Do you see anything strange about this table? Could it be the mix of China, paper plates and plastic cutlery? I was torn in two directions... Paper plates? China? I even went so far as to use my china as chargers... I set the table the  night before, feeling a bit brave that I had done something so,  should we say...non-conventional. What would Martha Stewart think?  Even Miss Manners!! I moved the china yet again and I put the paper plates on a glass serving plate beside this most delicious dessert. ( Post to follow)   Please do not judge me on the frosting...    So, beside this Easter plate dilemma, I even let Afton (my darling granddaughter) dip her cute little fingers into the frosted bundt cake- But after all, isn't that what having a grandchild is all about! It was such a beautiful day for a picnic... In our own backyard... No one could have resisted... Paper?  China? China!!  I am never ever saving it again- My china will be used until the platinum is gone-  The plates will

Honestly-who doesn't love black and white?  Have you ever shopped at White House Black Market?   Who doesn't look sharp in Black and White ? Black and White is a timeless combination, always tasteful, classy, and comes across as a no-fuss, put-together look.  Black and White exudes self-confidence, an air of sophistication, you can dress this color combination up or down. Many of these collections are from the talented individuals on  Polyvore . I enjoy this social media network whose main focus is on fashion. I have my eye on this blouse and sandals. This Diane von Furstenberg dress would be so flattering and look at these precious white sandals. I really do believe in this statement-we all need to dance and laugh more-so good for the soul.   I am a bit crazy over these black and white heels-really and truly I am... Wouldn't you love some Enamel jewelry?  Such clean and cool lines.    So, please dance- don't walk , laugh a little, have fun  and Shop The Trend! Please j

While I was at work today I was thinking of you all.  I was wondering what type of post would be inspiring for you. I have Easter on my mind so naturally I wanted to share some Spring and Easter joy with you.  It seems appropriate to me to inspire you with a bouquet of flowers.   If you were my neighbor I would invite you to share Easter Sunday with our family. Tucked in my China Hutch is my Mother's milk glass vase.  I took it out today to put our bouquet of tangerine tulips in-just in case you should decide to drop by.  Remember we will be eating at 1:00-so don't be late! Please come hungry... Our menu will be... Southern fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, macaroni and cheese, southern potato salad, fruit tray, deviled eggs, strawberry shortcake and pineapple up-side down cake!  If you have a favorite dish to share please bring it! After the Easter Egg Hunt we could always sit outside under sunny skies and have a cup of coffee and share a dessert or even two... Wondering how

I really enjoy baking and I prefer to bake my treats from scratch.  They always taste just a tad bit better and of course I always add a extra dose of love! I use  Hershey's Coca it is 100 percent Natural Unsweetened.  It has been around for ages and is a tried and true ingredient.  I like chocolate but not a strong chocolate.  This is what you will find when you bite into these sweet little confections. We are looking forward to celebrating Easter in our home.  We will attend Church Services and then return to our home for Easter Dinner and our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Ingredients For Cupcakes:  Adapted from Hershey's Recipes 2 cups sugar 1-3/4 cups sifted all purpose flour 3/4 cup Hersey's Cocoa 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 1-1/2 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. salt 2 eggs 1 c. buttermilk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 cup boiling water Directions For Cupcakes: Heat oven to 350 degrees-Bake 12-15 minutes-Makes 3 dozen cupcakes

We recently painted our Formal Living Room- Not once,,, But Twice... Why you ask? Well, we had to do some repainting after the hot water heater fell through the ceiling over  Christmas.   Yes, you heard correct-I haven't been able to speak of it until now! Our Formal Living room-post water heater falling through ceiling.  Yes, it is true.  Water  gushing through the ceiling just as if a hose had been turned on full blast.  Christmas  ornaments falling to the floor, water puddling up, sheet rock crumbling like a cookie dunked in  a glass of milk. My husband shouting for help Me running into the living room Water running everywhere Towels, buckets, towels, buckets... This Palm Tree is where our Christmas Tree stood in all of her glory during Christmas. Amazingly enough, my husband said he had never seen me move so quickly! We had just replaced the hard wood floors as well... Not a soul will ever know but you!   Crafty Texas Girls Dedicated House

For Valentines day I received a bouquet of roses from my thoughtful husband.  They seemed like the prettiest roses I had ever seen.  Oh, I have received roses many times before for many different occasions but these roses were meant to be savored and saved. These were the roses that I received...you can see why I wanted to keep them. They lasted...  And lasted, nearly two weeks and then they began to slowly wither and fade... That is when I decided that I was going to save a few...I decided to dry them.  I cut off the ends tied them up in twine and hung them upside down in the garage for 2 1/2 weeks.   I clipped off the broken leaves and pruned back some of the torn blossoms. I sprayed the blossoms, stems and leaves with flat finish polyurethane, to preserve them. I am very pleased with the color of the roses and the durability that the polyurethane provides. My next goal is to dry the lavender from my garden! Please join me at these parties: A RURAL JOURNAL-TUESDAY MUSE Cozy Little Ho

Beautiful Pear trees blooming, azaleas galore, tulips, daffodils and Springs finest blossoms delighting the eye is what we find year after year at the Dallas Arboretum-we mark our calenders for Dallas Blooms. Two of my dear daughters and three darling grandchildren joined me on this yearly outing.  We took strollers, wagons, blankets and a delicious picnic lunch! The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake.  It is a massive garden with winding trails, fountains and large open spaces perfect for spreading out a blanket and enjoying the day. There are more than 500,000 Spring Blooming bulbs and more than 3,000 Azaleas.  Each turn is breathtaking and the colors are so vibrant.  Our little ones skipped and hopped and nibbled on sugar cookies as we strolled about the gardens. Thousands of annuals and perennials bloom at different times of the year on this 66-acre garden.  Fall is gorgeous at the gardens too-typically we visit the pumpkin displ

I am always purchasing plants, seeds and pots- always- if I don't answer my phone I am at Home Depot or somewhere that has plants!  So I  had these two humdrum generic plastic pots and wanted to spruce them up for Easter,  I wanted a breath of fresh air billowing throughout our home, I wanted Spring residing in every corner-out with stagnant Winter in with vibrant Spring! Aren't these just hideous?  You can surely see why they needed a make-over! Remember the Burlap Wreath I made a few posts ago-I had some leftover burlap and twine,  so no need for it to go to waste.  I simply cut the burlap into a couple of squares. My Hot Glue Gun, is my best friend- so naturally it was time to bring her out! Add hot glue to bottom and inside of flower pot,  press burlap onto plastic pot.  HOT GLUE -be very careful!  It is so easy to get some burns, I seem to always have at least one blister on one of my fingers! Tuck and adjust burlap to your liking and finish it up by tying a bow with twine

My gray kitchen hutch and three silver frames screamed to be decorated for Easter!  A trip to Hobby Lobby had proved interesting, but no special finds on that particular day other than scrap book paper. This is a fun little project that you could do with your children or grandchildren- For this project you will need 3 frames- I used (3x5 inch silver frames) glue, scissors, two sheets of scrap book paper-I chose zig- zag and bunnies. And of course do not forget the chocolate Easter eggs for snacking! Place back of frame on sheet of scrap book paper-this will be your background. Trace around the shape of the frame and cut.    Next I used a favorite cookie cutter for my shape, place it on your other sheet of scrap book paper which will be glued to the background. Simply trace the shape.  As you can see I chose fun little bunnies. Cut out the shape Glue the shape onto the background paper Frame it. Fun, simple! Linking up with  Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson What DIY projects are you doing