Thursday, April 10, 2014

SPRING, SPRING & MORE SPRING (AND A TABLESCAPE).










In explaining a little more of the above mentioned  "getting out of my slump"...you might remember my oldest son giving me the encouragement/lecture last summer to stop making excuses and get back to the things I love.  His words were really magical...okay, in the real world, a catalyst for me to realize that the things we love to do really do give us a respite from so many problems and nagging issues.  I just enjoy getting my hands in the dirt, feeling my muscles work, and then feeling so much gratitude and amazement that my efforts actually create something that is beyond beautiful!  He is wise beyond his years!  Here's to a great year of growing the things we love!  And if gardening isn't your bag, get back to the other things you love...they don't drift too far away.













I apologize for a lengthy post.  It has been a few long days, hasn't it?  And I so wanted to mention that I met an fantastic blogger the other day,  Cathy from My 29 Year Old Charmer.  She has been blogging a long time but we just didn't cross paths until recently and it turns out we live less than 10 minutes from each other.  So Tuesday we met up for coffee and believe it or not, we sat and talked for just under 4 hours!  She is so down to earth... she has the greatest  laugh that makes me smile.  She is so interesting...a degree in Microbiology and worked in a lab at one of Chicago zoo's (and I believe the largest)for many years.  She went on to culinary school and started her own business as a personal chef.  And I think for kicks, she became a certified Master Gardener.  Oh, what I will learn from this gal.  You won't be able to live with me!!!  We will be meeting up again soon and I really encourage you to go to her blog if you aren't a follower already.  What a sweetheart she is.  Did I say she lives less than ten minutes from me?  :)

I'm typing this a little bit late because I am determined to get out early tomorrow for a long walk...no excuses, and then finish up some projects in the house.  I promised you some spice rubs and I want to get on that.  I am super psyched by getting into this because so many of our liquid BBQ sauces have so much sugar in them, and as you know, I gave up sugar.  This will be fun.

So, I'll let you off the hook now.  Happy Hump Day and I will see you after the weekend! :)


Joining Cindy  at Dwellings, The Heart Of Your Home for  Amaze Me Monday

&

Courtney at  French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

XO,
Jane  

55 comments:

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Belated Happy Birthday to your daughter.
So glad that you are getting back into the swing of things. Sounds like you really love your garden like I do. I just posted my rose garden tonight.
The cake looks so good, wish I had a piece right now. But I can't have sugar and I was the biggest sweet lover ever.
Have a terrific weekend.
Mary

Rita C at Panoply said...

Jane, what a great mix of topics - I love them all! Dishes - yes; napkins, yes (I just keep all the whites together, and have those cotton duck ones with various stripes for casual all together); appetizers - hell yes!; meeting Cathy - yes! Since her recent Saturday feature, I've also added her to my circles, and joined her party this week. We have big family and MG in common. Looks like we'll all be spilling the dirt this year - happy gardening!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I'd love to hear about your spice rubs, Jane. I'm trying out different recipes recently and anything easy and delicious is always appreciated. I read at Cathy's blog about your meet up. How great and how funny that you two live so close. It sounds like you are both into gardening, so that will be great to share.

Stacey said...

Hi girl! It is definitely spring here with our high in the 80s today. I've already been working in the yard and you are right - there's nothing like it! Your food and eating out adventures always look so yummy. We've been having a blast since we moved back to Dallas two years ago. Each weekend we try out someplace new. Of course, it's hard to lose any weight which is something we are trying at the same time. :)

I love Cathy's blog and her gorgeous cottage. So cool that y'all got to meet. I recently met Andrea of Opulent Cottage and Julie of Lilacs and Longhorns. We clicked in seconds and spent several hours together. Just like automatic friends.

Anonymous said...

Oh Jane you sound so happy, enjoying life, this whole post made me smile, your son is wise beyond his years.What a great thing to meet the blogger freind that is just magical, this world is strange place, happy place,

Beth said...

A belated happy birthday to Abigail!
The cake looks delicious and I love your table setting!

Theresa said...

What a pretty girl you have! Happy Birthday to her! Isn't it wonderful to find a friend close enough to enjoy some time together? Yes, it is! Your table is gorgeous and totally SPRINGY! Have a blessed day dear friend! BIG HUGS!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Sounds like everything is going well in your world Jane! Love you table setting. So spring like!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Your daughter looks beautiful in her picture...sounds like you all had some wonderful family times lately. I read 1929 Charmer often! That is so amazing that you two are close by to each other! Fun! :)

Anonymous said...

