In Anticipation of SPRING....

Once Christmas is over and the decorations come down, I often find myself so "blah" about winter.....

Maybe it's a case of Spring Fever coming on.....but, I'm longing for warm sunny days and the smell of Spring in the air.  So, I figured it was time to pop a little Spring into our home in anticipation of the season to come...

I found some silk tulips that had been packed away for years.  When I took them out of their packing paper, they weren't in such bad shape that I was deterred from putting them out.  I simply arranged them in a simple vase and plopped them down on the dresser.  Instant pop of color and breath of Spring!

Speaking of this old dresser, we bought it several years ago at a second-hand shop.  It was a real steal, let me tell you.  I paid $65 for the dresser and mirror and that thing is solid wood.  When we started moving it home, it took two of us to lift it and the mirror is nearly as heavy!  It is stamped Henredon....so, it is a quality piece.  I am forever in love with the way it looks in our bedroom, especially with the afternoon sun slanting through the window....

Our bargain dresser (Pay no mind to the fact that the lamp shade is crooked - it has never, ever been straight!)

It's amazing how sometimes the simplest little things, like the addition of some silk blooms, can cheer a room and the spirits.

Linking up with Debbidoos' Newbie Party today.....here is how to check it out.....

Thanking God today for the gift of Seasons - even those which are not my favorite.  For in the dead of Winter, I know that Spring is coming! 

Progress on The Porch!!!

The front porch is looking a little better at the end of this busy day.  At least I am not ashamed to share a few photos showing the progress that was made this afternoon.

I was able to score some pansies at WalMart's nursery.  I know, I know....it is almost "late" to be putting in pansies.  However, it is still too early to set out anything like petunias or geraniums - at least in my book!  For sure, we would have a freak snowstorm in March or April if I invested a lot of moolah in those fair weather plants.  One flat (6 six-packs, total cost $12.96) enabled me to fill the planter box and a couple of clay pots with plants.  Hopefully, these will last until the beginning of May or thereabouts and fill out with some brilliant purple and lavender. 

I couldn't locate the grapevine wreath I was going to repurpose.  So, I dragged out a decorative iron wall hanging and placed that where the wreath was supposed to go.  I like the way it turned out, so when I find that wreath, I am going to put it on the side door instead! 

I also rummaged around in a box of garage sale items in the garage and came up with an old metal bird cage and a little Easter rabbit figure.  These now sit on the little green table that doesn't have a home anywhere else in my house at the moment. 

Although it is simple and a little bare compared to how I usually "decorate" the porch, it seems appropriate for the start of Spring.  I figure I can fill in a bit as the season progresses and the weather warms.  At least it is a bit more welcoming than it was when we started the day.

Have you started sprucing up your outdoor area for Spring yet?  Do you have special decorations for Easter....or do you just go with a general Spring look?  Dying to hear.....

Until later.....

Jane

A Little Update from The Porch....

The last couple of weeks have been stressful, to say the least!  Where to start......

Remember when we had all that ice and snow and I was stuck at home with a bad case of "cabin fever" for a few days?  Well, on a couple of those really nasty days, Eddie had to make the treacherous drive in to work.  On his way to the truck one of those days, he fell on the ice in the parking lot and landed pretty hard, injuring his shoulder.

A week later, he still couldn't life his arm or rotate his shoulder.  So, he trekked off to the doctor, got an x-ray and was immediately sent to the imaging center for a MRI.  Within a week, we were sitting in an orthopedic surgeon's office hearing that he needed arthroscopic surgery to repair the rotator cuff and reattach tendons.

Surgery was last Thursday.  What was supposed to be a two-hour scope turned into 3-1/4 hours.  As his surgeon put it, his shoulder was "pretty boogered up!"

You see, Ed did a lot of bullriding over an 8-year period when he was younger, as evidenced by this photo.....

Don't we all just LOVE a Cowboy in Wranglers?!?!?!

During that time, he dislocated his shoulder on several occasions.  Consequently, he had quite a bit of "old" damage to his right shoulder.  He was relatively asymptomatic - until the fall on the ice.  When he fell this time, he injured the tendons and the rotator cuff - fixing everything turned out to be somewhat of a challenge.

