Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Friday, April 6, 2012

Spring Has Finally Sprung!

Hi everyone!  While many of you have been experiencing unusually warm temps, spring has been very slow to arrive here in the Pacific Northwest.  Until now, that is!  It is starting to warm up a bit, the sky is blue, flowers are beginning to bloom, and the birds are singing happily!

 So, I've been busy picking fresh blooms, and putting bouquets around the house.  I love these gorgeous camellias.  I think they look so pretty in this vintage milk glass compote, which was a lucky thrift store find.
 Aren't they pretty?
 Nothing says spring like a big bunch of cheery daffodils, don't you think?
 Rhododendrons are very popular here in Washington, and are just starting to blossom.  I especially love the bright pink ones!
 Another pretty vintage milk glass vase, an estate sale bargain, is filled with a bunch of grape hyacinth, one of my favorite spring time blooms!  That's me and hubby on our wedding day in Hawaii, 11 1/2 years ago!
 Trillium, which reminds me of home, are starting to bloom in the woods.
 I've placed them in a vintage Fenton milk glass vase that my mom gave me years ago.  This cute bust of a little boy was a garage sale steal a few years ago.  Guess how much I paid for him?  50 cents!  Yup!

My mom and dad on their wedding day.  And the little green music box was brought home from a trip that we took to Germany quite a few years ago.
I am so excited!  A local newspaper was sponsoring a giveaway to win tickets to see comedian Brad Garrett, and I won!  Brad played "Robert", Raymond's brother, on "Everybody loves Raymond".  Hubby and I still love watching the reruns, and love Brad's sense of humor!  The show is tonight at a casino near us, and I can't wait!  The funny thing is, I had forgotten all about entering, and the newspaper that gave the tickets away was one that we normally never read.  Hubby had happened to go the store to pick up a few things, and they were giving away copies of the paper to try and entice new subscribers.  Things have been, shall we say, more than a bit stressful here at the Chateau, so a night of laughter is just what the doctor ordered!
Happy Easter!

15 comments:

john said...

Happy Easter Donna ! love all your spring flowers and the 2 lovely wedding photos. I really like trillium....I don't have any but it's definitely on my list...! We don't have those Reese peanut Easter eggs here in UK but they sound good !
Gail x

Tete said...

Congrats on the win! I hope you guys have a fun time tonight.
Your blooms there are wonderful. I know you are busy packing and making lists.
So much to do and so little time!
I am glad to see you haven't packed up everything yet.
Have a great easter weekend. Hope Emily gets a big basket!

Karen said...

Donna, your pictures are amazing! Love each one! You & John haven't changed a bit!

Congrats on winning tickets to see Brad Garrett...we like him too! Have a fun evening at the show!

Love, Karen

NanaDiana said...

I love all your flowers, Donna. The only ones blooming here so far are the daffodils. That is a great picture of you and hubby on your wedding day. You were a beautiful bride!

Have fun watching Brad's show tonight. That should be fun. He is a really good comedian and I think he is a pretty "clean" comedian, too. I am so turned off by all those raunchy comedians that are out there today.

Blessings to you- Diana

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Hi Donna
We loved him on Raymond, he's so funny.
Wonderful photos today- I love the camellias and wish I could grow them here.
Enjoy your time out tonite and try to rest in the middle of all the packing!
Happy Easter!

Musings from Kim K. said...

Gorgeous blooms. Sounds like a much needed date night. Have a marvelous time!

pembrokeshire lass said...

Hi Donna. I love your ideas and the things that you have found in the thrift shops. I realise I must spend more time looking in them! I will join your followers so I can find you again! have a great Easter. Joan

The Bear's Blog said...

Happy Easter Miss Donna. Happy Bunny Day, Miss Emily.

Heaps of Hugs ♥
Prudence

ShabbyESP said...

Hello Donna,
i love your flowers.....the pinks ones of course are my favorite but I do love the bright yellow ones also.
It sounds like you will have a fun evening!!!
Enjoy!!!
Suzann ~xoxo~

Blondie's Journal said...

You have so many pretty blooms, Donna! I bet your home smells heavenly! And I'm happy that you are finally getting some spring weather! Our temps are back to normal...40's and 50's. We really had a heatwave a few weeks ago that threw us all for a loop!

Have fun seeing Brad. I always loved his character Robert! I still watch reruns, too. Let us know how you like the show. Great win!

Happy Easter!

XO,
Jane

Cindy Adkins said...

Happy Easter, Donna! I love all the pictures and that one of you and John at your wedding and your parent's wedding picture are amazing!!!
XOXOX
Cindy

Unknown said...

Hi Donna, Wow. Those blooms are spectacular. Did they all come from your yard?
xo
lynn

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

How fun to get to see "Robert"!

just love all your milkglass, yes I kept my Grandmothers! It is still so reasonable and can be so beautiful.

Happy Easter to you!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your photos are so lovely, Donna...love all the beautiful flowers and the milk glass...love the wedding photos, too! The giveaway win sounds fun!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, love the milk glass...