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

Ornament Treasures

I get so caught up in the holiday decorating that it seems there is no time to blog. I thought I would at least share a few more of my family treasures. These ornaments have been a part of most every Christmas. 

These are an assortment of vintage beauties displayed in my milk glass collection.

The flying goose was my Momma's. His wings are made of real feathers that "fly" when moved

 up and down. The little figure's head is a bit wobbly after all these years.

These two mischievous ceramic squirrels clip to the branches.

 Santa loves to do a few deliveries from this celluloid car!

The Shiny Brites above are mid century and well loved.

A collection of random retros. The clear striped on was from my Granny's tree.

Just a couple more cuties. Mom loved the drippy icicles and now I really do too. They give

 a tree that dreamy look. The ornament on the left was a flea find!

Do you have any family treasures on your tree? Share them with us on Facebook

 or Pinterest and tell us their stories here in the comments.

Now, back to decorating.

Melin

Easter Tablescape

 

I like to layer old and new when creating a seasonal tablescape. It let's me use some of my

collections and fun new things. I started with a newer pink tablecloth and

 layered on a vintage one in spring colors. The vintage tablecloths can

 be smaller,  so I use it on top at a diagonal for interest.

 

At each place setting, I used vintage milk glass serving trays as chargers with pink depression glass plates and pink French goblets. The beautifully simple silver was inherited from a dear old

 friend. It is fun to blend up collections. The napkins are Ikea and I love the birdies!

To add some fun, I made paper sack bunny favors (idea from Pinterest).

I even added a "cotton tail" on the back of each.

 

 

I put a few carrot chocolates here and there (I love cute treats). These were only a dollar for

 a netted bag of several at Target. Some fun decorations on the tree and voilà!

 

 

Oh, and you just have to have a few beautiful bunnies join the party!

Wishing you a fun time decorating your home and table

for Easter, Passover and springtime.

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

Milk Glass

This is a picture of part of my milk glass collection. These are the pieces I use often, or at least when I entertain. I love that we put a glass door on this cupboard, so I can see it anytime I am in the kitchen. Just seeing the gleaming white brings me joy!

I collect milk glass because it reminds me of my Granny. She had several pieces that she displayed and used for special occasions. She never would think to amass a large collection like I have. In her day, people just weren't that indulgent. I was passed on a piece or two from her collection and a few from my mom's and some friends, as well. These are extra special to me.

I love the curvy and lacy edges on some of the pieces and I love the hob-nail, you know, the ones with bumps. My favorite piece is a small vase that is hob-nail and shaped kind of like a V with a ruffly top...perfection! I like this one so much that I actually have seven of them. I will have a party one day and will place one at each place-setting with flowers. You can see these pictured on the bottom shelf nestled under the cake plate stack in the middle.

I think we collect to bring back warm memories of our past. This is so true of my milk glass collection. I love that I can use it year round and think of my Granny!

Please share with us about one of your collections and who or what inspired it in the comment section below.

Melin