Hello Lovelies. I want to thank all of you for your kind emails and advice on ‘slowing down and healing my body’. I had such bad pain from sports/yoga injury that I could barely walk and then it was getting worse because I was so busy I was forgetting to eat, sleep and breath!! I’m sure you can all relate to this! I listened to everyone and my body. I let my body heal for 3 days, no workouts! I hated every minute of it but I feel so much better now. I can’t imagine how stressful it must be when high paid famous professional athletes have to be ‘benched’ due to injuries, it is no fun sitting on the sidelines. But if we don’t sit out a few ‘games’ every now and then a few days ‘off’ can quickly add up to months and months of chronic serious health issues! I also slept better and ate healthy. I gained back my weight and now I look healthy and fit. No more loose jeans! I’m just like every woman out there, I don’t like to exceed my ‘happy weight’ but I also do not like the way I look when I get too thin. It is very unattractive, why are all these girls so thin these days!! Men LOVE curves and healthy dewy skin. None of which are possible without proper nutrition and fitness. I always take pretty good care of myself but every now and then life and all its obligations just catches up to me. I didn’t rest too much during the daytime however, I am busy getting ready for Oliver’s 5th birthday party on Saturday and we are also celebrating my niece’s 3rd birthday. We are hosting the party at our home and I am having so much fun planning a fairytale theme party! I can’t wait. I also may get to meet one of my favorite bloggers who moved to our Garden State recently. I am hoping she and here family will join us. She and I feel like pen pals who may get to meet each other soon!
~The picture above is of my new chandelier ‘The Enchanted’ that is being made for us in Manhattan now. I saw one similar in The Finger Lakes on vacation last summer and just loved it. We are having crystals added to it so they sparkle and a little elegance to the stone and wood beamed ceiling in the old spring house that it will hang in. I may eventually move it above our antique copper tub in the master bathroom, but am not sure it will fit??
My sweet boy Oliver and I spent the day together at his nursery school for his field day on Friday. I was feeling much better and had the best day with him. No Louboutins or makeup necessary…pure casual fun. Does life get any better than this?! My two teenage sons are completely embarrassed when I post pictures of them, Oliver loves it!
Our weekend was filled with healthy eating and lots of gardening. I made a simple grilled organic shrimp caesar salad. Mr. Bunny loves Caesar salad. Yummy peanut butter and jelly bars, a large organic fruit salad, homemade minted lemon lime spritzers. Do you grow mint in your garden? If not just put a few different varities in a well drained pot, place it in a sunny spot and you will always have fresh mint on hand. Remember it is rather vigourous and takes over the garden so it is best kept contained.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Recipe Here
Please visit Foodie Friday, for hundreds of the most delicious recipes around!
We are busy getting the gardens ready for the party. We try as hard as possible to have an organic garden that is filled with food that we cook and bake with all season long.
Mr. Bunny and our wonderful landscaper really keep things lovely around here. My role is all garden design layout, all dead heading of roses, weeding, fertilizing, pruning and planting the vegetable garden and pumpkin, sunflower, gourd garden. I even use an eyebrow brush to help cross pollinate the flowers on the pumpkin vines. It sounds a little crazy but it really works that and of course all the busy little bees. Gardening is my meditation, I go out early in the morning and really count my blessings and feel a very deep spiritual connection to the Earth and my Faith.
Back to the Spring House I mentioned above. The chandelier will replace the one seen above this table. I bought this table in Paris 10 years ago. A lot of my friends go missing during my parties and I find them out here late at night. I often wonder about all the people that were in here over the past 200 years, I’m not sure they used it as a wine tasting room as we do now. I love rescuing the past!
Now for the winners of our two Giveaways. The lovely Sheila, or Mrs. Magpie as Oliver calls her, at The Quintessential Magpie won our Lovely green toile cake stand. And a fabulous writer Angie Muresan won our April Cornell tea towel Congrats ladies enjoy! I hope you have time to visit their blogs.
