Pink Saturday

Jade gave me this beautiful hydrangea for Easter. Isn't it beautiful??

And look, there's my recent flea market find, a vintage Easter basket filled with pink grass!

I can't wait to plant it outside!

Don't forget to visit Beverly and all the other Pink Saturday blogs, they'll keep you "Pretty in Pink." Thanks and Happy Pink Saturday!

pAPer CrAfTinG & HaPPy AdMinIStraTIve PrOFeSSionAL's DaY

I created this card for my dear friend Bucky, in honor of Administrative Professional's Day.

She's terrific! Always ready, willing, and able. And, she does it with a smile!

She's the ultimate support:)

Have a wonderful day my friend. I'll see you at the office!

What did you create this week?


Don't forget to stop by *Kelli's* and check out everyone else who's joining in on the fun today!

Flea Market Fun and Rudolph Day

We hit a great flea market on Sunday afternoon. It was jam packed with vendors and buyers. I got 3 wonderful books and several old receipts (some are dated late 1800's) from one gentleman who had a table selling everything for $1. He sold me $7 worth for $3!!

The Books

This book is filled with bible stories and wonderful illustrations.

And, look at the wonderful handwritten note on the inside cover.

It reminds me of my Gram's handwriting, and this is something that she might have written too!

A few of the receipts are from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Did you see that Cathi?

Others are from various businesses in Philadelphia.

Can you make out the date? October 24, 1886!!!

The handwriting is so beautiful and fluid!

And what would a trip to a Flea Market be without some Christmas magic?

Look at this beautiful bird ~ his tale is made of glass feathers!

And, these wonderful teardrop ornaments. Does anyone know the correct name for this shape?

Ahh, I'm in heaven...or at least gearing up for Rudolph Day. Don't forget, next Saturday April 25th is Rudolph Day. Stop in for a visit tomorrow and I'll share this month's movie and book pick as well as my plans for Rudolph Day. Learn more about Rudolph Day at *Magical Holiday Home*, *My Merry Christmas*, and find more Christmas planning *here*.

I'll leave you with this photo of my Mum, Miss Puddin' and Schooch Bug.

Chuck and the girls spent Easter with us, while Vicky spent the day with her family. It's the first holiday since they separated and Chuck is still emotionally drained. They are all taking it one day at a time, trying to figure out what their "new normal" is. My heart aches for all of them. Please keep them in your prayers.

Don't forget to stop by *Kelli's* for more show and tell fun.

Neat and Tidy and some LOVE

I've met so many wonderful new people through this wonderful new craze they call social media. From face book and twitter, to blogging, the entire world is connected. Blogging has really become a passion for me, and as I read other blogs and see how they function, it encourages me to do more with mine. *Vee at A Haven for Vee* has been kind enough to help me bring a little more "neatness" to my blog. In the past when I mentioned a fellow blogger or website, I typed the url and that's what you saw. Thanks to *Vee at A Haven for Vee* I now know how to make a "tidy link!"

Now for a little LOVE - my friend Linda was eating her potato chips in her usual fashion (she sorts through them and eats them in a certain order) and found this heart shaped chip! Of course I just had to snap a photo for you all to see.



Have a wonderful weekend!

Five Traditional Easter Foods

As I mentioned before, our family is all about tradition, especially when it comes to a holiday meal. I learned many Thanksgiving's ago not to substitute fresh cranberry sauce for the canned kind - the canned version is tradition. The same principal applies to all of our holiday meals. We can add something new, but NEVER and I repeat NEVER make a substitution.

Our Easter Dinner always includes:

• Baked Ham with fresh Horseradish - I use Nigella Lawson's recipe (www.foodnetwork.com), the one where you pour a can of Coke over the ham before baking. It's fabulous, and doesn't affect the flavor of the drippings for gravy. We always make gravy from the drippings. What else would you put over your mashed potatoes?

• Pierogies - This year my Mum and I made 57 pierogies on Saturday. We put them on a corn meal lined baking sheet and covered them with plastic wrap, then boiled them off on Sunday and served them with melted butter and sauteed onions. I use Martha Stewart's Mom's recipe. It's so easy and they are a huge hit. (www.marthastewart.com - and search pierogi)

• Pickled Red Beets and Eggs - I make these several days before Easter (or whenever I plan to serve them), that way the turn red the whole way through to the yolk. A quick tip when hard-boiling eggs is to place your eggs in cold water; bring them to a boil; turn off the heat and cover. The yolks wont have a green ring around them. Also, it's best to use older eggs when hard boiling, they peel much easier.

• Peanut Butter and Coconut Cream Easter Eggs - I found 2 fabulous new recipes to make this traditional Easter Goodies.
  

Now what I didn't do was take any photos of our wonderful dinner. We had so many delicious side dishes and desserts: pineapple filling, brussel sprouts, shoe peg corn, coleslaw, Greek Easter Bread, Cheddar Biscuits, blueberry and pineapple gooey butter cakes (from Paula Deen).

If anyone is interested in these recipes, and can't find them just let me know.

In the Easter Parade

Welcome!

I wanted to show you who hopped by for a visit. A little mohair Bunnie, stopped to rest by the tulips in the foyer. I better keep an eye on him, he looks hungry (wink wink)

Everyone will be staying
until next week's Easter Parade. The peonies are in full bloom and a little chick came by to visit.

This patriotic chick has her flag waving for the occasion.

On the other side of the living room a bunch of salt glaze bunnies, eggs and
pottery are all set to celebrate.

A white feather tree full of rabbits, wow, they sure can multiply quickly!!

This little Velveteen Rabbit waits patiently under the feather tree. He's mesmerized by the pink shiny garland surrounding the tree!


This sweet couple found refuge under a glass dome. While others stand by in anticipation.

Meet E.B., he just finished painting the eggs in the footed dish behind him. He and the chenille rabbit have a great view from the piano.

Another plump pair waiting to see all of the Easter finery.

This sweet bunny is pulling a cart full of Easter Eggs.

He seems to be in a hurry!


These vintage egg cups will hold the most wonderful dyed eggs by weeks end!

A miniature pink depression ware basket that was my Gram's, holds the first blooms of spring ~ purple crocus ~ they are springing up throughout our lawn.

Thanks for stopping by! Is your home ready for the Easter Parade?

PaPEr CraFtInG

We have quite a few birthdays this month and then of course there's Easter.
Saturday is my brother in law Scott's birthday. They live in CT, so I'm
dropping his card in the mail today.

Sunday is MIL's birthday, she's turning 27 (or so she says).


I might have shared this card before, but last night I added tulle to the
front (see the close up below).

This is a birthday card that I made for my dear friend April.
What a coincidence, her birthday's in April (get it lol).

I wanted to do something fun late (and I do mean late 11:00pm) last night.
So, I made this Easter card for my darling Great-Aunt Gladys.
She is in a continuing care facility and I think this will help to
brighten her day. Do any of the materials look familiar Kelli? I used stock from my prize!

I used a vintage image that I bought at a new paper crafting store ~ called
"Inspired Treasures"~ that I found a few weeks ago.

I made this card, Scott's birthday card and the glitter card Friday night at our Stampin' Up! club. We have such a great time and we get to create for 2-3hrs, what else can a girl ask for?

Please visit Kelli over at http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/ for more paper crafting . Be sure to check out her site and visit others who are participating. Don't forget to leave a comment!