Birds Of Spring

The birds in my yard have been very entertaining lately!  
Tweeting (not on Twitter ha ha) and flying about searching for food and building nests!

This tablescape is inspired by the Birds of Spring

This plate was my inspiration for the table

It just says 'Spring' to me!  

I layered a large white charger plate and a vintage green plate underneath the salad plate. 
*edited to add that I think the green vintage plate is Edwin Knowles Yorktown.  Thanks to Monica who helped me research* 
The bright green place mat was perfect and added two other colors; yellow and blue

The plaid napkin brought out the yellow and blue in addition to the green.  
I went with the blue handled flatware

I love this blue and green goblet and while I found mine at Goodwill, I've seen them at Ross.

Adding a little bird napkin ring continues the theme of this table.  The napkin rings were found on deep clearance at Hobby Lobby.

Pier 1 bird salt and pepper shakers on a pale yellow plate

At each place setting is a little yellow bird salt shaker.  Vintage and in bad condition, I love them anyway and they are perfect to add that extra touch!

My newest thrifty find is this cute bird napkin holder.  I paid 95 cents for it and added some bird paper napkins to the holder.

For a centerpiece I added my potted peace plant and a soft yellow bird and a LOVE sign
*When fresh flowers aren't available a green houseplant still adds some life to a centerpiece*

I hope you enjoyed my birdie tablescape!

Wishing You JOY,

Linda

I'm joining these parties!

Let's Dish (April Challenge)
Jann's Share Your Cup Thursday
Tutorial Tips and Tidbits
Tablescape Thursday
Thrifty Things Friday

Beach Baby!

I wish the 'Beach Baby' was me but instead...

It's this cutie pie! 

Tiger and family were able to have a long weekend beach trip and this boy who loves the ocean enjoyed it so much!!  

Here he is with his Aunt Katie!

Many of Blake's family were there also and it was a lot of fun for Tiger to play with cousins, Aunts and Grandparents!

Oh and playing in the sand with his new toys!

His Mama has promised me more photos but I couldn't wait to share these with you!

In Honor of Earth Day I want to share Tiger helping his Dad

put out some mulch around their new yard!

Climbing a tree

You know Daddy helped! 

 One of my favorite photos of my sweet Tiger

All ready for a trip to his 'school'

He looks way too grown up here! 

I'm joining Kathe for

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Porcelain Art

Art is subjective!
Art is all around us! 

This is some of my favorite art done in porcelain

Egg Coddlers!

(not what you were thinking?)

This is the egg coddler that started my love of this beautiful 'porcelain' art!

Made by Royal Worcester

On a trip to London, my Mom brought this back to me as a gift. 
 I was taken with the beauty of the design and how charming it is

The other side of the coddler shows a peach and this pattern is called Evesham.  Many years later I found another one in a thrift shop and was thrilled.

Over the years I have found a few of these coddlers and if they are at a decent price, I have added them to my collection.  This pattern is Birds and is also made by Royal Worcester as are most of my coddlers.

I have one by Coalport that my Mom also brought back from London and has now given me for my collection

This one is made by Wedgewood and the pattern is Charnwood.  It's ring on top was broken when I rescued it from the thrift shop.

They come in a couple of sizes and here I have a larger version with the same pattern, Strawberry Fair.

The other side of the small size has this great butterfly on it!

This pattern is Woodland and is one of my favorites because of the soft colors

Fruits and flowers are very popular designs
This pattern is called Lavinia and features vines, blossoms and blackberries

The two from England were gifts and the others were all found at thrift shops, estate sales and yard sales.  They are one of my favorite collections!
Egg coddlers are used to cook eggs in hot water!
Read about them HERE and HERE

Joining these fun parties!
Thrifty Things Friday 
A Favorite Thing
Budget Decorating

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Spring Flowers

Spring flowers are everywhere! 

From the soft pink of the Bradford Pear tree 

To the amazing fushia of Azaleas! 

Watching the Dogwoods go from this

To this....

God shows us the multitude of his blessings!

My daughter Ashleigh is home safely!  

She will be resting and working from home for a few days as she gets her strength back.

I thank you for your concern, well wishes and prayers.   

It means so much to both of us!

My thoughts and prayers are with all those in Boston who were affected by today's bomb blasts!

I want to share this from one of my Hero's

We need to always remember the good in the world! 

I'm joining Kathe for 

You're Gonna Love It
and
Jann for Share Your Cup Thursday

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Black and Blue!

This trayscape is for my daughter Ashleigh! 

A little brunch tray for my girl

I like the solid plates with the paisley place mats

 A black napkin with the blueberry napkin ring picks up another shade of blue in the place mat

Simple but pretty

A few flowers from the yard to brighten up the tray

Why black and blue you may ask?

Because that is the color of my darling daughters face!  She was in Portland, OR for a work conference and stayed for a few days vacation afterwards.  Her first morning bike ride lasted about 10 minutes when her tire caught in a rail track and threw her off.  Ashleigh is a safe rider and thank goodness always wears a helmet but the right side of her face hit the ground! 

Ashleigh doesn't remember any of this, but was told the story as she came to in the ambulance!  Taken to Portland's Oregon Health & Science Hospital (listed as the best in Portland....yes I looked it up) she has had fabulous care.

It could have been much worse, but she did get cuts and bruises on her face and she fractured her cheekbone.  This required surgery and that was done yesterday.  The hospital staff has been awesome about calling me and keeping me informed.  It is so hard to parent all the way across the country.  I was ready to fly there, but Ashleigh has assured me she will be OK and that I don't need to do that.  

I'm not completely convinced, but she does have friends who live one hour away and can come help her if she needs them.  She is scheduled to fly home to San Jose, CA on Monday.  (her bike was taken to the hospital with her and looks fine she says)

I'm wondering if she will change her hair color to 

Black and Blue! 

I'm joining these parties

Let's Dish

(trayscape)

and

Thrifty Things Friday

(you know these are all thrifty finds)

Wishing you JOY,

Linda