Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Happy Spring!



Thank you, dear sweet friends for your kind comments on my posts.  Family is so very important to me-- those that are here now and those that have gone on.

My kids were on spring break last week.  So we took off to Missouri to pick up my mom and headed to Illinois to visit my Mom's side of the family.  We had a great time and even did some shopping.  But since Rich stayed home to work, I didn't get to enjoy shopping much with three kids with me.  They got some new clothes, but the prim pickins' had to wait!  On our way home, we stopped at the Arch in St. Louis.  We didn't have time to go up inside it because I was driving straight through to get home.  12 hours on the road in one day is not fun.  My shoulders, lower back and bottom were so sore by the time I got home!  My mom doesn't like to drive but that was okay, it was so nice to have her with us on our trip.  I was so surprised at how well my kids behaved with NO complaining!  I was so proud of them!  Even little 4 yr. old Robbie was a great boy all the way home.  Thank You Lord!!

At the end of the week we headed out to Ft. Smith, AR to visit some friends.  My trusty iphone took us to this quaint little place when I put “travel info center” into the map search.

It was a beautiful house inside and out.  We went through a tour of the whole house.

As we were leaving, Rich thanked me for taking us to a brothel!  Oh my word!  I had no idea!  We found this out during the tour, but it would have been awkward to just leave so we got to hear about the building's past.  Their brochure even proudly proclaims on the front in big letters, “Our brothel still takes care of visitors!”  Wow!

We had a most enjoyable time spending the week visiting family and friends.  We are surely blessed! 

On March 20th, the first day of spring, we headed out in snow to AR.  It was so odd considering we were at 74 degrees the DAY before!  It is crazy how this Oklahoma weather changes so quickly.  Goodness!

The snow is gone and the sweet little snowman my daughter built has finally melted away.  My daffodils popped back up after the snow had them lying on the ground.  It is finally spring!  It was so nice to finally open the windows and air out our home!  I wanted to share my spring decorations with you.  I don’t decorate for “Easter”.  It’s only been within the past couple of years that I actually started collecting birds, rabbits, and eggs with a prim look to them.   I didn’t want my kids thinking we celebrate Easter because the Easter bunny brings us goodies so I never played up the Easter bunny.  I wanted them to know the real reason.  Then one day it hit me.  ‘Girl, your child has heard about the risen Savior since they were in your womb.  Alongside Sunday school, you have taught them about our Loving Father.  They know that Jesus Christ’s birth is why we celebrate Christmas and they know that Jesus Christ’s resurrection is why we celebrate Easter.  So why are you being so silly??’  I realized it’s okay to have rabbits, sheep, birds, and eggs in my home to celebrate the beginning of spring.  Whew!  What a relief that was to me because every year I always saw beautiful eggs and lovely prim rabbits I wanted to buy but didn’t feel it was right.  Here is my little collection…

These little eggs were way too pastel for me so I antiqued them.  I wanted to sand them down too but they kept popping out of my hands as I was staining them.  I will probably antique them some more.

This sweet little rabbit was painted by me in ’91.  Mom used to do ceramics complete with a kiln and all kinds of molds.  I’m not too fond of the glossy finish but I don’t want to change it now.

These are blurry pictures but I love the vintage postcards I bought last year at the flea market.


Just a little vintage tray I liked.  I didn’t want to cover up the design so I put my pewter candle stick in the corner.

My holiday tree decorated for spring.

A couple of rabbits on top of my hutch that resemble chalkware.  Wish I could afford the real thing!


A little vignette that I threw together at the end of my kitchen counter.  What I love about this is the little ceramic basket and the little goodies inside it.  These pieces were painted and fired by Rich’s grandma and all were made in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  The grass in the basket is even from that time.

Lastly, my favorite rabbits of all.  Yet, I’m so disappointed that I can’t find any vintage paper grass to put around the bottom of them.  I don’t want to use Spanish moss and raffia is too stiff.  Hmm… I wonder if I should tea dye some cheesecloth to use there.  Or… maybe even dye some cheesecloth with green coloring??

Well, that's all.  Thank you for visiting my little blog.  I so enjoy our “chats”!  Happy spring to you all!  I pray you have sunshine to warm your days and make them brighter~

12 comments:

Country Prims said...

Hi Angie,
I love all your spring decor-the eggs and bunnies are so cute-love your tree too!
Isn't it great to know the true meaning of Easter and our kids have such a great heritage? So enjoy your prim goodies with your family:)
Blessings, Shazy x

Anonymous said...

Happy Spring to you Angie..Love how you have all your Easter decorations !!!!! Wishing you a blessed day..Hugs Maria

My Colonial Home said...

Hi Angie....Your Spring break sounded wonderful...You really got a lot packed into one week.
Oh the brothel comment from your husband...how cool! lol

Loving your Spring/Easter decorations.

Karen

Christine said...

Angie, it's always great to visit with you! Love all the eggs and bunnies - you're right too, about just enjoying these things in your home for the children will have fun and are blessed to hear from you about the true meaning of these holidays.
Blessings for a happy week!
Christine

Brenda said...

Hey Angie...how funny about the "brothel"...lol!! Love your Easter decorations!

Brenda

Cora said...

So glad you had a wonderful trip with the family and made it back home safely.
Love the Easter/Spring decorations and I agree with your thought process about the real Easter!
Face it girl, there is no way around pastel for spring!!! :) Pinks, blues, yellows and greens! Yum! Lots of pink...heehee :)

Valley Primitives Gift Shoppe said...

Hi Angie! Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation...LOL about the brothel. Your spring decorations and just beautiful.

Have a great day!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie,
Sounds like you had a great time while the kids were on Spring break. I've been up in the Arch in St. Louis when I was a teenager...and I was scared to death!! I'm not a big fan of heights.
Sorry, but I couldn't help myself and chuckled about the "brothel".
Your Spring decorations are wonderful!! My favorite is the rabbits in the last photo...I just love the look of them!!
I went to Hobby Lobby today...and it made me think of you. I would be so broke if I worked there. LOL... Yes, Crafts 2000 is a lot like Hobby Lobby and believe it or not, they are right next door to each other here. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing!! LOL...
It has been great getting to know you and you are so right that we have a lot in common.

~Cindy~

The Old Parsonage said...

Sounds like a great time. It's wonderful to spend time with family. Love the brothel story:)

Enjoy your weekend!
Leann

TJ said...

Hi Angie =0)
Your vacation sounds like a wonderful time ! Dontcha' love it when the kids behave ? lol I remember those days well. Are we there yet ?? I gotta' potty .... even though they pottied 20 miles back....Love your story about Easter. And loveeeee your decorations ! Just perfect. Hope your havin' a super weekend !
Prim Huggs n Blessins
TJ

Birgit said...

Hi Angie,
Oh how funny that must have been to find out you were visiting a brothel. LOL!
So glad you all had a nice trip and the kids were super good for grandma.
I love all your pretty spring decorations. I agree, as long as the kids know the real reason we celebrate the holidays we do, there's no damage in displaying a little whimsy once in a while. Kudos' to you for teaching them the truth when they're young.
Hugs & blessings to you~ Birgit

Hillcresthome Prims said...

Hi Angie, What a great trip you guys had. I love all the Easter prim eggs you took and the beautiful bunnies I see. Love the brothel stroy, I love your blog !!!!

Have a great week.

Love and Hugs,
Tricia
Hillcrest Home Prims