Spring Fling

Monday through Wednesday this past week were particularly warm days, the warmest of the season yet, with a mixture of sunshine and rain. I am marking these days, April 25-27 2011 as the first days of what feels like spring. It has been a long, cold winter, and I am not exaggerating when I say that things blossomed, literally, overnight. I could mark over four inches of growth in my hostas alone. All of us, even the plants, were bursting with joy at the weather! I went out and took some photos of my burgeoning garden. This will be a baseline. I will put other photos up later in the season to mark the growth.

Happy Easter Season

My neighbor offered me these beautiful eggs for Easter

Look at the detail close up

 

 

Here is how she did it:

collect beautiful leaves from your garden

wrap an egg with the collection pressed against the egg tightly in a piece of ladies' hose

tie tightly with string

boil as you would a hard-boiled egg in water with onion peal

That's it. Amazing, isn't it?

They were almost too beautiful to open, but eventually I did and made deviled eggs, which are a must for Hungarian Easter, but more about that another time.

 

Speaking of Hungarian Easter, I just had to post this hand-painted egg, which is also a tradition. Beautiful, isn't it?

Happy Easter Season!

No Bags

I have a real pet peeve about plastic. There is too much in this world. Having lived in Europe, I got used to having to buy my plastic bags, and/or bring my own bag when I went shopping. Here in the US, plastic bags are in abundance. I cannot stand the clutter their accumulation creates in my environment, not to mention the damage they wreak on our environment. So, I stopped using them. Whenever I go to the store, I use my own handbag, or bring my own reusable bag when I grocery shop. I'll request not to be given a bag when I purchase something, and I am always looked at as if I have three heads. You would think by now people are used to such behavior, but perhaps I am wrong.

I recently bought a pot for flowers, a gift for a friend, socks for my boys, and groceries. I carried it all out or in my hand bag, and put it in my trunk. 

It helps that my handbag is large. I have been using Eileen Fisher's Whole Life Bag for over a year now. Unfortunately I did not see it on her website anymore.

I am a proponent of simple living, but I admit, that sometimes not accepting the bag can make things harder to deal with. I am dedicated to this practice, however. It is better for everyone and everything. 

Blackboard

I love when I have company. It forces me to get little projects done around the house that I otherwise put off. My family was coming to town for a week, and I wanted to complete a project in my kitchen. I had been completely inspired by the idea of using blackboards in decorating, which I saw on many blogs, but the original one that I love to follow is from the Gardener's Cottage. I think it looks so classy, and gives the kitchen a bistro feel.  So here are some before and after shots to show the difference. I think it made a huge improvement.

BEFORE

 

 

AFTER

 

  

Beautiful flowers

Here are some fresh-cut flowers to brighten the day. Spring has not yet sprung, so one needs something to boost the spirit.

 

I often put flowers on my sideboard in the dining room. I like how they reflect in the mirror.