Maris is home!! For those that have asked to see the flash mob video, I have yet to see it myself. Someone supposedly taped it but we haven't been able to track it down. I will share it if I ever see it!

I have almost reached my 2 year mark on being a blogger. wowser! Not only am I a blogger, but I am a blog follower of many fabulous blogs. I have learned so much from so many gracious photographers who give us insight into their skills through their blog. My photography skills, as a result, have improved {or at least I'd like to think so!}. 

  One of the basic rules in photography is to shoot with the sun over your shoulder. Meaning: don't shoot into the sun. But, lately I have seen some great images {shot by professionals} where they are actually allowing the lens flare into the shot. I think it's kind of beautiful and I wanted to try it myself and take some shots of my flowers just as the sun peaked over the mountain and then again at dusk.

See the beautiful rays of sun that are washing over the flowers? I got down low to the ground, and tipped the camera up just high enough to allow the rays to leak in. The light literally changed every minute as the sun creeped up the sky, so almost every shot was a different look. You can let in as much of the sun as you want and this also dramatically alters the image. It can give a cool vintage vibe to your shots.

The images below were shot at dusk.   

 I haven't tried this with people yet. baby steps. But I have seen some professionals who use this idea and it's so dreamy.

Speaking of photography skills--do you guys know of any great online classes that you would recommend?.

Isn't it amazing....the april showers that we endured restlessly, have rewarded our patience with the most amazing May flowers.

I know that these beautiful budding blooms will only be around for a few more days. But here are some fun rooms showing ways that you could enjoy lovely flowers {at their peak!} all year. 

{Gild and Grace}

{martha stewart}

{house and home}

{house to home}

{front and main}

{house to home}

{sumally}

{behangstore}

{M.A.S.H.}

The large scale of these blooms makes this fresh and modern. What do you think? Is it something that appeals to you?

I love cut flowers in my house. When I see the tulips start blooming I get super anxious to start filling my vases indoors. My favorite arrangements are simple tall budding branches.  Unfortunately, my yard doesn't really start blooming until well into April. This beautiful weather had me out scouring my property for something to bring indoors. I really only had 2 choices--Mountain Laurel and Cherry Laurel.       

I snipped a few branches of the Cherry Laurel and plucked them in a vase.

They look great but I wanted blooms!!  A trip to Wal-Mart {don't judge, that's what I got folks} and I grabbed a $5 bundle of lilies {I think these are lilies?} There wasn't a name on the sticker! {update-thanks to a few lovely readers, I found out the big girl name is Alstroemeria. Thanks ladies--my readers are so smart!!}  

Their stems are nice and long. I added a few into my branches.

A pretty, inexpensive, super easy arrangement that brings a little spring inside!

I also grabbed a small bunch of tulips and had enough lilies leftover to add them in and then make a smaller arrangement. I love them on my window sill!

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Congratulations to my Vintage Jane tote winner, #7 Jennifer Settergren!!

Hope you had a great weekend! We sure did!

We spent a great Saturday at the 14th annual 'Greening up the Mountains' festival in our downtown. 
It got its name by the way spring seems to creep up the mountain side and as a celebration of Earth Day.



I got to spend some time in the yard after the festival. This is one of my favorite places to be in April.
It seems like overnight my peonies just popped open. They are so pretty.



My azaleas are just starting to bloom and the hostas seem to grow a foot each day.
   

 


I planted my flower boxes which I patiently waited until this weekend to plant {our florists
always say to wait until Mothers Day, but.. I. just. can't. do. it. } 



Our house sits just feet from a great creek that Jack and his friends had fun crossing to play baseball 
in the meadow on the other side. 
 
 

I had a lot of help in the yard.



But, it was short lived.



Then it was inside so Maris and I could bake our traditional Easter cake.  My mom and I made this
 cake every year during my childhood. The recipe is the actual page from a 1970's newspaper that
mom saved. Considering how old it is and how many times it has been used, it's in great shape!



 





After creek-jumping, baseball games and a movie, it took the boys about a minute to leave
our bunny earless.


{can't you just see the mischief oozing from these 3??!} 
 
Easter morning was just as beautiful as Saturday and after the kids opened their baskets full of peeps,
 chocolate bunnies and jellybeans, it was off to church. {I love that even teenagers expect 'the goods'} 

It was one of the loveliest weekends I can remember spending with my family in a long time. I hope
yours was just as wonderful!