It doesn’t really feel like spring is quite here yet, in southern Ontario. There’s still a little snow on the ground, and certainly a chill in the air, but at least today the sun was shinning. It’s definitely time to get rid of the Christmas lights, wreaths and urn arrangements, but still too soon for even pansies. So after packing away the last of the Christmas lights two weeks ago, I added some eggs and twigs to the birch in my urn for a very early spring arrangement.

It’s nice to see a little spring colour out there. And, I had to add my little bunny friend, and my Easter egg wreath to the door too.

And today while I was out there snapping these pics, I noticed something. Spring really is on it’s way!

Welcome.

This past weekend, I helped to host a special women’s day at our church. One of the activities we did was make bulb gardens together. It was so much fun and they all turned out so well. I think it would be great idea just for a fun spring get together with friends.

Rather than supplying containers, we gave each lady a crisp five dollar bill, and sent them out together with maps of where the local thrift stores, dollar stores, and discount stores where. We had about eight within a 5 min. drive of our location. Everyone went different places, and after 45 min. we gathered back at our church building for coffee and cookies.

It was really neat to see all the great stuff people found, and for only $5. I’m really glad we did this part of the activity because it was a great bonding experience for the ladies, and allowed each one to express their own individual personalities, and who doesn’t love the thrill of the hunt!

In advance we had purchased bulbs, potting soil, and butterfly pics for everyone to use. They were given 4 inch pots of mini-daffodils, a hyacinth, and tulips. After coffee the planting began. The green thumbs helped out the brown thumbs and everyone had a good time and a good laugh;)

All the gardens were so beautiful when they were done. This one used Easter tins from the dollar store.

Some people found pottery at the second hand store.

Some people used planters.

I love the galvanized steel bucket.

And this little sugar bowl turned planter is so cute.

Guess what I choose? Milk glass. Here it is at home, on my console table. The buds have opened, and it’s bringing a little spring to the front door.

Spring is coming…really it is.

This post is linked up at Making the World Cutter, Just Something I Whipped Up, Skip to my Lou, and Under the Table and Dreaming.

Tomorrow I am helping with a spring women’s ministry event at our church. The decor theme is nests, so I thought it would be fun to make these little nest cookies. You know I love a theme! These cookies would also be great for Easter. They are fast, easy, and really yummy.

My mom used to make these often when I was little girl, without the eggs, especially if she didn’t have anything sweet for our school lunches the next day. Remember back when mom’s baked for their kids school lunches? Here is the easy recipe:

Coconut Cookies

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups instant rolled oats
• 6 tbsp. cocoa
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Cadbury mini eggs (optional)

Combine the sugar, shortening, and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil 1 min, no longer. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the mini Easter eggs.

Quickly stir to combine, and drop by spoonful on to waxed paper. If making nests, make a depression in the middle with the spoon and add the Easter eggs before the cookie cools and sets.

These cookies make me think of spring, here’s hoping for some spring like weather soon!

This post is linked up at Tatertots and Jello and Under the Table and Dreaming.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We’re celebrating around here with a Leprechaun Lunch, and everything green! Here’s some of the great stuff I used to make the all green Muffin Tin lunch. The cupcake wrappers are from President’s Choice. I was really excited to find green pear/apple sauce, perfect for our theme. I used some cute green pics I picked up a Party Packagers. I also grabbed a few cute St. Patrick’s Day items from the dollar store.

For the Leprehaun Lunch we had broccoli, snow peas, and green grapes. The applesauce is Mott’s pear flavour, and it’s really green. We also had some noodles with butter and cheese, a real favourite around here. I bought a bag of the tri-coloured noodles, and just used green and white today. For a treat I picked up a couple of cupcakes at the bakery, and added in a few pieces of Leprechaun gold chocolate coins. We also tried Lemon/Lime Koolaid for a green drink.

After lunch it was time to read “That’s What Leprechauns Do” by Eve Bunting. It’s a sweet story about the mischief that three Leprechauns get into on the way to dig up their gold and put it at the end of a rainbow.

Hope you and your little Leprechauns are having a happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Have a look at Muffin Tin Mom for more Muffin Tin inspiration.

This post is also linked up at Somewhat Simple, and seventhirtythree.

And…don’t forget to help us celebrate 100 000 Hits here!

I am so excited to have over 100 000 hits on Life is a Party! In less than 10 months, I am thrilled to have been able to share some party and life inspiration with so many people. Life isn’t always perfect, but I truly believe that it is what we make it, so why not make it a party! Thanks for joining in on the journey with me.

I think it’s time to celebrate, because that’s what we do best around here. I am so appreciative to my faithful blog readers, so I’d like to invite you to a 100 000 Hits Party!

If you are a follower, and live in the GTA and are free on the evening of Friday, April 1, you can enter to win an exclusive invite to our amazing celebration! Winners will be revealed on Friday, March 25. Guests will enjoy an amazing evening and go home with some great goodies!

Let’s keep the party going! The 10 exclusive party guests will be invited to join me in bringing a birthday gift for a less fortunate little boy or girl. The gifts will be donated to the local Salvation Army, to be distributed in the community, and help keep the party going!

The party will be for 10 exclusive guests who are “Life is a Party” followers, and feature 10 amazing menu items. 10 x 10 = 100 ways to celebrate

100 000 Hits!

The party will be featured here on the blog in 10 Special Posts, sharing all the decor, drinks, and food with tutorials, recipes, and some great sponsors! Even if you can’t make it to Toronto, you’ll be able to share in all the fun right here!

So, for your chance to win an exclusive invite to the party April 1st, make sure you are a follower (or join at the side), and leave me a comment below. I can’t wait to hear from you, and thanks again for visiting!