No, I’m not talking about Recycling!
I’m talking about the color green.
As in the gorgeous view which has now become so familiar and yet still surprises me every time.
You see, coming home after a week of fun in the sun can be a bit depressing.
Especially when you know there will be cold and rain waiting for you.
But, looking out of that tiny airplane window and seeing the lush green landscape of the Pacific Northwest does help ease the post-vacation pain!
A bit…
I know I was MIA last week but I had a very good reason.
I know I was MIA last week but I had a very good reason.
Want to know where I was?
Why, at the “Happiest Place on Earth” of course!
Ahh…the “Magic Kingdom“
Let me just tell you that this was the only day that we had to wear sweatshirts because the rest of the week was perfectly sunny and gorgeous. I have the flip-flop tan lines to prove it!
I don’t know who told him he was allowed to turn 8 years old but it wasn’t me!
We had an absolutely amazing time and the kids were at such great ages for this kind of vacation.
2 years ago we made the same trip (and also went to Legoland) but Lauren was just too little to really appreciate the experience. At almost 4 years old, this time around was much more magical!
Some little girls go to Disneyland to meet all of the Princesses.
Others just want to stomp on every piece of popcorn they can find on the ground.
If I had known how much she enjoyed doing this, I would have just thrown some popcorn on our driveway and called it a day. Could have saved us a lot of money!
While little Miss did things like that (and went on rides too of course!),
my daredevil of a son decided that he REALLY
wanted to try out the giant roller coaster at
California Adventures (the theme park right next door to Disneyland).
The name of the roller coaster is “California Screamin“.
It goes UPSIDE DOWN.
Daddy doesn’t like upside down roller coasters.
Guess who got to go with Ian?
Let’s just say that Mommy pretty much lost her voice (fortunately not her lunch!) after that one.
They don’t call it “California Screamin” for nothing!
Coming home was hard.
The montain of laundry reminded me of the Matterhorn!
But seeing my Snowball Bush/Tree in full bloom definitely helped lift my spirits.
And I wasted no time filling the house with this gorgeousness!
My latest find is a huge green glass vase/jar that I found for $6.99.
It almost looks like a giant carafe, doesn’t it?
Whatever you want to call it, it was just waiting to be filled with Snowball branches!
I just couldn’t resist putting one inside my little cloche too. See it there on the right?
Also waiting for me in the mail upon my return was my latest edition of Southern Living with the caption,
“Welcome Summer!” splashed across the front.
Chock full of beautiful summer inspiration and scrumptious recipes it should have made me thrilled.
Instead, as I looked out the window at the rain coming down, it only made me feel blah!
But, there was one little thing that caught my eye.
I just loved how sweet those herbs looked tied in bundles onto that metal topiary.
And it didn’t hurt that there were some yummy cocktail recipes right alongside it!
So when I saw this at a second-hand store for $5 I knew I needed to recreate it and bring a little bit of summer sunshine into my cloudy days.
Not quite the same as the inspiration, but it definitely put a smile on my face and made my kitchen smell divine!
Now, who wants to join me for one of those cocktails?
When my hubby saw me tying herbs to a black metal thingy he knew it must have something to do with Blogging! Actually, he looked at me like I was nuts for a few minutes. But, what’s new?
Then, he decided to get in on the act and actually make us one of the cocktails featured in this month’s Southern Living.
It’s a rough life I lead being a cocktail guinea pig!
Since he was making them, he got to pick which one we would try.
This is a good ol’ Gin and Tonic.
Pour 2 Tbsp. gin and 6 Tbsp. chilled tonic water over ice in a glass.
Serve with a wedge of lime and a sprig of rosemary if you’re feelin’ fancy!
Wait! What is that I see? A little bit of sunshine peeking through?
Hurry!
It actually lasted long enough for us to enjoy this refreshing “tasty beverage”
(which is what we call adult drinks in this house)
out on the deck. I think I actually felt warm there for a few minutes.
Maybe it was just the Gin!
It was fun to get away, but I sure am glad to be back here at the Fence!
And now, we are a bit late this week, but we wanted to be sure and introduce you to our
What do you get when a flight attendant turns stay-at-home mommy?
When Michell first began linking up to our Inspiration Friday parties, we could not believe the projects she would share with us each week.
We would call each other to say, “did you see what Michell linked up? Isn’t she amazing?”
She creates things like this Art Activity Wall with Sliding Ladder for her son’s room.
You can pick your mouth up off of the floor now.
We have more to show you!
Not only is Michelle beyond creative, she has also quickly become a sweet friend to us here at the Fence.
She is supportive and encouraging and we always feel so honored to have her share her talented ways with us. She says she has a “desire to inspire” and we think she is definitely doing just that!
So, pay her a visit when you get the chance at Girl in Air. You may want to go to the bathroom first though, because you will be stuck to your seat for awhile as you take in all of Michell’s fabulous projects!
This post is Partying at the following places:
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday’s Treasures
DIY By Design: Swing into Spring
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesday
Elements Interiors: Whassup Wednesday
Social Salutations: Social Saturday
Glad you had a great time at Disneyland and all the other parks in SoCal! You must be exhausted from all the walking you did!
I am soooo jealous of your snowball bush! The flowers look gorgeous in a vase!
WOW!!!
You ladies are awesome….How wonderful to wake up to a fabulous feature!!
Thank you so much!
