Lovely Lilacs

Here in my mountain town, it is lilac time! WE have more blooms this year than ever

 thanks to an abundance of snow and rain WE received.  

They are so prolific, just walking near the bushes is a treat for the senses...scent and colors 

delight. What a gift from Mother Nature! All WE have to do is cut off the 

pretty flowers. I brought in handfuls this morning and had fun selecting containers of all sorts.

I love to use my milk glass collection whenever possible and it adds a feminine touch with the ruffles.

For a more modern touch, use a piece of mercury glass. My little pixie is fun (and a bit naughty).

Tin containers add a simple country look. They are especially fun in a kitchen. Set one near your sink, so you can enjoy the scent while you work. The candle is here when the blooms fade.

 I just love this look! I bought a few different flower cup and saucers at a yard sale for tea

 parties with our grand-angels. Perfect for a flower display as well. 

Our newest birdie and nest is sweeter with lilacs.

What container would you choose from your own collections for yard flowers?

Do you say li-lack or li-lock? I love li-lacks!

Melin

xoxo

First Peony, First Day of Summer!

I love peonies and my first bloom of the year is this sweet white one. Since it is the first

day of summer, I thought I would use a few of my shells to make it special.

I even used one as a vase.

 



 

What are you doing to celebrate this lovely summer weekend?

Enjoy, Melin 

Thanksgiving Place Cards Ideas

As family and friends gather 'round the Thanksgiving table, we love to find our place with

a little something that says "this spot is especially for me". Place cards can be simple

or fancy but they always make us feel a bit more special.

 

 

I have used all of the above at one time or another. The little frames have held names printed on my computer and also mini pics to save the spot. Purchased place cards are fun and so easy.

But, so is writing a name on a leaf, faux or real. The white name was done with a chalk

marking pen (available at Michael's). A frog (floral type) holds a baby picture of my

son with his first turkey leg. Old photos are fun for everyone,

especially the childhood favorites. 

 

 

Flowers and candles can be simple too! This bouquet was purchased at our local grocer

for $4.99 and I added a few dried leaves. Don't sunflowers just make you smile?

I found several sites like the following that have wonderful ideas to share...

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2011/11/50-thanksgiving-place-card-crafts-projects-saturday-inspiration-and-ideas.html , http://www.hgtv.com/holidays-and-entertaining/printable-thanksgiving-place-cards/index.html, http://www.marthastewart.com/269071/thanksgiving-clip-art-place-cards.

 

 

Wishing you a blessed time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving.

Melin

Pinks!

 

My fabulous friend, Linda, brought me a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas from her garden.

 I LOVE them and was so excited to have a vase full. Wish I would have taken photos

of them. The one survivor was this beautiful pink hydrangea (on the left).

 

 

The color perfectly matches the pink in my peonies! We got more peonies

 this year than ever, including the white bloom.

 

 

The vase is a pitcher from my collection of milk glass.

 

 

What flowers do you have in your garden now?

Enjoy them,

Melin

An Abundance of Flowers!

 

Flowers are such a loving way to say "YOU are special"!

 

 

One easy and quick floral trick, is to purchase a bunch of inexpensive, but pretty, flowers

 at the grocery store. These pretty carnations were $3.99 at our local store. The bunch was

variegated, shades of pink with just a couple of white ones (a lucky mistake) too.

 

I have collected several small vases, a few little perfume and throw away bottles, just for flower arranging. It makes a small bouquet look like a plethora of blooms. You can find small

 little vessels at your local thrift store for very little money. They are usually open

 on Sunday too, so you can  still get some on the way to the store for your

 flowers for a last minute Mother's Day gift.

 

 

These are beautiful scattered across a dining or coffee table or set here and there around the home.

I especially like to put one or two in the powder room and next to a favorite photo.

I often use this trick when I am having over-night guests. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Melin



White Pitcher And Peonies

I was at Ikea and checked out the bargain bin. I found this white enamel pitcher for $4.00 and had to bring it home. We find the coolest things there, don't we?

