MY SIGNS OF SPRING

Several months ago I purchased this T-shirt because it described me perfectly.  

I almost always wear black.  My closet looks like it belongs to Johnny Cash.  And, let's face it, I dress my home in black too.  The second line describes my love for our wonderful dog, Bella.  That third line has taken on a new meaning.  Initially, it was a perfect description of me.  I am basically an introvert.  When we were required to stay at home for the month of April; it was no problem.  The lower pace, family time, and the opportunity to tackle some waiting projects is working out. Lately though, the daily grim statistics have been weighing heavily on me.

BELLA AND MY LOVELY DAUGHTER---MY TWO GIRLS

We've been having some absolutely perfect weather here in Maryland.  My husband, my son and I were walking around the garden, relishing the fresh air and sunshine.  I noticed that my favorite perennial, my ferns, were starting to emerge and uncurl towards the sun. They  looked happy and  totally oblivious to all that is happening in the world.

 I usually post when they're fully grown, but I wanted to share their renewal and beginning.  They gave me some reassurance and hope.

I'm married to a geologist, so we have quite a collection of rocks.  My son remarked that they look like the ferns on our fossils.  I concluded that my ferns are pretty amazing prehistoric perennials.

Please stay home, stay healthy, stay safe, and most of all stay hopeful.

If you'd like to see an old post with the ferns fully grown, go here.

BRINGING IN BRANCHES

Every Spring I write about the Tulip Magnolia in my back yard.  It fills the windows in the sunroom with pink blossoms. This Spring  I decided to clip some of the branches with blooms and bring them inside.  

BLOOMS THROUGH THE WINDOW

The blooms fill both windows.

OUTSIDE THE WINDOWS

TULIP MAGNOLIA BLOOMS

I placed them into a large bowl on the ottoman in the sun room.

BLOOMS IN MY POTTERY BOWL IN MY SUN ROOM

I changed out the pillows with images of garden benches. You can see the tulip magnolia through the window panes.

SPRING PILLOWS AND A VIEW OF THE TULIP MAGNOLIA

The bowl is resting on one of my vintage bread boards.

BOWL ON VINTAGE BREADBOARD

TULIP MAGNOLIA BLOOMS

I like using the pottery bowl instead of a vase.

POTTERY BOWL INSTEAD OF A VASE

I layered a hide throw over the ottoman and rested the bowl on a bread board.  Don't miss the repair on the bread board.

LAYERED HIDE RUG AND BREAD BOARD WITH A REPAIR

There's another repair on the bread board handle.

ANOTHER BREAD BOARD REPAIR

HIDE RUG

I had a few extra branches, so I wove them through the lattice on the front porch bench.   It was just what the bench needed--a touch of Spring. They look just like a climbing vine.

TULIP MAGNOLIA WEAVING THROUGH THE LATTICE

TULIP MAGNOLIA ON THE BENCH SEAT

Do you use branches as bouquets?
Would you use a bowl instead of a vase for flowers?