My Spring Mantel

As I transition our house into a fresh summer cottage, I wanted to bring some green and natural elements into our family room.  I've never really liked a loaded down, fussy mantel, but I did want ours to have a little more going on than usual.

We cleaned the ashes out of the fireplace for the last time the other day.  Although a fire would've been nice the last day or two.  Brrr.  A while back, our neighbor lost a limb on her river birch and you know me.  I rushed down to rescue it.  She wasn't sure what I was using it for, but gave me a thumbs up anyway.  I love a birch log in a fireplace!  Thank you Julie :).  The driftwood is from our walks along the New River.  Can't wait to get up there soon!  It is nice to have a little reminder there on the mantel.
 

If you've been here longer than five minutes you've most likely seen these boxwood orbs before.  If you ever see them, grab them!  They are the most versatile accessory I own.  No matter where I place them they look great!  The flowers are viburnum.  Some people call them snowball bush.  If we had room in our yard, I would plant one just for the beautiful bouquets.  I should probably thank my friends at Kirklands for the wonderful lanterns.  I have a feeling you will be seeing more of them when summer comes.