Greetings from the land of mulching, and mulching some more, and soaking morning glory seeds, and planting impatiens. I did a bit too much yesterday (big surprise) but the garden beds are looking so much better. It was worth it!
As to the mystery plant, I’m still leaning toward spirea, but reader Ann suggested chokecherry and when I looked it up, well – it could very well be a chokecherry. The way to determine that is to watch and wait, and if it eventually develops berries, then I’ll know the answer. And since chokecherry is a tree, I would have to remove it. So let’s hope it’s a spirea – they are both from the same family, as it turns out.
The day before yesterday, a package from Barbara arrived in the mail.
She mentioned that she found a wonderful site on Etsy that sells fèves. Fèves are little trinkets that are made to be put in a King Cake, which is baked on Epiphany. Whoever ends up with the fève is King for the day. I didn’t know about any of this, but I’ve since explored the shop and I am enchanted by these little mini figures. Barbara thought they would be perfect for dollhouse miniatures – and they are. They’re from France.
Some photos of the little fève vases:
Right around this time in the picture-taking, I thought I’d throw in a penny for a size comparison.
They are made from porcelain and are hand painted. Simply exquisite.
I’m over-the-moon about this shop – it’s called ValueARTifacts. I already have a wish list going. These pieces are so well made and the are perfect for dollhouse projects.
Also in the box:
A can of Pringles (not a fève) – that will go in the TSP.
And some muffins!
An overhead shot of one of the vases in the TSP. Don’t you think the colors are perfect in that space? And heaven knows, I can’t fill that shelf unit entirely with record albums, though I do have a few more on the way via Etsy.
Oh, I almost forgot the other item in the box:
This piece of Roseville. Barbara wasn’t sure if it was a legit piece (it is) and it has a tiny chip on the base. As you know, I care not one bit about little chips, so I am thrilled to have this join my Roseville family. It’s the Bleeding Heart pattern. Love those graduated Art Deco-like handles!
The other side.
I’ve had curtail my Roseville buying lately, as any extra funds I have are being used for the TSP. Thank you, Barbara, for everything. You spoil me!
But, I have to admit, it’s nice to be spoiled every now and then.
Speaking of spoiling, the other present I received from Don on Mother’s Day was Adele’s new record album, 25 – yes, on vinyl. I love it.
Happy Thursday.
I bet your garden is looking wonderful. Mine needs that same attention! I’ll have to check into that Etsy shop. I’d probably use them for putting in the Christmas cake next year. Aren’t they sweet!
Just don’t bite down on any of them!
Oh. how wonderful. A box filled with so many lovey little treasures. And teeny tiny they are. Sweet.
I love these little treasures, Tammy. Such fun!
Lovely, yummy, and whimsical all in one box. What could be better!
We are due to have an entire day of sunshine today and the flowers and plants are responding beautifully! Have a terrific day today, Claudia.
I think it’s going to reach 74 degrees here today, which will be lovely! Rain tomorrow.
Those are awesome miniatures. Barbara, thank you for entertaining us. I think I enjoy your gift packages to Claudia as much as she does.
Yay Barbara!
Spoiling is fun! I love the sweet little vases. Barbara sent you some cute items but you know I love the Roseville!! I’ve been collecting the small vases and bowls and I love them. They fit in my cubbies and just make me so happy. The different shapes, patterns and colors are just so pretty. Your yard is looking wonderful. I bought a hanging plant and put it where I can see it out my front window. Smiles. It’s a good day today.
hugs,
Linda
It is a very good day today, Linda!
Wonderful goodies…so thoughtful! I’ll have to check out that shop!
It’s wonderfully fun, that shop. Enjoy!
I love bleeding hearts…and the vase, too! So beautiful. Hope my NY ones aren’t through blooming before we can get there to see them.
I hope so, too, Shanna!
Very nice indeed! I have some of those trinkets – they are perfect for dollhouse accessories. :D
They really are, Brae.
What a fun surprise! Glad you are able to get so much done in the garden yesterday. I would love to be outside, but I have too much on my plate today. There’s a chance we are getting frost on Saturday night…we live in a low lying area…so no planting yet for us! Enjoy your day! ;)
No to frost, Donnamae! Goodness, enough already, right?
Donnamae, I just saw a weather report that says we have a FREEZE warning on Saturday night…… not even “just” frost,,,, but actual Freezing temps of 32* or lower. Unreal.
Oh no! I think we’re going down to 39, but that’s okay. Freezing is not!
Very sweet vases!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thank you, Susan. You’d like that shop!
Don’t you just love surprises in the mail? What an assortment for you to ooh and ahh over. Whether packages (the best….especially if I’ve forgotten I’ve ordered something, opening is a huge joy!), or the best yet, handwritten letters, getting something via snail mail is better than electronically. My daughter took a course in letter-writing for January term, and now sends me handwritten letters (as well as texts and emails). I keep all of them by my bedside and retread them regularly.