How funny that they didn't tell you that you could use the wheelchair yourself.... LOL I would have sat around waiting for someone to come get me too!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

How exciting to find out a wonderful blogger lives so close by! I think you two will be having a lot of fun together!
Your table looks really beautiful and I'm sure your family appreciates the effort you make. :)

Kathleen Grace said...

How lovely to meet a kindred spirit through blogging! That seems to happen a lot here doesn't it? Even the friends I have never met, and may never meet, mean so much to me and I learn so much from them. You included :>) Iur yard is a horrible mess. Everywhere I go I see branches down in people's yards so we aren't alone. Earl cleaned up most of them on the last sunny warm day, but there is still a lot scattered through the yard that needs help. Happy Birthday to Abigail! She is just a few months younger than my youngest daughter.

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I love how you talk about gardening and how it makes you happy - we should do what we love - you are right about that! Happy Thursday Jane :-)

Kathleen said...

Jane, hop over and link this to Let's Dish at my blog. It is a bird/egg/nest theme, and your table fits right in!

Unknown said...

Now if I could have been at your meet up with Cathy!! She is also a favorite blogger of mine! You two will have a blast getting together! You have been busy! I like your tablescape, sounds like a great dinner. Happy birthday to Abby! You have such a beautiful family! Hope you get lots done on you projects. Take care and have a fabulous weekend. I'm having a yard sale in my basement on Friday, and going shopping with both my sisters and niece on Saturday! Can't wait!! Your friend, Kathy

NanaDiana said...

First off- Happy Birthday to your sweet daughter-love her in the glasses. The cake looks great, too. How did you manage with no sugar? cuz I know you love your sprinkles! lol

As soon as I wash my napkins I iron them and put them over a pants hanger (a dozen or however many there are) on the same hanger. They then go in my front hall closet. When I need to use them I just pull them all out and fold them like I want them. Easy-peasy.

I have seen your kitchen "mess" from the night before and want you to know I have conquered a few of those myself....lol

Hope you got a good walk in and that you have a great "spring-like" day.

I will pop over and meet your new blogging friend- xo Diana

NanaDiana said...

Jane- That link doesn't go anywhere- it just says there is no such blog. Could it be MY 1929 CHARMER? There's a Cathy that has a blog called that....just thought you might want to know....xo Diana

Sherry @ Thrift My House said...

You make the prettiest tablescapes Jane! And good for you, for getting outdoors and walking! I really love this time of year. And I am so jealous that you live 10 minutes from a blogger.. so cool to make new friends. Especially like minded ones. I'll definitely visit Cathy.

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

What a pretty tablescape! I love getting out in the garden too. It's about to get too hot for my snapdragon flowers, so I'll have to make a trip to the garden center and pick out something to replace them with. Did you make the vanilla whipped cream topping for the cake? I've been looking for a good whipped frosting recipe for ages. :)

Wanda said...

Your daughter is very pretty in her designer glasses. And Papa at 85...he looks great.

Your table looks stunning, and the cake delicious.

What a fun post to read, and don't you just love the way those daffodils push there way into the sunlight.

Unknown said...

Jane, I can't wait to see your gardens. The girls and I love to garden and we can't wait to start our own vegetable garden this year. Your cake looks delish! Cakes are my weakness. I think I am going to bake a red velvet tonight after seeing yours.

Traci said...

Happy Birthday to Abigail! Papa looks great for his age!Our yard isn't looking so great. Everything is blooming so that's good but it's time for my dirt & mulch.

Susie said...

Happy birthday to you sweet baby girl. Love your dad's sayings. LOL. Your cake looks tasty. So glad you have some flowers Blondie girl.:):) xoxo,Susie

Betsy Brock said...

Aw, Happy Birthday to your daughter. what a beauty! Grandpa looks pretty good, too!

Lauren asked for a funfetti birthday cake with sprinkles and I'd never even bought them before! They were quite festive!

Privet and Holly said...

I love how YOU
love your family so,
and make all of life's
occasions extra sweet
for them!

Until just a few days ago,
we still had large patches
of snow on the ground,
so no bulb sightings or
even green shoots, yet.
I guess MN is that much
farther north than Chicago!
Can't wait, though!

