Could it be?
Has spring finally arrived?
Well, for the past week, it sure has felt like it here.
{although I am ignoring the weatherman's call for snow early this week...}
Joshua purchased these sweet Hydrangeas for a dinner party we had in honor of my dad's 50th birthday {which was on March 2nd}...and they certainly brought spring into our little house...
I put them in my favorite mercury glass vase for the dinner...along with my favorite old silver candlesticks and a burlap runner...
I had to improvise with the table since many of our nice linens and tableware are packed away...and we no longer have a matching set of chairs since one broke {guess that's what you get when you take hand-me-downs and only buy furniture at the flea market}...
We had a lovely time though...made him tortellini with creamy pesto sauce and grilled chicken...and of course toasted pine nuts on top {my favorite part}. And celebrated his 50 years young...and prayed for many, many more...
And then today...we awoke to glorious weather...and took some photos on a short outing...
There is a very large, old Victorian house {it's light purple too} at the end of our street that always has the cutest decorations in their yard...I spotted these sweet bikes today and couldn't resist photographing them...
The tricycle was my favorite...
And since we live in the country...cows are in abundance here...I found these ones exceptionally adorable...
They stared at me with curiosity {or disdain?} as I photographed them...
When we arrived back home, I switched the Hydrangeas to my favorite ironstone pitcher...and took them outside...
{Is anyone else like me with flowers? I have to switch them to all of my favorite vases/containers and put them in different places around the house...just to get the most out of them while they are fresh - although I am excited to see these ones dried too}
I certainly do hope that you are enjoying some fine spring-like weather wherever you are...
{some of the photographs here will be making their way to my photography shop in the near future}.
Till next time...
Stunning, Alice!!! Even though Spring arriving means our Summer has ended, if it means I can look at your beautiful photos of flowers changing vases and walks outside, then I'm happy! xo
Posted by: Natasha Burns | March 20, 2010 at 11:56 PM
What a wonderful birthday dinner your father must have had with you. It certainly looks like you made it very special.
I love the photos you took and the bicycles were just great. How clever.
Posted by: Amy Kinser | March 21, 2010 at 01:56 AM
Your photos are wonderful. I love your table decorating for the party, all the different chairs look amazing.
Posted by: megan | March 21, 2010 at 05:24 AM
Alice, your photos are so beautiful, your father must have been delighted!! Love the table settings and the whole soft romantic look. I love to visit and see your stunning pictures, it always makes me feel so good!!!! I read your other posts and was touched by your Grandmother's wonderful religious things..... what special things to have, it made me kind of sad when you said she isn't at home anymore...... sounds like your Grandfather is doing okay though.
I am always putting fresh flowers everywhere too, funny how people that love flowers do that!
Have a happy Sunday, yeah spring is almost here,
Hugs,
Margaret B
Posted by: Margaret Bouwmeester | March 21, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Hello Alice, your photos are so pretty. I love the bicycles too... the tricycle looks just like the little one my sisters and I all had as little girls... how fun you are out in the country now, I love the cows too! And your hydrangeas are beautiful. After a traumatic week, we are settling down and enjoying Spring now as well... Happy Spring to you! xoxo Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie | March 21, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Just lovely photos. I love your style. Hydrangeas are on of my most favorite flowers. :)
Posted by: Carmen | March 21, 2010 at 11:11 AM
I love spring...And cows too ;-) Cute pics!
Mela
Posted by: Mela | March 21, 2010 at 11:37 AM
I am so ready for spring. I just love your photos... thanks for sharing a piece of this beautiful world God has given.
Posted by: Sheila R | March 21, 2010 at 07:13 PM
Once again, your photos are so very lovely!! Thank you for giving me a bit of spring to look at...we had snow here yesterday. Ugh! I'm really anxious for spring to begin:) Happy Belated Birthday to your Dad!
Posted by: Leah C | March 21, 2010 at 08:25 PM
Love your images today...that bike shot is amazing. Do you use photoShop? I am thinking of investing in that program...but don't know what to do.
Hugs today for a happy week.xoxo
Posted by: Koralee | March 21, 2010 at 09:39 PM
I love it when I come here to get my shot of beauty. Your pictures are amazing Alice and I enjoy reading what is going on in your life at the moment. I hope your father had a wonderful day on his B-day. The photos of the cows are so darling...and those bikes!!!
hugs
Posted by: June | March 22, 2010 at 12:56 AM
Oh what beautiful Spring photos. Love the bike photos too
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | March 22, 2010 at 07:38 AM
Stunning photos Alice.
