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

Sunlight on the Sea

Soleada is the perfect opening for this post.

Soleada (Spanish for sunny) is a boat owned by our friend Sunny and soleada serves as the perfect adjective to describe our day.

On Wednesday, the thermometer hit 86 degrees which is definitely not typical of a mid January day.

Steve and I were almost the only people on the water - no boaters other than kayakers were to be seen.

Majestic palms basked in the sun

as did a variety of birds.

A buoy is reflected in the water

as are two palms framing Two Tree Hill.

I often see seals swimming near me as I paddle, but this was the first time I got a picture.

I laughed at the irony of PACIFIC PREDATOR being docked next to PEACE.

The color of the water amazes me -all three of the photos above were taken at the same time, from the same spot, but looking in different directions.

Sunlight & the sea

 a perfect combination.

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Join me at

My Little Home and Garden - Sunlit Sunday

Little Red House - Mosaic Monday

A Room of My Own

On January 4, I removed almost everything from the guest room.

Today, 10 days later, the room is no longer a guest room, but a "Creative Space" for me.

The bookcases have been filled

with books, magazines,

and various supplies

 in labeled baskets and boxes to make things easy to find.

Finally, there is a place to display my creations

and this darling little bunting I just received from Vicky of Life on Willie Mae Lane.

A wire shelf and containers holding books and papers fill up one corner of the room.

I planned to get rid of the dresser because it needs updating, but the drawers are handy for storing paper, stamps, tools, etc.

I also like that the top of the dresser provides space for more storage.

The sewing machine base came from the living room and we used the old dining room tabletop to create a sewing station.

Wire storage pieces hang on the wall and a shelf between the windows holds portions of my hand collections and a few supplies.

A 3' x 4' trestle table we bought from neighbors provides a work station and my IKEA rolling cart allows me to keep the surface free of tools.

The table is large enough that I set out 4 different projects to work on today -  I actually completed 2 of them.

Virginia Wolff said, "A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction."

I won't be writing fiction, but I will be creating - every day.

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Join me at

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

The Dedicated House - Before and After Wednesday

Sunny Simple Life - From the Farm Blog Hop

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

Cozy Little House - Tweak It Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants - What's It Wednesday

Ginger Snap Crafts - Wow Me Wednesday

The Koenigs Create - Wednesday Link Party

Green Willow Pond - What We Accomplished Wednesday

Random "Happy's"

Ricki of Art@ Home recently announced that she would no longer be hosting her Happy List link party which made me sad.

I have to admit that I didn't always link up because I didn't have an appropriate post ready, but her announcement got me thinking about what was making me happy this week.

#1 Farmer's Market & Produce Stands

Steve and I just went to the local Bed, Bath & Beyond this morning for a new featherbed and our drive home took us through strawberry fields and past 3 different produce stands.

Between Farmers' Market each Saturday and our choice of produce stands, we have a steady supply of fruit throughout the year.

#2 Fresh Flowers

In addition to strawberry fields, we are surrounded by flower fields which allow me to have a variety of flowers throughout the year.

I love that right now there are flowers in every room in the house.

#3 Winter Blooms

There isn't a lot of color in my garden (other than green), but I am able to find a little bit here and there to bring into the house.

#4 A New Piece of Furniture and Fun Finds

I apologize for the really bad iPhone pic, but this sweet little dresser is now is my living room which is causing a lot of fun changes.

While looking for the new piece of furniture for the living room, I broke my "no unnecessary spending" January rule, but I couldn't help it.

When I saw this cute bar of soap, I had to buy it - I think the teacher in me makes me love the alphabet.

The heart soap was right next to the alphabet soap and with Valentine's Day coming up, it was a must.

And then, right at the counter there was this sweet little cloche, and I don't have one, and I have been looking for one, so it too was a must.

I could not pass up this beachy towel in my color palette and if I can locate one more, I will make some pillows for the window seat.

A lot of random "Happys" on this glorious sunny day.

What is making you happy lately?

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Join me at

Little Red House - Mosaic Monday