Colin's Creatures

I, like many others out there in blog land, love little lambs and sheep. I was so excited to receive several sheep and lambs from Colin's Creatures for my birthday.

Colin Richmond, from Asheville, North Carolina, has been hand-crafting sheep and a wide variety of animals for almost twenty years. His sheep include sixty breeds of six inch tall sheep with lambs included. He travels to many countries all over the world observing different breeds of sheep so that he might capture their essence and facial features in his creations.

Richmond uses "porcelain to bring detail to each figure's head, legs and horns. A cast stone composes the body, for stability and a substantial feel." Woven fur of wool, mohair and alpaca are used to cover these beautiful creatures. 

I was impressed that this artist sent along a handwritten note thanking my husband, mother and niece and nephew-in-law for the purchases. They found him wonderful to work with. 

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone!

I am linking up with parties at the following:

From My Front Porch To Yours

The Difference Between Us

 I watched the Louisville vs. Duke game during March Madness. After that game the Louisville player, Kevin Ware was on almost every person's mind who watched the game. I wondered like everyone else how he was doing when I woke up the next morning. How was his leg? Would he be able to play ball again after the horrific break?  

But I also wondered about someone else after the game. Anyone watching the game saw the replays of the Louisville bench after the terrible injury suffered by Ware.  His teammates on the bench recoiled as they witnessed the break in his leg (a normal and understandable response for anyone who saw this), but one young teammate reacted differently.  He stood and walked toward him with his arms open wide. He stopped after a few steps, apparently realizing he could do nothing. But he reacted differently than all his other teammates on the bench. He walked toward instead of recoiling from the gruesome scene.

I always marvel at those who ran up the stairs of the Twin Towers as they were crashing to the ground. The total abandonment of worry for self. The determination to help any person in need. The inner voice that says, "Fight" instead of "Flight".  The unselfish acts of heroism that will live on beyond any act of terror.

I look at the images from Boston and watch the video of some who aren't security or police officers pulling back a security fence and rushing in to help. I see a man take off his shirt and give it to a person in need. I see a man stooped over a victim, speaking words of comfort. They are not doctors or police officers or military but they still feel called and so they walk toward instead of away from the devastation.

While some of us run for safety, what is it that make some rush in to help without even stopping to think about the chance they might be taking of becoming another victim?

I don't know the answer. I may have learned about a study or theory for the difference during my Psychology classes in college...but I can't remember them now. Is it a learned behavior? I'm not sure if you can teach that. It almost seems to be instinctual when you watch the quick reaction. It's as if they know that they are meant to help as others wonder, "What should I do?" 

The only thing I do know is they are made of a "metal" that can only be tested in times of tragedy.  A kind of strength is possessed by these individuals that can't even be understood by the likes of those who think they can ease their pain by inflicting it on others. While those cowards shrink like plastic hiding in dark places, these heroes stand in the light and shine as we look on in awe.  And in doing so, they leave an impression that no bomb could ever match.

The Easter Mantel

I just couldn't wait any longer. After all, Easter is just a few days away. I've been waiting and waiting, as many of you have, for the days to become warmer. A sunny day will have to do.  Today is the day the outdoor fireplace's mantel was addressed. The decision of what materials to use was made easy for me by one fact... I'm allergic to moss! I love all the moss Easter decor I have this year but I have discovered I am allergic to either the moss or the treatment it goes through before it is sold. So out the door to the patio with you. my marvelous moss. 

Today's pictures are just of the mantel. The date of the decking out of the patio will be determined by Mother Nature. Let's hope she finds a warm spot in her heart for us all...soon!

I love this Saint Francis of Assisi statue. We have had him several years and he usually holds bird seed instead of balls of moss. This statue is special to me because my oldest daughter and I visited Assisi when we were in Italy five years ago.  When we visited the Basilica of San Francesco D'Assisi, it was one of the most moving and spiritual experiences of my life. I love that Pope Francis took his name after this wonderful saint, who not only did so much for the poor, but is also known for his love of all creatures. 

