OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY/ SPRING FEVER TOO SOON!

The calendar only says February 9th.  But as I look out my window and  see more snowflakes swirling about. I come to  realize I have been bitten by a bad case of spring fever.  I begin daydreaming of my beautiful lilacs picked daily while their in bloom.

 To the side of my home, slowly  filling up with ivy.



And my pansies!   Planting them in April last year was such a treat!  So often, we have to wait until early May to get things started here in Wisconsin.

To my surprisingly lovely Baby's Breath.  I was so thrilled, I didn't know I had it in me!

And to the bright red geraniums I hang on our front porch~  oh how I miss these!

And to my painted daisies, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they did.   It could be our kitties, you know.  They like to use it as their litter box in the warmer months.  All that fertilizer must be working.
So there you have it.   I am dreaming of Spring too soon.  But, by golly, a girl can dream can't she?
Go say hi to our hostess Susan for  more OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY POSTS.   Cindy

MAD TOWN!!

Madison, Wisconsin.  Our state capital.  Home of the University of Wisconsin.  I attended school here and Son and Dil are both alumni.     During the warmer months, state street is a place you can just sit and be entertained for hours. 

   Hubby and I took a fun  little get-away here last week-end. We used to go often,when my son and dil were living here.  Since they have moved to Tempe, it's been less frequent.    . 

We spent a bit of our time walking state street but it was BRRRR cold so we ended up ducking in shops a lot.
Also on our agenda was a little tour of the Veterans Museum.  We both love history and we both love free!

This museum is beautiful, a wonderful tribute to our veterans.

It's also  very realistic and filled with great memorabilia and touching tributes.

My little mosaic, filled with lot's of blue! The quilt was made in 1901, in honor of Wisconsin Civil War Veterans. It looked like it had been made last week, it was in such great condition. 

This desk was utterly amazing!  I wish I could have gotten closer, but it was roped off a bit.

My Dad was a veteran of WWII.  He enlisted in the Navy at the tender age of 17.  It was 1944, just the tail end and then he served through the Korean Conflict. 

These pieces were pretty awesome!   I wish antique road show had been around.  I would have loved to known their value.

I am joining Mary @ Little Red House for Mosaic Monday. 

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

Please stop by and visit their blogs!

Cindy

Valentine Table for Four.

I am excited to share my table today.   My napkins, place mats, and napkin rings came from my good friend Loretta, @ Under the Wild Cherry Trees.  I was the lucky winner of her most recent give-away and the goodies that arrived were the inspiration for my table! 

I love the place mats and napkins and the heart napkin rings.  I didn't have Lacey chargers so I used a lace paper doilie .  The heart shaped bowls are from Michaels, only .99 cents each. 

A side view.

The cake stand was a Christmas Present from my dear hubby.  You can change the ribbon to fit the occasion, so cool.  I had valentine ribbon from the Dollar Tree, and it worked perfectly.  I spent a $1.09 for a yard of red tulle and just wrapped it around the base.  The angels were all thrift store finds.  I only paid .50 cents for the smaller ones and maybe $2 for the bigger one I place on the cake pedestal.

These little angels were one's I won from Glenda @ a Dab of This and That.  I had them out for Christmas, but they work great for Valentine's too!  The heart shaped votive came from Wally World.

I also found this angel glass candle holder at a thrift shop only .50 cents.

I found 4 British Castles dinner plates @ TJ Maxx.  They were marked at 3.99 a piece, so I grabbed them up quick.  I will add to them as I find pieces.  $16.00 isn't bad for 4 of these dinner plates.

The little white plates are very Lacey and delicate looking.  They are Noritake Ivory, only $2 for 4 of them.

But valentine dinners need to be by candlelight to get the best effect.

My artsy photos.

A beautiful, soft glow.

A stand on the chair view.  Yikes!!  What we won't do for blogging!

All the candles and votives are lit.

One more artsy frame.

One more view.    If I was super ambitious, I would have a poem.  Instead, I am having my Mom and her Beau over for dinner this Saturday night.  Any menu suggestions?  Great recipes?  I know my dessert, lava cake from Paula Dean.  But that's it!  I need your ideas!!   I have one more thing that Loretta sent.  It's this adorable valentine heart that she made.

Isn't that great!!  I love it, she is a talented lady!  Go say hi and look at the pics of her home, their gorgeous! 
Oh, she sent candy too, but I ate that already!  It was very good!
I am linking to the following blog parties.

Tablescape Thursday
Thrifty Thursday
Show and Tell Friday

Thanks to our hostesses!  It's a big time commitment every week to do these blog parties!  Cindy