Summer Home

SuMmER...What is there not to love about 100 degree heat, hot sidewalks beneath bare feet, sweet seedless watermelon, dips in the cool water of the swimming pool, the bright yellow faces of the sunflowers growing in our backyard, butterflies fluttering around trying to avoid Red's butterfly net and a little mouth circled in color painted by a ice cold Popsicle?

OK, so the 100 degree heat I could probably do without, but would we enjoy the rest of the things on the list as much if it wasn't so stinking hot?! Maybe...

This is the time of the year I long to be at the beach. Breathing in that fresh cool air, listening to the waves, sand between my toes. Unfortunately, this will only be a daydream until August when we take a little time to go camping in Morro Bay.

So, what better to do than redo a few things. Since I have such a love for the sea, in much of our home you will find colors that remind you of the beach. Sea shells sit on shelves and peek out of containers of all sorts.

I've been working on little projects all over the house, but most of my focus has been upstairs where the majority of the "beachy" things are found. I just need to find the right fabric to make some sort of window treatments and this room will become the retreat I've been dreaming of since we moved in.

I found a few photos of us at the beach which seem to fit perfectly in this old peely bookshelf. I love things with peely paint on them. Our county's lead program would likely have a fit if they saw some of the things I have in our house. Lucky for me, Red doesn't chew on furniture!!!
I found this cute little rack that made a great place to hold some fun things in my scrap booking room. I love it when something is beautiful in it's appearance and also functional. I have been having so much fun in my little room lately. I have actually decided to submit a few layouts to a magazine called Memory Makers. I'll keep everyone posted on how things turn out. I'm not expecting anything big but am excited at the possibilities!
This last photo is of a treasure I received from my Mother-in Law. She handed this to me when we visited last and said that she was getting ready to toss it but thought that I might would like it because I loved sea shells. After I finished gasping at the idea of this beautiful treasure (given to her by her Mother-in-Law) could have been gone forever, I nearly jumped with joy. I LOVE this box which sides are made of either oyster shell or mother of pearl. It is pieced together with brass which has the most beautiful patina. I am so thankful to have it and will treasure it forever!

I hope you all survive the summer heat and enjoyed a little peak of my "Summer Home". :)

Spring is in the Air...

The weather has been so beautiful. The mountains to the east of us are covered in orange, yellow and white wild flowers. Everything is green. The new baby sheep have arrived at the farm near our home. This is my most inspired season. I love everything about it! (Except for the allergies!)

I've got all of my Spring decorations out around the house. Just like Christmas, when I open the boxes of my Easter decorations, my heart flutters with excitement! How silly to be so dramatic about decorations! But when you have cute little chicks like the one in this picture, you just can't help it!

I'm also getting very excited because on Monday, my parents will be on their way out to California for a visit.Red is counting down the days, too. We already have a camping trip to Morro Bay planned. Mom and I are looking forward to visiting our favorite little shop in Cambria, Birds of a Feather. Talk about inspiring. I could move my bed right in the center of that shop and be as happy as a clam! (Franky, quit rolling your eyes!!!) It is adorable. The shop owner has a knack for displaying simple objects in such beautiful ways...oooh, I can't wait!
I'm very proud to say that I have had one of the pictures I took of Alex and my three nieces published in the Brainerd (MN) Dispatch! My Mom took the picture (of the kids at the Brainerd Lodge showing off their tattoos) to their local paper to be published in their reader picture section. It is one of my favorite pictures. I can't wait for Alex to see himself in it! I told Mom and Dad to buy about 25 copies since this would be Red's first appearance in a newspaper! : )

I hope to get some scrapping time in soon...I have so many ideas floating through my head, I can't wait to see what they become. I hope each of you find inspiration and delight during this wonderful season.

Merry...

Home at Christmas

I love Christmas time. I get to bring all of my decorations down from the attic. When I open the containers, my heart flutters. It's like an old friend has come to visit. I can't wait to get everything out and into place. Every year I use the same decorations but try to find new ways to display them. Each one has a memory. Either of a shopping trip Mom and I took, a neat place we've visited, Christmas' past or of a person who made the decoration.

It was too cute, on the day Franky got the decorations down, Alex was taking a nap. By the time he woke up, decorations were strewn all over the loft. Alex's eyes were bright and bigger than ever. He says, "MOM, it- looks -so- FESTIVE in here." (Where does a three year old get the word "festive"?!)

Red Head is definitely excited about Christmas this year and can't wait until Franky gets back from Minnesota and puts the train around the tree.

Many pictures to come...

*We can't wait until you get home, Daddy. We love and miss you lots and lots.

Halloween House