Our gardening picnic movie fluffy coffee river walk Easter

I remember a time when seasonal holidays meant running to two families, attempting to nail in all the visits you can.

These days, it's a little simpler in our household. With both my parents gone and without in laws, our traditions are slowly changing and growing into our own.

So what does a gal and her son do for an Easter weekend with no required agenda? Nothing! And plenty. :)

We gardened

We had one day of sunshine, so it was time to charge for the front door with gardening clippers in hand and get ready for the big power wash that's to come. The deal I cut with myself is to get the majority of the cleanup done first so I can keep the driveway clean for at least a little bit after power washing, so a clippin' diggin' and rakin' we went.

I LOVE gardening. Plants don't negotiate, they're content with whatever. And it's a task generally done on a nicer day. Even my indoor animals find me to be a part of it.

We had a picnic

For our Easter feast, I made a big pot of homemade chicken veggie/noodle whatever I had on hand soup. But on such a nice day, I couldn't stand the thought of missing that warm sunshine on our faces, so I had my son choose any spot he wished to set up our sleeping bags to have a picnic.

He chose the park that's behind our fence so it felt a little more adventurous. Aren't we wild? :)

He even got clever for our table and hauled out a few cedar planks. Way to junk it up, my boy! :)

Our soups are like runny stews... we like it chunkay. :)

If you want the recipe, let me know. It couldn't be easier to make!

We went for a river wander

 We are sooooo very blessed to live walking distance from the river. And it was such a pleasant surprise to find how low the river was. This means we could wander to our heart's content along the beds.

My new mantra is to walk daily so this is a fun place to land.

We skipped stones and poked the sand with sticks and just enjoyed the beauty until dusk. Peaceful and spectacular.

We indulged 

Rather than Easter gifts and such, we picked up a few chocolates to hide for Easter morning and went out later in the day instead. I'm currently hooked on Starbucks' Cinnamon Dolce Lattes and just discovered the no fat version online tonite! I had my last fattening one today because I'd rather go low fat than not at all.

For you see, I'm on a mission to get into optimal health. I'm also looking into juicers. Any tips?

And took in the theater flick Rio. Cute!

The scenes looked so much like Hawaii making me a bit homesick for my favorite escape. It's been about 13 years since I've been there and I want to take my son one day. Quite honestly, I'd be willing to go anywhere where there's a palm tree right about now!

This duo had a nice Easter. But yup, I missed my parents and there's one thing I will do in honor of them next Easter. I've never made it before but it's time.

source

 My mom always made a Mennonite Easter bread called paska. It's a sweet bread that you spread with icing. And it is AMAZING.

My awesome neighbor Corinne did bring us a delicious loaf before Easter which we DEVOURED before I could grab my camera. However I missed having a piece on Easter day. That's the one thing that makes me smile and think of the love my mom put into this special holiday. So it's time I carry the torch for our own little family and carry forth the tradition. Me. Bake bread. Wish me luck!! I have a year to figure it out. :)

We also took in a lovely Sunday morning church service even though I was reluctant to go. You see, I don't like crying in church and last year the Pastor really dove in heavy about the crucifixion. I was a wreck and we left early. Let's just say I will never be able to watch The Passion of the Christ. I think it was the whole dying thing and my mom had just passed on so I couldn't deal. I'm glad I took a chance this year. It was light and made you feel like a million bucks walking out. Kudos, Pastor!

The icing on the cake? It was a baptismal service and my 11 year old son apparently wants to get baptized in the worst way. I asked him why and he really went deep into the meaning of it all. I was a little startled just how much he was getting out of the adult church services! Made me a little teary eyed to say the least. 

I hope you had a lovely Easter, no matter what your own circumstances were. Holidays can be difficult, but it's my belief we can make even the simplest things extra special.

We did. :)

How did you spend your Easter?

What's your favorite tradition?

SNS #78 celebrates 'The Best of Easter!'

