Here Comes Peter Cottontail....

If I were planning our families Easter Dinner this year (which I'm not as my sister Judy has graciously offered to host.....again!) I would most certainly adorn my holiday table with these ever-so-sweet bunny napkins. Instructions can be found on the Good House Keeping website.



Here's a just as sweet but simpler version. Instructons for this napkin, as well as many others, can be found on the Milliken Table Linens web site.

I had my eye on this cupboard for weeks...

And then today, when I again spied it during my weekly Sunday outing to the Wrentham Country Store, I naturally assummed it was meant for me to own :)

It's simply an old vegetable crate that some wonderfully creative person thought to add shelves and a door to, embellish with charming corner and swag appliques, a picture frame and vintage ceramic knob. The best part, of course, is that they had the intuition to paint it white and then distress it just to my liking!

As I didn't quite care for the original picture that was in the frame (which you can view by clicking the Wrentham Country Store website link above and going to the "treasures" tab), I swapped it out with what you see in there now - opting to do without the glass as well.

Once my husband attaches some magnets to the inside of the door to prevent it from accidentally swinging open, the plan is to hang it in our kitchen.

(Remember....you can click on a picture to enlarge it)

A man after my heart....

How absolutely perfect was this Valentine's Day gift from my husband. When from behind his back he presented the gift bag with "755 House" stamped on it I knew I was in for a treat. Inside was this decorated tin heart filled with hershey chocolate kisses. I love that he knows just where to shop for me and that he takes pleasure in knowing he's bought me a gift that's sure to bring ooohhs and aaahhs!! Moreover I love that he knows just how to set my heart aflutter - gift or not...

You've Got Mail...

The United States Postal Service's first incarnation was established by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1775. Since then it has grown and changed with America, boldly embracing new technologies to better serve a growing population.

1775 - Benjamin Franklin appointed first Postmaster General

1847 - U.S. postage stamps issued

1855 - Prepayment of postage required

1860 - Pony Express began

1863 - Free city delivery began

1873 - U.S. postal cards issued

1893 - First commemorative stamps issued

1896 - Rural free delivery began

1913 - Parcel Post began

1918 - Scheduled airmail service began

1950 - Residential deliveries reduced to one a day

1963 - ZIP Code inaugurated

1970 - Express Mail began experimentally

1971 - United States Postal Service began operations

1974 - Self-adhesive stamps tested

1983 - ZIP+4 Code began

1992 - Self-adhesive stamps introduced nationwide

1993 - National Postal Museum opened

1994 - Postal Service launched public Internet site

2007 - “Forever” stamp issued

2008 - Competitive pricing for expedited mail began

Happy Valentine's Day

is for the way you look at me,

is for the only one I see,

is very, very....

Extra ordinary!!

Stairways to heaven....

Peonies....

known for their exquisite, large blossoms are perennial favorites and primarily grown for their ornamental value.

Single blooms of the flower are considered "male" and the double varieties "female." The double whites and pinks generally have the strongest odor, with single and red varieties having the least.

Timing is the key....

to successfully drying hydrangeas. While it is tempting to cut the hydrangea blossoms for drying at the height of their color, it's best to leave the flowers on the shrub until late summer or early fall as this is when the petals begin to dry out on their own. After cutting, you can finish the drying process by arranging the stems in a vase (without water) or by hanging them upside down (if the stems are thin and weak) to air dry.

Think Pink....

it's the most romantic and tranquilizing color. Put some pink in your life when you want to feel calm and relaxed - a hint of it works for me and the mere thought of pink brings a smile to my face.

Starfish....

also known as *sea stars* are not really fish despite the name that's been given to them. They're echinoderms and can be found abundant in deep blue seas as well as shallow waters. I prefer to acquire them at local shops as I wouldn't dream of snatching one from its aquatic home.

Because of their darker shade, I typically add a wash of white paint to the horned starfish.

I love them for the seaside flare they give to any resting place in my home (to which there are many)