Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A Sweetgrass Basket Welcome


I am so behind in adding spring flowers to my pots and front entry but I finally have sweetgrass baskets to welcome our guests!

dogwood blooms


I always admire the sweetgrass baskets when we attend the Historic Plantation Home Tours in Georgetown , SC.  Especially those baskets used to decorate front entries…


Charleston Sweetgrass Basket 


Sweetgrass Basket


For years I have wanted to get two of these baskets for my front entry doors but they are usually sold out by the time I make it to the Oaks Plantation where Mazie Brown has her sweetgrass baskets for sale.


Mazie Brown Sweetgrass Baskets


Well guess what?  This year Mazie still had a few of her door baskets so we got two!
They are rather expensive but considering Mazie has to collect the sweet grass, prepare it for weaving and then spend hours hand weaving these creations, it truly is a pleasure to support her craft.  I think they are beautiful!


Sweetgrass Baskets



Sweetgrass basket close up


Decided to use white silk flowers and greenery…


Silk Flowers


To hold the arrangement together I used floral styrofoam that I picked up at the dollar store...

Floral Styrofoam


Cut it to size...
(I like to use a plastic knife)


Cut the Floral Styrofoam


Placed the cut styrofoam into the baskets, a real snug fit…


Floral Styrofoam in basket


And then began adding the greenery.  Ellie-Mae was my assistant.  She loves to lay her head on the floor and then cut her eyes looking up at me, she’s such a cutie!


Ellie-Mae


Since we have double doors for our front entry I wanted to add most of the greenery and flowers on either side of the baskets rather than filling up the center…


Greenery


I have more to add, but they are coming together…


Blooms


After removing the old wreaths I cleaned the glass and boy were my towels green from all the pollen…


Double doors


Here they are…


A Sweetgrass Welcome



Right Side Door



Basket of Blooms



Sweetgrass Welcome

They turned out pretty good, now I need to replace the sad looking pansies in the porch urns with some ferns!

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

AMAZE ME MONDAY #7


WELCOME to Amaze Me Monday!!!

Hi Sweet Friends, I hope you've had a great weekend!
What better way to start the week than with a PARTY, I'm so glad you are here to join in!

Let's take a peek at the three most viewed from last week...

#3 ~ Fabby's Living ... New Vignette and Asparagus Pie

AMAZE ME MONDAY

#2 ~ The Little White House on the Seaside...Ever Wood

AMAZE ME MONDAY

#1 ~ A Stroll Thru Life ... Wicker Trays and Plants

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 Let's get on to this weeks party, can't wait to see what you've been up to!
We pour our hearts into our homes so share your...
vignettes, great finds, projects, family treasures,
remodels, home tours, garden...

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

SUNDAY DWELLINGS ~ MY AMAZING MOTHER


Last year this time we were taken by surprise.
Bewildered.
We received disheartening news.
It was scary.  


Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.
There was a battle to be fought.


I remember the day she told me.
When receiving such news it can cause your earth to move.
The very ground you are standing on to shake beneath you.
Your heart and mind so full of emotion and uncertainty.
Your heart breaking at the thought of what your mom must be feeling.
Like a feather dancing on the wind, wondering what lies ahead?





Moms diagnosis came just before our annual Mother's Day beach trip when the moms, daughters, aunts and cousins in our family, the girls, head to the beach to spend a week together.  
Of all years, 2012 was the year my husband and I were going to Alaska and I would miss the week at the beach.  But after hearing this news my husband cancelled our trip, I couldn't miss this time with mom.  Though our hearts were fully aware uncertain days were ahead, we had a fantastic time together.



It has been a long year since our 2012 beach trip.
Mom has undergone so many test, scans, surgeries, chemo, and radiation.
It has been hard watching her go through so much, seeing her grow weak.  



She knows her God.
She knows, we know, this world is full of sin and sickness.
And sometimes the sickness happens to us, to the ones we love.
We know that if God chooses not to heal while we are here on earth,
He will deliver by taking us home to be with him.

Moms faith is strong.
She has not once said, "why me?", but has often said, "why not me?"

For now things are looking good for mom.
They haven't said she is cancer free,
or in remission,
they say things look good.

There is another scan in a few months and hopefully this will be the time those wonderful words are spoken.


For now, as things are looking good, mom keeps her head and spirits high.
Each day she grows stronger.
An AMAZING inspiration to our family, mom keeps her eyes on God.  She knows He is in control.


This past week, for our 2013 Mother's Day beach trip, the girls in the family spent the week together again.  My brother even came for a couple of days this year...it was wonderful!



My Mom...
We appreciate your prayers...thank you!

A song that will bless your heart...

 

Blessings,
Cindy

(picture sources unknown)