Birds and Branches

This has been such a cold Spring... very few warm days with a lot of cold and dreary ones. The flowering trees and growing things got a late start. Then just when they thought it was safe, we had nights of temps in the 20's. So the peach tree, plum tree, and cherry tree have had their bloom time disturbed and cut short. 

Garden Flower Pot Wreath for Spring

I made this fun Springtime wreath a few years ago after I'd found these old French seed packet labels on Etsy. I added them to some tags and then tied whitewashed flowerpots on the grapevine wreath. Last year I didn't get to use it because it was hidden among a ton of other tubs and boxes in the garage, but this year it's hanging on the mirror on the old door in the Kitchen Sitting Area.

Peach Blossom Branches and a Cover-up

We have a couple of fruit trees in the back yard planted by the previous owner,

and this "Doughnut Peach Tree" really puts on a Spring-time Show.

Before they're gone...

We've had a few storms and windy days lately, so I thought I'd better get some photos of my blooming branches before all the blooms were blown away. I had planned on doing this early yesterday before a heavy down pour that I knew was headed our way...but something else came up.

Pear Branches and Some New Old Pillows

Our little city has been full of these wonderful blooms these last few weeks; tufts of small individual blossoms cover the trees, and give a haze of billowy whiteness. I hadn't been up close and personal with the blooms of the Bradford Pear Tree, but I was eager to clip a few branches that are in our new back yard to bring inside...

until I actually took a deep breath to inhale the delicate white blooms, that look a lot like Spirea, or Bridal Veil, and then I got a huge surprise... they're the stinkiest plant I've ever smelled!

Stink, Stank, Stunk!

So the kitty girls were curious too, 

let's just say one whiff and they were not interested any longer.

But I still brought them in because they're so dang pretty.

and besides, I wanted a new coffee table vignette.

This is one of the lanterns from Pottery Barn that I ordered last Christmas.

I wanted to keep things white,

so it's an iron rabbit, on a vintage flowerpot.

we see you...

on a frenchy farmhouse tray with a chicken wire bottom.

While I was taking pictures, I decided to add in this old paper mache tray for some more coordinating color.

It's been well used over the years, but the cottage is so charming, 

I looked past the damage.

Sorting out things for a garage sale, I realized that there were two pillows that might work on my new sofas. When I brought them over, I saw that the caramel really highlighted the colors of the vintage print. So I think they'll stay.

This is a tapestry upholstery fabric I used a couple of years ago;

an old bed pillow is inside.

I know it's kind of a stretch to use with a leopard print,

but it works for me, since there's not much pattern in here.

Here's the loveseat, and another pillow I had used in the living room on my Bergere chairs once they were "slipped".

I think the tans, browns, and creams pull it all together.

Hope you're having a beautiful Easter Week. 

(just stay away from stinky trees...)

joining in on these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Swing into Spring at DIY by Design
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's
Treasure Hunt From My Front Porch to Yours
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Shabbilicious Friday at Shabby Art Boutique
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo
Simple and Sweet Friday at Rooted in Thyme

xoxo,

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Elliott-Heath Designs