This, That, and Welcome Spring!

March is flying by...and it has been a busy month!  I was blessed to celebrate my birthday earlier in the month and the beautiful flowers pictured above were a gift from dear friends.  We live in a "senior community", in an apartment in a building of 53 units.  It really is like living in a dorm again.  I opened our door on my birthday to find these beauties, as well as many cards and balloons.   We feel blessed to be living here with people who have become wonderful friends and neighbors.

One of my favorite things to do on my birthday - or the weekend of my birthday - is to go shopping using all the "birthday offers" from various stores.   We drove down to Conshohocken to IKEA.  I was looking for a new desk for my sewing area, and did not find one that suited me, but found some other things to follow me home and use my birthday coupon - 

This cute little tray was one of my finds.  Not sure what or where I will use it, but sure I will find a use.

These white, mesh metal file folders should help in organizing the mess in our office cabinet.

This metal lantern was perfect for near our window.

IKEA had a wonderful variety of faux plants...I snagged this plant and the metal holder for our side table.   Despite all the windows in our apartment, we do not get much direct sun.  Faux plants are slowly replacing all of our real ones!

After loading those finds in our trunk we headed to lunch...

On the way to our next stop we spied a Panera.  Had not been to one since Covid times, so we stopped for our favorite "You Pick Two" - great Chicken Rice soup and the Fuji Apple Salad!

Next up...one of my favorite stores...

Looking for a chair for my sewing area...I love the desk chair I found here last birthday.  But, no luck on the chair - and I found that I am pretty much already organized and did not need much.

I bought several of the clear scoops for my flour and sugar containers, and this great stainless steel scoop for using when I have a buffet and an ice bucket.

I love the little version of the scoops, too.  Great for nuts or dishes of candy.

Also found a packet of these clip on chalk tags for marking dishes when we do a buffet.

And a package of cable ties that will keep our cords contained when we travel.

After storing those finds in the trunk we headed across the parking lot to the King of Prussia Mall.   I was looking for a winter robe - the zipper on my much loved but still good robe fell apart and I thought I should be able to find one in that HUGE mall.

No such luck...and as much as I love to shop - that mall is way too big for me.  The layout is very confusing as well.   Got so tired walking around we had to stop and get ice cream!

Did make a stop at Sephora for some eye pencils and of course, my free birthday month gift!

Laura Mercier eye shadow stick and finishing powder.

It was a great day trip - and I relaxed the entire weekend and enjoyed reading all my birthday cards and texts.

My birthday fell on a Sunday and we attended church services.  Once a month everyone who is celebrating a birthday or anniversary is invited to come to the front of the church for a blessing.  

Finished off the weekend at the fine dining venue in our community.  Local Table - using a farm to table concept - has just reopened after Covid times.  We are so happy it is now open.  I enjoyed a great cocktail, wild rice soup - which was wonderful, and a great brick pressed chicken dish.  It is so great to have this wonderful spot here in our community.

It was a great birthday!  I am SO very blessed to celebrate 67 years...with good health, good friends, and a wonderful husband.  Looking forward to the coming year!

How do you celebrate your birthday?  Low key or big party?  Do you use all your "birthday rewards" at various stores?

I would love to know your traditions.  Please leave a comment below.  Thank you for stopping by Our New Vista!  

Have a fabulous Spring!