The beautiful blossoms and blooms of spring refresh my senses and feed my soul. They usher in warmer days of working in the garden, taking tea on the porch with friends, placing fresh cut flowers in vases throughout the house. Both indoors and out, I love to surround myself with blossoms and blooms and all the pleasures of spring.Outside in the garden, my cheery plot of bright red tulips is among the first to bloom. In the middle of their friendly faces, I plant a ceramic plaque with the words "Welcome friends." Spring birds, attracted to the rainbow of colors blooming in my yard, inspire me to add pretty painted birdhouses and wrought iron birdbaths so they'll feel at home.
Blossoms and blooms are flourishing inside the house too. They grow along the edge of the vintage linen tablecloth I put on the table each spring, in carefully placed threads of pink, red and green. A garden of spring flowers decorates the notepaper and envelopes I keep handy on my writing table and floral shaped soaps rest on an antique dish at the edge of the bath. In my china cabinet, dainty roses and buds encircle much treasured, heirloom teacups and plates.
In my bedroom, another spring garden comes to life. French ribbon roses adorn a favorite pillow. Hand built ceramic roses, replace tired and worn drawer pulls on a favorite vanity. A delicate floral pattern dances around the edge of the vintage handkerchief draped over a lamp shade close by the bed. On the bed, a needlepoint pillow displays pink stargazer lilies surrounded by burgundy roses. I'm almost certain the fragrance of spring hangs in the air as I fall asleep each night.Blossoms and blooms, wherever they may be found, are the heralds of a new season – one filled with sunny days, dear friends, vibrant colors and rich musical sounds. In their presence, life seems more beautiful and my soul feels more alive.Written by: Joyce Lucas,
Founder Make Mine Pink
Photo Contribution 1: Forget Me Not Dreams Photo Contribution 2: Shabby Shan's Cottage Photo Contribution 3: Angel Heart Designs
We've been busy pricing all or our Road Trip spoils! It was a great trip and very successful! Thanks for making the trip with us! We'll be listing the best of our finds in the up coming weeks, so stay tuned! But if you want the big stuff...all the great rustic pieces you can see here, you'll just have to come to Farm Chicks!
While you are there, get registered for the next Shop Hop! It's really fun and you could be the big winner! 
This was our first and best stop of the day! We met Gwen a former antique dealer liquidating her stash as a new business is taking her in a different direction. She was a real sweetheart and Karen and I enjoyed talking to her! Just as we were getting ready to leave, a gust of wind picked up the canvas of her canopy and dumped the rain that had gathered on top, right on my head! Yep...it went right down the neck of my jacket and I was soaked all the way to my knees! Brrrr! So we had to make a trip to McDonald's so I could change clothes. Have you ever tried to change in a stall to tiny you can hardly turn around...without taking off your shoes (ewww, not happening in a community bathroom!). But I managed and we were back on the road.
A quick stop at one of our coastal favorites, The Pirate Pastry Shop! They make the best cookies! My favorite one is her Pie Crust cookies. They remind me of being a kids and watching my Mom make pies!
We decided to hit a few more sales and mosey down the coast. The further South we drove the nicer the weather got so we were glad about that. We stopped in one community and got a real kick out of this house. Apparently they were not to thrilled when their neighbors across the street built their home right in front of their ocean view. So, they built up! Too funny...looking!
We saw this place and had to turn around and check it out. It was the What Not Shop. We didn't buy anything here, but we thought his display was funny, and effective! It got us to stop!
The Oregon Coast is so gorgeous. We had a fun time stopping to take photos and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Karen is a wonderful photographer and it was fun to see her in element!
This view is of the Heceta Lighthouse and Visitors Center. So gorgeous!
One last favorite pic of the day...a wild patch of Forget Me Nots! We are enjoying relaxing in the hotel room tonight and looking forward to an early morning at the Flea Market! We will be picking up a few special items that will be included in our Road Trip Blog Giveaway! Be sure and check in tomorrow for details! Have a great day everyone!
We parked the car for a quick escape, hurry before all the good stuff is gone! We laughed and laughed when we got back to the car and saw our great parking job! To funny! This became a theme as the day when on. Then we came to Bette's house and we new we'd hit pay dirt! As we were paying for our many purchases there, we began chatting with Bette and found out that she had once owned an Antique Store. She told us how exciting it was and how she had sat up in bed in the middle of the night when her store name came to her..."Past Tense"...her husband not quite sharing her middle of the night enthusiasm! The store is no longer open, but Bette still sales antiques at one of the Oregon coast best antique malls in Wheeler. Then, she took us in her magical backyard! 
Oh wow... what charm! 
Here is her darling potting bench! We just loved the vintage plates mounted behind the glass panes of the window. Everywhere we looked there was a charming accent. 
Look how she took enamel plates and lined her flower beds!
And we loved her Rain Barrel! Too cute! Bette, thanks for sharing your sweet story with us and allowing us to enjoy your very special backyard. 
We feel like we have a new friend and kindred spirit to add to our Forget Me Not friends! We'll see you next year Bette!
Whimsical treasures always stir that feeling in me. Faux pastries iced with lace and trimmed with vintage laces, pink polkadots on cupcakes and tiaras on clocks, things I only imagined in places I never expected. Vintage china pieces hand painted with roses, just like the ones my grandmother used to set, create that same inexplicable feeling of delight. Table linens in particular, remind me of the special teas I shared with her so many years ago. Almost anything with a pretty scent is on my list of favorite things. 
Favorite things come in all shapes and sizes, colors and scents. Whatever stirs that little flutter in you, you're sure to discover it at Make Mine Pink.
