Celebrate

Last Christmas my sister surprised me with Pippa Middleton's book, Celebrate.  It was a wonderful surprise and continues to be a treasure.  It is filled with TONS of creative and down-to-earth entertaining and celebrating ideas.  There are a few typically British holidays featured that I can hardly wait to have gatherings for next year.  The book also includes a wonderful collection of recipes-many of which are uncommon in the states.
We hosted Easter brunch yesterday and I got to put one of her Easter ideas to work................

I used her idea of seed packets tied to the napkins as a favor for guests and a welcome to Spring!

My oft used nests were without their usual eggs this year but recently received gifts of the Williams-Sonoma herringbone stripe runner and Mark and Graham linen napkins made setting this table an absolute joy for me. 

There is a quick link to Celebrate on Amazon here.

a front porch fit to WELCOME a bunny

Last weekend's near foot of snow is melting quickly but is a strong reminder of how much later spring comes here than the last few years in Kansas.  Last year at this time I had already gone back and returned from planting all the spring flowers and cleaning up the yard to help the house sell.  Here in D-town we don't dare plant a thing until early May at the earliEST.  We are hosting Easter brunch on Sunday and my pine-cone filled front porch lanterns were just not the Welcome I want to show my guests or Mr. E.B.
You might remember that last week when I planted my herbs I cleaned out my planters and started organizing in my head what might become of the front porch in terms of spring and summer planters.  I plan to save the modern planters for our more modern deck and utilize natural and older feeling and looking planters on the front porch to accentuate the age of the house.
I picked up a couple of gems on a visit to our local South Broadway antique row with my Mom yesterday and today was afforded the glorious gift of a napping two-year-old.

Welcome All! Welcome E.B.! Welcome Spring!

 A little wired gross-grain bow on my old wreath gives it new life.

I added some softly sparkled eggs and moss to my lanterns.  I'm still deciding whether they'll get sand for summer or just take their usual vacation to the garage.

See the tulips? :) and the snow. :(

This big Indian fire stick pot and the rectangular pot below were my antiquing finds.

confession

I have a confession.  This fever hasn't broken.  That spring fever I spoke of feeling last month is only getting stronger.  As the fever grows, so does my husband's list of outdoor accent and planter projects.  The fever took me over last week and I bought a planter.  As I stood contemplating buying two more today while it was 9 degrees outside, I knew I had to take action.  Admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?
My name is Jess, I have spring fever, and I'm going to do everything in my power to tuck it away for the next 8ish weeks.  Think of me, pray for me, whatever you do, please send some thoughts to mother earth and maybe she'll bless us with an early spring!!

I ordered this medium galvanized planter from the Williams-Sonoma sale last week.

 

I've asked my husband for two of these, and two rocking chairs, and 3 more pallet boxes.  I might need to learn to use the woodshop!