Spring has Sprung!

As I sit to write about spring,

a front has come through and it is a balmy

55 degrees and raining!

Well we need the rain so no complaints,

I will just enjoy the pictures of time

spent yesterday at the 

Dallas Blooms.

Tulips always make me wish I planned better!

One of my favorite areas of the 

Dallas Arboretum

is what I call my "Virginia" path, 

all dogwoods, ferns and azaleas.

Missing Virginia today.

This year the grounds are graced by a pair

of spectacular peacocks!

This was also my first chance to visit

the newly opened Children's Garden

I am amazed at the thought process and attention to 

detail that went into this garden. 

Giant topiary caterpillars,

telescopes painted like giant bumblebees 

and fountain mushrooms.

The science in nature exhibits explain everything from cave development to how water is used for energy.

I can't wait to take our grandson along the Math Path!

Now this is more my math style...

Looking through the waterfall.

Our stroll is over, I never get tired of the

changing seasons here.

Welcome Spring!

~Maggie

Visit our Grand Gardens on Pinterest!

Natural Beauty

With spring just sprung and the temperature not 

quite warm enough to venture outside,

it's time to flip through my always too large

stack of magazines and daydream 

about lonely rooms in need!

Since the colors of spring are still a few weeks away, 

today I decided to celebrate the more 

neutral tones of nature.

House Beautiful Inspiration Room

Elements - gold gilt,

eclectic mix of styles and of course neutral tones

on walls and furniture.

~Create~

Let's start with our background. 

Not a huge fan of white walls, 

I choose a Donald Kaufman paint

DCK - 37

Not really a color, just a lovely backdrop.

It works especially well with design's latest craze 

of burlap and linen upholstery.

Next up, a sea grass rug.

 The natural texture and beauty of these rugs 

can be found on-line or custom sized 

in a multitude of colors and styles.

I like the variation of color in this one.

A great anchor piece for our room, 

this sofa from Wisteria

is elegant without being fussy.

Starting to need a little warmth...

Our Scroll Wall Candleholder

and "Flower Power" mirror

add a rich, warm tone to the room.

This Wool Flowered Ottoman  

keeps things playful and soft.

Now some side tables to keep books and drinks handy.

This lovely 

Plankton Side Table

or Carved Wood Stool are some great options.

Finally, some accessory options...

Golden Fig Vases tucked onto 

a bookshelf or end table in a warm gold finish for 

additional warm tones. 

The Large Grove Bowls are beautiful filled 

with whatever hits your fancy or just enjoy

the soft wood texture on it's own.

Prefer something a little more bold?

These over-sized bowls in

their beautiful, soft hues make a great

statement on a coffee table.

So that's it!

A soft, textural look to ease your way 

into the colors of springtime.
A Natural Beauty.

~Maggie

Visit our Natural Beauty board on Pinterest for 

more ideas.

Makes you want to shout!

What do sneaker squeaks +

springtime +

 pedicures =

In my part of the universe it all adds up to

MARCH MADNESS!!!

Every year for the past 4 or 5, Reese and I 

have held a March Madness competition. 

The prize?

Pedicure day with the loser picking up tab!

Here is how it all starts...

Reese, being the HUGE sports gal that she is

watches random teams during the season,

reads up on injury reports and watches

the conference championship in preparation for

her bracket selection.

Maggie, being a sports lover but not as 

insanely competitive as Reese, 

picks up her bracket sheet

(that Reese has so kindly printed for her) 

the evening before competition begins 

and selects her teams based on mascots,

 school colors and sentimental favorites from her youth.

She has also been known to put in a call to her two boys for a friendly conversation that usually starts with...

"so who do you like for the final four this year?"

But all who know Maggie know it doesn't 

really matter because all roads go through 

DUKE!

In spite of the differences in our selection processes, 

we are pretty even in wins, go figure.

So today is the big day! 

In the next few weeks Reese and I will be joining fans 

from Buffalo to San Diego, 

listening to the fabulous sounds 

of squeaking sneakers, bullhorns and 

the endless commentary of TV announcers,

but what better way to start spring than

 with a pedicure on the horizon.

Makes me want to throw my hands up and 

SHOUT!

~Maggie

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The Feast of St. Patrick's 

began as a celebration of the life of the patron saint

of Ireland, St. Patrick (c. AD 365-461)

and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, 

Irish heritage and culture.

Today, most people see St. Patrick's Day as a

way to get away with wearing outrageous outfits

and drinking green beer!

Maggie and Reese celebrated Saturday by 

attending the parade in Dallas, these were just

a few of the sights...

One big bow!

What happened to Lucky Charms?

We got Flutie Flakes instead!

Flutie Flakes!

Is there such a thing as Irish-Texan?

                     

So a toast to all our Irish friends,

and to all you Irish want-to-be's 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

~Maggie & Reese

Texas Independence Day ~ 178 Years Young!

On this date, 59 people signed the document 

that officially made our state

The Republic of Texas!

Here are a few things that make us proud!

The Alamo.

Football

The good ole days!

Baseball.

Food.

Texas Bar-b-que

The Great State Fair!

But most of all, 

Texas is linked to some fabulous people

 from all walks of life...

and of course, Davy Crockett...

Honorary Texan!

"You can all go to hell; I will go to Texas"

So if you are from Texas, remember your roots and celebrate this day,

if not, try to get here as fast as you can

because everything is better in Texas!

Texas Revolution

See our "Don't Mess with Texas" board on Pinterest

Happy Independence Day !

~Maggie

Looking for a reason to celebrate this weekend?

Tomorrow, March 1st, help the people of Wales

celebrate St. David's Day 

in honor of their patron saint!

So you might be asking yourself, 

just how do I celebrate this Welsh holiday?

The people of Wales often pin a daffodil or

 leek to their clothing so maybe buy a small

bunch of daffodils to brighten your room, because really,

who is not ready for a little spring at this time of year!

 

Courtesy Faded Charm

Now, what to eat?

The traditional food for today is cawl, 

a soup made from leeks and other local produce.

Love this one with the Welsh Dragon Crouton!

WELSH DRAGON SOUP

Now, since there are no parades or 

village fairs to attend in honor of St. David on this

side of the pond (at least to my knowledge), 

maybe just find a quiet spot in your home, 

pour a glass of wine and settle in with a good book, 

maybe Richard Llewellyn's novel about the 

Southern Wales of his youth...

 How Green Was My Valley

Some spaces I would like to relax with a good book...

So cheers, or as the Welsh say...lloniannau

~Maggie