I love it when The Paris House is bustling with people, pets and lots of activity. I love it when my landscapers are here zipping around on their tractors and I can smell the fragrance of the cut grass throughout my home. I savor the times when my parents are in the kitchen hanging out or watching the boys swim. Or I am having a cocktail with a friend that pops over to say hi. I just love being surrounded, I don’t like to be alone too much. I hope that during busy, stressful and hectic times you can stop and look around fully understanding how fast time goes by. Rejoice in a home filled with loved ones, it is a true blessing.
~April 26, 2005, My 3 sons, Sam, Teddy and Oliver and one very happy mommy. A couple hours after Oliver was born. They are now 16, 13 and 5 and I am soon to be 45! I still feel 12 and act like it some days too.
I don’t think I will have time to post until after Mother’s Day due to this week’s schedule. I want to wish all you moms a very Happy Mother’s Day. I feel so honored and blessed to celebrate this day. We spend it the same way every year…out in our gardens surrounded by our children, pets and anyone that wishes to stop by and visit. I really am an Earth Mother. I don’t like to go out on this day, I prefer to be home relaxing here. The boys treat me like a princess on this day and I savor every minute of it.
Bunny! I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve had time to read your beautiful blog…I missed it/you!
I’m so looking forward to meeting you and your adorable crew! It almost seems unreal, y’know?! I’m so glad that you have rested and are feeling better. Your desire to exercise on a regular basis is inspiring…I’ve lost my routine and have gotten out of shape since moving here. There are just too many great restaurants in this state
You are just so creative…you amaze me!
hugs,
Mimi
Bunny, I want to thank you and Oliver again for the lovely cake stand! I’m so exicted I could pop! I can’t wait to serve a delicious chocolate cake on it. I feel so blessed to have won it!
And I want to wish that precious Oliver a Happy Birthday on Saturday! I will be sure to go to his blog and do so.
I’m still on break (out of town), but I will get home tomorrow. Then I have to deal with the AC men. Our AC broke in our upstairs, and Mr. Magpie said it was impossible to sleep up there last night. We’ve had temps in the 90′s. It’s a large unit that has to be ordered, so I don’t know when things will be fixed. He bought “air mattresses” for us to sleep on downstairs until it gets fixed. LOL! So we will be camping in the library or the living room or the dining room… not sure which. You would know all the bedrooms are upstairs in our residence.
On a brighter note… I adore your cool chandelier. It is MAGNIFICENT, and the spring house is wonderful with its stone walls and your French table. Just stunning. Can’t wait to see your new piece in it’s new setting.
Sending you hugs and well wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day to one of the best moms ever and that precious Oliver as he turns five!
Glad you’re feeling better.
Love to you and Oliver…
Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)
Bunny, I am so glad to hear you are feeling better. It is so hard to stop when you want to be on the go…We do need so much to be in balance to feel well…sometimes I take it for granted. Enjoy the exciting times ahead- the parties and Mother’s Day…Your boys are very lucky to have you for their Mom!
That is so fun you got to spend the day with Oliver at Field Day. The Spring House is just gorgeous and that chandelier will just fill the space! I too love planting the garden…still working on weeding and working the soil before I get all my annuals…always my Mother’s Day treat! and then the pool opened by Memorial Day! In the garden and time alone I can sense God’s presence. it can be so peaceful in these troubling times…Counting the days till this Jersey Pollen is gone!!!Our families need rest and good food and lots of love….was missing you on the blog… have a fabulous week…Cheers! Jennifer aka Gigi (PS I’ll be watching my 5, 3 & 1 1/2 yr old g kids next 3 days! Happy Days!)
HI BUNNY,
SO GLAD YOU ARE FEELING BETTER. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, “OLIVER.”
