SPRING TREASURES FROM TARGET

I really needed a day out today so I took a drive to Target, my favorite place to browse! 

I headed for that cute little section in the front of the store that displays everything that is currently in season. It's all well priced and it makes me feel like I'm getting a "great deal" since the prices are quite reasonable. 

I was primarily looking for something Easter/Springish (if that's a phrase) for the center of our kitchen table. Well I hit the jackpot, come take a look.......

JAZZING UP YOUR PORCH

Hello TLB Friends! 

I hope today finds you well and ready to tackle this New Year ahead of us! Since our world is changing in so many ways, I thought maybe it was time for me to "change up my thoughts" in regards to decorating our porch.

Every time I drive in the driveway, since taking our Christmas decorations down, our porch seemed so bare. I decided it was time for a pre-Spring spruce up. I grabbed my Black and white check planters,  from Studio M  out of the garage, along with my topiaries, and went to work. 

Of course I needed to add an "in-between" seasonal wreath, and a new welcome mat since "Merry Christmas" was not appropriate any longer! I chose a Magnolia wreath from Frontgate and it gave me just the right amount of character I was looking for.  I found my welcome mat at Personalization Mall. (links below)

I hope you've enjoyed my idea of adding some simple touches to "jazz" up your porch! 

GOOD LUCK JAZZING!!!!

Kathleen

PLANTERS

(https://www.studio-m.com/ap18089.html)

WREATH

https://www.frontgate.com/magnolia-wreath/906801?fromt=true&gtmPageName=Shopping%20Cart&fromGtmPageName=Search%20Results 

GREENERY PERSONALIZED WELCOME MAT

https://www.personalizationmall.com/Greenery-Welcome-20x35-Personalized-Doormats-i63237.item?productid=23401&sdest=Search&sdestid=111388992

CREATE A MEMORIAL DAY TABLESCAPE

It's that time again when we take out the red, white and blue to celebrate Memorial Day! 

Today's blog is an easy tablescape for anyone to make! I combined decorative items from the Dollar Store with my own plates and napkins. Used mason jars as vases and grabbed beautiful golden color  daisies from the grocery. Easy and inexpensive decor!

                             HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

                         Kathleen

TABLESCAPE FIT FOR A MOTHER

I love the endless possibilities of creating tablescapes! From glamorous to simplistic each has it's time and place. 

For Mother's Day this year I've decided to keep it simple with a color palette that is reflective of the Spring days that are upon us. This is for you MOM, sure wish I could be with you......

After a recent trip to World Market I just had to buy these napkins. I am in LOVE with this
Aqua Blue..

The tablecloth is a soft golden linen cloth which makes a beautiful foundation for all of the color that I have added both in the linen napkins, and flowers. My plates and coffee mugs are porcelain and can be found in Williams Sonoma. Since most of my fine china and crystal are still in storage, my wine glasses were a beautiful find in the Dollar Store!

I learned a long time ago from Martha Stewart, that a CARNATION packs a powerful, yet inexpensive punch! Don't be afraid to use them.....they are one of my favorites!

On Sunday, May 8th, make Mom's Day special for your Mom.....

 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all!

                           Kathleen

MONOGRAM WREATH

I love a great wreath on my front door. Thanks so much for your wonderful comments and for sharing my Monogram Spring Wreath project from last year.........

Click the link below for directions on how to make this wreath.......

http://thelavenderbouquet.blogspot.com/2014/03/diy-spring-wreath-with-monogram-initials.html

         Wishing you a wonderful day!

                  Kathleen

                                         

COME VISIT---TLB's SPRING PINTEREST BOARD

Happy Wednesday friends!

Are you getting in the Spring mood yet? Maybe your weather isn't quite ready for outdoor

gardening, maybe it is....whatever your situation may be it's never to late or to early to plan what you will plant this year.....or how you will decorate your porch.

I'm sharing my SPRING PINTEREST board with all of you. Hopefully some of the ideas I've posted will inspire your own inner gardener!

Grab that coffee, tea, latte, smoothie or whatever makes you happy.......and browse the possibilities.........

https://www.pinterest.com/mayber0708/spring/

ENJOY!

Kathleen

FRESH SPRINGTIME TABLESCAPE

Good Morning Monday my friends......

It's no secret that I love Springtime! Here in the South we've been having 90 degree days and for a northern girl that loves her temps around 70....it's pretty warm!

Since I'm just beginning to familiarize myself with flowers of the South, I've decided to rely on my herbs for a little help with my first Spring tablescape. 

It's really amazing how many times I've struggled with exactly the right objects and florals to make just the "perfect" tablescape.  I've actually come to realize that by keeping it simple, yet stylish is quite easy. Herbs in pretty pots, a rattan tray, a beautiful blue and cream gingham tablecloth and cobalt blue goblets. A simple napkin tied with twine.....how gorgeous is that?

Lesson learned......a beautiful tablescape does not have to take hours to create and does not have to break the bank. Now go take a look around your house and start creating your Spring tablescape!

                                      Keep calm and pretend it's not Monday!

