Santa Stops in the Shop...

My love of a white palette is obvious. It really makes the red berries and green garlands even more festive this time of year. Here are a few more pics of my shop decked out for Christmas...

These Christmas cards depicting Santa on the beach couldn't be more perfect for a little shop in the Gulf of Mexico!

Thanks for taking a peek!

I hope your heart is filled with holiday joy...

The Butterfly House

This place is enchanting...

The path opens to a wonderful butterfly bench...

...then you happen upon a sweet little gazebo.

Every detail is spectacular!

After a brief pause, the tour continues along the beautiful brick path...

Passing wonderful sculptural elements like this simple bird feeder with an aged copper roof.

The walk becomes an adventure as you cross tiny waterways that lead to majestic pools.

Every step is more like a shuffle as not to disturb the true residents of this most wonderful place!

And it is not just home to butterflies...

If you sit still long enough...you are bound to have a curious visitor stop by.

The blue blur next to my ear is a giant blue butterfly!

At rest they appear to have a dozen eyes gazing back to you...

Then she opens her wings...and she is dressed to impress!!!

Now this little guy is quite impressive too...

A trip to the Butterfly House made me think about countless hours in my garden. I would hope and hope to just catch the slightest glimpse of a fairy at dusk. I once thought for certain that I had. As an adult I could rationalize that it was just a butterfly...but why would I want to do that. It only took a moment once I walked in the door to be transported back in time. I am a little girl again...

Deep down inside I have to wonder if the fairies are tucked inside the garden of the conservatory just waiting for the magical hour to pop out and dance in the moonlight.

It was a wonderful day... 

The End



A Few from the Grounds

I have to admit that I was so excited to visit the Keys just to see all the Hemingway six toed kitties. While there we learned the origin...Hemingway was given a white six toed kitty, named Snowball, from a ship's captain. There are still descendants of Snowball on the grounds today.

As promised, here are a few more images from around the grounds. I found this old image and it is almost hard to believe how little things have changed...

The vegetation has matured...but the property looks just as it did many years ago...

There are influences from all around the world...including this fountain and the tiles surrounding the basin that are tucked in among the bamboo of the gardens.

Behind the buildings are small cat-sized replicas of the main house and guest house.

Look closely and you will see content little faces resting in the windows.

The grounds are lush and green with a sweet blend of petitte kitty homes, old iron garden chairs, bird baths and fountains. Natural perfection....

It was a fantastic day to visit such an historic treasure. Everything was even better than I had imagined...

and this was only the beginning of the adventure.

More pictures are still to come...

A Look into Hemingway's Home...

If ever there was a question as to whether or not I am a lucky girl...the answer is yes! I was so fortunate to be taken on a special surprise trip to the Keys for my birthday last month. Even though I live on an island in the Gulf...sometimes a change of scenery is still needed. What a treat to take a boat ride down to the Keys and spend the weekend with my sweetheart, Scott. It was not only relaxing...but it was also inspirational. This will be the first of several postings on the sights and wonders of the Keys that brought me great joy...and inspiration!

Ernest Hemingway's Home

  Ernest Hemingway

American author and journalist

 07/21/1899 to 07/02/1961

I was so taken by the simple, quiet elegance of the home. Even the understated bathrooms were adorned with small crystal chandeliers. The sunlight rooms were filled with a select few antiques. The gulf breezes filled the air...and Hemingway kitties were speckled throughout the grounds. Looking at the collection of works by Hemingway made it seem like he had just stepped out for a stroll. It was as though he just might peek in to see what all the fuss is about.

After browsing through my pictures it was obvious that the bones of the building intrigued me the most: from the doors to the windows and shutters, from the staircase to the detailed railings and rafters, from the built-in cabinets to the beautiful fireplaces. It is beautiful from front door to back.

Stay tuned for pictures of the grounds and more members of the Hemingway family...