I hope Spring will arrive soon for you. I know we are just starting to see some hints of Autumn here on the other side of the globe, so the changing seasons are sneaking up on us now.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | March 22, 2010 at 07:42 PM
We had Spring... and then a few inches of snow here in Dallas, which was SO odd. And the next day (today), it is 70 degrees... go figure.
Posted by: Allison | March 22, 2010 at 08:36 PM
Lovely centerpiece.
Deirdre G
Posted by: philippine homes | March 22, 2010 at 08:49 PM
Beautiful pictures! /linnea-maria
Posted by: linnea-maria | March 23, 2010 at 04:18 AM
Oh.. those are really good shots.. :) Belated happy birthday to your dad.. Yes.. its spring.. The most awaited season to arrive.. Hope all of us enjoy this spring.. :)
Posted by: renaissance costume | March 23, 2010 at 09:11 AM
Your party table looks just beautiful...and so do the cows, bikes, flowers...actually...anything you photograph always looks amazing! Happy Spring Alice!
Posted by: Andrea - Faded Plains | March 23, 2010 at 11:05 AM
those are some of favorite flowers and your table setting is just beautiful, love all the little details like the rose on the side, so thoughtful. have a lovely day! susan
Posted by: susan | March 23, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Hi Alice,
I decded I was going to sit here this time until ALL your photos loaded and it was so worth the wait! They are beautiful! I love those bikes!!!
Blessings~
PS Happy 50th birthday to your dad!!
Posted by: Sandi | March 23, 2010 at 07:54 PM
your pictures are absolutely stunning...of course i'm partial to the ones with the cows though ;0)
i'm so glad spring is finally arriving for someone...sigh...we still have snow and freezing tempatures..oh well maybe by june!!
blessings,
kristin
Posted by: Kristin | March 23, 2010 at 09:29 PM
your images are gorgeous. Hydrangea's are my very favorite flower they look so lovely displayed on that white chair.
Posted by: lorraine lewis | March 23, 2010 at 11:55 PM
Love those bicycle pics, your photography is beautiful!
Your mismatched chairs are darling, adds to the charm :)
Posted by: Johanna | March 24, 2010 at 08:31 AM
I'm too glad that spring has finally sprung! Yippee.
What a wonderful dinner you had for your dad. Such a prettily set table - the hydrangeas are gorgeous!
Posted by: Shana | March 24, 2010 at 02:35 PM
Tell you dad happy birthday from me. Tell him I am one of your many devoted readers. It is so special to enjoy and celebrate family. Just being with your family is so special no matter how small the house is or if the chairs do not match it's not about that and your knack for making everythings so beautiful and relaxed makes anything
anywhere look so beautiful.
Posted by: Debra | March 24, 2010 at 09:55 PM
Hi Alice...in her own WONDERLAND!!
You are just so together with your ispiring pages, Beautifully Perfectly Imperfect home decor pieces:)
Keep inspiring
Dore
Posted by: Dore Callaway | March 25, 2010 at 01:01 AM
The hydrangeas are gorgeous!
Happy Spring! :)
Posted by: Lynda | March 26, 2010 at 04:27 PM
your images are my most favorite spring captures ive seen
love them all
especially the chair & hydrangeas
Posted by: paige | March 30, 2010 at 04:02 PM
absolutely beautiful! i love your table decor. that china cabinet is adorable!
Posted by: manvi @ mochatini | April 06, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Beautiful! You made be inspired! Reminds me of love story movies. Like it! Thanks for this blogpost!
Posted by: Wench Costume | April 06, 2010 at 11:19 PM
Yes! and now summer's in.. almost! enjoy everyone! teeeheee!
Posted by: wench costume | May 11, 2010 at 01:12 AM
Alice, your blog is so wonderful! I am so happy that I found it! I love how you share your stories and your photography is spectacular! Your taste on design is amazing as well. You make me appreciate white designs even more. I never thought of that idea before. I’m searching for a new pine bookcase for or house lately and thought I could use some design concepts from the internet. I really love your blog. I never got bored reading it. I feel like you are really connecting. I would love to come back to your site to keep up with you. Hope you won’t get tired updating!
Posted by: Pine Bookcase | October 24, 2010 at 08:42 AM