Pink Calla Lily

My son-in-law planted some pots for my daughter and take a look at the fabulous pink calla lily.

Isn't this pink calla lily just magnificent, it's color is just beautiful? 


Linking to:
Color Connection on Fridays
Sharing at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday
Scenic Sunday
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
The House in the Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Alderberry Hill for Make the Scene Monday
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Outdoor Wednesday
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday


Black Swallowtail Butterfly

What a surprised I had when I went out to cut some lilac blooms in my yard. There on the blooms was a black swallowtail butterfly. Of course, I didn't have my camera, only sheers to cut the branches, I hurried back to the house, grabbed my camera and prayed the butterfly would still be there. Oh yes, it was still there and look what I captured.
Wasn't that just fabulous? Love it, so glad he waited for me to return.

The life cycle of a butterfly is always interesting yet fun for kids to learn. I borrowed and sited these images that show the stages of it's life cycle below.


Linking to:
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Favorite Photo Monday


Outdoor Wednesday
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
Nik at Floral Friday Fotos

Lilacs in Bloom

The inspiration for my post today came from right outside my kitchen window. My lilacs are in full bloom and the aroma is incredible. I'll open the shade and give you a quick look at my tablescape and a view of my lilacs in bloom in the yard.



I have been waiting for them to bloom so I could create a lilac tablescape. They are Dwarf Korean lilacs and generally bloom in late spring. The flowers are very fragrant and beautiful and since we are having an early Spring, they are blooming a bit early.



I am using my silver plate footed water pitcher (International Silver Company) as a vase for the lilacs. Most of my silver is packed away but I got lucky and found one box and this silver piece was inside. It was totally black, so I spent about thirty minutes polishing. I also placed a glass inside the pitcher to serve as a vase-in-a-vase. I do love the lilacs and the silver together.











The stemware is Fostoria and the vintage silverplate flatware is the Daffodil pattern by Rogers Brothers. My Dad bought the flatware for my Mom years ago and after she passed away, he gave it to me. So sweet and now such a special treasure.






I made a small bouquet of lilacs tied with a lilac ribbon for the center of each plate and tucked another in each napkin.





I'll take you out to my yard for a few photos of my lilac bushes. I was so excited as I got close to the bushes and there was a Black Swallowtail butterfly on the blooms. 








The napkins are lilac hemstitch with silver Godinger napkins rings. My white dishes are inexpensive but I am happy with them in this tablescape especially since they are the only white ones I have at this time. I have never collected white dishes but I may work on that.




I am very happy with my lilac tablescape, it seems so elegant and serene. You are welcome to stop by any time and sit at my table - Judy.

Linking to:

Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
The House in the Roses for Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Alderberry Hill for Make the Scene Monday
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Tell it to me Tuesday at Creatively Living 
Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday’s Treasures
Knick of Time Tuesday Vintage Style Party
Crafty Texas Girls for Cowgirl Up on Tuesdays

Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays 
Paula and Patti at Ivy and Elephants for What’s It Wednesday
Judy at DIY by Design for Winter Blues Wednesday 
Danette at The Shady Porch for Rock and Share Wednesday
Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Amy at Home Happy Home for Whimsy Wednesday
Mrs. Hines Class for Show and Tell Wednesday
The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
French Cupboard
Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
Katherine at Katherine’s Corner for Favorite Things Thursday

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Becca at Home is Where My Story Begins for Home and Family Friday
Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Jody and Stan @ Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays

Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party 
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays






Baby Shower

My daughter hosted a baby shower at her house Sunday. You can see with all the pink that it's a girl!! 


Take a look:

Those are chocolate cake pops on the cake stand and strawberry cake pops with white chocolate icing behind the  chocolate ones purchased from a local bakery. The photos belong to her, I can't take credit for anything other than provided the pink tablecloth and for finding an image on Pinterest that sparked the idea for the candy.

The table featured bowls and jars of pink candies along with the individual cheese cakes which are topped white chocolate shavings. The cheesecakes are sitting on the cupcake stand for height and interest. A bowl of nuts was to offer a little salty along with the sweet.

She also used Mike and Ike pink candy in the small bowl. Pink M&M's, pink Kisses, pink Jelly Beans, and a couple other pink candies that I am not sure about the names were used on the table.

The diaper cake was made by rolling disposable diapers and the "It's A Girl" banner was purchased from a shop on Etsy. 

Other candies included bubble gum flavored candy sticks in the apothecary jar; followed by Tootsie Strawberry Frooties in the jar in front of the punch. The jar has pink Easter grass in the bottom with the Frooties on top. A strawberry flavored punch was served in the beverage jar. 

I would say she did a great job hosting the baby shower - Judy.

Linking to:

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Becca at Home is Where My Story Begins for Home and Family Friday
Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Sharing at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday
Color Connection

Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party 
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays



Spirea - I Think

Help me out!! My bush on the side of my house is blooming but I can't remember if it is spirea. I am hoping a plant-loving blogger can tell me for sure.


The bush is a fast grower, one year I cut it way back because it seemed out of control. But it grew back quickly. It is about five feet tall and three or four feet wide.

Do you know if this is spirae? Thanks for your help - Judy.

Linking to: 
A Creative Harbor for Magical Monday
Everything Under the Moon for Bedazzle Me Monday

Outdoor Wednesday
Paula and Patti at Ivy and Elephants for What’s It Wednesday
Jody and Stan @ Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays
Nik at Floral Friday Fotos