Springtime Memories on the Hodgepodge

Another week to join the Hodgepodge with Joyce

All the World's Alive Again
The rabbit hops its gentle step
The lark sings lyric songs
All the world's alive again
Spring rights the winter wrongs

1. What are some memories you associate with spring?

My memories as a child are particularly about Easter and wearing new shoes and dresses that our mother had made.  In the picture above, she had even embroidered roses on our white socks to match the ones in the scallops of the dress.  I also have some not-so-good memories of Easter Egg Hunts which I never enjoyed.

As a young person, spring brought all things outdoors such as softball and track, both of which I looked forward to doing.  

As a mother, it meant our family would be involved with soccer, and baseball and all outdoor activities the kids participated in.  It meant flowers growing and blooming and brightening the yard.  Spring always meant Easter Cantatas at church, dying eggs, and choir picnics, and so many activities that we all enjoyed doing together.

As a grandmother, there are wonderful memories of Spring Follies, orchestra concerts, lots and lots of soccer and rugby and not always in good weather.

A special spring memory was when all our family was together.  These times have been too few.

Most of all spring reminds me of new birth and specifically the birth of our daughter in April, 1971.

2. April showers bring May flowers...was that saying proven true where you live? Snapdragons, anemones, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias...which one on that list is your favorite May bloom? 

Since this is our first spring in North Central Texas, we really aren't sure what to expect weather wise.  Evidently, this has been a rainy month so far for this area and even after the harsh winter storm, flowers are blooming and are brilliant in color.  We are expecting more showers this week.

Tulips are more late March and early April in this part of the country, so those are out. Some of the others are not typical for our hot temperatures, but gardenias will always be a favorite.

3. What are your top three distractions and how do you deal with them? 

My own self doubts about certain things, iPad, wanting to be outside

Let's just say I'm working on the first two and try to do the third as often as possible.

4. Do you eat beef? In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu? A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner...which beef entree would you choose and yes you have to choose. Unless you're a vegan, and then you may pass. 

Yes, I eat beef, and we have it on the menu once or twice during the week in forms of meat loaf, patties, and an occasional roast beef.  A medium cooked filet mignon is always my first entrée choice.

5. In what way were you creative during the month of April?

Creativity has really been on the bottom of my list this month for some reason.  I have had a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything.  I suppose, picking out and planting flowers in our little yard took some thinking and some work.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This week I gifted myself with a special facial treatment.

My daughter told me about it and I decided to try.  The HydraFacial process cleans, exfoliates and deeply cleanses the pores and hydrates.  There are actually five steps and it left my skin feeling so soft and clean.

Thankfully, my skin was found to be in excellent condition and there were no red flags - other than it's getting old. This treatment is definitely something I will do again.

This weekend, we will be going to north Arkansas for an outdoor wedding.  Our nephew built this gorgeous "cabin" overlooking the Arkansas River where it will take place.  It should be glorious and I look forward to sharing it with you next week.

A Looking Back Post

I was curious to see what I blogged about when I first started back in August 2011.  I wasn't surprised to see that the early posts were on image and wardrobe planning, because that was supposed to be the reason for and direction I had hoped my blogging would take me.

These are still topics of interest I think, based on the number of fashion blogs and Instagram accounts I see every day.

So for this Monday post, I am going to take bits and pieces from several of those early posts and combine into one.

Does talking about your best colors bring to mind the 70's and 80's when a conversation starter was "I'm a Spring, what are you?"  Even though there doesn't seem to be as much emphasis on having your colors done today as it was back then, there is no doubt that having a personal color scheme is a hallmark of all truly stylish women.

The first step is to determine your skins undertone.  You will have either "Warm" or "Cool" undertones and this never changes.  It is what you are born with and have to live with.  Warm will mean that you have yellow undertones, and cool means that you have blue undertones.

Because of this, colors either blend and compliment, or fight and detract.  

Based on your skin tone, which of the following colors and characteristics best fit you?

IMAGE - Spring

Warm undertones

Think vibrantly alive, freshly appealing, animated, bubbly, brilliant, radiant, crisp, fun, and unstructured!!!

Your natural gift is IDEAS!  You may have trouble carrying them all out, but you are absolutely full of them.

You are vibrant, expressive, cheerful, spontaneous, and the life of the party.  You help the rest of the world have fun and hope!

"You are like the sun, shining brightly on humanity."  

Carol Tuttle, Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile

IMAGE - Summer

The summer woman is usually characterized by soft femininity with Dresden-like qualities; quietness, fluid movement; curves, perhaps even an hour-glass figure.

