Spring: Art, Big Birds, Little Birds, Lilacs, Art, Books and Royals

I went to a wonderful estate sale last month -- but it was also a sad one. The resident of the home was the dad of a high school friend of mine, former neighbor, church friend and friend of my parents. Although it was a different home than the ones they lived in when we were kids, my memory bank flashed back to the Christmases at their home and Lisa's wedding reception in the back yard. 

I wanted a remembrance of Rex -- something Christmas, of course. And I did get a small angel and small nutcracker (and a big elf!) What I didn't expect to find was a treasure trove of books -- the kinds of books I love to read. Biographies, history, and travel. (And I came home with a few!). But the real treasure was this.

Now, imagine a little girl in the 1920s or 30s, putting together a scrapbook of royal coronation moments. Glued onto each page are newspaper clippings of England's kings and queens -- George V, Edward VIII and George VI. Elizabeth is featured too, but in the clip she is only about ten or twelve. I loved this page on "suitable brides" for Edward VIII. None of them were women I've ever read about being associated with him! It's very sweet. I'm sure it must have been made by Lisa's mom who was a charming, vibrant woman and I can imagine her being a child who was as intrigued by the royals as I have always been.

  

A couple of things made me sad, too -- a few family portraits and a wedding picture of the parents, which may just have been left behind. And, a bridesmaids dress that most likely belonged to Lisa's sister. I knew that dress well -- I had one too and it was the prettiest bridesmaid dress I ever wore. I've thought about it more than once in the years since. I wish I'd taken a photo -- or could find the photo I had of us all in our pretty dresses!

Speaking of coronations (as I did above!), I watched the coronation of King Charles III at a hotel in Cleveland, where we attended that wedding I mentioned HERE. At the crack of dawn (before, actually) I turned on the hotel television (much to Rick's chagrin, though he slept through it) and watched the whole thing.  I doubt I will live long enough to see William come to the throne -- those Windsors live a long time! And I wasn't about to miss it!

From an earlier coronation!

My friend Carol also missed it as she was traveling. We always watch these things together and she recorded it so we will get together upon her return to do our usual tea-and-royal-occasions viewing. I'll be sure to take the exquisite Queen Mary/King George V plates that I received from a wonderful friend as an early birthday gift. (I'll show you those later -- they're great!) And maybe one of my coronation mugs from times past. I am ever, ever so grateful.

Our Jubilee Tea, April 2022. We'll do another and watch reruns!

Earlier this month, my friend Kate and I had a much needed and long-awaited art day. Is there anything more fun than spreading paints and creating in the company of others. (You might say yes -- Rick would. His happy place is the seat of a bike.) 

I've been doing art prompts and classes by Este MacLeod online. In one of them she gave us a palette of four shades of blue (some of which didn't photograph all that well here) and we come up with something. I was happy with this one! Working in monochrome is a challenge -- and fun.

I'm also did her Four Seasons "tree" class, which gives me a chance to add additional materials and techniques to my watercolor repertoire. This one is "Winter."

And this is "Spring." 

Here is the "Summer" tree.

And this is fall. 

I also did a baby card for new baby Aiden...

 ...and a portrait of my friend Jane's beautiful 1919 home as a thank you for the wonderful museum tickets.

The lilacs are out and as I write this, on the way out, the earlier blooms beginning to shrivel on the tree. My neighbor Rosie's lilacs are just outside the family room window and they smell fabulous!

She so generously let me cut some and they're bringing the loveliest fragrance to the house. I love it so that I will happily sniff and sneeze while they last.

And some good news -- Wrennie, the House Wren that has built nests in the Bird B&B in the past, is back! She and Mr. Wren have been hard at work bringing in sticks and bits of fluff.

I'm hoping to see babies fledge this year -- but I've always missed them before so no expectations! 

And here is a look at my pal, Harry, surveying his kingdom!

Rick returns from the lake this week -- he's been gone almost two weeks, doing what he calls his "cabin boy" tasks -- which included dealing with a broken water pipe, installing new flooring in the bathroom, along with a new toilet, wrangling roof issues and loads of cleaning. I'll be glad when he's back. Meanwhile, I continue my never-ending project of going through old photo albums and pulling photos, sending them to people after I scan some. I came across many from my old work days so I'll leave you with a laugh from a PBS meeting in days of yore.

Big Birds!