A Pretty Life in the Suburbs


Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #78!

If you're new here, join in! There are three categories to link to. Home Decor as well as Crafts, Sewing, Recipes, plus the 3rd themed link up which stays open indefinitely. Check below for this weekend's theme.

Party starts Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm pacific, so you have all weekend to join!

I'll be featuring SNS highlights during the weekend on FJI Facebook, so join in and see what they're all saying about your stuff. :)

this weekend's theme

~ The Best of Easter ~
 The following links lead back to their original owners. If one of them is yours and you wish for your link to be removed, please let me know. 

So... I went out and hunted for the best of the best Easter projects. And naturally, I landed at Martha's house a few times.

Martha Stewart

Nothing spells Easter moreso than spring flowers in bloom.

Isn't this nest like basket the most amazing Easter vase? Love it!

Martha Stewart

What an adorable cake!

Martha Stewart

So simple yet soooo sweet.

Martha Stewart

Quick! Get out those white vintage Christmas trees! Stunning. The threaded eggs and carrots are a neat tutorial too.

Martha Stewart

Baby bird eggs! Way cute.

Martha Stewart

Oh goodness, these votives are too sweet! Full tutorial at the link.

But Martha isn't the only one belting out great Easter projects. Found around blogland...

Modern Parents Messy Kids

This Easter egg paint chip garland is so cute! With an easy to follow tutorial.

I LOVE the rustic flair and organic quality to these clay pot nests! By All Things Heart and Home.

This Easter egg garland is stunning! The tone on tone hues blend so well, I'd be tempted to leave this up much longer than just Easter. By A Pretty Life in the Suburbs. 

Now it's your turn!

Join

The Best of Easter

Link up your favorite Easter project/recipe in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup.

(max - 2 per person please)

~ next up ~

farm tables - April 29

*the list is subject to change on occasion

Be sure to check the themed linkups master list to add your newest creations anytime. 
They're always open.
List HERE.

 

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

 Has your link been removed? Please reread the rules and try again! :)

1. Please link up your intended post, NOT your blog homepage url. (post, then click the title of your post, then cut and paste that url)

 2. Please put a link in your post (button or text) that leads back to the party so others can see what's up. (see BUTTONS label under main blog header)

 3. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be linked up IF your entry is posted on your blog and in tutorial style.

4. For Home Decor and Crafts, Sewing, Cooking, please link projects up that are new to SNS and/or within 1 month old. Repeat linkups will be removed.

The 3rd weekly themed link may have older posts and not brand new to SNS and will remain open for your new additions at any time. Click HERE for the main list.

If you can't decide which category to enter yours in, please just pick ONE and go with it. It's all good!

 5. By linking up to SNS, you approve to being highlighted on FJI Facebook, added to the themed linkups and for possible future features on Funky Junk Interiors' blog without additional permission required unless your post states otherwise.

 Come on over and see if we're talking about you this weekend. :)

H a P p Y   e A s T e R   f R i E n D s !

Hoppy Hoppy Easter

Hello!

Oh I feel so bad when I don't have something to post for a while, but sometimes I'm just finding it hard to find the time to finish off my current project. Sound familiar?...LOL. But finally! Finally, I've finished this Easter card.

I've used a Magnolia image of Tilda with a resigned-to-be-hugged-looking rabbit called Tilda with Hanging Rabbit, from the just-keeps-getting-better Butterfly Dreams Collection 2011. This image and the rest of the collection are available from Magnolia-licious on-line store.