This person is somewhat introverted and moves slowly but deliberate.  She is steady, easy-going, relaxed, connected, nurturing, warm and detail-oriented.

The Summer's skin will be rosy or very pink which just fits perfectly with the overall sweetness of this person.

Think Monet!!

Cool undertones

The Summer loves floral patterns, lace, frills, and flowing designs in her clothing which enhances her soft romantic appearance.

Wear silver and rose gold jewelry and remember, Pearls are always perfect for the Summer.  Hair should be worn in  a soft style around face.  If you have natural curls, showcase them.

IMAGE - Autumn

Warm undertones

The absolute Autumn's skin may have more yellow, orange or gold undertone.  Because the hemoglobin count is high in the Autumn (I know, go figure), the color of their skin is more coral-orange.  This Season usually suntan beautifully,  and has been called the Bronze Goddesses of the Seasons.

There is nothing soft and frilly about this Season. Think texture and angles.

Autumn's characteristics are those of strength and strong will, just like the rough and fiery colors of nature.

You are a determined woman (some even dare to call us - yes I'm one - stubborn) and you need to honor your desire to accomplish your tasks swiftly and practically.

From your make-up which should be in the warm tones with golden and bronze highlights to your hair which should be a no-fuss style, you demonstrate the practical nature of this beautiful Season.

IMAGE - Winter

Cool undertones

The winter woman has been described as "Shimmering ice with warm friendly fires.  Elegance, poise and drama, independence, quietness with a touch of shyness."

Winter's look is "Elegance"  The bold colors of winter accent the striking color scheme of the season.  Think Picasso with his brilliant colors and angles.

She has cool - blue - skin undertones and will more than likely have a fair complexion, but not in all cases.

Winters are insightful, intense and precise.

The best shades are strong, vivid shades with blue undertones such as red, royal blue and emerald green.  The best neutrals are black and navy.  This is the only season who can wear pure white and look gorgeous.

 Remember, 

few of us are an absolute Season but because of genetics we are blends of all the four Seasons.  BUT, we will always have a dominant and sub-dominant Season.

I hope you have enjoyed our journey back in time with the four Seasons and have found your distinct coloring and temperament here somewhere.  I pray you will take this bit of information and find what best enhances your God given beauty.

A Pink Springing Spring

We bloggers are using our isolation to join together for a weekly time of community to answer questions given by Joyce.

1. Has spring sprung in your part of the world?

Yes it has.  Northwest Louisiana is really greening up more every day.

   How can you tell?

First of all my across the street neighbor's Bradford Pear trees are profuse with blooms.

The the azaleas bloomed.  We did not have a good azalea season here though.  Even the large gardens in town didn't have the lush blooms and flowers that we normally do.

The birds are another indication that spring has sprung.  We have another generation of doves to nest over a column on our front porch.

   Did March come in like a lion where you live?

March came in with storms and a lot of rain, so I would call in like a lion.  We didn't have tornadoes from these storms, but other states and towns did, unfortunately.

   Going out like a lamb or something more ferocious?

We missed the storms predicted for us yesterday and last night thankfully, but we did have rain and cool temperatures.  I could live with 60 degree days all through out spring and summer.

2. The last thing that caused you to spring to your feet?

Oh goodness, springing to my feet is more of an intentional action these days.  What makes me move a bit faster is when Dick calls my name and tries to communicate from another room.

3. Do you have a spring clean to-do list?

NO WAY!  I try to keep the house fairly clean and even more so during these days.  I do not do spring cleaning as such, because it is an on-going process all year round.  There are projects that need to be dealt with but they fit in all during the year and not just for spring.  No rug beating around here.

   What's one chore on the list you've already managed to accomplish? 

Although there is no list to refer to, I have cleaned out my winter closet and have bags and bags of things I didn't wear this winter to take for donation.

  What spring clean chore do you most dread?

The most dreaded job would be cleaning windows and doing a thorough cleaning of all my plantation shutters.

4. Tell us something you've learned about yourself or the wider world as a result of social distancing/the virus crisis.

This video presents such a wonderful perspective of how we can deal with this strange time in our lives and our country.

It isn't the end of the world.  It is the most amazing picture of global solidarity we have ever seen.

I see neighbors doing for each other as I've never seen or been a part of before.

On my walks all during the day, I see dads out playing with their children, teaching them to ride without training wheels, playing ball in open fields and yards.

Children being creative with chalks on the sidewalks and driveways.

Dick and I are discovering that being together 24/7 isn't at all as bad as we thought it might be.  We are enjoying each other's company while also giving each other space.

I've also been reminded that people can be very mean and judgmental and that it is especially noticeable and ugly in times such as this.  But, there is also a lot of forgiveness and reconciliation right now.

