sittin by the dock of the bay

Several years ago I was fortunate enough to photograph a beautiful property close to my home. I have photographed the home for several magazines. But there were a few pictures that never made the cut. Yet I think they are so amazing... so I'm going to share them with you!

 

 

Walk down the garden path...

 

peek through a bougainvillea archway...

 

stop for a little moment in the shade...

 

continue down the path...

 

then sit on the dock of the bay!

 

It's the perfect place to sit

and watch something very special...

 

 

...manatees at play!!!

It was the perfect way to end a long photo shoot.

 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. It was a beautiful day surrounded by amazing sights.

 



happy birthday america...

Everyone celebrates the 4th of July in their own special way...

Sometimes quiet celebrations with the ones you love are just as special as grand events.

 

 

Walking down the path...

 

...feeling grateful for living in an amazing country surrounded by blue waters and seashell covered beaches!

 

Happy 4th of July!!!

 

 

A beautiful ending to a beautiful day!

 

 



feeling patriotic

Right in the middle of summer is the 4th of July. By July 1st I am peppering my garden pots with red white and blue flags and hanging banners and buntings all around the house. But my home's interior doesn't really lend itself to a red, white and blue theme. So adding small touches to my neutral color pallet is the way to go. Here are some cute ideas to inspire you...

 

 

Add some mix and match dishware to a plain table setting or incorporate a few fun touches to your bedding...

 

When a room is mostly white or neutral tones, it's so easy to add new colors for each season...

 

Sometimes the addition of one simple yet charming statement will be all a room needs to welcome a new holiday!

 

I love decorating.

Having any excuse to dig out holiday treasures is heaven.

The 4th of July is right around the corner...are you getting ready to say Happy Birthday to our amazing country?

 

 

garden bench upcycle

Garden season is in full bloom!

It is also the right time to make sure you are organized. A good way to stay organized is to tidy up the potting bench. Of course I use upcycled vintage items. My bench needs to be as pretty as it is functional!

 

 

This is an insert out of an old metal tool box. I made the tool box into a planter and I kept the insert (I can never get rid of anything). I'm glad I did! It makes a perfect garden caddy.

 

Old recipe boxes are always on my radar when I'm out picking. I use them for so many things. My favorite use is to organize my seed packets. I like to keep them and include a 3x5 notecard with helpful hints: when I planted, how they grew, how long they lasted, etc. It's nice to look back and have references for years to come!

 

It's not too early to be preparing for next year's garden. I like to keep a journal of notes about the weather, temperatures, rainfall, pests as well as important information such as what was happy and what withered. I covered my journal with an old weathered yet beautiful book binding.

 

 

Gardens are forever...if you insure their future. Stay organized now and it will help you for years to come!

 

 



for all you do

I have always been and will always be Daddy's little girl.

 

 

My dad is my hero, my role model and my rock. I am so thankful to have yet another year with this special fella. This is the smile that warms my heart...

 

Happy Father's Day to the best father a girl could ever ask for... He's a blessing.

I love you Pappa!!!



 



the little plant that could

This post is going to tug at my heartstrings. I have never given up on a plant, especially one that has a family history. Although I do not know exactly how old this cactus is, the best guess is 35 to 40 years old. Many moons ago, a special lady and her mom and dad took a walk on Lido Key. They came upon a cactus and lovingly cut a small piece. It was planted in a pot and found its way onto the hot and sunny condo lanai. It was watered 3 to 4 times a year when people went to visit Florida, however it spent much time alone. All these years later, we inherited this sad little fella. We took him to Sanibel...

 

 

I studied a bit about cactus...since this is totally out of realm of gardening knowledge. I carefully cut the tops of the leaves and let them heal over... He looked like a sad old boy.

 

Within days he showed me that he was happy in his new surroundings...

 

...and the haircut was working!!!

 

Here he is...

Just two weeks of new growth!

 

I couldn't be more excited!

The moral of this story:

New give up on life, whether it's a plant, a relationship or your own life. Never give up. A little love and encouragement and life will blossom right before your eyes!

Posted with love,

 

 

never forget

This Memorial Day weekend, as you are enjoying picnics...

 

 

...and fun family getaways...

 

...take time to remember those who gave their lives to serve this wonderful country.

 

Happy Memorial Day.

A special thank you to all those who served, who paid the ultimate price and to the families left behind.

 



seashells past

Sometimes I think I can actually see how my brain works through looking at blog posts.

I am going to share a few pictures of vintage seashell crafts. Looking back I just posted about flea marketing...

then a post about my mom...

now seashells because I'm daydreaming about all the summers I spent picking up sea shells with my family.

flea marketing

mom

sea shells

The connection is clear...

these are a few of my favorite things!