I am entering the following challenges with this card:

All That Scraps - Week 76 - Make your own flowers.
(Woo-hoo...this is right up my alley. I love doing this, but I think that's why I keep running out of time. ATS has provided links to 4 different flower tutorials, although I didn't use any of those. )

ABC DT Challenge - for April - Easter Card

Magnolia Down Under - Challenge #92 - Easter

Paper Sundaes - Challenge #65 - Texture

Stamptacular Sunday - Challenge #107 - Magnolia-licious

Cupcake Craft - Challenge #138 - Lots of Layers

Everybody-Art-Challenge - Challenge #138 - Pearls

Top Tip Tuesday - Challenge #30 - Open Challenge

Stamping for the Weekend - Challenge #7 - Easter

Creative Inspirations - Challenge #57 - Easter

Magnolia Stamp Lovers Easter Challenge


This is a side step card--I like to call it a front-panel side step card. I love this type of cards. I want to do many more of them, but...got to find the time!!! And I keep finding other new types of cards that I want to try...sigh.

Above and below are 2 views of how I decorated the inside of the card.


In keeping with the 'hoppy' theme, I've used this most adorable Bunny Tilda from the Hoppy Easter Collection 2010.

Thanks so much for dropping by. I really do appreciate your visits. Easter weekend coming. Woo-hoo.....I am so looking forward to this long weekend. I know, I know, mustn't forget the meaning behind Easter, but I am hoping for more crafting time...LOL.


Other stamp used: Stampendous Agapanthus Bloom.

DP's: We R Memory Keepers Comstock Collection Buttercup, the purple-coloured (yes, it's purple in real life, not blue like in the pictures) cardstock with the art nouveau design is from DeSerres art store--no name on the back, the other paper is a yellowish cardstock that I self-stamped.

Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Ten and Lacey Circles, Punch Bunch medium and small daisy punches, medium ash leaf, Martha Stewart Daisy Dot Edge Punch (smallest flowers for the centre).

Misc.: Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamps pads dusty concord and vintage photo, Recollections and Mark Richards pearls.
Medium: combination of alcohol-ink markers--Promarkers, Touch and Letraset Pantone Tria. Coloured pencils used to deepen the shades.

Template for the card if you're interested: cardstock size is 6 inches x 12 inches

Egg-stra Special Easter - Magnolia-licious Challenge #10

To enter your name in the draw for my Blogoversary and Birthday Candy, click HERE--closes Mar. 31, 2011.

If you're looking for the Magnolia-licious Easter-Spring Extravaganza Blog Hop, scroll down to the next posting or click HERE.


Hello and a Happy Tuesday to all!

(Sorry, I'm a bit late posting this card. I was running a bit behind in finishing the inside of my card.)

As this is the 4th Tuesday of the month, it's a new inspiration challenge at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog. This is my DT card.



For the month of March, Angela has chosen this picture to inspire you to create a card or a project for our challenge.

This adorable image that I have used for the front of my card is called Tilda Painting Egg. She is from Magnolia's Hoppy Easter Collection 2010. She is available from Diana Crick's Magnolia-licious online store.

Challenges for this card:

Challenge Up Your Life - Challenge 39 - Flip Flop Cards.

Creative Cottage - Challenge 35 - Spring has Sprung

Charisma Cardz - Challenge 11 - To Die For

My card is another flip flop or swing card--I liked doing the first one very much that I've decided to do another. This is only my 2nd flip flop card.
(Template for this 6"x6" card can be found in my first swing card posting.)

For the flip side of the centre panel, I've coloured up Hello! Tilda. She is also from the same Magnolia Easter collection as the first one above.

Okay, that's all! I'm making this posting really short.

Thanks for coming over. I appreciate your visit. Don't forget to check out the other DT's fabulous cards for further inspirations. You can click on their names on my side bar or hop over to the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog. And I hope you will join our challenge too.

DP's: Chatterbox Scrapbook Wall Collection Sky Lilac & Cottage Pixie Garden, Making Memories Garden Party

Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Making
ies Label 3 and Label 13, Punch Bunch flower punches. EK Success leaf punch, Nellie Snellen leaf punch and embossing punch.

Misc.: Tim Holtz distress ink pads Forest Moss, Victorian velvet and weathered wood, pearls from Vintage Attic Treasures and Recollections.