Springtime on the Eastside

   The Daughter has a wonderful neighbor who in addition to serving as friend and surrogate grandmother is an author, photographer and artist of note. Sometimes she spies Little One and Brother in the yard and grabs her camera to capture some magic. Yesterday was one of those days. Beautiful. Balmy. Nearly summer but for the magnificent tulips and flowering trees still lending their colorful majesty to each day. Today it's another story altogether. Dogwood winter. Whatever. Just plain cold. But yesterday...see for yourself. Bare feet. Bare arms and lots of precious smiles to go around.

 Can you see the butterfly on her finger? 

Windy day!

A rock, a red tree and a carpet of flowers at your feet. It's spring in Tennessee!

 Ring around the rosie...this dress is one that I made for Little One's mother many moons ago!

 Peep Eye...

 My sweet girl with her boy

And one more for the road...

Brother checking out the neighbor's ride...

Thank you Marjie for sharing the love!

Little Wedding Wonders

Planning a wedding? Here are some fabulous finds on our favorite world wide web home-shopping-network, Etsy!

First on your list....

a notebook or journal to keep in your purse or by your side for those moments when inspiration strikes!

It's a steal at $6.00 from Journaling Jane

Looking for a special something for those bridesmaids of yours? 

Check out these tiny hand-crafted dishes that can be personalized with each pretty maid's first initial. Wouldn't they just love this keepsake?!

Buy them here

Or go for something with a little flair...what about these lovely clutches?!

available here

Are you in need of the perfect accessory for a bridal soiree? Look no further.

In this scarf, you are sure to be the belle of the ball.

available here

And this gossamer wrap would be a lovely wedding keepsake that could be worn 

and enjoyed for years to come...

and then become an heirloom to be handed down to the next generation of family brides.

KnitNJules can make it to order

In need of something borrowed or blue? Check out this gorgeous haircomb.

Take a gander at these gorgeous vintage wedding shoes from the 1970's

If I were a betting woman, I would venture that Cinderella would have found these beauties

 a tad bit more comfortable that those glass slippers she wore to the ball!

Buy them here

And while we are talking about the 1970's, 

why not revive the tradition of a going away wedding outfit? 

You could wear this at the reception for dancing and 

then make the mad dash to the get-away car in this vintage gem.

Or if you want something with a little more color, check out this floral chiffon dress! 

Also from the same vendor.

I am fairly certain that I have featured these before in a wedding collection, 

but I just couldn't help myself...aren't these love birds adorable?

When the wedding's over just sew a loop on them and hang them side by side 

year after year on your Christmas tree.

These burlap and lace mason jars would add a special touch of charm to an outdoor wedding, barn reception or more rustic wedding setting. Find them here.

Planning a picnic reception? Or serving ice cream and/or coffee along with your cake?

These little spoons and forks are eco-friendly and can we say a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e!

Have fun with the wedding planning, but remember...

in the end, it's really about the marriage...

and spending a lifetime with the one you love!

Spring Fling with Etsy

Spring has been a somewhat elusive character around here. Case in point, Nashville recorded the coldest March on record in several decades. And this week, we will be lucky if the highs break 50 degrees. One good thing is that the flowering trees will hold their color a bit longer because of the chill, and that makes me happy.

In pursuit of our quixotic and unpredictable Spring, I found myself drawn to these lovelies from my perennial favorite shopping paradise, Etsy. It's a good thing that I do love to "window shop," which is definitely a good thing for the budget. Warning: Get ready, some of you will likely be tempted to BUY!

When I think of spring, I immediately think of flowers. This lovely little wreath offers a fresh take on the traditional spring florals!

Buy this lovely here

And what woman wouldn't want to add this gorgeous silk scarf that goes by the name of Forest Fairy to her wardrobe? The hues are exquisite. It is guaranteed to be a treasure for years to come, yet another reason to make it your own!

Find it here

Sometimes the sewing bug bites. Can't you just think of a hundred things that would look adorable in this adorable collection of perfect for spring fabrics from XOGigi!


Easter might be over, but I am betting that your table will be happier sporting this lovely quilted runner any time of the year! Sew You Like It has several lovely options from which to choose, but this one caught my eye!

I know, it's another table runner, but I could not resist. I am loving this clean vintage look for my kitchen table or my table on the porch.

North Country Comforts got it right!

This handpainted bone china teapot brings a smile to my face and definitely looks like an explosion of wildflowers waiting to be picked!

Kaori will gladly ship it to you from her shop in jolly ole England!

And what could be more appropriate than this watercolor print of two robins by Christy Dekoning entitled, "Spring Song!"

And now for the little people in your life...check out this adorable kite and cloud mobile

Find this lovely here

And speaking of kites, this dress from Belle and Boo is wooing this grandmother's heart...

I just couldn't resist sharing another view...

I don't know about you, but I am ready to fly some kites, plant some seeds and welcome the gentle touch of the sun on my face. C'mon, Spring...we are ready and waiting for you to arrive in all your glory!

The Hope of Spring

   Once upon a time a crotchety and quite skeptical English don of no small intellectual mettle reluctantly found his way to faith in Jesus Christ and we are all the better for it. From the classic Mere Christianity to the incomparably magical Chronicles of Narnia, Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis, continues to push us and prod us to believe in more than we dare and to hope against all hope that there may be found within the wintry heart of man a means of grace that brings with it a solid hope of spring.

Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.
                                                 The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

Source: Uploaded by user via Jo on Pinterest

Jesus is risen just as He said He would

   
And heaven and nature sing.
And the song is spring
And spring becomes the fount of Hope in the frozen heart of man.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!