Thrift Find and Birds Nest

My friend Holly and I took off Thursday morning

 to make the thrift store rounds. 

I always look forward to our fun time together. 

This sweet little raised cloche was my favorite find. 

It was $5.99 and still wrapped and in the box from the Stokes store. 

A friend commented on my Facebook page that it looks

like the little bird is sitting on an Easter egg.  :)

This darling little nest was a gift from Holly.

  She crocheted it using hemp string,

 from a little hat pattern.  Genius, eh?

The perfect thing to put in my new Spring cloche!

"The beauty of winter, is that it makes you appreciate Spring."

L. M. Montgomery

Tanya

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Before & After ~ Easter Topiary

This week a thrift store in my area moved to a much bigger location.  I thought it would be supportive of me to "help them celebrate" their grand opening *wink*.  I took a quick run in one afternoon.  What a celebration.  The very spacious parking lot was full, and both sides of the four lane highway were lined with cars (including mine!)  I hurried inside and grabbed a shopping cart. This little "before and after" is one of my finds from that day.  

I spotted this cute little Easter topiary just as another lady picked it up off the shelf.  So I just waited patiently and she finally decided to put it back!  Swoosh!!!!  (That was me grabbing it quickly!) ;)  This topiary was too "bright" for my taste.  I was looking for a more muted look.  So the first thing I did was tear out all the bright green moss and silk flowers.  

That's better...but the pot was too bright as well.  I took it outside on the weekend.  It was -1 and sunny.  Too cold really for spray painting outside.  But I spray painted it anyway and took it back into the warm house to dry.  The pot looks white in this picture but it is actually a warmer ivory color.  

I'm getting there!  Then I took the glue gun and Spanish moss.  I just broke off small bunches of the moss and glued it in between the eggs, and at the base of the topiary branch.  

Oh, so much better!  Are you doing some Easter/Spring decorating?  I'm working on it now.  It makes my heart sing!  Such a very fun time to decorate.  

Wishing everyone a very Happy Spring!

Tanya

Joining:
Seasonal Sunday

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Easter Tablescape

When I begin a tablescape, I never have a picture in my mind of the completed project.  I decide on each element as I go.  As I started this table, the only item I knew I wanted to use was my Indian Saree as a table runner.  My sister, Lisa, brought it to me from India last winter.  The color is perfect for Easter. 




A Saree fabric is 5-7 metres long.  I have folded this over several times.  It is so very beautiful!



The Saree is so elegant that I needed "Easter baskets" that were the same.  Teacups were the perfect choice.



Each "Easter basket" holds a chocolate treat nestled in Easter grass.



Three pots of spring bulb flowers are tucked into a basket and then the tops of the pots are hidden with some excelsior.  Natural looking eggs (read plastic) are tucked in around the flowers.  The little cross was made by our son, many years ago in Sunday School.



Doesn't a lily just say Easter to you?  Me too!

This is Peter!

On the cross reads, "Jesus said, It is finished".

  John 19:30 

However, the cross is not the end of the story.   Praise God for an empty tomb.


But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here, for He is risen, as He said."  Matthew 28:5,6


Wishing you a most blessed Easter celebration with those you love.  Happy Easter!

Photos courtesy of Nicole Payzant Photography.

Joining:

Strut Your Stuff
Thrifty Things Friday
DIY Link Party
Seasonal Sunday
Show off Saturday
Sundays Best
Creative Me
Sunday Showcase
Tabletop Tues
Tablescape Thursday
Let's Dish

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A 24 karat Kids Table

This table was done as inspiration for all you moms who will be setting tables for the children in your gathering this Easter.  They like to feel special too, and can relate much more to decor that is on their level.  



I found a great tutorial  HERE  for these cute little "Carrot Napkin Bundles".  Your 24k kids would love to help make these.  A little jelly bean treat is included at each place setting, to enjoy after their meal is finished.










