Puttering

I read a lovely post shared by Dotsie of Podso this morning titled More Bliss

and she talked about a luncheon she shared with a group of friends where she asked each woman to share how they found their bliss.

Dotsie found that each of her friends savored the days when they could just putter around the house.

I must agree with Dotsie and her friends that having time to putter is bliss to me.

Frequently the puttering is productive - Steve and I puttered together to create a new sign for the porch.

I messed up on the spacing of the letters, but Steve saved the day by suggesting that we add a starfish to solve the problem.

Steve is busy working on a commission so I had time to putter around in La Petite Maison.

It started simply by taking an old chair out of storage and adding a basket of flowers.

Then, I decided to organize the shelves so I could take photos of the fun items I received from Kathy of Kluless.

I had inquired about some cute tart tins Kathy posted on Instagram.

She sent me the tins and included the cutest wooden blocks - I wonder why she thought of me when she saw the blocks?

The shelves are organized,

like items are placed together

and there are only a few baskets on the floor.

You wouldn't think a space this small would hold much.

I really need to stop puttering,

but it's so much fun to pick flowers and play around with pictures.

What about you, is puttering your "bliss"?

However you find it, I wish you a blissful day.

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Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday

Join me at Stone Gable for The Scoop

Gifts ... Gratitude ... Friendship ...

Over the last month, I have received lovely gifts ... from strangers.

An Instagram friend sent me gifts with a sweet card about GRATITUDE.

The line that resonates with me is turning "a stranger into a friend".

Nancy of @nantiques00 and I became friends when she left a fun comment on a picture I posted of my kitchen.

I cracked up when I read the part about being separated at birth.

Nancy seems to know me because the gifts she sent me were a set of vintage look patriotic cards

and three cute beachy style bracelets.

I signed up for #swapitlikeitshot on Instagram and received great gifts from Kristen of @beachyglamdecor.

Connie of Crafty Home Cottage sent me a set of Bingo balls because she knows that I love numbers.

I won an Instagram giveaway from @clothnshard - I am using the bag to hold flowers.

A totally unexpected gift was a tablecloth from my new Turkish cousin, Aysegul  (my son married into a Turkish family and apparently I too am now part of the family) she promises to take me shopping at the bazaar if I will visit her in Istanbul.

 I am thankful for all the gifts, but more important I am grateful for all my new friends.

Tea Party

I have mentioned in previous posts that we live on a wonderful lane with great neighbors who like to socialize frequently.

I am going to a Tea Party today, in Freddie's garden.

Freddie, who has exquisite taste, gave me a lovely LOVE heart at my retirement party.

I want to take a little something to Freddie.

I bought a little ocean colored vase at TJ Maxx

and tied on a bit of Tim Holtz metal, but I wasn't sure I liked how it looked.

I swapped out the Live in the Moment piece for a simple LIVE tag attached with chain.

I like how it looks on my shelf - might have to go back to TJ Maxx and pick up a vase for myself.

For a tag, I used one of the sweet gifts I received from Patty in the Chaotic Goddess Color Swap.

It's not much - a single tea rose (there isn't much in bloom right now) from my garden.

And now, it is time to put on a sundress and head to Freddie's garden to look at this view from her deck.

Tonight, we will ride our bikes to an ocean front restaurant for dinner.  

I love . . .  September days . . . wonderful neighbors . . . riding my bicycle along the beach . . . being retired . . . 

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I will be joining these great parties

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday