Almost Easter!

It's almost Easter at my house, so I thought I'd show you a few of the pretties around the house to celebrate!

Petals from that wonderful parrot tulip look like a crystal bowl of lettuce for the bunnies.

This is atop the entertainment unit -- the little butterflies came from a trip to North Carolina years ago, and the rest of the Easter from any number of spots.

I put the ivy up here in the fall, thinking it would go through Christmas, but it makes a lovely backdrop for just about anything.

OK, maybe in the summer it will come down for a bit! But a little nest here and there -- that could stay!

I've been filling the house with flowers -- loved this massive pussy willow branches.

And it wouldn't be Easter without the egg tree.

I only did a little one this year -- most of the eggs are hanging from the chandelier. But here's a little basket of painted eggs. I'll supplement with my dyed ones over the weekend!

Of course, there's still time before Easter to bring up everything else! A bunny for the bathroom, baskets for the bedroom. It doesn't end, does it!

And, if these little fellows are looking snappy, they will find a spot in a centerpiece. I'm not sure if this week's snow (followed by a thunderstorm the next day) will make it so far!

Do have a lovely holiday!

Inspiring My Passions!

This is Harry the Heron -- who has returned from the winter to my own neighborhood.

Harry inspired today's post -- but you won't find it on The Marmelade Gypsy -- you'll have to visit Relyn at Come Sit by My Fire, where I am guest blogger! She is hosting a month of passions and to learn about one of mine, you'll have to visit her! Thanks, Relyn, for inviting me!

And while you're at it, check the other passionate posts, too! You'll find lots of inspiration from her guests and from Relyn herself, whose blog is always a delight!

Come back here on Friday for a preview of Easter!

Renuncling

My friend Jan and I went renuncling last weekend. (Pronounced re-nun-kul-ing)

Renuncling. v The act of shopping for renunculus.

Renunculating. v The act of deciding which renunculus to select.

Renunclrama n. The event during which one renunculates.

I especially loved the tight buds...

...and the array of colors!

For a woman who has been seeing way too much gray sky, this was like a magical mystery tour!

My poor camera didn't even know how to focus or measure color -- no white balance here!

Honestly, it was beautiful.

And as you can see, my cart runneth over.

Now if only they'll last till Easter!

Quite a week -- and don't forget to stop by Wednesday for a link to a beautiful blog where I will be guest blogger that day!

Getting My Bunny Thing Going!

Finally! A weekend!More rain -- but my daffodils are coming out, so that provides a good deal of cheer!

And Easter is coming -- I'm getting my "bunny thing" launched!

I'm still pondering the mysterious garbage disappearance and thank those of you who kick started me into looking into some options related to potential identity fraud. I'm not sure they could have pulled much of interest from that particular batch of trash, but you never know and better to be cautious.

Seems like every night this week has had something going on -- French class, a pre-surgery party for a friend, birthday and retirement gigs. Oh, yes, taxes. I actually forgot the state ones until Saturday morning. I'm glad we don't have to mail till Monday! Must finish fast -- like a bunny!

Off to the market today to get eggs for the annual dying and flowers, along with all things tasty.

And looking forward to a low level weekend. Maybe some baking or creative time!

I'm on the verge of finishing a wonderful book to share with you next week on Chopsticks and String!

Feel free to download the images in this post for your springtime art. Who knows? Maybe you'll use them for place cards or Easter greetings? Something fun!

Someone Stole My Garbage

Mercury is retrograde, computers and technology are doing odd things. And so are the gremlins. (I must also add that these photos have nothing to do with this post -- they are of our campus waking up for spring, taken last night en route to French class. And you know me -- have to have pictures!)

My doc appointment was at 9 and knowing the morning could be a rush, I thought I'd get myself together and get the trash out at night. Usually I just have a big plastic bag from the kitchen and sometimes the bin in the garage where I toss bigger things. But trust me, it's all garbage.

I was a little nervous leaving the plastic bag, concerned about raccoons or animals breaking in. Since I had one big bin I'd been filling over the winter with things like the Christmas wreath, unopened junk mail, old dirt from dead flower pots -- that sort of thing -- I put the two bins side by side with the big bag on top. Not a sure bet, but any critter would have to work for it.

Well, rise and shine, throw open the curtains. My two garbage bins are laying empty on the lawn, the big bag is gone. And if case you wonder -- garbage collection isn't till the afternoon. Today it came at 2:30, the company confirmed for me. (2:28, if you want to be specific.) And no, it wasn't even spread out on the streets, like a prank. Just gone. If I didn't see the cans, I would have wondered if I actually put it out.

