Pocketful of Blue

Hi Everyone, My kids always say it is their  half  birthday when it's 6 months after their birthday. Cozy Little House Well, it's been just over 6 months since my first post so I'm celebrating my blog's half birthday! Any reason to celebrate, right? A Sort of Fairytale   I remember my first post and how I felt kind of nervous and awkward ~ wondering if anyone would ever look at my blog or leave a comment. Buckets of Burlap Well, I'm so glad  I listened to the little voice in my head and left my comfort zone and just went for it. I'm having so much fun sharing with all of you and I'm so appreciative of your visits and sweet comments. French Farmhouse 425 Isn't it just so nice to connect with great people who have many of the same interests and passions? You know, not everyone gets excited over a pretty  tablesetting or a great thrift store find ~  shocking isn't it? Northern Nesting I've gotten so much inspiration from all of yo...

Hi Everyone, Between summer activities with the kids and a corrupted hard drive, I haven't been able to do much  posting lately.   But the kids are occupied today and the computer is back from the correctional facility  for corrupted computers so I'm finally having a chance to get back to this blog. Here are just a few little things I've changed up  around my house recently... I found this basket on clearance at Joann Fabrics and this pot of flowers just happened to fit in it perfectly ~  it looks so fresh and cheerful to me.  Sometimes it's just the little things that can brighten up a day don't you think? I purchased this small pitcher at Homegoods  primarily for warming syrup for breakfast but I thought it looked pretty on display! A couple of the shelves on our computer desk ~ I put together the picture frame with just some scrapbook paper, an alphabet printout from The Graphics Fairy   and just a little sprig o...

I guess I should really say "Decorating with Birds" ~  The themed link party this week at Funky Junk Interiors is birds and nests    so I had to show you some of the bird related thingies around my house. Some of these I have shown before. These 3 were purchased separately  but you know what they say about "birds of a feather"! Does a rooster count as "bird" decor? Well, this guy wasn't going to stand for being left out. He wanted to "strut his stuff"! I just had to include this sweet little bird. My daughter found him hopping around in our backyard recently. I think he might have just left the nest. He was letting us walk right up to him. Finally, I put some gloves on and picked him up  and then he just flew right out of my hands. "By cute little guy!" ~ ~ I'm so glad you dropped by ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Hope you can visit again soon ~ ~ ~ ~ JoAnne ~

Hi Blogland Buddies! I haven't shown you much of the exterior of our house so I thought I would share it with you today.  I always love to see what everyone's homes look like on the outside, don't you? This first photo is just a little sneak peek.   I didn't want to start out with the dreaded "before". But here it is, the way it looked as we were moving in..... ...and this is how it looks now. We removed the old shrubs and tore out the crumbling old sidewalk. My hubby and I designed a curved walkway and larger planting beds.  The walkway is covered  with  pea gravel which is a pretty inexpensive solution. We added a little seating area with a bench. And as you can see, we planted new shrubs and a couple small trees. A few flowers add a little color. Things are a little dry right now,  I'm trying to keep up with the watering! ** some more pictures ** There is still a lot more we would like to do. Maybe some shutters... window box...

I am loving this post from Happy Loves Rosie so much that I had to share it. I don't think we can hear this enough. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Why does it take us so long to figure this out? I love the lines...  "i love my imperfections. they make me me." The people who are most precious to me wouldn't want me to be anything else and that is enough for me. I think a lot of us need to remind ourselves of this more often.   I know I do. And I hope I can pass this on to my children, to let them know how special they truly are. You are pretty amazing.  Don't forget it! JoAnne

family *** friends *** fireworks *** fireflies *** campfires *** cookouts *** patriotism *** parades *** HAPPY ALL THINGS 4TH OF JULY ! *** JoAnne ***

The wonderful Martina of Northern Nesting is giving  away a gorgeous bird cloche with stand.   Isn't it just  soooo pretty -- I love it!! Click the button above to see the 3 ways to enter. I really hope I'm the lucky duck !!! ~    GOOD LUCK EVERYONE ~