nesting...

Here in Michigan it feels like spring.

I am not fooled however, and am calling it 

"pretend" spring

it is only March after all and it could very well snow next week!

Never the less, it has been warm and sunny and that makes it feel like spring.

You know, the feeling that makes you want to rearrange your whole house,

clean all the windows, and redecorate?

a little fluffing of the nest, perhaps?

**Spring**

The birds have been singing their sweet songs,

but instead of rearranging, cleaning windows, and redecorating,

in honor of the birds

I made these...

I know, I know, it was a tough task to take ;)

(In my defense, I did manage to sweep down the cobwebs)

I know we've all seen these,

and I wanted one of my very own.

The one above with 5 fresh water pearls in it is just for me.

I made more to share though.

They are actually very therapeutic to make.

Weaving nests and thinking of the children who keep flying out of them.

Danielle was home for two weeks for some oral surgery.

She was told in Atlanta that she needed 4 root canals asap

and without any support system in place down there,

she came home to the mama bird to be cared for.

Her 4 root canals actually turned into one, with some other work to be done

so after all was said and done, I'm glad she got a second opinion!

The best part?

While she was home she hung out with the family most of the time

and took me to the Roller Derby again for my bday!

We had a great time!

In the picture above she was trying to teach me to take

a picture without my eyes disappearing,

but I couldn't stop laughing so it didn't work!

She was also here for Hannah's special dance.

She told Hannah that she could invite her friends over and she

would do their hair and make up.

That made 6 girls all together!

It was a crazy, fun, wild, house full of girls!

Danielle made them all feel special and they all were lucky

to have an in-house professional make them look like princesses!

(excuse the photo, my camera does not cooperate at night with low lighting)

I really wish this one would have turned out better.

This is another way we enjoy the warm weather of our "pretend" spring...

Duane, Max and Hannah play catch in the yard while I snap pictures.

Another tough job of mine :)

We have been on walks, bike rides, grilled out, played soccer, catch,  

hit tennis balls on the barn, and grilled out some more...

please, oh please don't let it snow.

I could get used to this early spring stuff!!!

For now, we are back down to two in the nest,

but this week John comes in for a week before he moves to NY.!

OH HAPPY DAY!

How is your nesting coming along?

I want to share a giveaway with you,

I know, that's just the sunshine making me extra nice ;)

Suzan over @ Old Grey Mare

is having a 8 away from 500 posts giveaway!

Rumor has it (one that she started btw)

that she is going to fill a couple of boxes with some 

fabulous prizes for 2 of her followers!

WOOHOO!

Head on over and put your name in the bucket!

love,

Theresa 

xoxoxoxo

linking to:

White Wednesday

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

signs of spring...

I heard a bit of a ruckus outside the window and saw a sweet pair of little parents making a new home on my porch! 

daddy standing guard...

while momma inspects her work and adds bits more fluffing.

I helped her out when I saw that they had flown away and put some string and yarn on the chair nearby.

I can't wait to share this with the kids when they get home. 

I hope we don't scare them too much, this is actually a pretty busy porch!

I will keep you updated when the babies show up!

a bit more spring...

Hannah brought me in this sweet bouquet yesterday.

I know, I'm a lucky mom:)

The mantle is now springified!

a bit more spring...

Counting freckles on Hannah's 13th birthday!

I think they just add to her beauty...

Saturday was not only John's graduation, but also Hannah's 13th birthday!

Waiting at the stadium for the festivities to begin.

a bit more spring...

Saturday was also prom for Cam and his girlfriend Audrey!

Audrey is a senior so this is their last high school prom.

I love this picture of them.  She always has that big smile and well Cam just looks so sweet.

Happy Spring!!!

love,

Theresa xoxo

Bloggers' Bodega

This mantel changes all of the time, way more than the other ones, probably because I like it and the room it is in the best! 

This was last spring and the mantel is featuring the decoupaged egg I made which is now listed in TheOldWhiteHouse.

Why do I mention this you ask?

Because I am linking up to Bloggers Bodega over at Capers of the Vintage Vixens!

