This morning I received a call from my neighbor who had moved out of the beautiful farmhouse across the street. They moved to an even lovelier and larger farmhouse a few miles away. She was calling me back because I wanted her permission to hack away at the Forsythia flowers on her property. Her response was, "Hack away Laura! And while you're at it, take the Magnolia when it blooms." Music to my ears.

After chatting with her for a bit, I grabbed a knife, threw on Jon's coat and headed out the door. The brisk air this morning made me wince. I had a look of determination on my face as I marched down the street. Then the thought crossed my mind that I may look like a serial killer - serious face, dwarfed by a big coat and a shiny knife in hand. So I thought I should put a happy step in my walk so I wouldn't scare anyone. Although the thought of a smiling person wielding a knife is a little scary as well. Anyway...

The branches were wild and unruly so I just took them at random. I had my tall Homegoods vase in mind so all I needed were the stems to be long and thick enough to fill the large space on the wall.

I didn't pay much attention to form except that I wanted single branches to stay in line with the side shape of the vase. The rest of them in the middle could just go crazy and do their thing. And then as the sun started peeking through the window and the Forsythia livened up their little corner in the entry, they did do their thing...cue Spring!

A day of driving and spring decorating on my mind

I spent all day running errands and driving an hour away to get another kid outfitted with braces. Afterward we went to Chik-fil-A.

While we were there, some people sat at the table behind me and spilled over onto my seat, squishing me out of it. I had to take the kids to the restroom and when I came back, their coats were on my seat and there was no room for me to pull out my chair. I had to remove their coats and scarves from my seat to get my coat.

I heard one say to the other that she had to buy food for her daughter yesterday because she didn't have any money. She then said with a sigh that the daughter had enough to get her nails done but not to buy food.
I figured she was stressed out. No need to stress her out any more.

Blair wanted to spend her dollar to get the neighbor girl a New Year's gift so I took her to the dollar store. It's the biggest dollar store I have been to. She picked out princess shoes. Trae got himself a ball and a motorcycle. Within 10 minutes of being home, the dog popped the ball and is now carrying around a floppy piece of plastic.

And as I write this, I forgot to grab the palm fronds I saw there. I usually don't buy fake flowers but you can't get palm fronds here. I miss that about South Carolina. I used to be able to just go pick some if they weren't too large to stab me as I sawed them off the trees. Anyway, they look great all by themselves in a vase.

I like to use ferns instead, or in addition to, since I have a thing for them. I can't tell you how many times Jon has had to pull over somewhere when I spot some nice ferns. Everybody waits for me as I go into the trees and come out with a fistful of them. Man, I remind myself of my mother.
I should just plant my own this year.

Then we stopped at Target and checked out some of their new arrivals for the home event. I liked the following items and realized I have decorating for Spring on my mind. So with that, I rearranged the living room (again) and went to throw the drapes in the wash but realized they are 'Dry clean only.' So I left them and cleared out the decorative items and now I am ready to get some shopping done. Nothing major - since it really only takes some decorative pieces to give your room a new look.

Because we are excited to be snowed in tonight and tomorrow, I won't rush Spring just yet!

It's pretty out my window and the earth looks still and calm.

How does it look out yours?