Art Work Friday

Happy Friday!

Welcome to Art Work Friday!

This has been one of those strange days.

At 5:30 this morning we received the "one call"

letting us know that the kids' schools

were on a two hour delay!

While I welcomed the extra sleep, this delay

canceled my normal Thursday morning Bible Study.

However, with my morning plans canceled for me,

I had an opportunity

to venture down to my studio to paint!

Mary had a little....

I worked with oils on a small 5 by 7 canvas.

It felt so good to paint today...

My goal for these Art Work Fridays were to force

me to pick up the brush more often!

I guess it took "snow" to make that happen!

If you have any original art work you would like to share,

join the party and link below!

I am always so inspired by your fantastic work!

Thinking Spring!

With "snow" quickly becoming a four letter word

around my home, I am beginning

not only to dream of spring,

but I'm doing my best to create it as well!

Today's tablescape is all about simple

hints of spring!

I started with my bare table and

layered on my silver beaded table runner.

This was a Christmas gift from a dear friend

several years ago!

I then added three of my teacup topiaries.

Many years ago, my sister and I gifted Mom

a "Special Tea with Friends" as a Christmas gift.

I had made several of these mini topiaries

for that event.  They were quick and easy to create!

In-between the topiaries

I added my small clear votive candles.

I simply dressed them up by

adding clear glass coasters underneath!

Following the candles, came my china plate..

glass bubble dessert/ salad plate...

topped off with my large china bowl!

Added my china teacups and saucers...

along with my crystal champagne stemware.

My sister brought these delicate glasses home from

 her trip to Checkoslovakia.

Next to the scene, my wedding flatware.

We fell in love with the simple lines of this

Mikasa pattern!

Simple...

Elegant...

Classic...

In case anyone was wondering

this is the mark on my set of china...

My sweet Aunt gifted us this pretty china several years ago.

Thank you for joining me today.

I am linking this to Tablescape Thursday

at Between Naps on the Porch.

Please join Susan for some very inspiring tablescapes!

Please join me tomorrow for Art Work Friday!

Till then...

think spring!

Happy Birthday Madison!

Today is our daughter, Madison's Birthday!

It's hard to believe that "my baby" is 12.

We had the best day celebrating.

First to church... then...

As tradition in our home...

Birthday person chooses where we eat out to celebrate.

This year Madison chose the CheeseCake Factory!

After an excellent meal, and enough leftover food

to bring home for dinner tonight...

We did some light shopping at the mall.

(It seemed that the Birthday girl was in desperate

need of a new pillow!)

Upon arriving home, we had about 15 minutes

before Grandma and Grandpa B joined us for

yummy birthday Cake!

Isn't that the coolest cake stand!

It is from a fantastic give-a-way I won

from Sue at I Need Mom!

Thank you Sue, I just love it!

Blue is one of Madison's favorite colors,

so I threw on a blue tablecloth and

brought out my blue glasses to help celebrate!

The cake was from Cold Stone Creamery.

Madison's favorite... Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough!

I must say... very yummy!

Madison and Wayne

Me.   Madison.  Zac

Didn't take us long to finish off this cake!

God has blessed us with such a wonderful daughter!

We enjoy her fun sense of humor and 

her laugh that is contagious!

Happy Birthday my dear!

Love...

Mom

Art Work Friday

Happy Friday!

Welcome to each of my fabulous visitors

and fellow super creative linkers!

My children have been working hard all week long

on an enormous art project.

A sculpture really...

over

5 feet tall

at least

10 feet wide

and close to

40 feet around!

Even better..

it's  "green"

biodegradable in the best way possible!

Presenting

Zac and Madison's

project of the week

" The Outdoor John"

(that's what you get when you ask a 14yr old to title his work!)

Now this just didn't happen over night...

hours and hours of hard labor went into

this sculpture!

In fact it started off looking like this...

But like any good artists, they felt the door

was just too large.

So they asked for a critique from some important guests...

Who gave some great critical advise...

"Woof, Woof, Woof"

(Make door smaller!)

So back to work they went...

adding

subtracting

creating an interactive experience

Until they came up with the final product!

Ahhh... Perfection!

If you have original Art Work (of any kind)

please feel free to link below!

A Friendship Brunch

I'm so excited to post today's tablescape!

I am linking this to Tablescape Thursday at

 Between Naps on The Porch.

Last week Mom hosted a brunch at her

 beautiful home for several of her

friends in honor a good friend back for a visit.

As I was helping her set up I started taking

photos, until I ran out of battery!

Mom took the remaining photos

the day of the event!

She used her magnificent china and stemware!

She purchased these while living 

in Japan 39 or so years ago.

The china pattern is Buckingham by Sango.

Personally, I just love her china!

Her stemware is Sasaki in the color of Smoke Green.

She folded the white napkins to look like hearts...

and added a touch of color with a petite pink ribbon.

The delicate tablecloth is one she brought back from

a trip to Budapest, Hungary!

Mom's silverware is Community by Oneida.

There is such a sweet story behind this silverware...

My grandma, Mom Mom Friend, saved up her

special stamps/ coupons in order to

trade them in for this beautiful set of silverware!

If anyone can remember the name of this stamp

system please leave me a comment!
(Mom just called and said the coupons
Mom Mom saved were found on boxes of
General Mills Products!)

Mom set up her table-side buffet with candy, cookies and tea!

It is hard to tell,

but the little dishes are in the shape of birds!

See Mom's "Bee Mine Cookie"- how cute!

Iced Cookies and Danish Treats

An assortment of yummy teas to enjoy!

 Fresh Vibrant Tulips!

Mini tea lights surrounded by tiny hearts!

Even the bird feeders received Valentines ribbons!

 A view to that goes on and on!

Thank you for visiting with me today!

Please join me tomorrow for Art Work Friday!