Is It Easter Already?

I was in D.C. all this week so while I’ve thought about the season, mostly I was holdup in a hotel with lots of meetings, dinners, etc.  Now it’s time to focus on the season with THE most beautiful colors.  The world seems to go from brown to pastel in a matter of days with some of the softest, most beautiful fragrances found in nature floating through the air.  I love spring.  

 Currently scents of lily-of-the-valley, banana shrub (a life-long favorite blossom) and viburnum Korean Spice Carlesii create the most delicate fragrance everywhere you walk in my garden.  Being outdoors right now is a gift from heaven above.

So now that I’m home I’m focused on the season and I’m very excited to have the grandgirls for the holiday!!!   We’ve got a GREAT weekend planned and I know I’ll soon have photos to share but meanwhile we’ve bought new dresses, straw handbags which are going to double this year as their Easter baskets and they are filled with goodies.   Lots of plans and I’m looking forward to getting away for some family time.

One thing I realize as I’ve gotten older is that I miss some of the special small details that used to be a part of Easter.  For instance, remember when hat and gloves were required for Easter Sunday?

Or what about the sugar eggs?

 I played with many a paper doll and treasure the memories of imaginary play.   Just in case you decide to do something nostalgic during the week, here's a link to a very special activity.

No matter what you are doing this week as we celebrate the Easter season, I hope you are enjoying spring. 

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper to enjoy Seasonal Sunday. 

Atlanta's 31st Annual Heart Ball

Over the past year I've spent a lot of time focused on fundraising and friendraising for the American Heart Association. It all started with one of our employees came to me asking if we could hold a GO RED FOR WOMEN campaign, explaining that heart disease runs in her family.   This employee has lost family members to heart disease and she works hard to maintain her heart every day.   So the year long fundraising began.  We sold carnations, held an oatmeal bar, casual days and a karaoke night and we raised some money.

I blogged about Atlanta's Go Red For Women luncheon last June.  You can read about it here.  I'm still amazed that I got seated up close and personal with Star Jones!

Last night was the biggie, the Heart Ball, a black-tie affair.   As I was planning ahead for this event I was feeling some of the pain that some of the blogging "mothers-of the-bride" have been blogging about.  Pondside and Pat at Mille Fiori Favoriti have both posted about this recently.  Let me tell you that it is not easy to find a dress that is figure flattering while being age appropriate without breaking the bank.   I felt I came out lucky after 3 weeks of shopping, finally finding my gown at Macy's for $80!!!  My girlfriend ended up paying nearly $800 at Saks. 

 I wish I had more pictures but when you carry a small evening bag, there is no place to store your camera.  

We had a great time but given the prices of the items up for auction, I made sure to keep my paddle on the table! 

The auction might have been for a great cause but those auction items were expensive!

My son was having a fit that we were able to spend time with the Atlanta Falcon's head coach, Mike Smith.  

So now it's time to put away the gown and all the glittery accessories but for an evening it was fun playing dress up.

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday. 

Under the Tuscan Sun Cookbook - Frances Mayes in Atlanta!

 Frances Mayes was at the Atlanta History Center last night, sharing stories about Italy, food, friends and life at Bramasole.    

 Of course the new cookbook was on sale and I was lucky enough to get one of the last books, which of course I got autographed last night.  I couldn't wait to get home and share some of the stories with my husband and my son.   

Now I'm ready to go to Italy, oh yes, and of course cook!

Fruition String Band Comes To Town!

 If you've read my blog for any length of time you know that my daughter Mimi is a musician and how lucky we are that her band, Fruition String Band took a break and a detour through Atlanta while on tour.   Maybe it was the luck of the Irish, but we were even more lucky that they held a private concert last night.  

So many old and new friends came out to enjoy the concert and it was beautiful to watch the sunset with the Atlanta skyline in the background.

Such beautiful sights and sounds.  Wonderful memories by the fire.   My heart is full.

Fruition will be in town another day before heading back to New Orleans to continue their tour but for now, we are enjoying our Fruition friends and family.

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper to celebrate Seasonal Sundays.  I hope you will stop by to see what other bloggers are up to this season.

Venus and Jupiter Dance

Did you get a chance to sit out under the stars last night?   It was pure romance sitting under a beautiful clear sky during the blue hour, watching Venus and Jupiter shine brightly.   Click here to learn more about this stellar event. 

I'm hoping for another show tonight.

Eddie Ross, Antiquing and Auctions

 It's been an exciting 24 hours!

Before the crowds arrived

Heaps of STUFF!!

 Have you ever been to an auction?   I've been to plenty of silent auctions for charities but since my childhood days I'd always wanted to go to antique auction and last night I did. 

Things really were hanging from the rafters

   It was pure luck that we found this place to even know about the auction that was held in this in this warehouse which is tucked away in a very run down industrial part of southwest Atlanta. 

Dogs allowed at  the auction

 When we got to the warehouse you could smell food on the smoker and that was only the beginning.   Inside the warehouse there were musty smells mixed with the smell of good food.   Long tables were just inside the front door and plenty of people were eating red beans and rice, cabbage and sausage, smoked chicken, grilled vegetables, hot dogs and more.   There was a bar with plenty of beer and wine being served as people were browsing around mounds and shelves of furniture, household goods, odds and ends and more.   We registered, got a number and went to get some dinner before the auction began.    It was as much fun as I thought it would be.   The auctioning began at 6:30 and by 8:30 there were still mountains of items to be auctioned and space was now packed with people, standing room only.  

From a Carnival float...went for a hefty price too!

 One of my favorite moments was when the auctioneer started the bid on the chrome of a 1957 Thunderbird.  As the bid began, eight or more men went at it bidding the price up to $475.   

I love the girly stuff

 My husband and I bid on several things but I walked out with a beautiful marble topped table and a pair of Dresden lamps.  

I'm not sure how many more lamps I can squeeze in my house

 Today was so much fun!!   Eddie Ross was in town and I'd signed up to go through Scott Antiques Market with him.  I go to SAM every month but I knew it would be an experience to shop with an expert.   

I wouldn't have noticed this piece...so cool!

Finding an amazing fabric

We looked at several booths with linens

Loved this one

And lots of silver...my favorite.

These cordial glasses

Eddie and Jaithan are the best shopping company.

Aren't these baby spoons precious?

 The shopping tour was everything I'd hoped it would be.   

Before I turn off my new lamp, I'm off to start some seeds...it's almost time for planting.

Thank you Mr. Jojo...re-wired, new finial and silk shade

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.

Rain, Coffee and Friends

Last night the storms kept me up so I was tempted to sleep in this morning, watch movies and read.   Instead we got up and drove about 40 miles, through the rain to have coffee with our friends Judy and Jeff.  Judy and Jeff were our neighbors for eighteen years. 

Party time in '98

During those years we raised our children, decorated our homes, held yard sales, gardened, dreamed, did lots of laughing and crying together, but most of all had lots of coffee talk. 

Starbucks - yay!

   In 2005 we both sold our homes with Judy moving further south and us heading north.  It was a sad day for us both.  I  could not have dreamed up better a better neighbor and friend.  I treasure those years.

Moving day 2005

  Today would have been a perfect day to sleep in and read but instead I enjoyed something even better - coffee with Judy.

 

 I'm linking up with The Tablescaper

celebrating Seasonal Sunday.