Good for you on the sugar
front. I'm trying to be much
more conscious of it, as well.
With prepared foods, they really
sneak it in, don't they ?

Happy Friday, Jane!

xo Suzanne

RURAL said...

Jane, you are such a sweetie, and always full of life, and joy.

Can I tell you that I am fixating on those gorgeous pink bowls...looks like spring to me.

Jen

Knitty said...

I love everything about this post! Your love of family, making a "short story long" (such a shame to have colorful words and not use them, right?) and getting excited about things again.

Gardening doesn't do it for me, but all things crafty does. I'm watching less TV, listening to crabby people less and having much more fun.

Happy Birthday (belated)to your daughter and my goodness but your dad looks and sounds wonderful!

Debbie said...

I just read your post as I ate my salad for lunch. Both very enjoyable.
So glad to hear Springtime has arrived at your house, Jane! Still waiting for things to start popping their heads out of the ground up here. We are about three weeks behind you.
I bet your yard will look better than ever this year. Especially under your care. Your enthusiasm inspires me!
Isn't it a small world?! I just found out that Kris's family is from the town where my girls live, and from the area we moved from.
How neat that you met another blogger that lives close to you!!!
Your tablescape is very "spring" looking. I LOVE the white mix of dishes! The tulips really say "wake up world"!
Enjoy your weekend, sweet friend.
Debbie
xo

Melanie said...

Happy birthday to your "baby"! She is a beautiful young woman. And your dad certainly doesn't look 85 years old. Beautiful tablescape...you always make such pretty ones. I'm glad you and Cathy got to meet up. I hope that we are able to meet up soon as well!

Unknown said...

Hi Jane-I'm just catching up with all the blog move stuff. Thanks for stopping by my 'new digs'. Those pretty spring flowers make me happy for you-color and sunshine has arrived! You certainly set a pretty table my stylish friend. Off to add you to my blogroll.
Happy Weekend!
xx, H

Sarah said...

Happy Birthday, Abigail. Looks like a lovely dinner celebration. Pretty dishes!

bj said...

Zippy-doo, da.....zippy-a....sounds like you've things going your way.
Your Abby is gorgeous....the cake looks delicious....
and I am so ready for beautiful flowers growing. I want to do some container gardening this spring.....
Have a fun day !!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Happy birthday to your darling girl! Your Papa sounds wonderful. I have to remember those lines of his. Love the Horse Thief Hollow for a name! But I am so amused by your "deep, deep love for sprinkles"! Makes me want to quote you somewhere. You set a delightful table. No thought at all was given to this sort of thing when I was growing up either. Maybe that's one of the reasons we love it. Wonderful that you have a new blogging pal close by. I spent the afternoon yesterday just gabbing with an old friend and a newer one. Such good therapy! So sweet of you to come by my place!

Kim @Tidbits&Twine said...

What a beautiful table! Love the mix of dishes and placemats. :)

Elaine said...

How nice for the whole family to get together. So sweet that you get along so well with your adult kids. I know you and your daughters do so many things together.

Pretty dishes. One of my weaknesses is collecting dishes. I have so many!

Get back to what you love. Isn't that the truth? I saw something on Facebook about having a reunion with yourself. I feel like I have gotten away from myself and it's high time for a reunion.

Lori said...

I love all your randomness! Looks like Abby had a great birthday and look at your flowers coming up! We still have some snow and the yard is very wet ~ well not wet more like a bog! My flowerbeds can now be seen though and it will not be long now ~ so excited. Great that you got to meet another blogger and 10 minutes away! lol Happy weekend.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Great post Jane!
Love love your pretty table! And happy b-day to Abby !
I have a few daffs and tulips poking up, but I didn't plant many, and now I could kick myself.
We have spent a good part of this past two weeks at the hospital. Today was not good for Dan's dad.
Talk to you soon..
Cindy
p.s. I wish we lived that close, dang it anyway!
Hugs friend,
Cindy

Sonia said...

Hi Jane,
So nice that you are getting back to things you love. I had to laugh out loud when I saw the name of the restaurant you went to...sounds like a Texas place!
Hope you are able to get out and play in the dirt. I intend to do some gardening this week as I am so far behind since being on vacation. We are finally experiencing Spring here! How nice that you can meet up with another blogger. Have fun!
Miss Bloomers

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Well, now that restaurant with all the micro beers is right up my alley. :) Your Papa sure has found the secret to a healthy and happy life. Good for him! I am better at letting things go and realizing that much is out of my hands. Though I just can't get over traffic here and the inconsiderate drivers -- they make my blood boil, which is why I am so happy it is Spring Break. Have fun in the garden. And making things to eat at home rather than relying on bottled and boxes and bags of stuff. Your table is lovely. I saw mix and match away. I like an eclectic mix of pattern and color. Wishing you a wonderful day. Tammy

Julie Marie said...