I LOVE looking at all the wonderful Disney photos….brings back great memories of when I took my girls…I can’t wait to take our son! I better get in shape…that place is HUGH!
Your flowers are beautiful! I spent my weekend at Disney too! (But Disney World). Glad you had a great time. It’s always hard to come home after a trip.
Welcome Back, friend !! What FUN pics from Disney … so glad you had a fabulous time. (And, too bad you didn’t figure out that dropping popcorn onto the pavement could prove to be hours of fun)!! The kiddos are precious and, most of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ian !! You are the best mommy for going on the upside down roller coaster … don’t know that I couldl’ve done that !! And, look at that snowball “bush” !! Whoa. It’s gorgeous … and how beautiful your bouquet is in that lovely vase. And, the drinks … the drinks look too yummy. I want one, please. We missed you and glad you’re back safe and sound !! xoxo, Becca
How fun! I love Disney! We’ve never been to Disneyland only Disneyworld. It’s soooo fun!!
What a fun vacation and a perfect way to celebrate a birthday! I haven’t been is so long, too long I think. So sorry it is rainy by you, I know the feeling but at least we had a couple days of sunshine. I love your vase and flowers, gorgeous!! Your drink so refreshing too. 🙂 So glad that you had a wonderful time and you are back safe. 🙂
Enjoy your week!!
XO
Disney is the best…it is the happiest place on earth. That’s an awesome way to celebrate a birthday.
Looks like you had a great time, and those flowers are beautiful.
Haha….when you said “look what caught my eye” I was caught on the drinks, trying to decide whether I’d pick a Belini or a Palmer….never even SAW the herbs until I read the rest 🙂
Stacy
Happy Birthday to your cutie pie boy! And yes throwing popcorn and crackers in the driveway would be a lot cheaper LOL! Looks like a great trip Vanessa!
Oh I loved Disney! We went twice as a family and once I went with my daughter’s dance team. I would go again in a heartbeat. I agree that it’s the happiest place on earth! I’m totally jealous of your snowball bush…how stunning. Thanks for sharing and thanks for such a great post. My gin and tonic is waiting so I gotta go. :o)
So glad you had an awesome time Vanessa! You have a beautiful family! We’ve been to Disneyland and California Adventure a few times and love it! I have the same green vase as you I found it in HG. The flowers look beautiful in it! Have a great week, Martina
Hey there Miss Vanessa! Ohh I LOOOOOOVVVEE Disneyland! I miss it before we even leave every time! I have been on Screamin~ so fun but not something you can do a lot- course my boys go on over… and over… and over… lol! Anyway, glad you had a fantastic time and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your little man!
Hugs, Courtney
Oh my…just look at that huge and beautiful snowball tree…I’m sooooo jealous!!! I got wo trees last Spring and planyed them…was told that they grow real fast…not mine…got a few blooms this year…but they are still about the same size:( I so love that pretty green vase…it’s very NIFTY THRIFTY:)
Blessings,
Linda
Welcome HOME and thank you for the beautiful blog post…sure looks summery despite our downpour of rain this morning! Nothing a bit of pie baking and Ella Fitzgerald can’t fix! XO
What a wonderful trip to Disneyland! We took our children there when they were little! I’d probably enjoy it like a child today! Love your gorgeous white flowers!
Thanks for popping in and I am thrilled that I may have given you a little inspiration.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 🙂
Welcome Home V~
Glad you had a wonderful vacay and I love, love, love the Snowball Bush!
Happy Birthday to your sweet bigger guy, too!
Love, Kristin
Happy Birthday, to your little cutie pie!! Looks like you had a wonderful time at Disney. Next time you go…I will meet you there. =)))
Girl – i know I’ve been MIA lately – but you have GOT to be kidding me that you were in my backyard and didn’t tell me!!
Love the snowball bush but i love the green jar with them even more 🙂
You’re doing an awesome job with this blog – i drop by when i can 🙂
Take Care –
Sheri
Your snowball bush is truly breathtaking! I LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing your photos and your fun ideas!
Those snowball blooms are amazing and they look gorgeous in that giant sized vase! Love your take for the herbs on that topiary! I’ve been seeing herbs being added to a lot of things, lately. I’ve done flavored waters and vinegars, so why NOT booze?! LOL sounds good to me! I haven’t seen this article yet, I have so many mags to read, as well as blog posts…. No time! I don’t think I’m doing too well at time management these days!
See ya for the par-tay tomorrow.
hugs, Sue
What a great birthday! You guys know how to celebrate! That topiary caught my eye too, you did a great job recreating it! And those drinks, yummy! Have a great day! Debbie
Oooh,those flowers REALLY do look like snowballs, don’t they?! And yours looks as though it’s absolutely thriving. You must have very green fingers!!
Sarahxx
Happy Birthday to your little (hmm, BIG!) boy! Mine can’t stand when I call him ‘little!’ They grow too fast! Yes, they would be fast friends, I just know it! Your trip looks like so much fun! What a treat for the kids at the end of school! We JUST got out yesterday and I could not wait to be DONE!! The month of May is as busy as December around here! I have nestled that little treat of Southern Living away to sit and absorb every bit of it! I love the topiary!! Wish I lived next door to enjoy the cocktail with you! YUM! Thanks for the inspiration! Christie
I love your snowball flowers–I don’t think I’ve ever seen a tree/bush like that before. You’ve certainly been busy, Vanessa. The photo of your daughter cracks me up!