/" target="_blank" title="http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/">Let’s Dish!</a>,  <div><a href="http://www.flusterbuster.com/search/label/Fluster%20Muster%20Party" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.flusterbuster.com/search/label/Fluster Muster Party"><span style="color: #5c4e49;">Fluster Creative Muster Party</span></a>, Wed.</div><div>Katherine @<a href="http://katherinescorner.com/" title="http://katherinescorner.com/"><span style="color: #5d2910;"> Katherines Corner</span></a> for Favorite Things Thursday Hop</div></span></div></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><div><span style="font-family: andalus; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/02/thursdays-inspiration-white.html" title="http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/02/thursdays-inspiration-white.html"><strong>THURSDAY’S INSPIRATION</strong></a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: andalus; font-size: medium;"><div><a href="http://www.impartinggrace.com/" title="http://www.impartinggrace.com/"><span style="color: #ac6b0f;">Imparting Grace</span></a><span> for Grace at Home</span></div><div><span><div><a href="http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com/2013/09/all-things-thursday-blog-hop-10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20GlamorousAffordableLife%20(Glamorous,%20Affordable%20Life)" title="http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com/2013/09/all-things-thursday-blog-hop-10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed: GlamorousAffordableLife (Glamorous, Affordable Life)"><span style="color: #336e62;">All Things Thursday Blog Hop</span></a></div></span></div></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><a href="http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/" title="http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for A Favorite Thing.</span></a><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Lucida Handwriting; font-size: small;">Between Naps on the Porch – Tablescape Thursday</span> </div><div><div><a href="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/" title="http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #7f001f;">Treasure Hunt Thursdays</span></a></div><div><div><a href="http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-6-plus-features.html#more" target="_blank" title="http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-6-plus-features.html#more"><span style="color: #b81212;">Create It Thursday</span></a></div><div><a href="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://stonegable.blogspot.com/">Tutorials Tips and Tidbits</a>, <a href="http://www.adelightsomelife.com/" title="http://www.adelightsomelife.com/">Home and Garden Thursday</a>, <a href="http://www.commonground-do.com/" title="http://www.commonground-do.com/">Be Inspired Friday</a>, <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/">Feathered Nest Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/01/be-inspired-friday-121-whats-new-in-new.html" title="http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/01/be-inspired-friday-121-whats-new-in-new.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Be Inspired Friday</span></a></div><div><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://dakotacreekchic.com/" target="_blank" title="http://dakotacreekchic.com/"><span style="color: #60502a;">Dakota Creek Chic</span></a> for Weekend Beautiful Blog Party</span></div><br /><a href="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party.html" title="http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2013/01/fabulously-creative-friday-linky-party.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Fabulously Creative Friday</span></a> <a href="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday.html" title="http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/feathered-nest-friday.html"><span style="color: #777777;">Feathered Nest Friday</span></a><br />Show and Tell Friday, <a href="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/">Seasonal Sundays</a></div></div></div></div></div>

~~~My Spring Mantle~~~

The winds are HOWLING outside and the temps are dropping like a stone but we had 2 beautiful days in the 60's so I decided to put away ALL the winter decor and get the house ready for Spring. I just hope it gets here one of these days!!! I started with my mantle so will share that first. Forsythia j…

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