Happy birthday to Abbey Jane... sounds like you all had a wonderful time and I love Papa's attitude!... thanks for your kind comment, I ended up deleting that post... just as you have been going through your "slumps" as you call them, I too have for this past few weeks... thought blogging would get my mind off my aches and pains, and worries over Tessy but seems like I could not get anything I posted the way I wanted it... I love reading your real life stories always... and am happy you are getting back now to the things YOU love, like gardening again... your table looks so pretty and Springy... and how fun to meet Cathy!.. she sounds delightful... xoxo Julie Marie

Julie Marie said...

PS LOVE your pretty crocuses!...

Heaven's Walk said...

This is such a busy time of year, isn't it, Jane? Love all the flowers popping up, eating alfresco again, and celebrations. How fun that you met up with Cathy. Can hardly wait to hear what you learn from her. :)

xoxo laurie

Kit said...

Oh your daughter is so lovely! A happy "birthday" to you too Mom. :) I love your table, so pretty. You have such a knack! Have a happy Easter. Kit

sweetvintageofmine said...

What a beautiful family and a beautiful life! Your garden is too sweet and your tablescape is adorable! (i love mix and match!) So many great things to share and yes, I want to hear about those rubs! Blessings~~~Roxie

The Tablescaper said...

Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- Alma, The Tablescaper

Sharon Lovejoy said...

I like the idea of using a springform pan, but heck, I have NEVER been successful with a red velvet cake, NEVER! I'm jealous. It looked adorable.

Thinking of you and yours, and yes, I too hope the economy is improving. Our country needs that boost and that hope.

Love,
Sharon

Sue said...

I am playing catch up once again. What I love about your writing is that I do feel like I have caught up after reading! Abby looks so cute and I also have a thing for sprinkles. They make me happy.

I wish I loved to garden. I have a friend who speaks of it the way you do...but while I love picking out plants and flowers, I hate getting hot and dirty. I feel that way about cooking, but it has calories instead of burning them! I need a new passion.

I finally got a post up today. I have been and will be busy with our mega major decluttering and downsizing project. I could get overwhelmed, but I am trying to just take it one step at a time. Hope all is well!

Debbiedoos said...

Happy belated to your daughter. April is a good month for birthdays:) As always looks like life is fun and you enjoy every second of it. Happy Easter to you and your family. Oh and you asked me about that rit dye. That is the good ole fashioned rit dye. They now sell it in liquid form at the craft stores.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

This is a great post, Jane. It's all about real life and real life happenings. You just cannot get better than that. Your Abigail is just adorable. It looks and sounds like y'all have a wonderful time together. I hope you have a wonderful time gardening. So happy you've made a new friend, and I will be checking out her blog! Happy week!

Sagheer said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Beth said...

Hi Jane, Your daughter is lovely! I like hearing about her birthday and the cake turned out pretty. I think you must have amazing willpower to make sweets and not eat them yourself. I couldn't do it! Good luck with your garden, Jane. Enjoy! Kevin is so right. Our time is precious.
Hugs, Beth

Kelly said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter! Sounds like y'all had a lovely time celebrating. Glad to hear that you're finally starting to see signs of Spring now. I know what a rough Winter you've had. It is freezing cold and windy here today. Not happy with the weather at my house! Your table setting was so pretty. I think you have were able to put together a nice one with all you had.

Anonymous said...

I know that you will really enjoy getting back into your garden and that you will make it beautiful.

Diane Mars said...

Love the sayings...S... Happens is great and "your talking to the wrong person... hey I think I gotta use both of those.... Happy Happy Family you have, What a Joy~

Christine at Little Brags said...

Hi Jane, I wanted to drop you a line and thank you again for commenting on Susan's blog MUST LOVE JUNK and leaving me a sweet comment there on being in the Saturday Spotlight! Love your table, I have the same plate holders from Pier 1. the entire table looks super awesome!!! xoxoxo Christine from http://littlebrags.blogspot.com