Money Does Grow on Trees

Recently my neighbor gave a retirement party for one of her teacher friends.  She will be going on a trip soon so she was surprised with a money tree.  It was in FULL BLOOM too!  How would you like to be surprised with this?

Can you see the rolls of money tied to the branches?  The vase is adorable too.  It looks like the branches are part of her hat.

This is a money tree that I did a few years ago for a friend's wedding shower. (Can you tell that it was held in a school media center.)  Yes, I run in a circle of classroom teachers. Look at that cute price tag.  The art teacher made that.  She is so creative. 

Our faculty was so generous and the sweet couple used the money toward their honeymoon.

Below are some pictures of money trees that I found online that are available for purchase.  

I don't really like these money trees.  I think they look cheap.  The trees that my neighbor and I made appear more tasteful.  

What do you think about money trees and have you ever made one?   I think it's a great way to surprise someone special.  

Birds and Trees

I have some more pictures from my dear friend's home.   I went all around her house taking pictures. Remember that chair with words that she found online?  Look at the vase that is placed next to it.

She took some tree branches from her yard and spray painted them black.

 

The branches that she added blend in so well with the vase because branches were etched into the glass.

Don't you just love the addition of the little bird!

Do you see the little bird on the wreath?

 

And that's not all!

Remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz when the apple tree throws apples at Dorothy?

This tree in her back yard reminds me of that.

It looks like it is either waving or getting ready to throw an apple.

How do you like those apples!!!

Words and Surprises

It has been several weeks since I have updated my blog.  We have been working on several more projects that I will post about when they are finished.  In the meantime, I want to show you something wonderful that my neighbor did to her front stairway.  


We have this fun thing between us that whenever we do something in each of our homes, we have a BIG REVEAL!  I closed my eyes, she took my hand and led me through the doorway.  When she said, "ready", I then opened my eyes and this is what I saw:

I was so surprised.  Isn't is beautiful! This is what I saw when I opened my eyes.  It makes such a grand statement when you walk into her foyer.  Usually we talk to each other about decorating ideas but she really kept this a secret until the BIG REVEAL.  Her cat at the top of the stairs makes the picture look so cute too. 

This wasn't all she had done.  When I turned around to face her living room, there were more words.  

Don't you just love this chair!  It is so chic.

Several weeks ago during our spring break, we had a "girl's day out".  We spent the entire day browsing through so many stores looking for deals.  Our last stop was at Tuesday Morning.  I was on the opposite side of the store when I heard her calling my name.  She found an ottoman and we both fell in love with it.  I have been looking for an ottoman of some kind to put under my sofa table but I was afraid this one was too wide. My friend didn't really know if it would fit in her living room either so after much deliberation, we both walked away.  You can imagine my surprise when I turned my head toward her living room and there was THE OTTOMAN!

She went back to Tuesday Morning and bought it.  It is so stunning and goes so well with her new chair.

  It is amazing how just a few little touches can really change a room.  There is more that she has done so come back later and I will share them with you. 

All Fenced In

My husband has been working really hard on this backyard. Whenever I see him just standing there looking at everything, I know that wheels are spinning in his head and he is thinking of a new project.  This is the latest:

Do you see the fence across the back of the yard?

He spent 2 days building and painting this fence.  Of course I helped too by holding the boards while he nailed them.  He wanted to separate the yard from the wooded area and this solved the problem.  It definitely defines the back yard now.   I love it!

He added lights to the posts too.  It's really pretty at night.

And that's not all!!! He installed  lights around the walkway.  He cut fence posts, painted them and added solar lights.

Here you can see them lining the stone pathway.

He then extended the stone pathway and added more lights.

This is a view from the other side of the yard. He already has a plan for something else!!!!!!

A Little Spring Rearranging

Spring is officially here so I am in the mood to freshen up a few things around the house.

I added a little bunny rabbit on my front entry table.  Found it at Tuesday Morning for $3.00.

Can you see the little eggs?

 

Added a few things to the dining room table.

I added a touch of spring to the front door. Can you see what is hiding in the Forsythia?

 Have you been rearranging and decorating for spring?

My Easter Egg Tree is Blooming

 For several weeks, I have been saving some branches that I pruned off our Crape Myrtle so I could make an Easter Egg tree.  All of the eggs I found were bright pinks and yellows with pink ribbon but I wanted more of a natural looking tree since I was using natural branches from my yard.  I finally found some eggs at Tuesday Morning with subtle colors and glued raffia on the tips of each one.  I already had the vase.

My tree is blooming Easter Eggs!

But wait!  Do you see what is growing from the moss?

Little baby carrots for the Easter bunnies.

I had a lot of extra time on my hands for the past few days because of no school and it was NOT a holiday! Teachers and staff have been FURLOUGHED with NO PAY.  So all parents who took your families on a long weekend skiing trip or  to the beach, remember that your child's teacher is probably at home because we are not getting paid!  (Now I'll get off my soapbox)

I'm linking up to Show and Tell on My Romantic Home.