YOUR BIRTHDAY PARTY SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE SOME PARTY, HOW NICE FOR OLIVER. CONGRATS TO YOUR WINNERS FOR THE GIVEAWAYS, VERY LUCKY LADIES. TAKE CARE, AND ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND. A’HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY BUNNY.” RIZZI
Oh happy Mother’s Day to you dear Bunny!! So pleased you took the time (although hard to do) to rest and heal. Good job mom! I hope that Oliver’s celebration is a great one. Your boys were so sweet then as I am sure they all are now. You have much to celebrate and I find it tremendous how you appreciate all you have. That is the key!!
All my best to you all xoxo deb
Bunny,
I didn’t realize you had two older sons. I also have three sons. I adore being the mommie to boys. My guys are grown….well, my baby is 17. It seems like yesterday I was cradling them in my arms.
Hope you are feeling much better and have a beautiful week.
Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
A sweet Mother’s Day greeting to you Bunny and I’m so glad to hear that you have been taking care of yourself and are feeling better. Your springhouse is just to die for, and that chandelier is magnificent – you have a great eye for things like that! I need to find a fixture of some kind for our new porch, to hang over our farm table. We use only candles in our inside dining room, no electric chandelier in there, and I’m planning on doing the same thing on the outside porch.
Now, changing topics…you know, you said something in one of your comments on my blog about making yourself exercise everyday, even though you hate it. Now, maybe you overdid it recently, but it got me thinking that if someone like you needs to force yourself to exercise every day, then that’s what I need to do. And you know, I hate it but I’ve been on that treadmill everyday for a full 30 minutes since reading your comment, and I often think of you as I’m procrastinating about beginning the workout! Important things that are worth accomplishing often take effort above and beyond – and at 56 the weight just doesn’t drop off like it used to. Thank you for the gentle, supportive nudge!
Your gardens look great, and the photo of you and your sons is just so precious. Keep feeling better! Ciao, bella!
Hi Ann Marie, actually I love working out, its one of my favorite times of the day. I feel terrible when I don’t do it. Just stick with it, it works wonders!!
xo
Hi Bunny, so glad you are feeling better! I agree with you, too many wayyyy too thin little girls out there! Not healthy and not attractive! All of your food looks so yummy, and little Oliver is adorable! I love your new chandelier, and the Spring House is where I would spend sooo much time! I have been out in my gardens all day today, and it is my therapy too… love the photo of you with all three of your boys… Happy Mothers Day to you! xoxo Julie Marie
Hi Bunny~
Seriously, you do not look a day over 35! I swear your happy disposition and joy for living keep you young and lovely! Keep it up ~ it works!
And that Oliver, my goodness, I just want to squeeze those sweet cheeks! Big #5 Birthday wishes to the handsome little man!
Wishing you a blissful Mother’s Day and may you be spoiled every single second!
Bisous,
Melissa
Love the garden!
Have a lovely Tuesday, darling! ♥
Oh my, that chandelier is stunning and so perfect for the Spring Room! I would definitely be sneaking there to sip a few glasses of wine with you.
So happy to hear you finally got some rest and feel rejuvenated, you’ll need it with all the fun this weekend. I can’t wait to see the pic of the fairytale party. Oliver and your niece are going to have so much fun with their friends and family, wish I could be a fly on the wall and watch all the festivities.
Love the photo of you and all the boys, you look so blissful. I had my 5-year-old great-nephew over the weekend and honey, he wore me out. We did have a wonderful time, but I hit the pillow soon after he left for a long nap. I’m still recuperating from the move and just don’t have much energy right now. I’m doing what you did and taking it easy and eating healthy, but it will take me a little longer to spring back.
Have a wonderful time this weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to one of the most special moms I know!
What a sweet post Bunny! I am happy to hear that you are feeling better.
I especially love the picture of you and your three adorable sons. What precious memories you must have!
Now on to the spring house. What an elegent space. I would be one of those guest that you would find there. Very beautiful! I can’t wait to see the chandy hanging over that fabulous table.
Have a happy, happy Mother’s Day!
Yvonne
Lovely post. How nice to get to spend some nice quality time with Oliver. You have such a beautiful family.