Actually, this is an amazing time to be here on this beautiful earth.

5. Something you love that's the color pink?

Pink is not a color I use much in my clothes or my home.

However, I do think this might be my Easter attire for this year.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

This week two of the most precious people, dearest friends, most devoted followers of Christ, dedicated parents and grandparents, and the most in-love couple I know, are facing the most difficult fight of their lives.

Wayne and Nancy, the couple second from right, were both diagnosed with COVID-19.  Nancy is in critical condition in ICU.  Wayne was hospitalized yesterday with severe symptoms.

We do not know or can begin to understand how God works.  Could it be that Wayne is in that hospital to see Nancy when he is allowed, to speak words of love, comfort and faith to her?  To pray over her?  Being together even for a short time, may be the healing balm both of them need.

Please pray for our friends.

Wednesday Medley: Spring Is Here!

Please hop over and join our host, Terri to see how she and others have answered today's questions.

SPRING BEGINS TODAY!

HISTORY

Human beings have been following the sun and creating a calendar based on seasons since the beginning of time.  

Spring brings longer days and increased sunshine.

Today we will also be treated to a double header with a Full Worm Supermoon.

The Full Worm Supermoon will mark the first time a full moon and the spring equinox have coincided within four hours of each other in 19 years, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

March’s supermoon was first called the Full Worm Moon by Native Americans because the ground begins to soften and earthworms begin to appear, which brings robins and other birds to feed, marking the start of spring.

WELCOME SPRINGTIME!

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1.  The first spring flowers are usually daffodils, dandelions, lilies, tulips, iris. and lilacs. Which one of those choices is your favorite?

  Without a doubt the Iris is my favorite flower.

Have you seen any yet?

Mine aren't blooming yet, but I found this one in my neighbor's yard.

2.  What is your least favorite thing about spring?

This is an easy one to answer.  We are already being covered with yellow pollen dust.  Every outdoor surface is covered and for us with allergies, it's not a fun time.

3.  Okay, what puts a spring in your step?

Although I love winter and hang on to it as long as possible, I do love the sound of the birds singing early in the spring-time mornings.  I think getting up early and going to the gym starts my day with a springy step.

And of course a bottle of "Spark" water first thing in the morning doesn't hurt either.

4.  What is your favorite springtime song?

"Morning Has Broken"

This video was done by The Gaithers back in 2012.  You will see the beautiful faces of some of gospel music's most memorable people.

5.  What really says spring to you?

When the doves who have been making their nest over our front column for several years come back to begin their process of building their house for spring and hatching their new generation.

Sadly, we blocked their space this year because it makes such a mess on our front porch.  But, I will miss being able to watch the process this year and I hate to disappoint this familiar dove couple.

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

Thankfully this is a rather un-busy week so I spent some time Monday freshening up the house and decor.

Because our table is not large, I need to keep the centerpiece rather small.

I used a filmy scarf as a base and placed a black metal tray in the center.

I don't have any immediate plans to entertain, so I can use a taller figure.  I brought this sweet statue in from the back porch as my main focus.

 I found this divine little moss fern at a store in Lafayette a few weeks ago and love it.  I placed it in an antique Italian dish for color and added a candle on a small iron urn.

I repeated the white urn idea on this table with a larger one holding a small plant.

The sconces on my mirror wall are now the resting place for my beautiful Andrea Doves.

Everything is cleaner and lighter.  I love the way this simple curly lipped vase catches the light from all sides.

This little angel girl is sending you a sweet kiss to welcome Spring at your house as well.

Bless Your Beautiful Hide

Hello Beautiful Strand Theater

Friday night Hubby and I went to the old downtown Strand Theater here in Shreveport, where there is not a bad seat in the house,

to see the touring production of the musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."

This classic play opens with the song "Bless Your Beautiful Hide" sung by male lead, Adam.  Another of the classic scenes and songs is "Sobbin Women."  We so enjoyed this wonderful production and are so grateful to have access to performances in such an amazing venue in our city.

 

Hello Architina

 Last year I did a series of three posts on a Richard Neutra house that was built here in 1950.  It is the only Neutra house in the entire center of the country.

This past Saturday a tour group that originated in South Carolina, Architina Travels and Tours, included this treasure in their week-long Mississippi and Louisiana architectural tour.

There were folks from all over the country in this tour group and many had never been to the south.  I think they left with a good impression not only of this beautiful home but of our southern hospitality.

Hostess and home owner, Diann waves bye to the group at the entrance of her wonderful home.  It was such a pleasure to be part of showing off this treasure.

Hello Spring Blossoms