The wreath was made with a grapevine wreath as the base. The fern, flowers and moss were added along with the cranberry colored burlap ribbon.

My moss bunny got a bow tie out of the ribbon and was added to the outdoor mantel.

 Do you see the moss growing along the edge of the fireplace?This is occurring on our patio as well.... I love it!

Have a wonderful Easter!

I'm linking up with the following blogs:

Le Chateau Des Fleurs

My Romantic Home

French Country Cottage

Jennifer Rizzo

Stone Gable

Common Ground

From My Front Porch To Yours

Rooted in Thyme

 A Closer Look At Easter and the Hydrangea

 Easter is a time that just makes me want to look beyond what seems apparent. Let's take this basket filled with a hydrangea plant, for example. It's just an old egg basket that needed some sort of purpose.

It needed a little something to bring life to it. A seemingly common thing was placed in this cold, hard space. There were other hydrangeas that looked pretty much like this one when I found it in the grocery store... but this one drew me to it.

I know you can see how inviting it is. It's fresh... nothing fake or artificial about this plant. 

It blooms in clusters...a plant that seems to long for communion instead of asking eyes to be feasted upon the glory of one blossom.

But let's face it, there are some blooms that just stand out even if their intent is to bring other blooms together in a cluster.

It is so brilliant and beautiful... even through the little scars left on it from rubbing up against the other blooms...my eyes are just drawn to it.

It can be placed in between two others but my eye is still drawn to it. 

And even when I take my eye off it, and look at an entire blossom...

Or get lost looking at the entire plant in the weathered basket...in the cold space it has been placed.
Even when I forget...

Isn't it lovely that it still brings beauty and warmth, and is still in communion with the others. 

Have a beautiful week!

I'm linking with:

The Dedicated House

Mod Vintage Life

Coastal Charm

Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life

Hippity Hoppity

Just wanted to drop in to share a snippit of our Easter decor.

Meet Hippity Hoppity.

I don't know if it is because he has a cane or simply because he is a rabbit I bring out at Easter, but that's what he's called around here.

I purchased this bird with Hippity Hoppity the Easter after our house fire. I love the little flower on her head which, with the ribbon, gives the appearance of a bonnet...an Easter bonnet.

The moss on the bottom of the little bird statue ties in well with the moss used in the spring decor across the foyer in our dining room.

Have a wonderful first day of spring!

I'm linking up with the following:
The Honeysuckle Bus Stop
No Minimalist Here
From My Front Porch To Yours
Savvy Southern Style
Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

The Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Hi, Everyone! Here are a few pictures from the parade in Charlotte, NC.  Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you always.

An Etsy Easter Fashion Parade

Etsy is a familiar place to all in blog land. I love shopping for vintage and hand made decor items there. Today, however, is all about the fashion.

"In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,

You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade."

This Easter bonnet from the 1940s by The Dress Box is available for purchase from  Telesca. 

These pink Easter gloves from the 1960s can be purchased from
Forgotten Closet.



These sweet little ballet slippers would be so cute on any little girl and are available in sizes Newborn through 5 Toddler. These are sold by Baby Souls.



I love this blue bow tie with white dots for the boys. This is sold by Because I'm Me.

The enamel and gilded rabbit brooch measures 1.75" long and is available at Shoppeg.




Oh, how I love this little honey bunny coat by Little Goodall.
It comes in sizes 12m to 4 toddler. 



How about a Mr. Cottontail Rabbit Charm Bracelet from Blackberry Designs?  I think it is a perfect pairing with any Easter outfit.



This hand painted pastel silk scarf is beautiful and would be a great addition to any spring inspired ensemble. This scarf is sold by Quirky Concepts.



This little infant Easter dress is from the 1930's. It is made of silk and lace and is sold by Salvato Collection.

And at the end of the fashion parade is:



A woman's spring coat in blue from the 1960s. Look at the intricate cording and rhinestone details! It is available for purchase when you shop 
Red Ruby Retro.


I hope you have enjoyed this Etsy inspired Easter Parade and will visit the shops where these fashions were found.