I hope that you all had a wonderful Easter holiday! Thank you to all of you who came and left lovely thoughts and greetings for me. I have not had a chance to make the rounds and get caught up with all of my blogging friends since returning from Virginia...but I am going to work on that this week. Josh and I had a lovely time away at his parents...enjoyed the "wrap" into spring as we headed south. Flowers were blooming and the trees were green...unlike here...but it is starting to get there.
We spent the majority of our time getting to know our very first niece...Evangeline...
She is the sweetest little baby (7 months old)...and very happy...we got to hold her and make her smile which was so much fun...and tried to get used to our new titles as "aunt and uncle"...
The only downside to being away...was missing this little guy...
My sister Angela and friend Sarah took good care of him while we were away...but when we returned we still knew we needed to make it up to him. We were delighted to come home to sunshine and a bit of warmth and have been taking Renoir on some outings to enjoy the the weather.
Last week we went to one of our favorite places in Rochester...Mount Hope Cemetery...I know it may sound morbid...but this Victorian cemetery is so old, and filled with beautiful gravestone statues and buildings, as well as some famous people's graves including Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. If you have followed my blog for some time you may recall when I posted about going here last year. Renoir loves to climb all around...there are lots of old steps and it's very hilly.
I was immediately drawn to the dried hydrangea bushes surrounding one of the buildings...
I think hydrangeas are my favorite flower...perhaps even more than roses. They are beautiful fresh and bright and equally as beautiful dried. I desperately wished I could take these home...and then happened upon a little bunch broken off on the ground that I tucked away to bring back with me...
The old buildings are covered in vines which are also beautiful dried and awaiting spring renewal...
Joshua and Renoir found a HUGE pile of leaves that Renoir enjoyed jumping in...with a little coaxing from Josh...
He was then, of course, covered in leaves and dirt...
I took many photos of the beautiful statues at the cemetery as well as Frederick Douglass's grave...which I plan on sharing later on a bit {didn't want to overwhelm you too much in one post ;)}.
Since the weather has been so nice lately, Renoir and I have been enjoying long walks around the neighborhood again. There is a large pond in our townhouse community that Renoir enjoys swimming in during the summer. We walked down there the other day and he was ready to jump in! But...it was too cold and very muddy...so I had to pull him back...but it did look beautiful in the sunlight...
I have also been keeping myself busy doing lots of spring cleaning {err...decorating} since returning home. I have even started completely rearranging the dining room and will share full photos when it is finished...but thought I would give you a little "vignette" on my hutch, where I included the little bunch of hydrangeas I found at the cemetery...
I am revamping everything to be a bit brighter and lighter...and filled with more artistic tidbits...like these vintage papers that I simply wrapped in seam binding ribbon and linen...{the linen provided by a lovely gift sent to me by this lovely lady}.
The entire hutch is now filled with items in shades of white, tan, taupe, cream, brown and grey...my favorites...
Well, I hope you enjoyed these bits of random beauty...and that you all have a beautiful week ahead!
Till next time...
Glad you had a lovely time with family. Your niece is beautiful. Beautiful vignettes, as always!
Posted by: Claudia | April 20, 2009 at 03:46 PM
I love Hydrangeas too ~ happy to hear you had a wonderful trip. Wonderful photos as always!
~ Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca | April 20, 2009 at 04:56 PM
I can easily understand having a difficult time leaving that sweet Renoir. I know you made it up to him many times over upon your return (go Renoir!). Love the new vignette with all the lovely colors and that photo at the cemetery is gorgeous too. I've always believed a long walk in the cemetery to be very peaceful and a lovely place to reflect on many, many things. It brings me much peace as I spent many hours in our hometown cemetery as a child with grand parents and great grand parents by my side sharing stories of times and people long in their young lives. Always a happy memory, thank you for bringing that back today. Looking forward to more photos of Mount Hope Cemetery.
xo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie~My Petite Maison | April 20, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Hi Alice! What beautiful photos...but then a visit to your gorgeous blog is like flipping the pages of a favorite magazine. Glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Virginia. I am from Charlottesville and it's such a beautiful state. LOVED the photos of little Renoir and I've been meaning to tell you that I love the shots of him sitting on his little chair...tooo sweet!!! I think it makes him look like his mom has put him in "time out" : ) Have a beautiful evening ~ xo Joy
Posted by: Joy Jones | April 20, 2009 at 05:08 PM
That image of Renoir playing in the leaves looks like 2 big white fluffy hearts nestled next to each other. I had to look 2ce to find Renoir because I just saw hearts. I don't think that's accidental; I think it's a bit of magic!
