Easter Roses

Our roses are blooming just in time for our Easter Pot-luck. I hope I'm still standing by Sunday, a flu bug has hit the kids and hubby. I'm desperately trying not to get it too but I'm way out-numbered. If you don't hear from me before Easter I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating with your family and friends....and please save a chocolate bunny for me!
Happy Easter!
Dawn

Special O. Basketball Tournament

Yesterday we attended our regional S.O. basketball tournament in Fresno, CA. We took two teams and a group of individual skills competitors. Here athletes waited for the open ceremony to begin.

My son is #5 and at 17 is the youngest on this team. S.O. is open to individuals age 8 and up and is divided by skill level. Competitions are broken into many levels so that as many athletes as possible can take home medals. Everyone leaves with a great sense of accomplishment.

These athletes may be "special" but they are talented and just as intent as any other athlete. Maybe even more so because their season is 8 weeks of practice for one tournament. They play 2 or 3 games all in one long, exhausting day. In the past the tournament was 2 days and the division winners went on to a Northern California Championship tournament. It was canceled this year because S.O. is run entirely on donations and they are way down as a result of the economy.

It gets very physical and emotional because this is their one shot for a whole year to compete against other teams.

It's a big day for family and friends too. My parents are always big supporters. Hubby helps coach sometimes and the athletes love to tease him about his ever present Bronco's hat.

This was the gold medal game for our division. It was a great, close game but the other team pulled ahead in the fourth period. It ended on an exciting buzzer-beating 3 point shot by our team but it wasn't enough and we took home the silver medal.

In the end,

these bright eyes,

and that big grin

are all the prize

we could hope for.

Gooseberry Patch Giveaway

I know many of you would love a chance to win these boxes from Gooseberry Patch so I'm helping Sweet Bee spread the word about her giveaway. You see, she has a new love in her life so it's out with the old in with the new! Click on the photo to enter her giveaway. While you're at Sweet Bee Cottage make sure you meet her new dreamy love on the sidebar. It will make the romantic in you swoon!

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Today is my first time joining Show Off Your Cottage Monday. Our host is Cielo at The house in the roses. Please stop by and join in this whimsical cottage tour. You're sure to find many magical things along the way.

So what says cottage to you?

Florals and vintage images always say cottage to me, especially when decoupaged on cute little eggs.

This green wire tea cup certainly says cottage garden, but I thought the eggs would look nice peeking through on the mantel.

This beautiful egg shaped tin whispered cottage to me from across the thrift store. The stand is actually a glass floor protector that you put under the legs of furniture. Yes, I said glass. You see plastic or rubber ones in the hardware stores now. I have several of these that Hubby's grandmother used.

The back side of the egg is a floral pattern.

Well, look who hopped in. This happy rabbit was a gift from my mother. Thanks mom. He's full of cottage whimsy,

and so are the little friends he brought along. Can you find all three of them?

My spring heart from Kathy's Cottage. Everything Kathy makes is full of cottage charm.

I had tried this spring banner but it wasn't quite right. The burlap heart said "spring at the cottage" in a more subtle way. Don't mind that little white box, pretend it doesn't exist, that's what I do.

Now about that rose print that is still leaning against the mirror. I have a question for you all. I haven't been happy with the mirror for a while. Most of the time all it reflects is the ceiling fan. I love the frame though and it's the right size for that area. I'm also starting to like the white around the red frame. Have you ever hung something on a mirror? I'm thinking I could use fishing line to hang the print from the same hook that holds the mirror on the picture rail. So please let me know, does a print over a mirror say "whimsical cottage" or just plain "crazy"?

Feels Like Spring....In the Attic

It's a beautiful day in Central California, Sunny and 74 with a little breeze.

The perfect Spring day!

I thought I'd share this little book of Hummer's from the attic.

Now doesn't that put you in a Springy mood?

Red and Green Wednesday

It's Irish Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World.

I wasn't prepared but I threw together this red and green mosaic from photos I already had on my computer this morning. Please visit Sue and the other participants for posts that are a wee bit more Irish! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sleepy Bunnies

Wake up! Wake up! Easter is only 3 weeks away! I think baby bunny is feeling the effects of springing forward. Just like my kids this morning, she's murmuring "Just five more minutes, pleeeease!"

I found this lovely cookie jar at Goodwill. It doesn't have any markings but reminds of of something from Beatrix Potter. Don't you just love her little lace collar and bow?

I'm afraid I've not been around to vist much lately but hope to have some time soon.

Hugs,
Dawn

Rednesday ~ Rose Print

It's Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World. Please visit our wonderful hostess Sue and see how a shot of beautiful red can brighten your day.

Roses in a shabby red frame.

Need I say more?


No, but you know I will so here's the story.

I was at Strawberry Saturday just to browse one day. I wasn't planning on buying anything. I was just killing time between running errands and picking up the kids. I walked in and Cheryl told me she got a new shipment of pictures in. She indicated they were stacked in the back as she hadn't priced them yet but I could look through them. I thanked her but walked the opposite direction, knowing my walls were full I was determined to avoid that pile. "I've got shabby roses this time", she added like it was an afterthought. Oh, she knows my weaknesses so well! As my mind was saying, "No, no, no..." my body did an about face and literally ran to the pile. This beauty was right on top, I'm sure she saw me coming and did it on purpose! I left with it and two others. I'm not a compulsive shopper, really I'm not, but when it's love at first sight you can't fight it. Right?

Thinking of You!

This is just a quick post to let you all know I'm thinking about you. I appreciate all the nice comments and will be by to visit as soon as I can. The photo is of Mickey trying to figure out what the pool sweeper is and how he can get to it on the other side of the safety fence. It was the first time he'd seen it run and was mesmerized by it. I'm off to Special Olympics basketball practice now. "See" you soon!

Hugs,

Dawn

Feeling Groovy

How do you make laundry fun? Add some mod decals to brighten up the place! As you go through your chores this week be thankful for modern appliances! Can you imagine using a washboard or taking your clothes to the nearest creek?