It's National Virtual Vacation Day!

This is the perfect time for virtual travel as we all shelter in place. Where would you go if you could take a trip? Since it's not possible to pack up and go anywhere near or far, let's use technology. In light of our current global conditions, many places are offering virtual visits. Check out Good Housekeeping's link to explore museums, zoos and parks here. Getaways can be local excursions, too, of course. Observing some of the animals at St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station here will put a smile on your face, as will the sweet critters at the St. Louis Zoo here. Think of an appealing destination and do a quick Google search. I'll bet you will find webcam links.

Another option on this National Virtual Tour Day is to lean on your fond memories of past trips. I have been deep cleaning and came across our stack of photo albums in the bookcase (we also have some slide shows on the computer). It was fun to flip through and relive many happy trips to various parts of our country.  It is always good to get away! Have you ever had one of those trips, though, where things did not go just as planned? 

San Antonio River Walk is beautiful! 

Ours would have been a few years ago when we went to San Antonio and I am not exaggerating when I tell you that we had one major stumbling block after another. Despite the fact, we made the best of the situation and absolutely loved the great state of Texas. To this day, we laugh at many aspects of the adventure (although some seemed less humorous at the time).  If you want to see the posts related to that trip, you can click here and here. Fortunately, most trips go smoothly and all of them are a great way to detach and relax.

Have a wonderful day and please take good care!

What is Your Favorite Spring Flower?

I think it is exciting to see the spring bulbs growing. Many of ours have several inches of greenery poking up, some are budding and I have even seen stands of daffodils here and there. My lantern on the landing was definitely ready for a seasonal look, so I decided to do a bouquet of spring beauties. 

This lantern stands about three feet tall and is distressed to give the appearance of being vintage, but it's really circa 2014! I do love using it in various locations throughout the house for all of the seasons.

When you open the door, the flowers may be seen a bit more clearly.

I try to do it differently from year to year. You can see what it looked like the past two springs by clicking here and here.

Are your spring bulbs blooming yet? What is your favorite?

Friends are flowers that never fade.

Tuesday Tablescape

We need a bright tablescape today and since our forsythia are beginning to bloom, I decided it was time to pull out my faux bouquet.

All flowers make me happy, but there is something special about the sunshine-like forsythia that really makes me smile! 

I send you blessings! 

Are You Ready for Spring?

Spring arrives tonight at 11:50, which means tomorrow will be our first full day of this long-awaited season. In preparation, I redid our front door a couple of weeks ago.

Like most people, we have been staying put. I happened to dash out this evening to drop off something and, as if a switch had been flipped,  I was happy to see red bud, forsythia and star magnolia beginning to bloom. That's a happy sight to see! Just a bit ago, I stepped out in the backyard and was equally thrilled to hear one of my most favorite sounds----the peepers are chirping. These signs of spring are especially welcome at this time.

Enjoy the beginning of spring!

Tuesday Tablescape

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! 

I had to include a picture of my cuties before sharing the St. Patrick's Day tablescape. 😉

My daisy dishes are some favorites of mine and I consider them very special. I actually highlighted them after receiving them as a gift in 2016. If you would like to read the story, click here.

They look so cheery and happy that I wanted to use them for today's tablescape. We all need some cheer these days, don't we?

My friend also gave me the coordinating teapot to this set and I felt it would be perfect to anchor the centerpiece. The wooden shamrock and a poetry book of Irish blessings rounded-out everything.

May God bless you now and always

With the gift of Irish cheer,

So you will have a happy heart

Every day---all year! 💚

Pistachio Bundt Cake

This may be a good dessert for tomorrow's St. Patrick's Day meal.☘ It's a moist and flavorful cake and since it begins with a boxed mix, it's quick and easy to prepare. 

Pistachio Bundt Cake

1 white cake mix

1 (3.4 ounce) instant pistachio pudding mix

4 large eggs

1 1/2 cup milk (whole is preferred)

1/4 cup oil

1 tsp. almond extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan. Mix the above ingredients in listed order and beat on low for 30 seconds before using medium speed for a full two minutes. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minues before removing from pan. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

For a printable version, click here.

Do you have your corned beef and cabbage ready to prepare tomorrow?

Marching Into Spring Vignettes

Happy March! As I mentioned last week, I have been doing some early spring decorating. This first vignette is in the kitchen counter featuring chicks. The framed print is an old Easter card and even though I am really just concentrating on early spring pieces right now,  I needed to use it because of the little chick. I had the realistic ceramic chick and thought he could perch on our antique scales. The teacup belonged to my husband's paternal grandmother and seemed a good place for the mini nest.

My friend made me this picture from real dried pansies. It's complemented by pastel colored eggs and a little faux bird.

I always enjoy using my Fitz and Floyd rabbit platter and vase in their happy, vibrant colors. My grandma gave them to me years ago and I love them! This year they found their place on our antique hutch, accented by some green glass.

Are you also marching into your 

spring decorating?