What I love about retirement . . .

One of the things I love the very most about retirement is having time each day to set a table worthy of Steve's wonderful meals.

I love the feel and look of this table runner, a $10 TJ Maxx find last Saturday.

Originally my plan was to use a favorite yellow dish for the center piece, 

but in the hunt through cupboards for things to fill the yellow dish, I came across wooden dice and a tic tac toe board.

The dice and board led to a completely different table setting.

Linen napkins I stenciled last summer almost match the table runner.

Favorite red square plates have a black edge which pairs nicely with my new black flatware.

I had planned to use my mercury glass candlesticks, but the color of the starfish candlesticks works better with the table runner.

When I worked full time, I always used cloth napkins and candlesticks, but unless we were having guests for dinner, I didn't usually take the time for a centerpiece.

Now I have the leisure to try different table settings every night.

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Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life - Inspire Me Tuesday

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia - Tuesday's Treasures

Kathe With An E - You're Gonna Love It

Grow Your Blog Party

Welcome to Art and Sand.

This is my second year joining Vicki' s Grow Your Blog party at 2 Bags Full.

My husband asked me why I needed to grow my blog, and I explained that it is about meeting fun and diverse people to visit.

I am not sure why I began blogging in the first place, but I definitely know why I continue.

Blogging keeps me from being lazy.

In order to have topics for Art and Sand, I need to be "doing" things daily.

Last year, I titled my blog post   A Little of This & A Little of That.

The blog continues to be a mishmash of things that I love:

a little bit of decorating,

a little bit of table setting,

a little bit of furniture painting,

a little bit of crafts,

a little bit of gardening,

a little bit of life in my part of the world,

and, a whole lot of color.

To thank you for visiting, I am doing a Giveaway.

I have a bunch of these little wire baskets and

I've been busy making little quote cards to fill the baskets.

If you are interested in winning the Giveaway,  please leave a comment.

I will draw 2 names and announce the winners on February 15.

I know that not everyone loves color like I do.

 The winners will be able to request the quote cards in their personal color palette.

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Make sure you visit Vicki at Two Bags Full to meet the other participants in the Grow Your Blog Party.

Time To Refresh

Sometimes I look around the house and feel that things are looking stale.

I had some free time this morning because Lulu was at Day Care - to prepare her for the traumatic event of being left at the trainer's house for 5 days while we go on vacation.

I began with the front porch.

In the fall I painted little flags for a nautical banner, but they were too small so I painted new flags just a little bit larger.

Flowers from the garden were switched from a wooden tool caddy to a polka dot vase

and the table was set for a quick dinner because it is date night and we are going to the movies.

A basket full of odd bits of metal . . . unframed family photos . . .  a simple heart shaped rock found on the beach . . . 

provide a fresh look in the living room.

The best change in the living room is this sweet oil painting of Lulu done by artist Bruce Bingham as a special gift to Steve.

My clock collection ended up in the hallway with one of my favorite paintings - an old door we spotted on Bleecker Street on our last visit to New York City. 

Swapping out wilted flowers with a bit of greenery from the garden freshened up the bedroom.

I found this tumbleweed on the beach yesterday and Steve thought I was nuts to bring it home.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" - I like the look of the tumbleweed in bucket on the patio work table.

Now that the house is looking fresh, I need to freshen up the garden and these  flowers should do the trick.

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Join me at 

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday

Cedar Hill Farm - The Scoop

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Our Home Away From Home - Tuesdays At Our Home