Pretty Pastels and Forcing Tulip Tree Branches

I'm enjoying decorating with a few pastel pieces this early spring, and Easter is the perfect excuse to gather up the pinks, yellows, and blues and have at it. I never plan to go all out for holidays, but often once I get things out and start putting vignettes together I just get carried away. I'm sharing a few soft sweet pastel bunnies here on the Baker's Rack, and my first attempt to force some branches from our Tulip Tree out front.

This little velveteen rabbit is one of my favorites

 with it's little pink ribbons and precious realistic face.

My vintage Wisconsin Mello-Creme wooden box

is holding a small clay pot with paperwhites and some decoupaged eggs.

It's a perfect size for a few tiny items.

This is the lower shelf on the Baker's Rack

out in the Garden Room. 

It's all pastel and pretty.

Paper covered chalk rabbit.

When I found the little white spice cabinet last year

I sat it here and it's just stayed. 

It's a fun way to display small things.

A few small bunnies and chicks may find their way 

in to a few of the drawers.

Last year the Tulip Tree out front caught me by surprise.

It blooms really early in Spring

and it had already bloomed before I'd even been 

out to see it.

This year I thought I'd sneak up on it

and so I had my husband cut a few small branches

to bring in to force.

Except there were no "small branches"

and I didn't know if I could even find

something to put them in.

They were covered in large "pussy willow" type buds.

I wasn't sure if they'd open up

thinking they might need better light.

Then they surprised me with the most amazing

tight pink buds inside.

The branches are a little hard to contain

because they definitely are a bit gnarly and wild.

This was yesterday afternoon;

now they're starting to blossom out.

You can see why they're called tulips,

even though it's a member of the magnolia tree family.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends.

I hope you're having a lovely week.

Rainy and stormy here today.

We need some warm sunny days to get some yard work done.

We have enough sticks on the ground

to make the 3 little pigs each a house.

Hope you'll come by and join with us on Monday evening...

joining in here:

 The House on Silverado  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch   

Celebrate Your Story at The Zucchini Sisters,  

 Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life  

 Party in Your PJ's at Apple Street Cottage   

 Keep in Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles 

 Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  

Share Your Style at French Ethereal
Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage  

Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home, 

 Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Friday with Friends at My Hubbard Home

Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art Boutique,

 Farmhouse Friday at The Painted Hinge