Nothing says 

HAPPY SPRING

like tulips and ranunculus

 Enjoy!

Home Sweet Home

Arriving home after a little R & R is always a bit like "culture shock".

Yesterday was no exception.

After 12 simply gloriously "empty" days----it all came to a screeching halt.

The groceries, the unpacking, the laundry, the mail, the dishes, the laundry, and the laundry...

After a solid 18 hours or more of travel, all that entails, and the slight 'picking up' at home, I gave in and went to bed.

I didn't realize until this morning, just how much "little organizing" I do every day before I head out the door.

Our home was not empty while I was away. 

Oh, no---there were several males here on a regular basis and let's not forget the 4 legged critters too.

It seems as though between work and play, there is NO time for actual PICKING UP  or CLEANING after oneself. 

I find this concept fascinating--- and appalling.

I'll cut Mr. SMF some slack  because he put in some mighty long days at the office, but the rest of the crew??? 

HELLO!!! WE DON"T HAVE MAID SERVICE!

So, today it's off to the grocery again, laundry again, and some REAL cleaning again.

I mean really, what was I thinking---

that I would come home to a place that looked as good as when I left or BETTER??

Of course, being the good Pollyanna that I am, I have BIG plans for all that I'm going to accomplish today.

I'm going to float through it all like Mr. Pelican.

Thank goodness I got some sleep at the beach.

Beach Life

Beach Living

 This is life in full sunny glory

Grin with glee

Jump for joy

Stroll in the surf

Delight in every day

and don't forget the ice cream!

I love the mix of formal with crusty and earthy.

My favorite clock, a gift from a dear friend

A nice old rusty wall cabinet with shelves, hooks, and  hanging bar

Antique linen towels with varying weaves and color

It's all about mixing texture, shape, and color (or lack of).

What floats your boat?

(I'm at the beach)

By the Sea

It's a beautiful 

sunny, breezy day 

on Sanibel Island

in Florida

The kind of day that's perfect

for walking the shoreline

viewing millions of shells...

watching dolphins along the way

and settling in with a good book.

Hope you're enjoying your day as well!

annie

Coop Continued

Do you remember the "chicken coop" powder room?
Here's a little refresher...

The coop has served well through the years, but everything comes to an end...

This is more to my liking these days.

Vintage mirror and vintage light fixtures.

(still in need of some shades, I think)

The same little 13" sink---this room is SO small---

now has a selvage edge skirt.

(I didn't fluff and stage for this quick pic)

A bonze baby leg kicks in for holding a towel.

Framed antique maps of London and Paris

where a rooster once perched.

There's more to do, but clients and

the sand and surf

are calling...

I'll be finishing this project in a few  weeks.

Any thoughts on the changes so far?

annie

The Beast

We are women (most of us reading this).

We are relational by nature.

We care for each other and share our lives together.

So, when does our sharing cross the line?

You know the line.

It's the one that has GOSSIP written on it.

Recently, there's been an event in my life that I have carefully chosen to share. I have shared this news with only a choice few people.

My life and the events of it are not open for

public view,

which would be a greatly boring read anyway. 

I discovered in a rather serpentine manner

last week that my "news" and my life had become 

public fodder.

My heart cracked open upon the discovery.

I am a very open and straightforward person.

I don't have hidden agendas, I try to speak the truth and I try to be gracious to others.

My life, my little news was no longer MINE.

I had become a snack for the beast---that big,

hairy, smelly, ugly GOSSIP BEAST.

I learned that my life, with my name attached, had been thrown about in an inappropriate manner, in an inappropriate place, by someone I hadn't even

spoken with. 

I felt as though my worth as a person was no longer valued. I was reduced to nothing more that a tasty, tender little SNACK.

We have ALL talked. It's what we do, but we must

be aware of this beast who lurks and pounces whenever he's able. He gets his claws in deep and swiflty.  Once he has his tail wrapped around you, he's pretty difficult to remove. 

It takes awareness, tenacity, patience, self-control and good caring friends to help you get him off your back and out of your life.

If you have true concern for someone, GO to her.

If you feel you can help, GO to her.

If you want to pray, PRAY for her.

If you want to celebrate, celebrate WITH her.

You don't NEED details. 

God knows what's going on.

YOU don't need to always know as well.

Let's all stop feeding that beast.

He's one species I'd enjoy seeing extinct.

Sunny White

I'm heading to the beach 

at long last

 

a cottage at Rosemary Beach

filed a long time ago without source---sorry

does any one know?

I think I could live with 

all white at the beach

All clean and cool looking

Just waiting for sandy feet

and perhaps a late afternoon nap

I can hear the surf already...

SPRING!!!

source????? Sorry- I've forgotten

I so enjoy the surprise of

  the "twist"

using the ordinary in

an unexpected way

It's  always spring in this kitchen!

What do you think?

Queen for a Day

Happy birthday 

delightful daughter!! 

 

Our sweet baby girl has 

become a beautiful young woman.

You are generous of heart, kind, gentle,

sincere, faithful, fun and loving.

I was so excited to meet you the day you were born.

Every year, watching you grow has been a wonderful adventure.

My your year be blessed and filled with wonder.

xxoo

mom

Birth Bunk

I've had some dealings with our children this week.
Some have made me smile, some haven't.
I've been reminded once again, of a theory I have.
It's not based on science of any sort, just personal experience and listening to other moms through the years.
My theory is this.
You are who you are from before you are born.
Indulge me, please.
I believe that a child (at least mine) gives MAJOR clues about his basic personality and approach to life by his birth process and first moments out in this world.
What???!!!
O.K. Here it goes.

I gave birth to a child who was in a bit of a rush, pushing head first into things that weren't quite ready to allow him to pass. He didn't care.
He wanted what he wanted when he wanted it and had his mouth wide open and demanding from the second he arrived. He always let you know when he was happy, sad, or in between and demanded that YOU do something, HAD to do something for him.
He's always been the squeeky wheel and is often not content.
Another child approached this world in quite a different way. He came along, taking his time, slowly but surely relaxing along the way, until he just sort of slithered out like a wet fish.
He actually laughed when he made his debut (seriously--you can ask everyone who was present)
and settled right in.
He's pretty easy going, doesn't ask for much and can be found laughing quite often.
And still another child decided IT IS TIME and went for it with a "let's get this thing done" attitude.  The largest--10 1/2 lb. The quickest--1 1/2 hr. Pure focus.
This child had a "I want this NOW" approach, but tempered with a workable acceptance of the surrounding environment.
As the years have passed and my mothering skills have been tested to the max, I have come to this conclusion.
My children ARE who they ARE.
I tried to guide and mold and give them the best I had to offer, but basically their approaches to life and the things it brings their way is THEIRS. I can't change that.
Each one has an approach to life that is similar to the  birth process and first moments in our world.
One tends to push and sometimes feel entitled, one tends to shrug off demands and live on his own time line and one tends to plan, focus and accomplish.

These three children of mine are each different, each irritating and wonderful, each well loved.
I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, I would, but it's not going to happen...
So give those little or big ones a nice juicy wet one today, because...sometimes they just can't help it...


annie