Spring's New Life

Winter is not my favorite season. To know that spring has arrived is enough to bring contentment. Last spring was focused on watching the construction of our house which caused a dim memory of spring's new life.

We bought our lot from the neighboring house and landscaping has become part of our yard now. Creeping phlox, flowering bushes, and crepe myrtle trees were the only beauty of the construction site.

The landscapers worked to renew and refresh! What a joy to see the life that still existed. Autumn tends to be a great time to acquire shrubs at a discount. I added some burning bushes and a hydrangea I brought from the previous home. To my joy they lived and are now sprouting new growth.

I appreciate green grass. September inTennessee means a short time frame to sowing grass and getting a sparse coverage before the frosts arrive. Two hurricanes provided tremendous and forceful rains that washed away portions of the loose soil. To hours spent resowing, watering, and lots of hope we did get a ground cover before the growing season ended. One major benefit was that our grass was the greenest in the neighborhood since it was new grass!

One beautiful snow created memories of our new neighborhood. (Guess we were lucky not to have to clean the inclined driveway more than the one time).

God works in mysterious ways. To deciding to build near our son and daughter-in-law, moving in, and the blessing of a granddaughter--this is where we were meant to be.

We are blessed to see our precious one and the ease of keeping her while mom works is beyond our imagination from a short year ago. Yes, this is where we are supposed to live.

Yes, spring has arrived and with it a bright and sunny feeling surrounds us.

Light streams in from all the windows!

Daily, we say "it's nice to be living here".

Spring Brights

With spring comes the desire to lighten and brighten. I recently made a few minor and inexpensive changes to the master bedroom to bring the glorious sunshine in.

No, I didn't paint the walls a lighter color. No, I didn't rearrange the furniture.
Actually I went shopping! My favorite go-to store to pick up inexpensive curtains is Marshall's or TJMaxx. Since I was not concerned with keeping the room warm or closing out the cold temperatures I picked up white curtains. I think they were $16.99 a pair of panels. I did add two panels on each side of the windows so that was a total of four sets. Not bad in order to lighten the room immediately.

This is the winter look. The drapes I love! They are from World Market and are great fabric and are lined. Perfect for adding warmth to the bedroom. The dark gray background is highlighted with a beige, aqua, and rust colors of decor. It blended well with the beige quilt and gingham duvet picked up from Ikea. Just gazing at this picture I feel cozy.

Yes, a dramatic difference for the light streaming into the room. I did change the quilt to a white one. The aqua colors scream spring. Target supplied the throw pillows. I like the way the solid aqua is picked up in the throw quilt. Stein Mart always has a big selection of quilts in a wide array of colors. Since I wanted this to be used as a throw I decided to pick up a twin size one which also saved me $$$.

Target does have some great pillows if one searches in various sections of their home goods. The flowered ones were part of bedroom accessories. Once I walked past them I was pulled in!

I am satisfied with the bright room. Since it is on the back of the house it gets a short time of morning sun and a short time of afternoon sun. The room isn't large. So I hope to capture all the sunlight and use it to it's fullest.

I will enjoy this look for another few months before transitioning back to the darker decor.

Spring to the Dining Room

When I think of Spring I see warm and bright pastel colors. I think of birds singing and flowers blooming.

The easiest way to incorporate those things into the dining room is with fabric. The table runner fulfills my vision perfectly. Aqua, yellow, and touches of gray mingled in the tree branches and birds scream spring time!

It only takes a bit of other decor to add a touch of elegance into our lived in and used every day dining room. I am so glad that we don't have a formal dining room that is used only a couple of times a year. Our living area is open space so we we use this at every meal. Years ago the separate kitchen wall was removed. I have memories of the kids gathered around this dining room. Memories are things that become more precious when the kids leave home!

I happened to find napkins at Pier 1 that matched perfectly. My dishes are Mikasa French Countryside. Again we use these dishes every day. No fine china for our family.

The dining table leaf was only placed when the entire family was around. But I decided to put it in a few weeks ago. Without the six chairs on the sides it gave the entire family room a feeling of area. For some reason it "feels" less crowded. That is free real estate.

Of course greenery is always a sign of life. The scales allow me to add seasonal decor. These plant holders say Grow and came from Target's dollar spot last year.

The little bird nest was a recent find at Pier 1 and also has the spring colors of aqua, yellow, and white.

It makes my heart sing to enjoy Spring's New Life!

Time for a meal cooked on the grill. Maybe a steak, baked potato, and fresh salad. Top it off with home-brewed tea.

Home Thoughts. Spring. Warmth. 

A Touch of Autumn Decor

It doesn't feel like fall in the least since we are still hitting in the 90's every day. This is very unusual for East Tennessee. However the temperature outdoors I am beginning to add a touch to the indoors.

I picked up some new drapes at World Market that have beautiful autumn colors. I (don't hate me since I am a Vols fan) really have orange as my least favorite color. I dislike it. I don't incorporate it into my home or my wardrobe. I am amazed that these drapes made it into my dining room. The orange is contrasted with aqua which is one of my favorite colors so maybe that is the reason!

The drapes will stay until time for Christmas decor. But for now, fall is arriving!

I added a beautiful table runner I found at TJMaxx. It is perfect for bringing the colors across the room. By adding some silk flowers to the dining table inside the aqua colored vase it is a welcome change to the spring and summer decor.

Our dining room is open concept with the living room and kitchen. I am happy that it serves our family daily and isn't a seldom used space. Excuse the table setting--we are empty nesters so only two place settings are needed.

I was able to dry a few of the hydrangeas this summer. It is interesting the different tones that arrive after they dry. The darkest orange ones are my limelight blossoms. It was only planted about a month ago so I don't know if that is the reason or if the 90 degree days have taken a hit on them. I may purchase some cut hydrangeas at the grocery to dry a few more.

I pulled the RaeDunn mugs that have a somewhat fall or Thanksgiving theme. But, ya'll, this temperature is ruining my craving of Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

I have the ingredients in the pantry just waiting on a temperature drop! Can't wait!

This fall I am enjoying the new white painted cabinets and hardwood installed floors!

Yes, it is fall ya'll!

Finally--A Little Spring

After the cold and dreary skies of winter, spring is always so exciting in Tennessee. March and April have been a bit different this year. The rains of spring seem to be taking a break. This gives time for outdoor work!

That first project was  putting out 50 bags of mulch. Thank goodness that Lowes and Home Depot both had sales of $2 bags. My little Honda Accord was making several trips to pick up a trunk load at a time.

When I purchase the Boston ferns I truly feel as if warm weather is here! Again, I was thrifty and snagged several of these beauties when Home Depot ran a one day $5 sale. I don't think I've ever found them that cheap!

The hostas are beginning to spread their lovely shades of green. Grrr-what would spring be without dandelions? I see one that wanted to add a little color to my bed.

And I talked Mr. Spouse into a geranium basket instead of a lily at Easter. I would much rather enjoy this beauty all summer long!

Dogwoods are in full bloom! We have a few of these beauties that grew from seeds apparently as we didn't plant them! They are so, so pretty!

Even the front door is showcasing Spring's new life!

Wishing for Summer

After the Christmas decor the simplicity of January seems a breath of fresh air. But...only for a little while. It seems to change to the dullness of a dreary and dirty snow covered lawn.

We had a big snowstorm that has seemed to linger for more than the actual week. Snow is still covering the shady spots. Tired of this!

It is pretty...for a little while.

But staying inside begins to take its toll.

A trip to Krogers was just what I needed to turn that wintry white into a little green.

Hydrangeas are my favorite. 

Just a welcome taste of summer on a wintry January Day!

What is your way to brighten the winter blues?