I added some bright peonies from my garden...perfect. The tablecloth is a flea market find.

I love peonies and from what I see on Pinterest and other blogs, many of us do.

I am attracted to the hot pink color although all peonies are delightful.

Enjoy the sweetness of summer today.

Melin

Wedding Details

I had the honor of helping my daughter with the planning  of her wedding. I love party planning and a wedding is the ultimate!

Her family nickname is Birdie (it's a long story) and she agreed we could use that as the wedding theme. The wedding was held in April at the Flower Farm www.flowerfarm.com. It was a perfect setting and even has chickens to carry the theme further. She grew up in a rural setting, as a young girl, and loves it. 

I will share some of the details with you here. Maybe you will take an idea or two with you for your next party or special occasion.

A small chalk sign in the entry welcomes guests.

The welcome and gift table on the patio of the entrance to the reception.

And they lived happily ever-after...a fun way to share pictures of the bride & groom growing up and their courtship. The birdcage is a perfect place for the guests to put cards.

This print of a tree with two birdies lets guests put their fingerprints and add their names.

We bought this one at www.michaels.com.

Cut out birds in different shades and patterns of blue, the color theme, were placed in a nest for the guests to write a message and hang them on a wire tree. They will be great keepsakes.

The centerpieces on the tables were all different tablescapes made up of moss, birdhouses (from www.joann.com), my milk glass vases from my collection (see my collection Blog), nests, moss, flowers, birdies and more. The salt & pepper shakers were even little white birdies.You can find them at www.partypail.com. Many of the items can be purchased at our store at www.wrenelizabethgifts.com.

This is another tablescape using a real nest we found.

The bride and groom's sweetheart table.

The bride's sister and matron-of-honor painted and his this little thrift store gnome as a surprise.

  

The cake topper was a gift from the bride's sister-in-law and brother. The bride hand painted it to match her wedding color. The cake was a delicious as it is gorgeous! It was made and designed by the talented Brita Geiger from www.britasconfections.com. She added fresh flowers with a perfect designer touch. Could it be any more perfect? You will die for Brit's chocolate cake!

I glued faux moss to a ready made cardboard N to honor the groom's, and now the bride's, last name. The arbor was decorated with faux flowers and bows.    

The ring bearer carried the rings in a nest that is actually two nests together with a few faux flowers added and ribbons to tie on the rings. The flower girls carried our hydrangea baskets. What cute kids!

A great photo of the rings in a tablescape nest.

I love making bouquets, especially for my daughter's weddings! I added the butterfly brooch as a keepsake for the bride. It's the small details that make it so special.

The favors were our bird card/photo holders. The bride and groom selected a special thank you message for their guests. We used the same nest stamp on the back that was on the invitation.

I hope these ideas will inspire you. Party decor is such fun, especially when there is a running theme throughout.

Melin



Farmer's Market in Olympia, WA

Melin and Sue enjoying the Farmer's Market on a beautiful day in October!

Last week we were visiting dear friend's from high school at their beautiful new home in Olympia, WA. I was so impressed by all the beauty of nature at the market that I took some photos with my handy i-phone and I wanted to share them with you...enjoy!

Fragrant lavender booth.

Just look at that radishes and the rhubarb...perfection!

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day, a bit early!

This is a picture of my old funky red wagon on my porch. It was an awesome flea market find a few years ago and it has been parked on our porch even since. I change it seasonal and enjoy it year round. This basket of faux geraniums grow beautifully in the shade of our covered porch when nothing else will.

I have had a thing for red geraniums long before they became the rage again. They are so cheery and bright! They are festive all summer long with our patriotic holidays, especially when a few flags are inserted.

I have three hanging baskets of real geraniums that hang from my porch, one is pictured above. They just make me happy everytime they catch my eye. What do you do to get ready to celebrate our freedom?

I will be enjoying the holiday with dear, old friends and family in our small mountain town. We will wave flags at our parade and enjoy the best fireworks ever over the lake with a barbecue in-between.

Make your day memorable.

Melin