Beautiful Spring Day

Life is truly precious. And beautiful days are days to celebrate.

I love being outdoors with my precious Yorkshire Terrier Diva. There is something about being outside, enjoying the flowers, blossoming trees and my vegetable garden.spring

It is important to dig in the dirt from time to time and to thoroughly enjoy the abundance nature has to offer. Diva enjoys being out in the sunshine and sniffing around. Also sitting with me on the patio.

I like to work on craft projects. Gluing paper together to make 3-D houses or pop-up pages for mini albums. I never outgrew that need to make stuff. Or the fascination of opening up a page that pops up.

I wonder if this comes from wanting things to be life-like. I find when looking at pictures, i want to go beyond the flat surface and make it third dimensional so I can actually see around it. I know many people put those dimensional dots on cutouts to make them stand out . . . and doors and windows are able to be opened . . . and there may be a scene behind it . . .

Spring is a wonderful time of year . . . it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot . . .

After Easter, we’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day and Father’s Day . . . then we get into summer . . . and the Fourth of July . . . then we anticipate fall . . . and all the fun that season brings . . .

As many of you know, fall is my favorite time of year. I feel it is a new beginning, but it truth spring is that new beginning with the budding of fruits and vegetables that we’ll be enjoying through the summer and into the fall.

I guess we’re all geared a bit differently . . . . having a preference for different seasons and holidays. I do know many people who love Halloween and come alive with their creative genius in making mini albums and related craft projects. Some go with the spooky while others go with the sweetness of youth and the wonder of it all . . . and others do a bit of both . . .

And those who adore Christmas . . . that magical time of year . . . with the carols and the anticipation . . .

But, spring, I’m now beginning to appreciate more . . . the beauty of all the flowing trees and plants . . . the abundance of color springing forth . . . mild temperatures . . .

Then come the vacations of summer . . . 

And that anticipation of fall . . . Sorry . . . that’s where the seasons seem to take me. I do enjoy the moments of each season . . . but my true love is fall and winter . . . those two popular holidays of Halloween and Christmas . . . and I do love Thanksgiving that it squeezed between . . . and I’m very fond of Easter, too.

Those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” with beach outings . . . picnics . . . camping . . . being carefree and fancy free . . .

Yes, each season has its advantages and its special moments . . . which you’ll notice centers around family . . . and friends.

Spring and summer seem to be the seasons of S’mores . . . but I make them the treat of all seasons . . . but there is something special about making them over an open fire . . . things “cooked” in nature seem to taste so very much better.

Whatever season is your favorite and however you celebrate traditional holidays and seasons, I would like to leave you with some links of jigsaw puzzles you and your family may enjoy:

Yes, I do go for the nostalgic . . . there are jigsaw puzzles available for all seasons and all things that are meaningful to you and your family. I find having a puzzle out, brings people together. It is a relaxing activity where you can visit, have a conversation and find pieces that will fit in completing the puzzle.

I do find them relaxing throughout the year.

Have a fun!

Sharon

Garden Goblin

Oh Goodness!! A Garden Goblin!!

I don’t know whether to be alarmed or delighted . . . gardengoblin

It’s spring . . . and with spring comes some surprises in your garden. I know my California live oak tree is blooming!! I have that fluff all over the yard, porch and sidewalk. I clean it up and after an hour or so, it’s time for me to sweep and rake again. Yes, it is a huge tree . . . it’s been here a long time.

And this little guy . . . he may be a garden guardian . . .

I think it is all a matter of perspective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And, we’ve learned somewhere along our life journey not to judge people by the way they look . . .

Our first impression may not have been too kind toward this goblin . . . then again, he could very well be a good luck amulet for your garden . . . take a lesson from nature and see if this guy is helping or harming your garden . . .

Maybe the two of you should get to know one another a bit. He may be wondering if he wants to stay around . . . maybe he’s not too fond of your looks or the general atmosphere in your garden . . .

Time will tell.

Let’s see about garden goblins or gnomes you may find suitable for your spring garden:

Have a great Easter celebration and enjoy your spring . . . every season is special and precious . . . giving us time to relax and enjoy nature . . .

Sharon

Easter Egg Wrappers Free Printables

EasterEggWrappers

Bambi and Friends Easter Egg Wrappers from http://family.disney.com

Here’s an outstanding way of dressing up your Easter Eggs. Just click the image and you’ll be directed to the free template you can print out on paper or card stock.

You may find these tags to be helpful:

EasterBasketTags

Mickey and Friends Easter Basket Tags compliments of http://family.disney.com

With all the Easter excitement, you don’t want anyone losing their Easter Basket of goodies, so Mickey and Friends are on hand to tag all the baskets. 

Here are some great stickers you may enjoy . . . or use them as cupcake toppers or for whatever and wherever these would be useful.

MickeySportsStickers

Mickey and Friends Sports Stickers

Enjoy your free printables — just click the images.

Eggshell Herb Garden

EggshellHerbs

 

Spring is all about planting . . . and Easter eggs . . . well eggshells at least. These are adorable and would look great on your kitchen window sill. They’d get plenty of light and you’d have fun with these herbs as they begin to grow. Just put some googlie eyes on them and add a goofy expression and you’ll have an original eggshell herb garden to brighten your kitchen. You might as well name them, too.

You can get all fancy with egg cups or use the egg carton, but when you give them as gifts I’d go all out with the egg cups. Just empty out your egg shells and put in potting soil and herb plants. I go with the plants instead of the seeds, but you can begin with seeds. 

This is a fun activity for the kids, too. 

And I wouldn’t stop there. How about some flowers or succulents? 

Egg-Shell-Succulents-planter

And then there are corks, yes, I said corks:

CorkPlanter

 

 

That should be enough inspiration for you. Whatever you can hollow out would work nicely. Have fun and think outside of the box. I’m sure you’ll come up with some wildly creative ideas for planting herbs an succulents.

Thanks for stopping by!