Flowers Of March

We've had crazy weather this last month!  Its been cool the last few days, but mostly the temperatures have been well above normal for March. These flowers are from our flower beds.  The only reason there are no daffodils is because they finished blooming a couple of weeks ago!! AND ITS NOT EVEN APRIL YET!!!!
I thought I'd better enjoy them while they were here.  Wonder what will be around in June????

Finally.....A Duvet I Can Live With

The charcoal duvet arrived.  I like it!  I found the dust ruffle at Dillard's for 60% off with the matching rectangle pillow.  I also purchased a king size flat sheet  (at 60% off) at the same time.  I'm hoping to make a table cloth for a bedside table with a buffalo checked topper. We'll see... I'm kind of liking my bedside table that is there.  Dang! The round table/storage unit was delivered yesterday. And, if I don't make a table cloth from the sheet, what will I do with it?

Here's the view of the settee from the bed.  I think the grays work well together.

Here's The other side of the bed.   Cooper's kennel has been relegated to a corner with a new cover...thank goodness!

The architectural piece was hung on the porch.  I Had to stop Bob from making repairs and 'cleaning' it up!  Looks good, but I think I need something different below it.  Still in progress...

Just Checking In...

Well, here's my "work in progress".  I say that because it seems to change on a daily basis. The walls are painted in the bedroom and bathroom.  Here is my settee in its own little corner by the window.  No, I do not have a cat...that is a ceramic one that my Grandmother painted many years ago.  I never had the heart to 'goodwill it' and now it seems to be in a good spot, so I guess I'll keep it.

The blue garden stool is not there any more.  It has found its way into the bathroom. I am still waiting for a duvet cover ( is that being redundant?) to arrive from Penny's.  This will be the third one I have ordered.  TIP: never trust the colors on your computer screen. 'Linen' was too close to tan/yellow; 'Mink' was brown; I'm hoping 'Charcoal' isn't black....

I also moved a chest of drawers that was in the dining room area next to the bed for a bedside table.  I ordered the lamps from Target On Line.  There is soooo much stuff that is not available at the store but is on line!!

My side of the bed is waiting for a round table with storage shelves underneath that I ordered on line.  I will put a tablecloth and glass top on it.

This is the duvet that has graced our bed for many years.  I love toille, but its time for a change.  I am also contemplating changing the color of the headboard...we'll see.

Today, Bob swears he's going to hang this architectural piece I found at Sister's Garden a couple of weeks ago.  It will go up above this area in the four season porch.

One Thing Leads To Another...

It all started when my friend Deb and I went to Sister's Garden and Bloom.  I found this sweet settee.  I didn't get it that day, but I couldn't put it out of my head, so I went back Saturday and got it.  Of course, that led to the need to finally paint our bedroom.  We've had the paint for quite a while but just kept putting it off.

So, Sunday we began the process.  Bob finished the last wall today. The walls are 'celery stalk' (Menard's).  I am now in the throws of trying to decide what to get to have a room in grays and yellows.

So, we went from this taupe color, to the yellow below.  I don't think these pictures are very good, but I'll put in more pictures when I have an actual finished room.

I also found this pillow at TJMax that is the color of yellow that I am interested in for the room.  

I'm thinking linen tones and grays for the bedding.  Very soothing or terribly boring....we'll see.

Spring Break

Lauren's Spring break was last week. She drove from Beloit to Calumet City on March 2 to visit with grandma Strug.  Bob met her there.  On Sunday, they both drove to Coralville in a snow storm.  They made it  home safely.  The week that followed was pretty much a blur, between hanging out with friends and trips to Des Moines.  It was so nice to see her!!  Can't wait till summer!
This picture is Lauren wishing I hadn't taken a picture of her as we were watching  movies on her last night at home.

Thinking Spring

My friend, Deb, and I  found some cool ceramics to display and store my knitting needles.  Hobby Lobby had these plus an incredible amount of coordinating pieces.  It was hard to choose, but I think we did it. We also moved some pictures around and sort of "redid" the mantel for spring.

The pictures that are on the mantel are from a set of five prints that I have of hummingbirds.  Years ago, the prints were retrieved from my grandparents house when they were relocating.  They sat around for a long time,then we got them framed.  The other three are in the master bedroom.  I saw these yesterday in one of the photo spreads in the Pottery Barn spring catalog!!  What a trend-setter....hehe.  I noticed they aren't listed as an item to be sold.  Just me and Pottery Barn...oh yeah. 

This is the page from Pottery Barn.

And So It Begins...

Jackie and I have finally started The Quilt Show Block of the Month quilt. It is very challenging, but it helps to have someone working on it at the same time.  I spent more time ripping out stitches on the paper-piecing than I care to mention! But, I think it will be quite lovely when it is finally finished. Here is the center medallion.  It is still waiting for some triangles to be attached.