Now, this was not the kind of trash that people poke about in, finding something wonderful. We're talking about more used and contaminated Kleenex than a soul can imagine from every wastebasket in my house and the car litter bag, too; cat poop; empty soda cartons and clementine boxes; yard clippings; and a hefty dose of science experiments from the fridge.

The township police were amused. I'm just flummoxed.

And if you should think the weirdness stopped there -- think again. Laying on the doc's table the fire buzzer goes off. After continuing for a bit, we decide to evacuate with the rest of the building... and about a half hour later return to complete the job. (Missing a meeting, but that's just that stormy sea called life.)

First e-mail I check -- my collage class scheduled for tonight had had some cancellations and she asked if we could reschedule. By this time, I was so ready for a night off, my answer was "you bet!"

I feel like I'm living in a parallel universe.

Maybe I should go feed the ducks and get some duck therapy (what we here at MSU call our free psychiatric benefits -- a pretty river, hungry ducks).

Stop by at Chopsticks and String if you're interested in a post on the most recent "Maisie Dobbs" book.

How Come I Don't Get Any Older?

Rick's oldest, Greg, turned 25 recently and on Sunday we had the family celebration. How is it that they get older every year, but I still feel the same I did last year and the year before that?

Pizza is something of a birthday tradition in the family. When they were kids, it was always DeLuca's pizza -- and sometimes it still is!But this night it was pizza at home, dough from scratch and made by Greg and his brother Kevin. (This may be one of my favorite pictures of all time!)

Of course, everyone has their topping favorites -- garlic...Peppers and onions...

And plenty of sausage and pepperoni, too.

After, the cake. This is the Pineapple Carrot Cake in the King Arthur Flower Baking Book with a standard cream cheese frosting with ginger and lemon zest in it. If you want the recipe, let me know -- it takes a bit of time, but it's well worth the effort.

I did this in an oblong cake pan, divided in half and stacked to layer. It looked fantastic but was a little clumsy -- I was just glad it stayed upright in transport!

We're still at the point with the kids where all the candles still fit, though it took an army (Rick, the boys and Molly) to get it blazing in time.

One big blow, one big wish.

My wish for Greg -- that he discover how to channel his talent and get the discipline to implement it so that it will bring him the success he deserves!

Craving Green

There is something about green I just crave these days.

Yes, I know why. Most of you could probably do with a good dose of green in your yard, instead of the scrubby brown of post-winter.

Well, one does what one must. And so off I go to the store and today bring you more flowers-in-the-house!

Can you guess what this is?

I know and it still puzzles me! And I'll share by the end of the post!

I wanted to thank all of you for such lovely comments, kind and encouraging words and good wishes for Gyppy and me. It's been a rough couple of weeks -- I've been laid up with a virus or sinus infection or cold -- I'm not sure of its official name. I just know I wasn't on the computer for rather awhile.

I know I've much to catch up on with all of you and look tremendously forward to it.

After my last post, I successfully gave Gyp his "gatorade" solo. It wasn't flawless. As I shared with some of you when responding to comments, the first poke didn't go so well. Well, it went in fine -- and came out about a half inch later, squirting his fluids all over his golden fur. The second poke was more successful and he was very quiet and tolerant during the procedure. I gave him a treat when he was done.

And I had a Girl Scout cookie. (I needed a glass of wine, but it was the middle of the day on Sunday!)

In the time since the last post, another friend very suddenly and unexpectedly died. Sally lit up the world of everyone who knew her. So the sadness continues.

But it is accompanied by hope. Things are greening up outside.

I've seen my dwarf irises come up, the first flowers in my yard, and sharp pointed leaves have popped through the mulch promising a bumper crop of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips.

Birds are brightening up and I'm seeing more robins and even some golden finches at the feeder. I find them lovely. The Gyp finds them tantalizing.

As I lay sprawling on the couch or in bed over the past couple of days, I was able to devour a simply marvelous mystery, which you can read about at Chopsticks and String. And, to very nearly finish another terrific book I'll tell you about in another week or so.

So you see, things really are looking up. Believe me, I try not to let them keep me down too long.

Thanks so much for your support and good wishes.

It makes me feel as happy as I do when I look at my pot of tulips.

(And you can bet that I will be planting these in the garden after the bloom is gone!)