Resurrection Eggs!  A fabulous hands-on way to bring the Easter story to life for your children and grandchildren.  I purchased this set when our children were small.  If you would like to make your own set, there are directions HERE.





Have a close look at that last egg in the carton.  My dear friends, it is empty.  Our Saviour conquered death.  He lives!!! 

THIS is Easter!

Spring has arrived, and Easter week is here.  However if you look carefully, you can see that the flurries are still coming down in NS.


Please come back tomorrow to have a peek at the table for the grown ups!! ;)


Photos courtesy of Nicole Payzant Photography.

Joining:

Tablescape Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Inspiration Friday
Vintage Inspiration Easter Party
Strut Your Stuff
Thrifty Things Friday
DIY Link Party
Seasonal Sunday
Show off Saturday
Sundays Best
Creative Me
Sunday Showcase
Tabletop Tues
Let's Dish

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Peeps: Going. . . going. . . GONE!

For some people, Easter just would not be Easter with out marsh mellow Peeps. Whether or not you like marsh mellow, you've gotta admit, they are kinda cute. When I think of Peeps, this is the picture that comes to mind.





But they now come in all different shapes and colors!

Ghost peeps?

Personally I'm not a Peep fan. I never eat just plain marsh mellows. I do like marsh mellows on my hot chocolate. . .



or in a 'smore' around the campfire at the trailer. . .




and I just LOVE sunflowers. . .





Hmmm. . . I think I'm going to check through the Easter candy clearance bins at the grocery store this week. I sure hope they have some Peeps to get me through til next Easter!!!

Peep on over to these blog parties for the most awesome ideas, and inspiration!

All Things Inspired at "All Things Heart and Home"

Good Life Wednesday at "A Beach Cottage"

Wow us Wednesday at "Savvy Southern Style"

Seasonal Sunday at "The Tablescaper"

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Baking the Easter Story

When our children were small, we made Empty Tomb Cookies. These are a great way to bring the resurrection part of Easter to life for kids. Begin the process of making these treats on the day before Easter. Read the scripture verse (or have your child read it) that goes along with each step in the recipe.



EMPTY TOMB COOKIES


What You Need:
1 cup whole pecans in a plastic sandwich bag (Optional - we never used them)
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
1 pinch of salt
1 cup of sugar

a wooden spoon or wooden meat tenderizer mallet
mixing bowl
electric mixer
baking sheet
painter's or masking tape
Bible




How to Do It:
1. On the day before Easter, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

2. Read John 19:1-3: "Jesus was beaten for our sins..." Beat the nuts with the wooden spoon or mallet, then set aside.

3. Read John 19:28-30: Jesus drank something like vinegar; sniff the vinegar, take a little taste, then place the vinegar in the mixing bowl.

4. Read John 10:10-11: Egg whites symbolize Jesus' holy, sinless life; add the whites to the mixing bowl.

5. Read Luke 23:27: The women's tears were bitter; taste a few grains of salt, remember your own sins, then add the salt to the mixing bowl.

6. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16: Sweet salvation! Taste the sugar, then add it to the mixing bowl.

7. Mix the ingredients in the bowl with an electric mixer as your child reads Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3; mix for about 12-15minutes. The dough must be quite stiff.

8. Read Matthew 27:57-60: Fold the nuts (representing the rock placed over the tomb) into the dough.

9. Drop spoonfuls of the dough (using a knife and spoon) onto a cookie sheet. These mounds represent the rocky tomb Jesus was laid in.

10. Place the cookie sheet in the oven, and turn the oven off.

11. Read Matthew 27:65-66: Seal "the tomb" oven with two pieces of painter's or masking tape.

12. Read John 16:20 & 22, discuss, then go to bed.

13. On Easter morning (the very next day), read Matthew 28:1-9: Jesus is risen! Behold, the empty tomb! Unseal the oven door and remove the cookies. Break one in half - it is hollow inside. It is empty, just like Jesus' tomb.

