Signs of Life

It's Spring, you guys! For real this time. Flowers are popping up, trees are budding, the grass is actually greener, creatures are reappearing, and the sun, oh, the sun is shining again! 

 

I am a huge fan of spring. Once winter has thawed and new life reawakens, it makes me feel so hopeful and happy. I gotta be honest, winter is such a drag! Physically and emotionally. I am thankful the snow is gone (for now), but the changing seasons make me appreciate the uniqueness of each time of year. 

I read a quote recently by Elisha Galotti, "Winter will give way to Spring, and if all we do is wait for the warmth of the next season, we'll miss the beauty of today." I just love that. 

I've been thinking a lot about life (and birth) since the arrival of our baby boy. There are so many sweet eye-opening truths to be learned from babies and how precious life really is and how beautiful our God is. The same God who made daffodils and silver frogs and the sun to rule the day, made you and I and everything that has breath. Despite all of the suffering and chaos that plagues this world, there is so much beauty to be seen and joy to experience. It's all around us.

I'm reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Take a few moments to look around and breathe in the sweet aroma of spring. Know that God is there and He makes all things new!  

Upcycled Jar Vases

I find myself saving jars. Pickle jars. Sauce jars. Pesto jars. Hot pepper jars. Glass jars of all shapes and sizes. Mason jars. I just like glass. I can't explain it. It's so easy to clean and re-purpose. 
 
Once such use, is turning them into flower vases to gift or decorate a table. I recently made a birthday bouquet for my coworker and it was adorable. What made it special was the addition of a strip of decorative contact paper around the middle. So simple! 

You can pick fresh flowers from your garden or pick up an inexpensive mixed bouquet at the grocery store.

Empty, clean and remove the label from your choice of jar. 

Measure and cut a strip of adhesive backed paper. I got a 2 pack of rolls from Marshall's.

Carefully stick contact paper around the middle of the jar. Be mindful of curves which will cause wrinkles. 

Cut the stems and arrange your flowers. Add some ribbon, raffia or a tag and you have a perfectly lovely flower arrangement for not a lot of money! 

Even a simple string with a little message will brighten someones day. 

Isn't that sweet? 

Who needs a fancy vase? Save those jars! Pickle jars work especially well because they are a little larger. Jars are perfect center pieces for bridal or baby showers, or even a rustic wedding. Think twice before throwing them into the recycling bin.  

Poppies

Poppies are blooming! I spent a lot of time outside this weekend, sprucing up the yard and admiring the flowers. 

We have a small flower bed (that could really use some more flowers) and the poppies are the main event. Every day more and more bloom.

I just love their bright bold color! The petals are paper thin and they only last a day or two. So brilliant to look at. 

Reminds me of one of my favorite paintings by Claude Monet, "Poppies Blooming".

Lilac Festival 2013

The Rochester Lilac festival coincided with Mother's Day weekend this year, and everything was in bloom. Yay! In previous years, the lilacs either bloomed early and we missed them, or it was lousy weather. We added this to our list of fun weekend activities while Marilyn and Denny were visiting. 

The lilacs were larger, more beautiful and more fragrant than I can remember. 

I'm always amazed at the range of colors, beside the obvious "lilac" namesake. 

We enjoyed walking through the park, admiring the gorgeous blossoms along the way. 

Each variation different and exquisite.

And the fragrance! I couldn't resist. 

A beautiful backdrop for photos. 

Sometimes you just need to stop and smell the lilacs.

Milk Glass Centerpiece

Remember the milk glass vases from my last thrift store find? I have been putting them to good use as a collection holding individual flowers, creating a pretty centerpiece. You don't need a huge bouquet to make a beautiful arrangement. 

I cut roses from my garden that were in full bloom, one per vase, and grouped them on a large silver tray.

I love the contrast of bright coral/pink petals against white.

After the roses faded, I bought a mixed bouquet for $4 and split it up among the vases. 

I even had enough to fill another new favorite milk glass piece, this adorable round pitcher. A gift from Christy (she knows me so well). 

I loved looking at them on my kitchen table every day. You can find these style vases at thrift stores and garage sales, sometimes for .50 cents to $1 or $2. They make striking accent or centerpieces.

Source

I found a TON of inspiration online. Just search for "milk glass vases" on Pinterest. Each one more gorgeous than the next.  

Source

Source

 Source

 Source

 Source

I think I'll keep trying to incorporate new flowers and different arrangements with my milk glass collection. So pretty!