It is a linky party where anyone with a etsy, or webshop can join in the party to share the news of their shop and maybe even do a little shopping with their blog sister friends!

I know you all know how to decoupage,  I'm not fooling myself into thinking that I am going to show you anything new... but maybe you don't have the time or you hate the feel of the goo on your hands...

So I  have done the gooey work for you!

I covered the egg, and then wrapped it with a scrap of burlap and a

matching burlap rosette adorned with a little bling, cuz we all need our bling!

and look how sweet it is with its moss trimmed urn and french tag.

Fill it with a little sweet primrose when it arrives on your doorstep wrapped all special just for you :)

***** this infomercial is now complete

 you may return to your regularly scheduled program now*****

love ya!

Theresa xoxo

just for good measure I thought I would show you what the mantel looks like today!

one trip to the barn was all it took!

spring and silver, a great combination...

A while back I made this metal cone/ tussie mussie out of an old screen, I liked it a bunch but there was just something about it that I thought needed a bit of tweeking. So I pulled the ribbon off of it that I had used to cover the raw edges and the construction bits and as soon as I did I knew that was the problem... less is more!

Oh and I took off the ribbon that I had used as a hanger and added this silver chain instead.  I dusted it with a bit of glitter and when the glue dried and the glitter stuck it looked a bit like sparkling white paint. 

 and now it hangs in the kitchen on the china cabinet with a little primrose giving all who see it a sign and hope of spring and I just needed to share it with you!  I just adore it and will definitely be making more, I just needed to work out the kinks :) 

I have also been soldering again, and I had my brother Wil over to play last week, these are almost finished, I just need to add the jumprings.

These are the backs, I made my MIL a bookmark out of one for her birthday and I plan on doing the same with these.  I will show you again when I have them finished ~  consider yourself warned!

I made another one with a bit of crochet trim enclosed inside, they are a bit trickier but I do love the results.

Have I ever told you I have a thing for older men?  I do!  I can't help myself, I see these old pictures of a man in a suit and his lil hat and I just NEED to create something with him!  I have put a piece of a dictionary page behind him from the letter O... original, just because you just know he was one!

And last but not least, just in case you thought my sewing machine was sitting idle, Danielle was going on a whirlwind trip to TX. for a comedy festival ( which is why she was missing from the b-day trip pics) and she asked me to make her a small tote to have with her at the festival.  You know I can't hardly say no to my kids, so there I was as she was packing to leave,  sewing and ruffling her new bag :)  She found the graphics and I ironed them on.  This one was really quick and simple, even the handle is made of drop cloth, we skipped the rosette,  and no snap (only because she already had one foot in the car!)

So there you have it... I wanted to assure you that I haven't been sitting on my duff watching the world go by!  

O.k. o.k.... I've been doing a bit of that too :)

I am linking up to White Wednesday, Wow Us Wednesdays, and Link Love... 

what can I say, I'm a creature of habit!

Thanks for stopping by!

Theresa xoxo

last treat in the birthday bag!

Oh my goodness, yesterday was a busy busy day, so I didn't get to post the last treat for the goody bag, 

 so here you go...

The winner will be able to choose a flower from my etsy, The Old White House, any color of your choosing.

If you would like one a bit smaller than the 6" to 7" ones that I have listed I can do that for you... me I'm a bit eccentric at times and like to wear them big!  Really, I wear them all of the time, they go with everything and I swear that whenever I wear one someone compliments me on it.  That always makes me feel good so maybe tomorrow I will wear 2 or 3!  :)

I really have to wrap this up, no lengthy post tonight, I snatched the computer while Duane wasn't looking and he just walked back in the room!!!!!

EEEEEK!!!

So there you have it... the winner will receive the drop cloth ruffled tote bag, a soldered pendant, a burlap rosette, 2 vintage postcards, 1 flower frog and a big fluffy flower for you to add to your favorite spring outfit!

Wasn't that a fun Birthday Party?   Who's up for a little pin the tail on the donkey?

Remember, all you have to do is

* leave a comment on any of the birthday posts

*become a follower if you are not one already

easy peasy, lemon squeazy!

The winner will be announced tomorrow!

Love ya!

Theresa xoxo