We couldn't take it anymore

Things just haven't been the same around here

since we lost Bella back in January.

We just couldn't take it anymore.

So, we've added a new member to our family.

It's time to move on; time for a new beginning.

Meet Scarlett,

or at least that's her name right now.

She was born on Valentine's Day 

and we got her yesterday evening.

We've had a hard time deciding on a name

so the next time you read about her, 

I could be calling her something else

(Harlow, Marlowe, Bailey, Bijou, who knows?)

Maisy loves her.

They play constantly.

Little 4 pound Maisy has no idea

that little Scarlett will be 70 pounds in no time.

She thinks they are the same size.

Ballou is thrilled that Maisy has someone

to play with so maybe now she will leave Ballou alone.

Ballou is 10 years old and has no interest

in the nonsense of young pups.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend.

Happy Easter

what a day

What a day it was around here today.  Approximately 6-12 tornadoes

touched down across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

I was at work, at an elementary school in far south Fort Worth near I-20, working with a graduate student who was providing speech-language therapy services to two young fourth grade students.

We were in "duck and cover" mode for two hours in a small office.

The two young students were scared I'm sure but they were so awesome.

They were mature, followed instructions, remained calm and quiet at all time,

and stayed in that uncomfortable duck and cover position off and on 

with out one complaint; no whiny, no panic, nothing.

My son was texting me from across town at his school.

He said his administrators had assured them

they were in no "imminent" danger and he was fine but

 a little upset they had cut short his lunch period to get all of the students

to safe locations within the school.

(His cafeteria area is surrounded by huge windows which is not safe.) 

Sometimes kids just amaze me.

Luckily, the tornadoes missed our area.

Other areas were hard hit but as of this moment

we are hearing that there are no serious injuries or deaths.

Thank goodness.

wfaa.com

wfaa.com
That is an 18 wheeler being hurled around in the air.

Quick

Cute!

I picked up this inexpensive red metal lamp

at World Market last weekend.

Cuter!

They had an inexpensive burlap shade to go with it.

Cutest!

I added a little red stripe in less than a minute.

Two more months until school is out around here and I can't wait!

This year has been one of my craziest years at work

(the kind that makes you actually think about how soon you can retire; 

unfortunately that's a long way off for me)

 I am so looking forward to summer.

Hopefully by then I can catch up on projects,

post more often and leave more comments on your blogs as well.

booth update

Just a quick post to let you know

that Jennie and I updated our booth

at Lonestar Antique Mall.

If you're in the area, we hope you'll stop by

and check it out along with all of the other great vendors there.

blog link: Collected Goods

porch decorating...in stages

In my last post I mentioned how it takes a bit of work 

to keep a front porch looking good all year round.  

As winter around here comes to an end and spring begins,

we packed away all of the winter stuff and have started with a clean slate for spring.

Transforming the porch always happens in stages around here.

First we take everything off the porch and clean it.

Then we bring back the basics; the furniture, plant stands and accent pieces.

 In addition to the old metal bench (that was once a bed),

I brought in these two old metal chairs I bought from my cousin.

 I added some inexpensive seat cushions.

 Next, we added our plants and fresh flowers.

 This old planter looks better already.

 Then we position everything where we want it.

Sometimes this means moving some heavy pieces 

a little bit to the left...no back to the right a wee bit.

 I take a look at everything from all different angles

to make sure I like it.

 Later, we'll add the finishing touches.

Perhaps a few more cute pillows and 

some things on the window table.

 Finally, a little something different on the front door.

 I wanted something different from the usual wreath.

I decided to use this old doorbell I found on etsy

a few months ago.

I like it but not sure if it's enough.

My son doesn't like it.  

He thinks people will stand at the door

trying to figure out how to make it ring

so we'll answer the door.

I assured him only his fellow teenage friends will do that

until they remember the real doorbell is just to their right.

Spring changes

Spring is arriving here in north Texas

and with it comes changes.

This particular picture below of my front porch apparently is popular.

I get several notices per day that it has been pinned and re-pinned on

Pinterest. 

I'm not sure why it is so popular.  

Some like the window table while others like the bench.  

I've read comments about nearly every little detail in this picture.  

You know what?  This picture certainly doesn't tell the whole story.

Front porches are wonderful but can be quite a bit of work.

Now that winter is coming to an end around here,

it's time to change up the front porch...and it doesn't start out pretty.

All of the dead plants were removed before the Christmas holidays

and this planter was filled with red ornaments and poinsettias.

Those are all gone now too.  It's been empty for a couple of months.

 

Wreaths off the door, holiday and winter decorations put away

and the porch is relatively bare.

Winter blankets and pillows are put away.

The porch is a mess with winter debris and dirt...

and did you notice something missing in the table?

It's missing an original pane of glass.  

Like most parts of the country, we had a crazy winter here;

one day it was freezing with snow flurries and 

the next day it was sunny and really warm.

I guess the extreme and quick fluctuations in temperatures

caused the table to expand and contract weakening the hold

on the glass and this pane fell out and broke.

We're getting a replacement.

Everything is out of place and dirty...

...or bare.

It all has to be cleaned and packed away for another season.

Little changes are coming soon though.

Here is a sneak peak.

I'm on spring break this week.

yay!