***

RESURRECTION BUNS

This is another option to teaching the same story to children. This recipe is like a cinnamon bun.

• 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.
3. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.
4. Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams together tightly to seal in marshmallow as it melts. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat.
5. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
6. This "tomb" will also be empty when you open it and eat it.

He is Risen!
Celebrate with your children the fact that
our Saviour rose again
and is ALIVE today!!

This week I will be joining:
"Foodie Friday" at Designs by Gollum, for the first time!
Sweet Tooth Friday
"Seasonal Sunday" at The Tablescaper

Pop over and check these parties out.
You are sure to find recipes and seasonal inspiration GALORE!!!!

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EasTeR TabLeScApe

Welcome to my dining room. My table is all set for Easter Brunch. I gave you a sneak peek yesterday with my table centerpiece. Today I will show you the table setting. Please come in.

I just love dishes. You could say it is an addiction. If I could just set the table and make everything pretty and the meal would magically appear, I would be so happy. Cooking is not one of my most favorite things. My family really wishes it was!! But that's ok, because I really wish cleaning up bedrooms was one of their favorite things. *wink*



The blue placemats are from the Dollarama, which is my second favorite place to shop. (Home Sense would be #1) The yellow plates I purchased in a dish set from Home Hardware many years ago. The cute little salad plates on top were a great find at my local grocery store. I purchased two sets of four in a super after season clearance sale last Spring. Each plate in the set has a different colored edge and paw prints, and a different bunny picture.





I have two of these place card holders. My mother bought them in a set of six on her honeymoon in 1958. She gave these to me several years ago. I can only assume that my sisters each got two as well. Won't I be opening a can of worms if they didn't!! ;0)



My sister gave me these napkin holders at my bridal shower. Aren't they cute. I think they just say, "Easter"!

These wine glasses were also given to me at my bridal shower. I've been using them for almost 26 years now.

This fella joined my pitcher collection a couple years ago. I found him at COSTCO.



I'm so very glad you could visit with me today in my dining room. Pop on over to Between Naps On The Porch and tell Susan I sent you. I am joining her "Tablescape Thursday" Party. You won't believe the fabulous tables you will see there!

You will also want to visit ""The Tablescaper" for Seasonal Sundays, and be inspired to prepare for the Easter Season. I'll be linking there for the first time!!

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Easter Centerpiece - My Version

A couple weeks ago, I shared an idea with you for an Easter centerpiece that I had seen Cathe Holden make, at Just Something I Made. Today I want to share with you, my version. All along I had been picturing daffodils from the Canadian Cancer Society in my centerpiece. So when hubby came home with two bundles for me recently, I knew I had to get my act together. (He's so sweet!) I did everything the same as Cathe, only my spoons were not all the same height. I put my favorite, large handled one in the front. Don't you love it? My spoons are all old ones that I received when a family member on my Dad's side passed away several years ago. I sure hope I can "unbend" them when I take this centerpiece apart. ;) I used elastic bands to keep the spoons in place, and then tied my ribbons around the jelly jar.

(I will show you my whole Easter table setting tomorrow.)

I used Farm Fresh Eggs for my centerpiece. My niece, Hannah, has over 50 laying hens, so she keeps me well supplied with fresh eggs. I sat the whole centerpiece on a special silver plate. It was given to my aunt (Mom's sister) when she retired from 34 years of service with the Halifax Regional School Board. I always enjoy using things that are special to me in my table decor. I like remembering the special people that I associate with those items. It is the next best thing to having them there with me! Edited to say: I heard from a friend last night who also took this idea and made it her own! I LOVE to hear that. Please, please, please leave me a comment if you try this out. It just makes my heart sing!!! This friend used eggs that she dyed pink, and pink silk peonies. Now wouldn't that be gorgeous! I'm joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life For TABLETOP TUESDAY. It is my very first time to join a blog party. Please go have a look at all the beautiful tabletops!! Inspiration Galore!! Thanks Marty for hosting this awesome party!

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