I can feel it...

It has been months since I had a good yard sale, thrift store, curbside browse and I am feeling the need for a little thrift therapy :>) I wouldn't say I'm addicted to the hunt. No, addiction is a pretty strong word with negative connotations, and I don't think thrifting is negative, therefore, it can't be an addiction, right? Hmmm. Well, I just happened to be in a thrift store the other day, and these bowls were being put out. I love red, and this deep, rich red with roses is so pretty! Four soup bowls and a large vegetable/serving bowl and I had a coupon for half off so I snapped them up. They say Myott, Staffordshire England on the back and they are in really great shape. SO, I come in the door and pull them out to show youngest daughter (who is so much like her father!). Look honey aren't these pretty? She looks at me and says, "did you need those for something?" Well..., yeah..., I can use these for soup and... stuff.... Well, what does need have to do with it anyway? Someday I'm going to remember that question when she is all grown up and a bargain (addict) hunter herself!

Mary at Little Red House wanted to see more of the hutch so here it is. I can't say that vignettes are my strength, but I feel better having freshened things up!

I got these bunny boxes on clearance last year. Love that, if you can go for the delayed gratification. I can, for 90% off.

And of course I have to have my sweet babies graduation pics in there somewhere.:>)

That's it. Winter and I are officially over. Never mind that I can't see the ground for the grungy snow. Never mind that it is supposed to be in the 20's all week. Never mind. I've seen the bluebird, It rained today and hit 4o degrees. Yesterday I went out to my car, in the bright morning sunshine and the birds were singing! I cleared out the hutch in the dining room today and replaced all the silver and white with flower sprigged tea cups, ivy and birds. In the northeast corner of my dining room it is now spring. I was totally inspired by Mary and this blog (what beautiful inspiration!) I got the green depression glass sunflower cake plate at a garage sale last year for $3. It really seems to glow in the light and gives a nice spring green aura to everything in the hutch. I have been bustling around after church, cleaning, reorganizing, making spring. It feels good. I had gotten so far behind. Time to go make spring in another corner. My family just smiles and shake their heads, but they know I come alive in the spring and they can't begrudge me my fantasies of springtime in February:>)

Spring Can't Be Far...

I saw a bluebird outside my kitchen window Monday. It was below zero weather here in Michigan and I was home for yet another snow day. It was so cold they called off school so the little kids wouldn't freeze at the bus stop. But there he was, all fluffy and bright blue peeking in the window at me as if to say hello. I wanted to scoop him into my warm hands and bring him inside but he was gone in a flash. If the bluebirds are coming home can spring be far behind? I think not! Oh, how I love the blubirds:>)
And this is what I have been working on between my other two jobs! This tray is full of the buttons, jewelry and charms that I use to embellish my hearts. Yup! I have another batch ready for etsy and as soon as I am done with this post I am going to start listing them:>)

Not all are finished, but I hope to have this batch all finished and listed by Saturday afternoon. I still have some colors and styles to sew that aren't in this bunch, so if you don't see the ones you want, keep an eye open, I'll get to them! I plan to do some flea market and antique shop lurking with my sweetie tomorrrow, and maybe actually get the house cleaned up! I have today and Monday off from my school job for mid-winter break and I managed to convince my second job that they didn't need me today so I will have at least three days to just catch up. I will probably have to work the second job Monday though. I hope everyone has a great weekend! Get out there and do something fun, I know I'm going to:>)

Happy Valentines Day!

Beauty and love are all my dream;
They change not with the changing day;
Love stays forever like a stream
That flows but never flows away;
And beauty is the bright sun-bow
That blossoms on the spray that showers
Where the loud water falls below,
Making a wind among the flowers.
Andrew Young

Happy Valentine's Day to all my sweet blog friends who share their beauty and love and dreams every day:>)