Celebrating Spring

 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle (dove) is heard in our land;

Technically Winter is over and Spring IS here, but in Northern Indiana we are waiting for the rains to come because the snows are not over.  The only flowers that appear are from the florist.  

I did see a Robin or two this past week and wondered why on earth they were here as they tried to dig through the snow for a few morsels.

The Goldfinches are still wearing olive drab, but I'm sure they will brighten up in a few weeks.

But even though nice Spring weather is only a hope and a promise...

We do our best to celebrate the end of a long, rough winter anyway. 

March Madness

A few nice days in March does a lot for a spring-like outlook - even though we know we still have to suffer winter -like weather. 

But, fortunately there is a lot to celebrate in March, such as the Ides of March........

.............the day when Julius Caesar's  friends assassinated him.

Mr. Bill challenged me to do the Ides themed table.

A few days later, with a few quick changes - we have St. Patrick's Day.........

.......and  are all set for a bit 'o Irish stew.

Even the tiniest leprechaun sized bouquet is a feast for the eyes these cold March days!

Going Green

Today it is 10 degrees and going much lower tonight.  The ground is mostly snow covered with a few patches of very dead looking brown grass.  The idea of Spring seems almost like a myth. There is absolutely nothing green outdoors.  I am craving green, so I went around the house finding green things for my table.

I am wondering if the colors show well in these pictures.  I usually take them in the morning, but I think the light is too harsh then.  Next time I will wait until the afternoon.  I went thrift shopping a few weeks ago and picked up these adorable plates.  I love the plaid rim.

Actually there are two different designs.

The green napkins and brass rings were treasures from the same trip.  (I may have to move the napkins to the side.  It looks like my place settings are wearing hair  bows and if Mr. Bill has that thought it would really gross him out.)

I paired new $1,00 pressed glass goblets from Dollar Tree with vintage Czechoslovakian crystal wine glasses.  Surprisingly, they have a similar pattern.  The crystal does have a much higher monetary 

value, but mine are actually priceless.  They were a gift to our family from relatives in Slovakia.  My in-laws traveled there in 1976 while Slovakia was suffering under Russian rule.  The people had little, but were very generous in sending such beautiful gifts to us so that we would remember them.

Two brass candlesticks (stacked), some faux ivy,

 and a gently used light green candle complete the "greening" of my dining area.

I  think my new favorite color is green!