Household Secrets Part II. . . . . . . . . .

Way back in January I posted Household Secrets, Part 1 and promised

 a second part with more odds and ends from around the cottage. 

Here it is, better late than never, if you're interested in what some call bric-a-brac,

 knick knacks or just plain old junk!

bric-a-brac

noun, ( used with a singular or plural verb)

miscellaneous small articles collected for their antiquarian, sentimental, decorative, or other interest.

I'm now in the throes of doing a little Spring/Easter decorating so some of this

 has already changed, not a lot though because I've really pared down on

 seasonal decorating. Too much stuff to store (we are limited by uneasy to access

 storage, most being in the attic, and we are finding it impossible very hard to

 crawl around dragging out bulky, heavy boxes.

Later you'll be re-introduced to the things I love to display for this new season,

 my white rabbits, they will always be around come Springtime.

What's happening at your house regarding Spring/Easter decor?

Will you be going over the top or keeping it simple?

Seeing these empty French antique drinking vessels above I'm suddenly visualizing

nice brown farm eggs sitting in them!

If you have youngsters at home I'm sure there will be colorful displays, chocolate

eggs, even bunting and cut out characters stuck on the windows - all part of being 

a child who will grow up with happy memories. 

Go for it say I - before it sometimes becomes a little bit more of a chore than a fun thing!

Anyway, let's think Spring - it's almost here.

Spring Equinox 2017 in the Northern Hemisphere will be at 6:28 AM

Eastern Daylight Time on

Monday, 

March 20, 2017

A stop for a cuppa!

Busy today doing required jobs about the cottage. . . . . .including taking photos in the garden to share with you later of course. Yes, it's happening, Spring is springing, flowers are peeking out from buds, temperatures  are warming, birds are singing and probably checking for nesting sites.

My cuppa today - caffeine free Rooibos Chai for a change.

I first tasted Rooibos in Botswana when on my first safari.

Just having a tea break - bit earlier than my usual 'teatime' - then back to the kitchen to make soup and wash the kitchen floor - we had workmen in yesterday and I can feel the residue they left behind. Thankfully they did a good job though. I thought it so cute when I offered coffee or tea - they asked if perhaps they could have a cup of tea with milk and sugar!  No, they weren't British, just two Southern brothers who were definitely some of my favorite service people ever!

Cute tea towel - gift from granddaughter Jasmin

Happy March - it arrived here like a lamb. A balmy 72F with a breeze outside right now!

Leap Day and early Spring mornings. . . . .

I enjoy posting a seasonal something or other on the refrigerator. Usually it's a tear sheet from a magazine, and almost always it will be from UK Country Living. . . . . because I think it's one of the very best magazines out there!

Today I decided to display this page again because it's one of my favorites for Spring.

The mornings are looking brighter since last week's damaging storm front passed through, and over the weekend I cut the first few daffodils for the kitchen window. Healthy looking green leaves are shooting up everywhere since those heavy rains, even in the window box - though I can't recall just which bulbs I planted there . . . . . a senior moment, but a surprise to come! I did run outside before the rains came and sprinkled a lot of bulb fertilizer where I planted in Fall, looks like it's paying off. Hopefully I'll soon be cutting more blooms to enjoy in the cottage.

Don't have many spare/bare walls remaining to display

 art so the refrigerator door comes in handy

 and, as you can see, magnets are at the ready.

Happy Leap Day - happy week.

Edited: Thank you all SO MUCH for the outpouring of wonderful comments 

on my ninth blog anniversary post yesterday. I appreciate every kind word.

If only. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . everything was perfect in the world.

One afternoon last week I went to my dentist for a cleaning and check up.

The day was beautiful, indeed almost perfect. Earlier I'd gone to my 

physiotherapy session to be stretched, to cycle, to walk the treadmill, 

to do a lot of leg/hip exercises etc.  

Driving home from that session I was thrilled to see the dogwood blossoms

opening, new leaves greening, azaleas ready to burst through, and pollen yet
to arrive! Sturdy tulips and jonquils wafted in the breeze, drifts of white thrift 
and soft lavender creeping phlox spilled over curbs and garden walls.

A few people were mowing, the dull drone of machines tempered by the 

music of loud birdsong always so lovely at this season.

Ever thankful for Spring's arrival, this year it feels even more special after

such a long hard Winter. 

I said a little prayer. I was so thankful for that day.

Later, leaving the dentist's office, I came close to perhaps being seriously 

injured, even killed. I waited to pull out for a left turn onto a main road. The red light 

was very long but I waited patiently, no rush to get to any other appointments that day.

