Hey everyone, thanks for all the thoughtful comments on the purpose filled home post, I’ve read every one, I really appreciate your fantastic insight!  I finally got that patch of sun I was waiting for all weekend long, so I was able to get my hands dirty with some new plantings for the front porch. 

I replaced the dying Italian cypress with these pretty blue Potato Bush topiary trees and some ‘Glamorama’ pansies.  Out of storage came the outdoor medallion pillows I’ve had for two summer seasons (found at a local garden department).  The striped ones are these Esther pillows found on sale at Joss & Main.

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I’ve been in a funk for the last week and I think it’s a combination of too much rain and daylight savings time.  But I decided to thumb my nose at all the dreary weather and create a little bit of spring indoors instead. Over the weekend I brought in a new umbrella plant to replace the wintery branch that once stood in the corner and bright pink ranunculus bring a breath of spring to the living room.

I also added some touches of blue in the form of those paint swirl vases on the mantel, a bold but cozy throw, and some new blue and white pillows I scored at Joss & Main.

Today is spring equinox, derived from the Latin meaning “equal night” so that today (and only once more in autumn) we experience equal parts daylight and dark – the bonus of spring equinox for us in the northern hemisphere is the longer days of spring and summer are just ahead. 

I think I enjoy the spring season even more than autumn now.  Is it age?  Perhaps, but the idea of everything growing again, of nature coming back to life in all its marvelous ways, gives me hope of great things in the days ahead.  

Linking up to Layla’s Spring Mantel Party today!

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Time for a shout out to so many of you who linked up your creativity to this week’s Fair Weather Forum Link Party, all about spring projects.  Thank you to each and every one of you who participated!  There were over 400 inspiring links to browse, I was amazed at all of the creativity out there in blog land! 

Here are some highlights:

This coffee table turned bench by Fab Rehab Creations is a favorite!

I’m loving these chalkboard herb pots at Scissors and Spatulas.  They have me itching to plant my own herb garden whenever I have thyme.  Heh heh. 

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Yo Yo, Spring is in the hizouse, are you ready?  I am, but I have a little bone to pick with you Spring, now that you’ve arrived on my doorstep.  You’ve been playing a little game with me, tormenting me actually, and I’m quite upset with you.  You see, January and February are the toughest months for me, really.  There’s just nada going on, and I’m alone, just me and those leftover five pounds from the holidays.  Then March shows up and the sunshine peeks through and Spring, it’s then you become such a tease.

You start flirting with your budding blossoms, your tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. It’s then that I’m suckered outside, and lured to the garden department.  I start planting flowers on the porch.  I get excited for warmer weather, and even make plans to go picnicking.  What a fool I am.  It’s only after I wander outside, lured by your game, that you send me running indoors with another rain shower.  It’s a seductive game you play, Spring, and it must end!!  *shaking fist in air*

Like today.  Today, I packed a picnic and announced (and tweeted!) we were on our way to Sonoma, only to have my plans ruined yet again by another gust of wind and patch of rain.  Ack!  I can’t take it anymore.  Especially when I spent hours this weekend sewing the cah-uuuutest patchwork picnic blanket.

And baking my favorite orange cake and cupcakes too.

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