Texas Bluebonnet Blog Hop

Hi Friends!

So glad you stopped by for a visit today.

It's springtime in Texas

and

the Texas bloggers are welcoming the new season in with a little inspiration

from the Texas Bluebonnet Blog Hop.

Stacey 

from

Poofing the Pillows

is our creator for today's blog hop.

and 

I hope you will stop over and say hello

and visit the many participating today too.

************************

When I begin to style for a new season,

it usually means, cleaning and rearranging.

This spring finds me doing that and more

in my sitting room.

I first begin by taking everything away

and doing a good cleaning.

I remove all the accessories, wall art and more.

Notice the dust mop to the right?

It's my pride and joy and was my grandmother's from the 40's 

or maybe even earlier.

It's a work horse to reach those areas a vacuum can't.

If I had to run out of my house in a hurry, 

this is something I'd take with me.

Next, 

I completely empty and clean the mantel and fireplace.

Once the cleaning is done,

I gather my inspirational pieces from around the house 

and in my prop closet.

Here are some of those piece

 and 

I must confess, a few new goodies this year too.

I found this HOME pillow last year and love it.

As you can see, I'm going a bit pastel this season.

S

Some new art work this year.

This piece is a Texas treasure and I love it.

The artist is Paul Valencay.

Horses in a watercolor wash of aqua shades of blue.

Love it!!

Then I got busy and

 created this new banner for the mantel.

I simply stenciled SPRING

on cardboard banner shapes atop

pretty scrapbook papers.

I can turn it around and stencil summer in the future.

So now let's put it all together and see the before and after for spring.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Now you know me~ 

I make furniture switches all the time.

If you remember,

the red plaid chair that I placed here after Christmas~ still love it 

but, it went to the master bedroom where I have touches of red

and

 these vintage wicker chairs came from that space.

Perfect for spring!

Love them here better.

Lots of light streaming in makes this the sunniest room in my home.

I left the black and neutral design rug for an anchor piece

and

to balance off the darker pieces in the room.

So this is the beginning of spring inside my Texas cottage.

Here are a few little views from around the room.

Thank you for visiting today.

Before I go I'll leave you with one of my favorite Texas wildflowers to paint.

The 

Bluebonnet!

Come join the fun and visit the Texas Bloggers sharing springtime.

Have a great weekend.

xo

http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=614513" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up

Around the Garden

Looks like an early spring

for us

in the Lone Star State!

We've had strong storms this week.

Spelling out~

Welcome to Texas in the springtime!

Before the storms,

I took a walk in my garden.

So many of the plants and blooms lasted all winter

for the first time ever!

Here is what greeted me in the garden~

Camellia all in red and blooming gorgeous!

They've been blooming since February.

Pretty light blue pansies.

The color is stunning!

Violas and rosemary all in bloom.

Gardenia's in white and dark green leaves.

Day-lilies popped up through the ground and thriving.

Berries on the trees in brilliant red.

The birds are very happy munching away in the trees.

The ferns made it through the winter over the pool shed!

Carolina Jasmine sunny and bright in yellow.

and

A few first pink roses.

Yes

Spring is here

and

soon we will be here~~

Are you seeing signs of springtime?

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

xo

Be sure and stop by the blog hop from Texas tomorrow.

 joining

Thoughts of Home on Thursday

Life's New Chapter and First Home Office Views

Recently I shared with you that I've been working on a new home office

for Mr. Southern DayDreams.

It is nearly finished and I'll have more and better pics soon.

Till then,

here are a few small  previews.

Life just brings changes as we travel our path.

Ups and downs along the way till we reach a new chapter in life.

The new chapter can be of great excitement and joy.

This spring, my hubby as you know him to be "My Best Guy"

met a long time goal he set for himself in his career,
 and that goal was to retire at this time of his life and age.

Closing one chapter in his journey

and ready to open the next.

He retired, or as I like to think, finished a chapter in his book and ready to embark on a new path.

Realizing he still wants to help others and consult in his chosen field.

He has traveled the country and beyond helping many others. 

Now that path will continue as he embarks on his own business

for however long God will bless him with this gift to do so.

And Yes,

 it is a gift. 

Hard work played a big role of course to this point, but God's direction lead the way.

With that direction, my best guy closed one office with retirement

only to need a new one to work in from Home.

A place to be comfortable with the demands of his new work load.

A home space to house the many treasures he's collected,

 shelves for the books

 and walls to hold the memories.

As you might know, I am always in my element creating and decorating a room.

This one is no different.

Taking a first floor guestroom and transforming it into an office.

The perfect spot right off the entry way.

Oh this makes me so happy to create this space for him.

I'm using metal, wood and leather.

Barn wood and distressed pieces with a few antiques.

 I took on the search  in all my treasure hunts to find just the right pieces.

Art work we've both loved and gathered from travels.

I'm calling this room~

"Industrial Farmhouse"  of sorts.

Masculine, but with softness and comfort.

As we look out to the future~

We are thankful to have reached this time and place in our lives.

It is fabulous and special.

It is a new beginning and blessing that we are so thankful for.

I'm  finishing up the room now and will share the completion soon.

Thank you for stopping by.

Be Blessed

xo

JOINING

COOKING AND CRAFTING WITH J&J

Roses of Inspiration