Spring Photos

Hello everyone,
I've been absent from blogging and I have no excuse! The days seem to go by so fast and I've had "spring fever." April has been a crazy-weather month, but I think it's finally settling down. Now, the trees have tiny new green leaves and the daffodils and tulips have popped open. I love this time of year! I've started a new daily walking routine. The county just opened a new nature preserve near where I live and today was the fourth day in a row I walked there! Yay!! It has a 3/4 mile, easy trail - which is perfect for me right now. I got lazy over the winter, and I do mean lazy!! So, I'm starting slow....but at least it's a start, right? Walking in the woods is one of my all-time favorite things to do. So, here are some photos from my walk.

 Totem pole at the entrance to the nature preserve. It was hand-carved and hand-painted by a local resident.

Beautiful moss on the tree stump

Woodland Wildflowers 

I have so many projects lined up (aside from work); gardening, some furniture I want to paint (I'm going to try using chalk paint, I've heard so much about it,) spring cleaning, and hopefully a short trip to West Virginia with my sister next month. What have you all been up to lately?

Happy Spring,

Cindy



Spring in Ohio

Spring has finally arrived! Yes, I think we've turned the corner. I feel bad for those living out west (6 inches of snow in Denver...with more to come??!) Yikes...and I thought spring was late arriving in Ohio. Here's a photo of my crocus in full bloom:

...and another sure sign of spring - Rudy sitting in the open window!

 

I also want to share some photos of a little log cabin I found on one of my recent country drives. When I need to clear my head...or if I'm bored...or sometimes for no reason at all, except I'm in the mood to get out and explore, I take drives in the country. I remember, as a child, the whole family would pile in the car for a Sunday drive. Back then, it was a form of entertainment. How many of you did that as children, as well?  

 

 

 

You'll never know what you might find. I have no information about this cabin. It sits right beside the highway, just outside the tiny town of Melmore. Little house on the prairie? I'd love to know who lived there. Both of my parents lived in log houses for a short time when they were children...but that's a story for another day.

 

 

I hope you're all having a good week!

Until next time,

Cindy

 

Cake Art

Occasionally, I like to share photos of amazing cakes I find on Pinterest or facebook. They fascinate me...and it's hard to believe some of them are actually edible! My sister is a wonderful cook and makes special cakes for her children and grandchildren's birthdays, and I've helped her with the decorating a couple of times. I think I could really get into it...I should consider taking a cake decorating class. Hummm...yet another hobby??

 

These cakes are perfect for spring and Easter. I've given credit to the artist for the ones where it was listed with the photo , but unfortunately some didn't say.

 

A pretty peacock

 

 

Ready for a spring holiday? How about a luggage cake by Charm City Cakes

 

This one is by Arty Cakes in the UK...she makes incredible cakes with all buttercream frosting! She can be found on facebook under  Arti Cakes.

 

 

Easter bonnet cake by Fifi's Cakes

 

How about a tea party?

 

 

Here's one for the fashionista in your life! I really wonder how they made that shoe? Or is it a real shoe??

 

 

Last, but not least, I think these two are my favorites - they're so, so pretty and spring-like!

 

Love the colors and the pansies!!

 

Are you a cake artist? If so, please share!

 

Sweet Dreams!

Cindy

 

 



Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound
and
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Fiestaware Tablescape

Hello everyone,
I've recently started a new hobby...tablescaping! First of all, just let me say, I'm not the type of person who entertains a lot, nor am I even a very good cook. I mean...I CAN cook, when I'm in the mood and set my mind to it, but most days, given the chance, I'd much rather eat out than cook for myself Anyway, I'm getting off track. In spite of this, I've always loved pretty dishes and admire the creativity of the beautiful tablescaping I've seen on so many others' blogs. It really is a work of art. So, I decided to try my hand at it. I'm calling these tablescapes "Table for One, Please" (because I live alone...other than my 3 cats, and they're really much more interested in WHAT'S in their dish than the dish itself.) So, without further ado...here's my Easter tablescape. Be kind - remember it's my first real attempt.

 

I've also recently started collecting Fiestaware dishes, so this is a fun way to show them off! Finding myself in need of new dishware, I suddenly felt very drawn to Fiesta...addicted is more like it! I love all the different colors, and the artist in me loves playing with color combinations. This setting features the colors rose, (retired) yellow, seamist green and periwinkle blue. I've had the cute, little clay pot napkin rings for years and the white ironstone pitcher is a recent Goodwill find.

 

I also love that Fiestaware is made in the U.S.A. by the Homer Laughlin China Co. - more specifically in West Virginia, the state where my father was from and my ancestral roots run deep. This is another "quick" place setting I put together, using the same seamist green, yellow and rose dishes.

 

  

Happy Weekend, everyone.

Until next time,

Cindy

I'm linking this to:
 Pink Saturday on How Sweet the Sound
Seasonal Sundays on The Tablescaper
What's It Wednesday on Ivy and Elephants
Show and Tell Friday on My Romantic Home.