ink wells & itty bitty chicks

🐥 

and, "baa"

A cup of German putz sheep...

Makes perfect sense to me.

🐑 

there is magic

The Dells Mill in Augusta, Wisconsin is the most 

photographed Mill in the U.S.

One look & the reason is obvious, you

just can't take a bad picture of this beautiful setting.

We are lucky to live just about 5 minutes from this 

amazing place.

While there on Saturday, I was reminded of this change in seasons.

When there is more "next" then "last".

When spring magically arrives.

💙

🐥

Over the years I have collected lots of vintage holiday decorations.

I especially adore the detail in German finds like 

these papier-mâché Easter eggs.

And do not even get me started on vintage waxed Easter grass!

🐥

kindness

I have come to believe that the greatest character trait is kindness.
It is compassion & help & support & empathy all packaged with a simple bow.
But what a gift it is.  Indeed.

For 6 years, we have found an anonymous gift left at our roadside mailbox to mark
the return of spring.  This year, a robin's nest was tucked into the egg basket on our
mailbox with one sweet lettered egg that said, "spring".  I sense that I may know
the giver from my Barn Sale days...and that she travels from far on a journey homeward.
This tender act of kindness truly touches my heart.  Thank you! 💚

💚welcome home...

1500 miles to spring

Had to travel 1500 miles from Wisconsin to Washington state to find spring...and

a hug from my Ian is the cherry on top!  Skagit County Tulip Festival with the 

Olympic Mountains as a backdrop!  🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

bunnies

Yes, it is true that rabbits multiply ever so quickly - as was the
case with this collection of German Easter candy containers.
Created by a home craft industry in the 1890s, they were made
to hold candy, with the head made as a little cover.  Just this
year, several more of these bunnies have hopped home to our farm.

This large bunny started our collection.  I had always coveted these

containers, but they were generally priced outside of my budget.

So, when I spied this one in a waste basket at a thrift sale, I was 

quick to ask if I might lift her out and bring her home.  

This sweet sitting bunny was my most recent find.  I never fuss

if they have repair issues....that just meant a child had loved them.

This sweet bunny is smaller...this little friend has such a 

purposeful expression.  This one was an auction find.

These two bunnies were found in recent months at antique stores
for a reasonable price...if I find one for less than $30, it is mine!

There they all are on a bookshelf in our living room...my dear

little "hutch" of bunnies. 🐇💌

"pick me"

Even as I begin to see the finish line in a long career in Early Care & 

Education, I will always identify first & foremost as a nursery school

teacher.  As a teacher, my year was informed by the celebrations & 

holidays & seasons of the children that I spent my days with.  I still

decorate my house as if it were a giant living bulletin board from my

teaching days.  So this year, with St. Patrick's Day, Spring & Easter all

simultaneously saying, "pick me"...I blended green & bunnies & tucked

in eggs.  I could never pick a favorite.

next...

     Adding little bits of spring, sweet nods to eggs & bunnies.

apple blossoms & busy bees...

little white holder

One of my favorite finds is this sweet white holder.

Paired with vintage Easter grass & bunny & chick cutters...

adorable!

Some sweet pot holders & dish towels round out the charm.

April, sigh...

This month always brings with it a sigh of relief.

In the Midwest, it means we made it through winter.

So, I treat my home to sweet spring treats.

The vintage wicker & glass tray is perfect to show some of

my vintage spring cards.  The teapot is from my childhood

home.  The firkin was a fabulous $30 find!  And the zinc 

topped trunk provides the perfect coffee table.

Happy April!  Happy Spring!

chicks & bunnies & eggs

spring kindness

For a number of years, "kindness" has been anonymously left at

our roadside mailbox to commemorate spring.  This year was no 

exception.  We arrived home to find this sweet vintage watering can

tucked into the evergreens that winter at our mailbox.  

Thank you dear friend, whoever you are.  You make me feel ever 

so special...and you remind me that spring always returns.  You are 

like my extra special Robin.  I am touched!

Welcome March!

soon...

    Anxiously awaiting warm green days!

spring on my mind

Our sweet little property in Winter, Wisconsin.  Can almost feel spring!

once again...

For what seems like a moment, the apple blossoms arrive.

I know their time will be brief before the spring rain or breeze will whisk them away. 

I attempt to take them in, to memorize each blossom, before they disappear as quickly as they arrived.  They remind me of how tender a moment truly is...little winged flowers.

eggs

  tucked here & there...with vintage waxed Easter grass