Oh, I do love getting packages in the mail, Wendy.
I love that your daughter is writing you handwritten letters. Priceless!
Barbara is so generous and has such good taste..yes that vase does look perfect in the TSP…and the Roseville piece is gorgeous..Enjoy them all Claudia! I am off to visit that mini site..
Have fun, Nancy! It’s quite amazing. Apparently, the feves are very collectible in France and I can see why.
What a generous package from Barbara. The porcelain pieces are all beautiful and you’re right, the one in the TSP is perfect. I’m glad your weather has cleared up enough to work in the yard. My green beans are finally up and sprouting.
BLessings,
Betsy
Yay for beans! I love green beans. I see a couple of modest blooms in my garden, but really, now it’s all about green and growing. Thank goodness I can gaze on those lilacs!
Hi Claudia, well today when I went into work I happen to look down and what was sitting there was Lantana and it was white. Looked just like what you have growing. The next time you plan to go to a garden center you should take a piece with you and someone there should be able to tell you exactly. To bad you are not down this way. Steve is our master gardener at the Lowes I am working at and he would be able to tell you. He is really good. The sun finally came out and now if it would just stay out for awhile I am getting tired of being wet all day!
hugs
I’ve had lantana before, and I’m pretty sure this isn’t lantana – lantana was a very popular plant to have in your garden when I was living in California.
I think the berries will tell me the story – if no berries come, then I’m sure it’s spirea. I’ll just have to be patient!
Glad you got to work in the yard yesterday. Such a wonderful feeling at the end of the day, isn’t it? As I mentioned above, under Donnamae’s comment, we have a FREEZE warning for Saturday evening. A frost watch or warning I can take, and we sort of expect…… but a FREEZE warning, with temps of 32* or lower………. that is just wrong.
I have about $200 worth of plants on picnic tables in my driveway…. all to be planted on Saturday….. not sure what to do, now.
Crazy weather. Really so very tired of it.
Understandably! That’s ridiculous – it’s the second week of MAY, for goodness sakes!
I hope the weather forecast ends up being wrong, Chris. I held off planting seeds today (and I’m already soaking the morning glory seeds! I’m going to keep my eye on the weather report. Meanwhile, it’s 80 degrees here today!
What lovely color in that Roseville; I love it.
Also, how interesting to learn about King cakes and feves; I didn’t know!
You have incredibly generous readers, Claudia!
I am very lucky, that’s for sure. I had no idea about the feves either! They’re porcelain – I sure wouldn’t want to chomp down on one while eating cake! How’s your girl doing, Vicki?
So nice of you to ask after her; thank you. Happy to say she is slowly-but-surely getting better; she even tried to run a little bit on the grass yesterday evening. Fecal (as well as blood panel, as I’d mentioned) came back negative for any weird parasites, so the vet thinks she picked up a bad bacteria and the double antibiotics will wipe it out. I’m sure it was the wet and no doubt mold-ridden seed which we should have cleaned up earlier but, you know, I was laboring with that bad arm and my husband has been working exceptionally long hours away from home. It’s all cleaned out now and we’ve decided to cement in that whole bird-feed area/planter rather than how it’s bricked in now (the water splashes from the birdbath onto the ground, which then makes the seed sprout which has fallen into the areas between the bricks, creating weeds…it’s been rather a MESS and too much of a homemade situation! ). Also got a different bird feeder tray which should hold more of the seed rather than it spilling out when the larger birds go crazy in it. I would rather not have all the doves and pigeons; it started out with trying to help out the smaller birds, which have the highest mortality rate. As for my jays (I’m sure one vibrant-blue male is the same one Mother would feed cubes of bread to…jays can live for a long time), they go for the dry cat food set out in bowls; they can’t even be bothered with seed!
Anyway, all is better here; I also have a bit more flexibility with my arm. We’re on the mend. Just behind schedule now! Thanks again for following up with me about it; it helps to know someone cares.
My dad’s good friend died at age 90; obituary was in the newspaper yesterday. I temper my sadness with knowing he had a good, long, natural life. But it sure made me think of my father. They were in an active community service club together, back when they were younger men, and I remember as a kid all the projects they were into on behalf of the town and the club. I feel so badly for the man’s wife; they were married nearly 70 years. They have adult children nearby, so she’s blessed with family in the vicinity. The Greatest Generation; they’re a tough and hardy bunch, having weathered many storms…but, you know, the time; it passes so quickly, doesn’t it…
I love those miniatures. Almost makes me want to start collecting miniatures again, used to do that years ago. I love the Etsy shop too and prices are really good. I was expecting them to be much more expensive.
I know! I think the prices are very, very reasonable!