~Spring in Our Neighborhood~

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

 

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.  ~Ruth Stout

April is a promise that May is bound to keep. 

~Hal Borland

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning

Mosaics, for Monday, at Mary’s Dear Little Red House.

Photos

• PJM Rhododendron, beneath our powder room window.
• Daffodils, Hyacinths and Tulip Magnolia are in our neighbor’s yard and gardens.

Tomorrow, Monday morning 4/5, J has his regular 6 month cancer check up. We don’t anticipate anything other than a good report.

We appreciate your positive thoughts.

It was two years ago, this month, when J had surgery.

~Spring Remembered~

 

 

A few sweet reminders of Spring 2009, as we await Spring like weather these first days of Spring 2010. 

Fickle Missouri March weather has us waiting with anticipation.

Visit Mary at the Dear Little Red House, for Mosaic Monday.

 

~Spring Mantel 2010~

   I began putting together a new vignette for the hearth room fireplace, Monday afternoon and completed it, this morning. 

I tried a couple of different ideas, before deciding on this one, inspired by the iron gates of Charleston, South Carolina.

During April 2005, we took a little road trip south and east.  Our journey began in Saint Louis and took us to Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, for a few days of exploring. 

Our destination was Charleston, South Carolina.  As we all know, it isn’t always about the destination, but rather the journey.

After our stay in Williamsburg we drove down through North Carolina, via the Outer Banks.  Absolutely wonderful drive.

We spent several days in Charleston, where we walked all around the historic streets, took tours, had wonderful meals and visited the Market, where we purchased several prints of iron gates, seen around town.

The prints are from the work of artist Mayfield Williams.  Williams’ mother, an absolutely delightful southern lady, was selling the work from a booth at the Market. We enjoyed talking with her; spending quite a bit of time with her, that morning. 

I added two iron pieces, from the basement storage.  What I really want, above the mantel, is a gate, instead of the “scrollie”.  I think I know where I can find one.  I’ll be looking on our way to the lake tomorrow.

The piece on the hearth is made of three separate iron pieces, strapped together.  I bought the pieces at Welcome Home, a store that is now closed.

Bear with me on the faux ferns.  As soon as Lowe’s has living ferns, in stock, I’ll be buying one to replace the silk, which is fine for now.

Besides the Williams prints of gates and Rainbow Row (Charleston), I used white ironstone and chicken wire cloches.

I used felt adhesive dots to secure the frames. The mantel is fairly high from floor level, so the dots aren’t visible.

As I mentioned, above, we are driving down to the lake.  A short trip, this time, to pick up something we purchased, last week, for one corner of the hearth room.  When we have it in place, I’ll post photos.

Linking to The Inspired Room Inspired by Mantels.

~Two Boats and a Winner~

 

 I’m doing bit of Spring nesting, at the lake, this week. 

Two Boats, by artist Sara Tetley, is a new accessory.  I wasn’t sure where I would use the print, when I purchased it.  I just knew it was perfect for our lake place.  For now, it hangs on the “window” in the dining area, of the condo.

 

 

 

 

A footed bowl with shells, sits on the round drop leaf table in the condo dining area. 

 

 Some of you have seen this wall of photos, in the entry of the condo, before.

The entryway is very narrow, at about three feet wide; difficult to photograph.

I took several photos of scenes around the lake and had them printed in black and white.  The mats and frames are from Michael’s.

The table was purchased at an antique mall, near Lebanon Missouri, last year.  I added a couple of pieces of driftwood, from the lake, a few shells and a stone jar, from Marshall’s.  I believe I bought the lantern at Schaefer House, Jefferson City, Missouri, about three years ago.

 

 

Have you begun your Spring nesting? 

Sunrise, Lake of the Ozarks, Monday March 8, 2010

I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the response to my 3rd year blogiversary giveaway.  Thank you all for helping me celebrate.

Over 200 comments were left on A Dish Cabinet & Giveaway.  The giveaway closed Sunday evening.  Rue, of PB&J, is declared the recipient of the Target $50 Gift Card.  Congratulations Rue!  Your support of Back Porch Musings is very much appreciated.  Rue was one of the last few who commented on the post, which proves, never give up because you think you won’t stand a chance of winning when there are lots of participants.  Actually, Rue left two comments, but her name was entered once.

Stop by Marty’s for more tabletops, on Tuesday.

~All About Home-Springtime~

Last Thursday we visited our friends, Lori and Greg, at All About Home.  I had not checked in since the arrival of the beautiful things Lori ordered at the Atlanta Market.

I left my big camera at home and took several photos with J’s Canon G11 (flash off, set on P (program).     

 This gorgeous mantel is new to the displays.I like this table Lori picked up at an Illinois auction. 

 

 

This lady peers from a window in the former Odd Fellows Hall, above All About Home.

 

My Three Ladies Wine Haus, is a new establishment just up the street from All About Home.

We stopped there for lunch.

My Three Ladies serves soups and sandwiches.  Missouri wines are featured here, as well.  We chose to have a wine, sausage and cheese lunch.

Excellent meal and wonderful hospitality.  We will be stopping by again.

The photo of the wine racks and chairs, as others in this post, was taken with the Canon G11.  I saved a few copies of this photo and plan to try other editing options.  I’m taking my Canon Rebel Xti, next time we visit My Three Ladies Wine Haus and All About Home.

If you are in the vicinity of our neck of the woods, I invite you to visit Historic Main Street, Troy Missouri.  Stop by All About Home, you won’t be disappointed.  We also recommend a visit to My Three Ladies Wine Haus.

I didn’t leave All About Home empty handed.  I purchased one of the pillows Lori made from fabric she brought home from her Georgia buying trip.  These are beautifully made with down filled forms.  The pillow works perfectly with the wing chair in our room.

I also brought home two of Greg’s salvaged windows, to try with the “new” shutters from Artichoke Annie’s Antique Mall (Columbia).  I’ll write about that little project, when it is complete.

Friday morning, we drove to the lake.  We were at the condo, for a few days, in January.  Due to bad weather and other things we haven’t been able to return, until now. 

We are taking advantage of the nice weather, we are having, at the moment.  When you live in Missouri and it is March, you never know when the other shoe will drop…meaning, we’ve seen severe ice storms and many days without power during March and heavy snow in April.  One particular, unforgettable, snow fall was April 24, 1983, our daughter’s 16th birthday. 

As I write, it is Friday afternoon.  I’m looking out across the lake.  The sun is shining, the sky is blue and the gulls are flying.

Lori’s beautiful pillow in our wing chair.

A special package arrived from Susie Harris (Bienvenue), last week.  I’ll be posting about it, soon.

Have a wonderful week!