:)
Posted by: debi | April 20, 2009 at 07:09 PM
Glad you had a good time in beautiful Virginia. The photos of you hutch are just stunning!!! I love, love, love all the taupes, creams, flax colors...soooo beautiful!!!
Hugs,
Sandra
Posted by: sandra blanks | April 20, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Alice, I LOVE cemetery photos and can't wait to see more of yours! Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers as well. Your niece is adorable, as is Renoir (as always!). Love the pics of your vignette too! Glad you had such a good trip...welcome back! ~Lori
Posted by: Lori | April 20, 2009 at 07:41 PM
very beautiful! I love dried hydrangea. I love your vignette.......simply elegant and gorgeous!
Posted by: denise | April 20, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Evangeline is beautiful! I'm glad you enjoyed your trip and got back to your Renoir. My dog passed a couple of years ago but I remember how hard it was to leave her. Beautiful pictures! You have lovely things.
Posted by: Melanie | April 20, 2009 at 08:30 PM
beautiful photos Alice! have a happy week!
xo natalea
Posted by: natalea | April 20, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Love your pictures and your vignette with the hydrangeas. I also have a Cairn terrier!
Posted by: Jacey | April 20, 2009 at 08:51 PM
Your little niece is just so sweet...I love having nieces. They're so much fun to shop for...
I just love all your bits of random beauty... I always love seeing pictures of Renoir he's just a little cutie...Have a wonderful week..
Stephenie
Posted by: stephenie | April 20, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Congratulations on becoming an aunty. Sounds like you and Josh had a wonderful trip. Always nice to come home though and i bet Renoir is pleased too.
Thanks for sharing such lovely photos.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | April 20, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Such beautiful images in your post. I love the vignettes in your lovely sideboard. The pictures are ALL lovely. Your little neice is darling! I love coming and visiting this lovely place called Alicew. I always leave inspired.
Posted by: June | April 20, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Welcome home! Glad you had a nice trip. Congrats on meeting your adorable neice. You
are going to love being an aunt!
I think cemeteries are interesting.
I love all the religious statues and
reading the headstones. The hydrangeas
look beautiful in your home. One of my
favorite flowers too! Looking forward to
more of your posts!
Posted by: Andrea | April 21, 2009 at 12:20 AM
So glad you had a wonderful time with your family. Congrats on being an Aunt! She is a cutie! You have a way of capturing the beauty in everyday... thanks for sharing your lovely pictures of your home.
Posted by: Sheila R | April 21, 2009 at 06:44 AM
I enjoy your blogs on a daily basis. You are very talented an I look forward to viewing your "new" rooms. I decorate with creams an whites as well, you are an inspiration!
Posted by: Anne | April 21, 2009 at 07:54 AM
I went to a garage sale and bought armloads of gorgeous dried hydrangeas in different shades of browns,pinks,greens. I threw away my really old ones and replaced them and then went back and bought the rest of the beautiful flowers! Love them! I was so happy!
Posted by: Debbie | April 21, 2009 at 08:53 AM
www.mysparrowsnest.etsy.com
goofed up on my etsy page listing when I commented above! oops
have fun with your sweet niece!
Posted by: Debbie | April 21, 2009 at 08:58 AM
Absolutely beautiful Alice!!! I also love to visit old cemetaries and get lost in the quiet that envelopes you there.
xo,
Lesley
Posted by: Lesley | April 21, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Evangeline is so adorable! Congratulations on becoming an Auntie:) Love all the pretty photos...thanks for sharing all that beauty.
Posted by: Leah C | April 21, 2009 at 03:19 PM
Your photos are gorgeous...no surprise there :o) and Evangeline and Renoir are precious! By the way, your hutch looks beautiful in all shades of white...love it!
Posted by: Andrea | April 21, 2009 at 05:39 PM
Ahh my favorite colors. I love the hutch. And your neice what a cutie pie!! Your little pup looks like he has got a lot of pep:)Very sweet!
Posted by: Andrea Villarreal | April 21, 2009 at 06:14 PM
What a beautiful blog- such gorgeous pictures. I am so glad I found your blog.
Posted by: Lorraine lewis | April 22, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Glad you had a nice Easter Alice... your little neice is just SO darn cute!!
The first photo you posted is stunning!
xoxo
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | April 23, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Evangeline is so cute... and I totally love all your whites and cream... what a lovely home you have, Alice!
Sending sunshine and smiles your way
cielo
Posted by: cielo | April 24, 2009 at 01:05 PM