 

 

Some time ago, I photographed numerous vintage shell crafts for an article in Victorian Homes magazine. Since that time I have been inspired to look for shell collectables. Like the bouquet of coquina shell flowers above to the tiny hand painted purse below.

 

These items gained popularity during Victorian times and continued to be a favorite pastime throughout the 1900's.

The purse and perfume bottle are lovely examples of the late 1800's through the early 1900's.

 

Shell encrusted vases and pots gained popularity in the 1940's and 50's.

 

I simply adore this precious piece dated 1901...

I thought it was an inkwell until I saw the tiny spoon which led me to think salt cellar.

 

I love collecting shell boxes. Even this little lid alone is a welcome addition to my home.

 

Keep an eye out when thrifting, yard sale-ing and flea marketing. Sometimes you can find a wonderful shell item when you least expect it...and for a deal!

Happy hunting...

 

 

 



inspiration...

For those who follow my blog, it is obvious how much my family means to me! My mom has been my closest friend, my biggest fan and a huge source of inspiration. I just want to say thank you for all the love and support you have given to me.

 

 

We sure have had a lot of fun adventures and worked on a lot of projects together. I came across this image and it sort of summed it all up. Time spent in our gardens, picking and drying flowers, dad making frames and you cutting mats...

 

 

I just want to say...

Happy Mother's Day

I love you bunches

and

Thank you for

EVERYTHING!

 

 



flea marketing...

I am daydreaming about all the fun times I have had flea marketing with my precious mom over the years. As soon as Spring arrived, we would grab our flea marketing bags and hit the road in search of treasures. Now that I live in southern Florida, flea market season is the exact opposite of fleaing in the North. Vendors show their wares all winter and pack up to hit the Northern summer circuit. I can't help but miss home when my mom tells me she is starting to see advertisements for outdoor flea markets in WV. I felt compelled to write a flea market inspired post.

 

 

From time well spent with my mom to experiencing the thrill of the hunt...I can't think of a better way to enjoy a beautiful day!

 

I always have an eye out for certain special finds...

 

And I try to look for things that can be upcycled or repurposed into things other than their intended use...

 

I love old jars. They are terrific for displaying shells, buttons and keys (and they are usually really inexpensive!).

 

I'm pretty sure I collect way too many things. I can find beauty in almost anything! I live by the motto "two of something is clutter but five or more is a collection!" The more the merrier!!!

 

My "hoard" was even featured in Romantic Homes magazine.

 

 

Here are my top 10 tips for a day of flea marketing...

1.DRESS FOR SUCCESS:

Dress for the weather and comfort. Pockets are a must! A hat and sunblock are very important too!!

2. MONEY MATTERS:

Take cash and make sure you have some change and small bills. Keep a small purse with a closure you can wear cross-body.

3. BAGGAGE IS A GOOD THING:

Take large bags with strong handles and/or a pull cart or wagon. Carrying all your treasures can be a challenge if you're not prepared.

4. SNACK PACKS:

Pack snacks and drinks. It's important to take breaks and stay hydrated. A small cooler in the car can be welcome on a hot sunny day.

5. HELPFUL NOTES:

Bring a camera and a small notepad. If a flea market is huge, it can be overwhelming. Especially if you see things you just have to have early in the day but you know you have a lot of ground yet to cover. If you don't take notes and pictures, you'll never remember where you saw that must have treasure you want to give a second look. It's always a gamble...the item could be long gone if you wait!

6. MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE:

Take a list of items you are hunting. It's also a good idea to have prices in mind. When you see something you love, have a max price you are willing to pay. It's okay to bargain with a dealer but be prepared if they are not willing to negotiate. 

7. BE SMART:

Take a tape measurer (and any measurements you might need like the size of a wall for a piece of art) and a smart phone. Google can be your best friend when shopping. Compare prices and learn how to spot fakes. 

8. THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM:

Arrive early! Park in a place close to an entrance or exit in case you want to make trips back to your car.

9. THE BUDDY SYSTEM:

Bring a friend. You can divide and conquer more area, it's more fun to shop with a friend and sometimes you just need a little feedback!

10. GET HOME SAFE:   

After a successful day of flea marketing it is important to pack the car with care. Have blankets or packing pads and twine or rope in the car to secure large items. Newspapers and other packing material will protect smaller treasures. Finally...get clean with sanitizing wipes.

I hope you are inspired to head out for a fun flea marketing adventure. I know I am! I just wish I lived closer to my mom...