Spruced Up for Summer

The calendar may not indicate that it is summer yet, but in Mississippi the weather says summertime!!  We have made a few changes to our front entry-way and our back patio to cheer things up for the warm summer months.  I wish you could visit! We could sit in a rocker and sip ice-cold lemonade. Yummy!

I switched out the cotton wreaths that had been up since January with these cheerful floral arrangements.  These are made of burlap and chicken wire - too cute!  I wish I could say that I made them so you would be impressed, but.... I did pick them out :-)

I love these cheerful pillows that I found at one of my favorite stores in Jackson.   

This rocker belonged to my mother.  Jon painted it a cheerful shade of green.  We also switched out the pillow in the wicker chair we already had.  I love the combination of pink and green! The wind chimes are a sweet addition too.  I love to hear them when the wind is blowing.

This little fountain creates a peaceful, soothing sound of water. Sipping coffee and reading a book while rocking in my rocking chair may be my favorite summer activity. 

 This little spot is the perfect place to have breakfast while it is still cool.  

Our back yard is small - I like to call it cozy!  We've had large lawns before in some of our previous homes.  I know my husband is loving the fact that this one doesn't take hours and hours to maintain!

The lights look so pretty at night.  

 This is one of Jon's early birthday presents.  He has always wanted a Japanese Maple.  They are typically a beautiful burgundy color - This was  a day or two after it was planted.  It may be a little distressed right now because of the replanting process.  I am hoping it returns to its normal color soon. 

My mother's favorite flower was a yellow rose.  Jon just planted this rose bush for me in memory of my mother.  So pretty!

The area surrounding our crepe myrtles was freshened up for summer as well.  We removed the pansies and replaced them with begonias and caladiums.  Begonias and caladiums remind me of my sweet grandmother.  She always had a gorgeous garden at her home in the Mississippi Delta.  

 The knockout roses are blooming now too.  I love them because they are pretty and low maintenance.  My husband's next project is to decide what to plant beneath the large trees/shrubs (I think they are Ligustrums.) that flank either end of the house.  Any suggestions? We have Vincas by the front door so I was hoping for something different.  

Thank you for visiting our "spruced up for summer" outdoor space.  I am off to sip coffee in my rocker. 

Blessings from Buttercup Bliss,
Lisa

This week I am joining the following parties:

Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House 

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings 

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style 

Share Your Style Party hosted by Dixie Delights 

Show and Share @ Coastal Charm 

Happy Memorial Day!!

 We are getting ready for a Memorial Day cook-out!  We are grilling ribs, chicken, and corn along with several side dishes and homemade strawberry cake.  I hope each of you enjoy a wonderful day with family and friends.  May we never forget the heroes who put their lives on the line each day to protect our freedoms!  We are blessed to live in the land of the free because of the BRAVE!!

I have a simple centerpiece out for the summer.  It is perfect for Memorial Day to the Fourth of July.  I have to admit, I have a "thing" for traditional read, white, and blue tablescapes.  Just for fun, I thought I would re-share a few of favorites from years past.  

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In other news, Seth ended school on Thursday so we are planning our "Summer of Fun!" It's my first official summer as a stay-at-home-mom.  We are all pretty excited!! We are making a list of fun and even silly things to do this summer.  We hope to attend another MLB game, make smores, and begin a family devotional time to our daily routine.  A few "musts" made the list as well such as Seth's summer reading for school.  

Again, Happy Memorial Day!  

Thanks for visiting Buttercup Bliss! 

Lisa

Ramblings

 

Our roses have been blooming like crazy!! 

Hi! I don't know about you, but things have been busy around here!  This post is full of random, rambling thoughts - a"catching-up" post, if you will. Don't you just love this time of year?  I always say that Fall is my favorite season, but Spring is pretty spectacular too!  It has been raining quite a bit, but we have been busy as bees sprucing up our back yard.  We have worked on the landscaping for the front of the house since we moved in last summer, but we have recently started to work on our small backyard and patio.  My husband truly enjoys working in the yard and I am truly thankful for that blessing.  My daddy gave me a rocker that was my mother's to add to our outdoor space.  I am going to paint it a bright, happy green. It will look so cheerful with all of the colorful plants.  I am not sure that Jon is completely sure about the pink and green color scheme I have planned.  

 The pansies have been so pretty this year.  It is 

almost time to replace them with petunias and vincas. 

I never got around to sharing our Easter table; however, I found the pics on my phone and decided to share them even though Easter is over.  Remove the eggs and grass, and voila! - a pretty spring table! Of course, I began with my Wedgewood Strawberry and Vine dishes. For an accent plate, I found these wonderful Lenox salad plates that are the perfect colors for spring.  Our silver made an appearance for Easter.  Simple white napkins tied with large  "ric-rac"ribbon complete the look. 

Pink, blue, yellow and mint green - pretty spring colors! 

This pretty yellow table runner is a Home Goods find.  The Gail Pittman eggs belonged to my mother. She had quite a collection. I have had the white tray for several years.