Happy mothers day daaaaaaaaaahling.
*kisses* HH
You are truly blessed Bunny!
Stay fabulous at any age, I know you will!
haha… I do feel like 12 most of the times too~
Give warm hugs to the handsome Bunny boys for me!
HUGS*
I really love seeing pictures of your home and lovely family, that includes yourself of course
Your garden is incredible.
Those sports/yoga/pilates injuries can be horrible. My hamstrings are soooo tight and last year when my left leg would just not do want I wanted it to in yoga, I shoved it. I heard a horrible pop or tear. It is still extra tight to this day. We have to take care of ourselves! I’m glad that you are
p.s. I’m going to introduce my newly adopted French Angora this week! She’s a baby, but huge! I’m trying to get a good picture of her, but she’s camara shy!
Happy 5th Birthday to that sweet Oliver! You cannot possibly be near 40, Bunny! You look in your early 30′s the most.
And thank you for that sweet introduction.
Bonjour Bunny,
I didn’t know you were having trouble, so glad to hear you are feeling better! Nearly 45 – I don’t believe it! I’m nearly 46 (that should make you feel better). The photo with your three boys is just lovely. Oliver and your little neice’s will have the best brithday party – yes I would be sneaking off to the Spring House with Yvonne! Keep taking good care of yourself.
Bug birthday hug to Oliver!
Mimi
Hi, Bunny! I haven’t visited your blog in a while and enjoyed it so much today. Happy Mother’s Day to you too, plus Happy Birthday to Oliver and your niece! I hope the parties go off without a hitch! I am hoping that you will take lots of pics for us to see on your blog. And I wanted to say that your new chandelier is going to look AMAZING in your Spring House. That is some gorgeous building. Everything you have is just lovely and I so enjoy seeing pictures of everything! Again, have a great Mother’s Day and Happy Birthday, Oliver!
P.S. I am finally remembering to make myself a “Follower!”
gv
Bunny: I am going to LOVE your new chandelier in that location. Perfect. Looks like it was made just for you!
And am so glad you are feeling healthy again. It’s tough when you have to force yourself to slow down.
Your garden is looking beautiful and very party-ready!
I love all your “mother” photos, just in time for Mother’ Day. I know you will have a wonderful weekend with your lovely family!
Hello Bunny: I so much enjoyed reading your post. Your picture with your little boys is so lovely. What a wonderful day this was for you and all the boys in your family. I hope everything goes very well with your beautiful chandelier. What fun that will be when you can hang it in your wonderful house!! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Mothers Day!!! Hugs, Lia
Happy early Mother’s Day to a mama and wife that is forever inspiring me…YOU!
Darling Bunny,
Just want to wish you the best Mother’s Day darling!
Enjoy & I know the boys will spoil you rotten!!
BIG XO!
Bunny, that is some amazing chandelier! Love the spring house. How wonderful that you have this on your property.
Darling family photo! Thanks for sharing. I’ve added myself as a new follower and look forward to many more visit. Great name for a blog!
Happy Mother’s Day! ~ Sarah
I hope you had to have a lovely Mother’s Day, Bunny … please tell Jojo I sent my best to her for Mother’s Day, also.
You need to slow down, my friend … your so full of energy! Send me some …
Love the chandelier … this is one of my favorite home accessories.
The pictures of you & the boys is so precious … you look like a million $$, how do you do it, my friend!
Sherry is still pretty sick … I try to call her daily. Poor precious one …
Please give Oliver a hug for me …
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon
I just came from maryDons blog.Your cakestand was just so gorgeous.Im a new follower here what a lovely place to visit.Your boys are adorable.I have 2 girls.Hope to see you again real soon!~~Becky
Those white little square cakes look so tempting. So spongy and airy. You are so beautiful my dear. Your life inspires me. You are like Amélie from the movie – encouraging me to do good to others around me, just like you seem to be doing.
I’m getting more and more excited about my up-coming trip… flying over to the U.S. on Saturday!