                    Kathleen

A Sweet Springtime Treat

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

Spring brings our first blossoms, birds chirping and the smell of freshly mowed grass. It also brings hours of work to bring our flower beds back from the tough winter weather.

I always start working in my flower gardens early in the morning. It's pretty typical of me to stop mid-morning for a cup of coffee and a little something sweet to accompany it.

In today's blog I'm sharing my steps to making a delish pot of French Press Coffee accompanied by a slice (or two) of Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti. Now doesn't that sound like a nice reward after a few hours of toiling in the soil?

How to make French Press Coffee--

Add:

1.    1 tablespoon coarsely ground coffee per cup

2.    Pour boiling water into the carafe within approximately

       1 inch from the top of the carafe.

3.    Stir with a non-metallic utensil.

4.    Place lid assembly on top of carafe. Brew 4 minutes.

       With one hand firmly holding handle, use other hand to 

       slowly press the plunger down to filter the coffee.

5.   Tilt, pour and enjoy!

The house was filled with the delicious scent of cinnamon while the biscotti was baking. Biscotti is as easy as the steps you see above.  Here is the link to the recipe that I used:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cinnamon-sugar-biscotti/

Bon appetit-

Kathleen

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SPRING IN THE SOUTH

Welcome back to "The Lavender Bouquet" friends.......

I'm so glad to be back with all of you.....thanks so much for your patience during my brief break and joining me as we begin our 2015 journey together! I missed y'all!

It's been a very busy few months. Hubby and I have changed our location for a bit. As I write to you we are residing at our Florida house, a nice change of pace for a short time. Lots of logistics and driving in a very hazardous snowstorm were a bit nerve wracking, but we arrived safely and are settling in very nicely.

We've decided to take time to do some renovating while we are here, just a little updating and freshening. My adrenalin started pumping when hubby suggested visiting kitchen cabinet companies and furniture stores. Yes, you read it right, HUBBY suggested this. Of course I was on board for this little adventure immediately!!

I'll be sharing some new DIY projects, delish recipes and as usual some of our travel adventures with you along the way. My first SPRING 2015 DIY project is the Spring wreath you see above. On the drive to Florida we stopped in Raleigh to see our daughter and went to the most beautiful little gift shop. It was filled with lots of Spring inspiration! The bug bit me, so as soon as I got settled in, I created my Spring wreath..........hope you enjoy it! 

  Let the fun begin!

       

                               Kathleen

***Materials for wreath include:

1-grapevine wreath (size is your choice)

1-spool wire edged ribbon

flowers of your choice

Assembly is easy with a hot glue gun.

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NOTHING SAYS SPRING MORE THAN FORSYTHIA!

It's always so nice when warmer weather arrives. One of the biggest things I always notice is that we finally get to see our neighbors. We have all been tucked into our warm homes after what was such a very long winter. 

 We had a couple of sunny days last week, so I raked up the twigs, more or less, just to get outside and enjoy the day. Sure enough I wasn't alone. The neighborhood was a buzz with landscapers, chainsaws, and neighbors.

I think that these beginning days of Spring are great for getting together with friends. Everyone is tired of being cooped up! We already have two invites to different types of events, one a fundraiser for the ladies, and the other an Easter party for both my hubby and I.....complete with little kids and their Easter baskets. What could be more fun.

After getting the invites in the mail I really got the bug to entertain.  Not sure what I will do yet, but I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I thought I might share my Spring dining room vignette with you....nothing says Spring more than Forsythia.

Has the Spring bug bitten you yet? What are you planning? Share with us--I'd love to hear your ideas! Until then, remember to stop back on Foodie Friday. I have a creative surprise that is sure to delight all ages!


                                                  Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!

                                                                      Kathleen


****Thanks for stopping by The Lavender Bouquet. Please feel free to leave us a comment to tell us how we are doing!

Avoid the Winter Blues with Color!

Punxsutawney Phil may have popped out of his burrow Sunday morning and predicted six more weeks of winter, but that doesn't mean that the inside of our homes must stay so dreary. Flowers and plants can add such a nice "punch of color" in quite an easy and inexpensive way.

My husband and I took a trip to Trader Joe's yesterday. I couldn't resist the bunches of Forsythia branches with tiny buds ready to be "forced" to bloom in a vase of water. Looking further, the entire wall was full of beautiful Tulips and Daffodils also. Needless to say, they were calling my name so we left with several bouquets to fill the large pitcher in our kitchen. I added a very special "pink" plate that was a gift from my husband when we took a trip to The Greenbriar, in West Virginia. The bright plate blends nicely with the pinks, yellows and whites in the bouquet....all colors I love in the Springtime!

Adding color in the winter in the form of a plant or bouquet can be just what we need to chase away the "winter blues." Plants such as Primroses give a beautiful showing of blooms from now through Spring also. Their tiny vibrant hues brighten any area they are displayed in.

Now run along to your grocery store or floral shop and grab a beautiful bright plant or bouquet of something full of color. I promise you, the "winter blues" will disappear when you add the splendor of God's gift of color to any room!

Wishing you a colorful day!

Kathleen

***I hope you are enjoying my blogs. Feel free to leave a comment.