After returning home late Thursday afternoon, my sweetheart spent most of the next three days in a drug-induced haze.  Thank heavens for modern medicine!  (And thank heavens we had the brilliant idea that he start practicing some "personal hygiene" procedures using his left hand before the surgery!  Sorry, but this is a practical reality....)

Here we are, one week out  and I only have good news to report.  He is starting to heal and he is adjusting to life as he will know it for the next six weeks - with his right arm immobilized.  He writes with his right hand (bummer!), but he does a lot of important things (like eat) with his left hand.  Hopefully, he will adapt easily and quickly.   He has already started physical therapy - just passive range of motion exercises done by his therapist - but, it's a start!

Between trying to play nurse, work, take care of things at the house, and get over an upper respiratory infection myself, I have been spread pretty thin the last few days.  Guess what was put on the back burner???  Janie's Porch, of course! 

But, with the weather warming up and Spring right around the corner, I'm longing to get out there on The Porch and start sprucing up for the season of rebirth.  Bear with me during this hectic time....soon we will sit on the steps and feel the sun on our faces as we squeeze in a little visit!  Until then, take a moment to leave me a note and tell me what you've been up to, Dear Friend.

Taking it a day at a time.....

Jane

A Sunny Saturday and Soccer

Well, apparently Spring is taking a little break here in our part of the world.  With snow back in the forecast this weekend and a grand thunderstorm raging as I type, last weekend's weather seems a distant memory....

But, it was a TERRIFIC weekend, with sunny skies, warm temperatures...and a great time with FAMILY! 

Our recently-turned-6 grandson had a soccer game on Saturday morning.  So, Eddie and I loaded up the folding chairs and Jake, our Australian Shepherd, stopped by to pick my mother up, and headed out to the soccer fields.  Once there, we met up with Bonnie and the kids and spent a great hour under the sun.

Here's the WONDERBOY himself, Trayden, all sunscreened up and ready to hit the field.  Of course, when he realized I had the camera out, he "cheesed" big-time. 

Ansleigh, 3-1/2 years old, was in her own unique PRINCESS/DIVA mode.  Honestly, I don't think they made little girls like this back when I was a child...

And just check out her new pink booster seat....it had to be PINK!!!















Jake truly enjoyed being out around all the people.  Being the DOG that he is, he found lots of girls to flirt with.  He also found lots of dropped food...yum....and Ansleigh shared her cheese puffs with him....yum yum!!!

Trayden has certainly come a long ways since we saw his first soccer game three years ago (when he confused soccer with football and started tackling his own teammates).  Look at that kid hustle!

Being back home means we will have so many more opportunities to spend time with the family.  Watching these grandkids grow up is part of what keeps us young. Well, that and the fact that after the game and lunch they got to go shopping with their momma and we got to come home for a NAP!

Regardless of the weather where you are, I hope you have some family time planned for this weekend.  Can't wait to hear about it!

Jane

Little Bottle of JOY!!!

I rediscovered a little thing today that really makes me tick....painted toes!!!  That's right.  A little bottle of nail polish goes a long ways in putting a smile on this girl's face! 

And how about flip flops!?!?!  Just taking a pair out of the closet made me want to squeal with joy this morning.  When I slipped them on my feet, with my freshly painted toenails, I nearly broke into song. 

Even The Husband noticed a spring in my step and took me out for a coke and lemon bar from McKay's Bakery this afternoon.  Thank you, Eddie Dale!

The weather cooperated beautifully today.  What a wonderful feeling...the sun shining brightly and warming up the ground, green busting out everywhere, the sound of birds making merry.  Although it is still officially winter, as evidenced by the dormant mesquite tree in my front yard, Spring is making a bit of an appearance now. 

So, I parked my winter-white body on the front porch for a bit and just soaked in the rays.  I even slipped off the flips and wiggled my toes in the fresh air.  Ooohhhh soooo delightful!!!

Nope, it didn't take much to make me smile today.

Did you find something that lifted your spirits and brought a smile to your face today?  Feel free to share it here on the Porch!

Warm smiles,

Jane