I saw the three lanes of traffic each way slowing both left and right, then stopping, 

and my light turned green. I started to pull out but something made me brake. 

To my left came a car at very high speed, continuing through the red light 

just missing me. I was shocked, but so grateful I had hesitated.

Everything is far from perfect in the world, especially currently.

We, the ordinary people don't really want much. 

Safety for our loved ones, and ourselves, comes at the top of the list.

Each day can be wonderful with simple things and good health.

Nature's abundance around us is so important. . . . . be thankful, 

perhaps with a special prayer.

My kitchen window where the pair of Carolina wrens are back and busy in the window box.

They're building a neat, snug nest under a clump of purple violas, shaded by a mini conifer.

Right now all is well. Stay safe dear friends, and tiny birds.

Tulips and a celebration. . . . . . . .

We had a few showers and they certainly gave the tulips a much needed boost.

With warmer days, some sunshine, and now a good watering, they are

opening and gaining height. Most of mine are in pots and it appears that

the pink ones are blooming first.

We're driving to Washington D.C. today to enjoy a weekend of celebration - it's 

a big anniversary for us. We met, and were married in D.C. and we love to return 

and spend time just wandering around to see what's changed.

I'm planning to meet one of my favorite bloggers on Saturday. He has the 

most beautiful shop. . . . .I'm hoping he'll allow me to take some photos to 

share with you later.

Enjoy your Spring weekend.

Just thinking about nesting. . . . . . . . . .

With the official first day of Spring now here. . . . .I've been thinking.

Mostly about the garden which requires a lot of sprucing up and TLC, and 

about the bird population which seems to be ever increasing around here.

It's a good thing! 

I need to start dragging home large bags of mulch to replenish the sad looking beds.

The sun has just popped out so it may be a good afternoon for a garden center

visit - with the temperature due to hit mid-60's.

Will there soon be more tulips?  This is the first and probably an old bulb, 

the stem and leaves are very short. Last Fall's planting are all in large pots 

and just coming up. . . . . . I hope they will be tall and strong, able to wave 

to passersby in the March winds.

Does my year-round robin, sitting in the fig tree, and whom I now think is a 

female, have a gentleman caller at long last? Is she playing hard to get? 

Will there be a nest construction project in the near future?

Note the suet cage on the ground - each time we fill it some animal, probably 

a raccoon, takes it down, opens it up, and has a greasy midnight meal.

Our woodpeckers are getting really upset!

Talking of nesting - will our longtime porch-living wren family be building again this Spring? 

I've already seen one checking the window box but still too cold and a bit early perhaps 

to start on construction.

My lovely blog friend Deb at Just Cats in still really snowy/chilly Ontario, Canada, 

has a great idea which I must share, and will be doing too as I already 

have the suet cage. Hopefully raccoons will steer clear!

She fills her cage with leftover scraps of yarn cut into 2" pieces, and even cat hair from 

her beautiful kitties - all of which nest building birds will pull out and use. 

Other bloggers, in their comments to Deb, also share the bits and bobs they 

put out for their birds, including lace. 

How lovely is that, a tiny bird weaving delicate lace through a twiggy nest.

 I usually tuck chunks of dryer lint into places on the front porch, and will be starting 

this again after my next laundry load - I have seen the lint used in the nests in our garden.

Hyacinths are late blooming this year too.  These will be pink and pretty, but blue

are my favorite - perhaps I can find some at the garden center for the dining room table 

Easter vignette. I love their fragrance

The white rabbits are ready, out of storage, and waiting for their place in the sun, and 

with Easter coming early I must stop thinking and get to work.

So dear friends, a very happy beginning of springtime. 

May your days get warmer, your blossoms bloom, your birds find mates, 

build pretty nests, sing early in the morning to start your day joyfully,

(notice how much louder they are singing now),

 and the real bunnies stay away from your lettuce!

Heartfelt flowers and more. . . . . . . .

Especially for those of you in northern climes, dear friends all, 

a little almost Springtime color - I just know you're tired of being

blanketed in white!

This is my garden today. Little gems of early Spring are peeking from the ground, 

flower pots, and the kitchen window box. Pansies and Violas, bless their heart shapes.

Daffodils, just showing yellow petals, will soon be dancing in the breeze.

However, before all that happens, COLD, very cold bitter weather is expected

over the weekend - record low temperatures for this area in February - however a
promise of brilliant sunshine at the same time, for that we're grateful.

Mother Nature, you sure know how to flirt with our senses. . . . . 

and this weekend, our hearts.