Something for ourselves...

The soundtrack for my life, Tony Bennett, John Denver, James Taylor, Jim Brickman, George Winston. George Winston in concert is amazing. One man, a piano, touches something inside. So calming, so beautiful, peaceful. A quiet place in a week of preparations. Something we do for us.

Button Shortbread Cookies

Last night I baked these cookies. They are cute but fussy. In a cookie, I like easy... These I rolled on the same parchment that I baked them on, they lost their shape if I tried to move them. They would be cute in a clear bag tied with measuring tape ribbon. The pan I baked these on belonged to my Buscia, and has been in service for at least 75 years! Oh, and my Buscia had a dog named "Buttons". So, there you go...

The Things I Love About Easter

1. My Daughter and her Guy coming home.
2. My Family, together again.
3. The Easter Basket Blessing at Church
In our basket, polish sausage. butter lamb,
colored eggs, rye bread, treats.
4. The Easter Lily smell, takes me back...
5. Baking, bread, cakes, cookies.
6. The fight for the braided bread, that happens at every holiday.
7. The Easter Table, bountiful, inviting...
8. The HUGS, I'll get so many wonderful hugs.

9. My Husband, who works so hard to make this feast possible! xxoo

WIP Update

Here is the pillow case that I've been working on. Transfers I made. a butterfly I bought years ago, a little embroidery, a wool felt leaf... It needs something, If I don't finish today, it will wait till after Easter... Maybe a bird!

Major League Nesting

Crunch time...So many things need to be done before Easter. Shopping, cleaning, baking... The kitchen is nearly done and looks really good. Still need some finishing touches. Can't wait to see my girl and her guy, all the family and a little bird that makes everything special.

Today's the Day!

Yep, today is the day to plant my wheat grass. It's become a family tradition. Even my brothers get a kick out of this little patch of green for Easter. I line a basket with a garbage bag, fill with potting soil, cover the soil completely with wheat grass seed, (available at Whole Foods, less than a dollar a pound) and keep moist and covered with plastic wrap till the seeds sprout, usually in three days. Then stand back and watch it grow!

Stacking Egg Bowls

How I love things that stack. Baskets, boxes, suitcases, bowls and now, from sweet Betty, these lovely Easter bowls. My buffet table will never be the same!

WIP

I found these ready made pillow cases at Target and I am using iron on transfers to Penny them up. I want to add some embroidery, though my needle is rusty. Come to the Easter brunch and see them in person!

Pillowcases...

A tower of pillowcases sewn yesterday. Our spring snowstorm conspired to help me get these done.

So much for SPRING!

We are having a good old fashioned spring snowstorm. Poor little birds, and crocus.

I little bit o spring from the garden. Where do these vivid colors come from? How does the soil produce this beauty? It's a miracle, a small but wonderful miracle.

This is for my faithful follower. Thanks sweetie!

Everything looks better in Sepia

Today, I saw my first Robin. It makes me so happy to welcome the hardest working birds in the business. The snow is almost gone, and today I saw a photo of a crocus, posted by a fellow Chicagoian. I'm so ready. The deck needs sweeping, some pots need cleaning. I can't wait to get OUT!

Still waiting...

All that I am...

Vintage Robins

Waiting for Spring

Though snow is on the ground, Spring is in the air. I've started to decorate for spring and for Easter. After Valentine's Day, when all the hearts are put away, I enjoy several days of naked walls. The mantle's empty, so are the glass bell and apothecary jars. For Easter they will be filled with pastel candies, fresh flowers and eggs of all sizes and colors. My favorites are robin's egg blue. Time to freshen up the house, starting in the kitchen. Next week a fresh coat of paint and some pretty accessories. It's the last minute rush before I am drawn outside again. The inside suffers when the outside blooms. Who can compete with the first warm days of spring? The fountain needs cleaning, as does the pond. One of my favorite Easter memories is of the fountain, literally bubbling over after the kids emptied their bubble liquid into it.