Adding a Little Spring to the Kitchen

 The days are getting longer and I am looking forward to the time change even though we lose an hour. The sun has been shining which has made me a happier girl. I have spent a bit of time each day outside walking or puttering in my flowers. I went this past weekend to see if the Vinca / periwinkles were in, but they are not so I suppose I am rushing the season. I have scaled back with my plants outside which is making it more fun and not so much work. The beds we changed out last year are looking so much better and I will share them in late spring again so I can document the changes to the yard. 

This camellia down the street is dropping all its goodies, but behind them is coming my favorite of spring...the azaleas. 

I love camellias and honestly think it is my favorite thing about winter.

I saw part of this poem on Instagram the other day and had to go look it up. The following is still only a portion of it, but I love it..

The camellias bloom in Winter when the skies are cold and gray 
When the sun shines at it's weakest and the Spring seems far away 
Each tree an individual by the shade of flowers they bear 
An avenue of camellias of one shade of flowers more often than not rare. 

In shades of pink and creams and reds the colours one might name 
Each is an individual for no two look the same 
The beautiful camellias resplendent in their flowers 
They bloom in lawn and garden on Winter's coldest hours. 

by: Francis Duggan

I have three camellias in my yard. They are small compared to the many on my street. We planted them a few years ago. This year I finally had a good many blooms. I am down to my last three or four, but like I said the azaleas are about to pop open.'

Isn't she lovely?!

I am still wearing pants and long sleeves for the most part, but hunting my most springy colors in the closet. Speaking of fashion, I never did  let y'all know my decision on those wide legged jeans. I did send them back and deleted the picture I had taken to show y'all. That particular pair was a little heavy material for my neck of the woods and they came up really high. I am very short waisted, but I gotta tell you I am excited to see some extra fabric coming back to the pants. I may actually find myself purchasing some new clothing while they are out with this new style.

I never shared my kitchen photos that I took early last week on the cloudy days. I figure I better do that before I forget.

Here is looking in from the living room. The amaryllis bloomed once more and has now been planted outside. My official stance on them for next year is I will go back to a poinsettia and leave these gorgeous things to outside. 

Tucker was here yesterday and immediately noticed the Easter candles. That-- my friends made me so happy.

We have a new toaster oven / air fryer. I am not loving it. I want to put my old one back there. I still have it because I was going to take it to Auburn and keep forgetting. I wonder if Jeff would even notice.

I left real life out including my vitamins and Benefiber. Just saying. 

Circling around the kitchen we go.

The opening to the left above goes to the hallway to laundry and garage and just behind the cross is the formal dining room.

Then around to the kitchen sink which somehow seems to always have dishes even with two people. BY the way... if you are coming in from the garage where essentially everyone who comes to our house does, your first thing to see is the sink. I always hope people notice the water and not dishes!!!

Am I the only one who would think such a thing??

I added a little spring decor in the corner.

We finish up at the table where until this January I have been decorating with my table linens and candles for the seasons. This year I am soaking up those peaceful blues and haven't changed them out. I have used the candles and linens in the formal dining room.

That is the tour that I promised. I also like to document how things look as well. I love looking back and thinking how crazy something looked and what was I thinking occasionally.

To end this post, I have out my Easter basket on the dining room table. I don't think Tucker went in there. I  forgot to show him.

This was my Easter basket form childhood. A little treasure still.

I hope it is warming up and the sun is shining in your parts. 

Sandy