dis-Mantle

The baby is away for a few days and I can't see him or take photos. so I have to keep busy in other ways.

After seeing Catherine's post titled decorate I was inspired to re-do our mantle.  It had only two items on it and really was boring.  I don't think I'm quite done with ours, but took a few photos to get a better perspective.  (tell me if you detect a theme)

ok, I can't leave without adding a couple of pics I stole from facebook (color version of those on the mantle)

We just love that little one.  But wonder why he is covering his ears at this tender age.   Hhmm, must be a "guy" thing.

In the yard today.....

 

 

 

In the front yard we have, mums, geraniums,
hydrangeas and begonias.

In the backyard we have lemons, grapefruit, tangerines and tangelos slowly ripening; 

as well as some unexpected fungi.

And everywhere else we have leaves!!
Have I mentioned that we have 9 trees in our front yard and 20 in the back? 
And this is a small lot (.16 acre) with a fairly large house.  We love it!

finding treasures...in the yard, at the thrift stores and on other blogs

It has been a good season for treasure hunting.  We have a LOT of flowers blooming in the yard right now and each one is a treasure.

 

A few weeks ago I found this spice rack at a thrift store.  The rack is a carousel; the bottles had labels and corks which smell of the spices. I couldn't decide if I should leave it alone or re-purpose it.  With Easter coming and flowers blooming the decision was easy. I removed the corks, scrubbed the vials and filled them with pastel colored water.  My sweet daughters-in-law insisted I post a picture of it. 

 

On Saturday the kids were all here and we all went treasure hunting.  We visited the Green Pea Boutique first.  It is the best antique/boutique store around!!  Both girls found treasures there. We also went to another antique store and a thrift store.


My favorite find is this egg gathering basket , I am anxious to fill it with "grass" and "eggs", I just don't know yet what that will look like.  

We all brought home new (to us) treasures.  The best part was 50% off everything at the thrift store.  This silver plated teapot was only fifty cents!

I also love treasure hunting on all the wonderful blogs out there in cyberspace.  I found versions of these sweet birds on a few different blogs and had to try making them.  I love the paperclip feet! 

And this morning I found the sign below and couldn't agree more.