 It is my "go-to" tray for many tablescapes. The white bunny cookie jar is so cute and simple! My husband and I found it at Cracker Barrel on one of our breakfast dates. 

One of my favorite new things is my little coffee station.  I placed the items on a silver tray that belonged to my mom.  A few of my favorite Ironstone pieces were put to use as well.  My friend, Ashley, of Ashley Anthony Artwork, painted a precious little picture to hang above the coffee station.  Ashley is super talented.  You may find her work in stores and boutiques around the south.  You may also follow her on Instagram (ashleyanthonyartwork) and FB (Ashley Anthony Artwork). 

Seth has been playing a lot of baseball.  He loves it so much.  He was asked to join a travel team in January and he is having a blast!  He played on a city league team and a tournament team when we lived in Alabama. We were so excited when he and Jon were practicing at a local park when a member of a team saw them and began talking baseball.  A few days and practices later, and Seth was asked to join the team.  You would have thought he had been drafted by the MLB!  As a mama, I dearly love to watch him play. For someone who always pictured little bow-headed girls in smocked or monogrammed dresses, I am having a blast!  This boy is the best thing that ever happened to me. We spent Mother's Day out of town playing baseball.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

In other news, today Jon and I are celebrating our 14th anniversary.  We are planning a special date tonight.  I know it is such a cliche', but the past 14 years have flown by.  We have been through so much as a couple: from our home being destroyed in Katrina, to my precious mother battling and ultimately passing away from colon cancer, to Jon's sweet daddy passing away, to suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage.  It has truly made us stronger!  We laugh sometimes and say, "If we made it through all of this, there is nothing we can't overcome."  I am so blessed to have Jon as my husband.  He is a wonderful father, a hard worker, and he takes such good care of our family.  We have enjoyed this past year so much!   He now works from home, as do I (part-time) so we are together every day.  After years of working full time and commuting each day, this time we get to spend together is such a gift! We are enjoying this wonderful new phase of our lives.  

I will be back soon to share our "refreshed" outdoor spaces! 

Thank you for visiting Buttercup Bliss,

Lisa

Easter Decorations 2015

It is officially spring!  I am ready for warmer days and sunshine.  We have had an abundance of rain this winter. While are friends up north are anxiously awaiting the snow to disappear, we are hoping our yard dries out soon!   Today I am sharing our Easter decor.  I don't go all-out with Easter decorations, but I do love the gorgeous pastel colors of this special season. And who doesn't love bunnies? And candy? 

I love my pink Easter tree!  My father asked, "What exactly is an Easter tree?"   At which point, my sweet husband explained, "A good excuse for her to buy Radko Easter ornaments!"  So true!! A tiny Longaberger basket filled 

with eggs looks perfect under the tree. 

 

Sweet little birds and butterflies from Michael's work perfectly with the Radko ornaments.  Floral stems serve as the perfect spring tree topper! 

My Happy Everything cookie jar is now adorned with a delightful bunny!  A Mason jar tied with burlap and pink ribbon and filled with Hershey's kisses is an Easter must!

Another bunny takes center stage on my small Happy Everything 

cookie jar turned utensil holder. 

White bunnies adorned with festive pink and green ribbons make a cheerful 

statement in my office.  The "grass" is a Hobby Lobby find. 

And because I just couldn't resist, here is another Radko.  They are so cute!!!

Ok... last one! I promise!!

I hope you have a great week!!  Here's to warmer days and sunshine!  

I will be back soon to share our Easter tablescape. 

Lisa

This week I am joining the following parties:

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings 
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House 
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style 
Share Your Style Party  
Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace 

More Vintage Pyrex

My Pyrex collection is growing!  It all started with two vintage Pyrex bowls.  One day my sister and I were browsing through a local consignment store when I saw two Pyrex bowls in the "last chance" section.  I immediately snapped them up.  I bought both of them for only nine dollars.  Since then I have found other pieces from antique shops and the same little consignment store.  I love finding vintage pieces!  They are so "retro" and cool - I can't imagine why anyone would sell them!  There is something about slipping on an apron and whipping up something yummy in a vintage mixing bowl.  It is so satisfying!

These are the two bowls that began my collection of Pyrex.

These bowls are Autumn Harvest. 

Aren't these blue pieces pretty?  I believe the pattern is Snowflake.  

They are a great size too! Perfect for a casserole for a small family like ours. 

I have two of the large pink gooseberry mixing bowls.  

I knew I already had one just like it, but I couldn't pass it up!  The casserole dish is Pink Daisy. Aren't they cheerful? 

  

These make me happy! I promise I feel a bit like Betty Crocker when I use them! 

  

If you like vintage Pyrex, check out this blog! Awesome! What an amazing collection!

source

Do you like vintage Pyrex?  If so, where do you typically buy it? Ebay?  Antique stores?  I want to keep growing my collection.  I am having a little Pyrex envy when I look at the picture above!  I think I need to go shopping... now.  :-)

Thanks for visiting Buttercup Bliss!

Lisa