It Feels Like Summer

As we walked along the beach this morning we passed two teenage boys discussing the weather.

One boy said it felt like summer and the second boy said that it was literally about as far from summer as you can get.

The second boy is correct that we are at the seasonal opposite of summer, but it does feel like summer.

Thinking about "summer like" weather and reading my new decorating books made me realize what was wrong with my post Christmas mantel.

 After Christmas, I left the existing painting on the mantel and used a New Year's theme, but it just didn't feel right.

The change to a beach theme might not be right in other parts of the country, but it fits on our little part of the coast.

The painting is of the side of City Hall looking down to the sea on a mild January day.

Shells, found in abundance in our house, fill metal baskets.

Candlesticks I received for Christmas add height to the shell displays.

The walls shine bright yellow enhanced by the sun and an abalone shells holds a mere pittance of the wealth of sand dollars Steve finds on the beach each day.

There is a method to my madness in decorating with "summer" items - perhaps it will encourage winter to laugh at me bringing rain and snow so that we can get in a little skiing.

This mantel fits our little beach cottage and lifestyle and it reflects who we are- no matter the season.

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Join me at

A Stroll Thru Life - Inspire Me Tuesday

Cedar Hill Ranch - The Scoop

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday's Treasures

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Kathe With an E - You're Gonna Love It

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday

Playing With My New Christmas Toys

80 degree weather left our Christmas tree shedding on the floor and dried out so today's mission was to take down all of the Christmas decorations and clean house.

I looked at the task in a positive way by thinking of all the fun I would have finding homes for my new Christmas toys.

Steve hates to shop and had no idea what to buy me for Christmas so I went to Save-On-Crafts, Amazon and Etsy, filled the shopping cart with "ideas" for presents and sent him the links to each shopping carts.

I also took pictures of items in some of my favorite shops in our little downtown area.

The string of metal hearts from Palermo in Ventura now adorns the entry way cabinet and the 2 vintage napkins (oh how I wish there had been a few more) from Etsy sit in a basket of other colorful linens.

I love numbers and I love wire baskets and have been eyeing the set of No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 baskets at Save-On-Crafts for over a year.

No. 1 is under the coffee table bench holding the 2 new books from Amazon and No. 3 sits next to the fireplace holding wood for our winter fires.

Steve surprised me with the telephone wire insulator he found in an antique store so I put it on the table by his chair along with a few things he got for Christmas.

The wooden box with metal drawers will not end up in the living room, but I like the look and am leaving it out until it finds a place in our big January project.

My mind keeps going back end forth on the tall metal candlestick - love it on the green bench vs. hate it on the green bench - for today it stays.

The palmistry hand Steve bought me on Etsy to replace one he broke still does not have a home nor do the set of mismatched candlesticks.

I was not expecting Steve to buy me all the things on the list so I am not sure where I will use these 3 left over pieces, but I am sure they will find good homes when I start a big project next week.

I can't believe I worked all day yet I didn't finish so tomorrow it isn't playing with my new toys, it will be all work and no play.

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Join me at

Shabby Art Boutique - Shabbilicious Friday

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

Rooted in Thyme - Simple & Sweet Fridays

Merry Christmas

Our Advent Calendar has only 1 treat remaining.

The table is set.

The sound of Christmas Carols drifts through the house.

Gifts are tucked all over our tiny living room.

I am relaxed and ready to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Enjoy each minute with your loved ones.

JOY

JOY

is what I am feeling this Christmas.

DELIGHT in creating a welcoming home for my family.

HAPPINESS  because we are home for the holidays and I have time for creativity.

BLISS when I am finished setting a "Christmas" table each night.

ELATION that Lulu has recovered from her surgery.

GLEE that I have filled several tins with home baked Christmas goodies.

TRIUMPH because the house is decorated and I can relax and enjoy each day leading to Christmas.

EXHILARATION after walking Lulu to the park.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and may you have JOY each day. 

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Join me at these fun parties

It's Overflowing - All Things Christmas

Funky Junk Interiors - Party Junk

Too Much Time on My Hands - Get Schooled Saturday

Classy Clutter - Spotlight Saturday Link Party

Twigg Studios - Sunday Show Off Party

Last minute projects . . .

Lately, my mornings begin with a look at blogs and Pinterest for Christmas inspiration followed by some sort of "tweaking".

 Yesterday I came across a fun ladder at Sweet Inspirations by JP Designs.

Nostalgic Holiday Ladder

After seeing the sweet ladder, I knew that, despite the cold, my garden ladder needed to be dressed for Christmas

I found a few stockings I made over 25 years ago hiding in the attic.

A Believe sign, wooden stars and jingle bells completed the ladder decor.

At the same time, I came across the old wooden N O E L  blocks and added them to my garden vignette.

When it came to setting the table, I decided to use one of the tea towels I ordered from H & M Home.

I love the Santa postage stamp tea towel and had hoped to make a pillow from it, but the shape is all wrong.

To showcase the great vintage Santa, I went with a really simple table setting.

Felt stockings I found at Michael's a few years ago hold the flatware.

A centerpiece would have covered up Santa so I simply added a little greenery and ornaments to the candlesticks.

I have a confession to make in these 2 photos - the Christmas pillows on the bench are not pillows at all.

I laid the tea towels on the pillows to get photographs.

There won't be a table setting tonight because we will be on a friend's dock watching the Parade of Lights and enjoying all the beautifully decorated boats as they make a slow crawl through The Keys.

My day will be occupied with crafts - JP has promised to teach me how to silk screen to make KC an apron.

And, I will be making the tea towels into pillows.

With just a few days left until Christmas, what are you doing with your time?

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I am joining these parties

Shabby Art Boutique - Shabbilicious Friday

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Common Ground - Be Inspired

Redoux - Weekend Link Party

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative Friday

Sunny Simple Life - From the Farm Blog Hop

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

The Golden Sycamore - Inspiration Gallery

The Thrifty Groove - Thrifty Things Friday