Hey Sugar~

Lookie here what Mr. Postman delivered right to my door today! Joyce at A Perfect Beginning had a celebratory birthday give-away and I was one of the lucky winners. This sassy, little lime valise filled with iced sugar cookies was my winning gift. It was Joyce's birthday and she handed out candy and treats all week and finished the festivities with a give-away... This is a woman that knows how to celebrate a birthday- but then every day is a golden day when you have a Perfect Beginning.



Thank you Joyce~

Inspiration~

One of the advantages of working from home is that you are able to listen to your creative forces at any time, day or night. There have many nights that I have crawled into bed after a busy day, looking forward to a full night's sleep~ only to wake up at two a.m. and have a burst of creativity.

Lately I have been working on a series of miniature illustrations for Rachel at Two Dog Pond. This is one talented lady. If you haven't visited Rachel's blog - you'll want to. We are working on a project together and will announce it as we finalize the details.

There is no rhyme or reason to when creative energy might take hold. I might be at the gym and notice someone doing a series of stretches, or at the local market watching a woman choosing a bunch of asparagus in the produce section.

Inspiration is different for all of us- what one may see as insignificant, another may notice an innocence or it might conjure up a memory from the past. One does not need to sketch or paint to be inspired by something meaningful or particularly lovely. Picking out a greeting card for a friend may inspire you to write a note about an experience that you once shared. Shopping for fabric can bring back all sorts of memories - perhaps that of an apron worn by your grandmother, or the scent of a candle may instantly bring you back to the weekend several years ago when you were without power due to a storm.

I am inspired to sketch by the things all around me, every day. A bunch of fresh asparagus can instantly take me back to the smooth, thick soup that my Mother made in the early spring. What inspires you to paint, sketch, write in your journal, bake, or maybe bring out your sewing machine? Do you find yourself awake at the wee hours ready to start a new project, waiting for daylight so you can begin ~ anxious to see what the new day will bring?

Easy Rider~

At first I thought it was just a snowmobile riding down the side road next to our home. Imagine my surprise when I looked out and saw a gentleman tightly wrapped in winter garb taking a leisurely ride on his motorcycle. With another eight inches of fresh snow ~ he must have been thinking...if you can't beat 'em...join 'em!!! Around here, people sometimes push the seasons a little, especially with as much snow as we've had this winter. I've seen men swinging a golf club on the frozen lake, ladies with hair pulled back riding around in an open convertible, my neighbor leaves for work each morning in shorts, and I admit to dreaming of when I may be able to trade in my Uggs for sandals.

But this brave soul... do they make chains for motorcycle tires?

Millie's Challenge~ My kitchen

In the kitchen~ looking into the den



The gorgeous Millie of The Laurel Hedge has challenged me to take you on a little tour of my kitchen~ and to tell you what I love ... and may not love about it.

My little hutch- filled with ironstone- note the gate, to keep pups out of the den...

~Cooking Central~

Coffee station~ The most important part of the kitchen!

~Breakfast area~

Our kitchen is small but fairly efficient. In a perfect world I would have a lovely, functional, chef's kitchen. I do love to cook. Since moving to this much smaller home I have had to keep only the things that I use regularly and make the most of my limited space.

My kitchen is bright with the morning and late afternoon sun and even though I wish it were larger, it suits our needs and is easy to maintain. As this challenge came in we had just said "Good Night" to dinner guests- so the timing was there...

1~ What color is your kitchen? Black and white

2~ Describe your kitchen. Small but cozy and calming

3~ Describe your dream kitchen. BIG

4~ Fave activity in kitchen. Cooking and making cupcakes with Erin

5~ Name one thing it is lacking/missing. Space and refrigerator (it's in the entryway as you enter the kitchen- we chose to have the wine keeper in the kitchen...priorities you know!

6~ Do you cook or bake a lot? Cook~ alot!

7~ What don't you like and what would you change? Not enough counter space and I would love

another window.

8~ What do you love about your kitchen? That my Mom once prepared wonderful family

dinners here.

9~ Worst kitchen activity? Cleaning up

10~ Tea or coffee? Hands down- coffee! Tea in the afternoon.

11~ Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate~ dark, please.

12~ Do you like to prepare food- or eat it? Both

13~ Do you prefer to serve meals in the kitchen or dining room? Dining room~ I love my

dining room~ but that's another post!

Now I challenge~

1~ Lecia~ at A Day That Is Dessert~ because she had such a way with a camera and I suspect

she loves to cook.

2~ Joyce~ at A Perfect Beginning~ because she has photographed some amazing dishes.

3~ Seleta~ at Simply Seleta~ because this gal has style and sass!

~I would love to hear about your kitchen and what makes it the heart of your home.~

Mom's Blue and White

My late Mother had a beautiful collection of Blue Willow and all dishes Blue and White. Some are very collectible and some were little more than just pleasing to her eye. She and my Dad had a small antique business and throughout the years they amassed a large collection.

There are serving pieces, tiny cup plates, several place settings, a chocolate set, coffee and tea pots. After my Mother passed away, my Dad would wrap up a special piece of Blue and White at Christmas and the tag always read~ To- Deb, From- Mom, With Love.

The collection is now part of my home. I use it often and each piece is well-worn and well-loved.

A table set with plaid napkins and these lovely dishes look especially warm and festive during the holidays. As spring arrives- I bring out shades of periwinkle and apple green and the whole table looks like a cheery Easter basket.

Has someone dear passed down or gifted you with something precious? I would love to hear about your gift and maybe a story of how it has come to live, much loved- with you.

Happy Birthday Joyce~

" Happy Birthday to you~ Happy Birthday to you~ Happy Birthday Dear Joyce~ Happy Birthday to you"!

For those of you that may not already know the generous, fabulous, inspirational and witty Joyce at A Perfect Beginning stop by and visit her beautiful blog. And while you're there~ have a piece of this delicious cake~ And wish Joyce a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Colors of Spring~

While working on this wide border for a playhouse painting, it reminded me of the colors of spring. The bright greens of the budding trees and new grass. The violets and periwinkle blues of those first Hyacinths with their rich, heady scent.

While we will have several more weeks of winter here- a visit to my local garden center may be just what I need to bring a little spring color inside. Perhaps a pot of happy-faced, sunshine daffodils or maybe a few brightly colored, sweet scented Primrose. There may be Freesia, with their gentle, spicy fragrance. There will certainly be small pots of Shamrocks~ A bit of Luck o' the Irish for upcoming St. Patrick's Day.

A pot of something flowering can add a little sunshine and some sweet scent to your home-especially at the tail end of winter. I'm off to the garden center! How will you bring a little spring into your home?