I've been collecting seashells for as long as I can remember. From east to west, coast to coast, and shore to shore, I always find a treasure to keep, and adore.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Southern Honey Bun Cake

Even if you aren't Southern,
and even if you don't like honey buns,
you will LOVE this cake!
I can't make it very often,
I don't eat many sweets,
but this cake is irresistible, 
this cake makes me CHEAT.

Southern Honey Bun Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
1 cup sour cream

Mix by hand until thoroughly combined.
Pour half of the cake mix into a 13x9 pan, and spread it out.

Mix 1 cup brown sugar with 1 tbsp. cinnamon and sprinkle all over the cake mix.
pour remaining cake batter on top.

Bake at 325 degrees for about 30-35 minutes

Mix 2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 tbsp. milk

Pour over hot cake.

Let it cool off a bit, and ENJOY!

I made this cake on Sunday. I already want to make another! But I won't...can't. Because I will eat some :D My cousin gave me this recipe, and I've hated her ever since. JUST KIDDING!
No, really. LOL
Make it, eat some...I DARE YOU!

If you make it for a crowd, you are sure to only get one small piece!
How's that for portion control?!

Some Southern goodness from me, to you.

Love,
Del


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

A Beachy Vibe

I didn't mean to leave you hanging!

I totally lost my mind!

I became so absorbed in my project,

I was less than kind!

I do apologize profusely,

please forgive me friends!

I'm painting, and creating,

I'm not yet at the end.

My bathroom was brown and boring,

hubby had picked the paint,

But I was feeling beachy,

and now the brown paint ain't!

I chose a pretty aqua,

named Bahama's Underwater Green,

and now my bath is beachy,

and my hubby thinks I'm the Queen!



If I disappear for days,

don't think that something's wrong,

I'm just feeling creative,

and getting my Beach Vibe on!

I have several rooms to go,

before my painting is done,

But I'll pop in and share with you,

what is going on!


Love,
Del





Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Dry Clean Only?

If this comforter set from Bed Bath & Beyond wasn't DRY CLEAN ONLY I'd buy it today!


 I LOVE THIS!!!!

But Zach, my Boxer, sleeps on my bed more than I do!

I'll keep looking. Mine is only 2 years old (bedding) and it has already seen better days!

I always pick a shell design comforter!

I could just keep my bedroom door closed (ALL the time!)

I  REALLY  WANT  IT!!!

But I really love my Zachy! He is super spoiled.

Decisions, decisions.....

Monday, August 22, 2011

Watching the Storm

I know most of Florida is watching Hurricane Irene closely, myself included.

As of today this is what she looks like, and her potential path.


If this is the trek she stays on, we can expect lots of rain, and maybe some damage within the state.

Now if she veers more inland, or gains strength between Puerto Rico and Key West...we can expect quite a bit worse.

I'm going through my hurricane checklist!
  • generator
  • flashlights
  • batteries
  • water
  • canned food
  • bread
  • other non perishables
  • propane
  • prescriptions
  • dog food
  • cat food
  • fuel up all vehicles, and fuel for generator
  • double check list, add what I forgot
  • clear the yard of potential flying objects (statuary, garbage cans, etc...)
  • pray
I don't like hurricanes, and my dog doesn't like any kind of storm. He shakes at the sound of thunder or wind, and comes running to his momma.

If the path does change (although we have been so lucky so far this year) I will need new plywood. We haven't had a storm for so long, that hubby used it for a project. I may be sending him to Lowes on Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

We will hope for the best, and we could get lucky again, and this storm could just veer off into the Atlantic, and we could get nothing from it.

I will be staying tuned to my local weather for the next few days!

Stay Safe!

Del

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Seashore Sunday

Welcome to Seashore Sunday!

Today we are going to the Pacific Coast, to Washington! I love the Pacific Northwest!

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse...
is located in the Cape Disappointment State Park, previously known as the Fort Canby State Park, and part of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park, and has such a nice view from the path heading to the lighthouse.

This area was named Cape Disappointment by English Captain John Meares after he missed the passage through the sand bar that has earned the name The Pacific Graveyard, due to many ships that have sank here.

I thought it was aptly named due to not being able to go IN the lighthouse, it is much smaller than it looks from a distance, AND it smelled like a dead whale was beached below the lighthouse on the day we visited.
Not to mention it is a fairly good trek to get out to the lighthouse!

Cape Disappointment is the oldest functioning lighthouse on the west coast, and is manned by the US Coastguard.

I have only made the trek out to the Cape once! One Disappointment was good enough for me!
But I have visited North Head every time we were in the area!

You can see Cape Disappointment Lighthouse from North Head Lighthouse.

But that is another post!

Thank you for going on my little venture to the Cape!

You can learn all about the building of it, and the Fresnal Lens, by clicking on the links above.

Have a Beautiful Seashore Sunday!

Love,
Del



Saturday, August 20, 2011

Seashell Saturday

Hello! Welcome to Seashell Saturday!

Today I thought I'd show you my seashell hair barrettes!

I have long hair, and I like to wear it UP when it's hot out. Usually in an old lady bun, but sometimes just pulled back and clipped in a pretty barrette.

The very first one I made was back when daddy was still with us, so probably 4 or 5 years ago. I just used some shells from those cheap shell lei's.


The next, and my favorite, is my auger shell barrette.


I had just a few of these purple shells, just enough for a small barrette.


and just a few of these, too...at that time.


The most recent one, and I'm not sure what kind of shells they are, I haven't tried to find out (shame, shame) are mostly brown.


I haven't decided whether to leave it natural, or give it a matte or gloss spray.

Starfish make a beautiful adornment for barrettes, too....
You can pick them up at the craft store, or any shell shop at the beach!

I like to use and wear things I make from my found treasures!
I could really wear something made with shells everyday! It's the mermaid in me!

Do you have a little mermaid in you, too?

Join me tomorrow for Seashore Sunday!

We'll check out another Lighthouse!

Have a wonderful Seashell Saturday!

Love,
Del






Friday, August 19, 2011

Spanish Moss

 Spanish Moss isn't Spanish, and it isn't moss either. It is actually an angiosperm from the bromeliad family, and is an air plant, growing on live trees. Usually the southern live oak, and the bald cypress, but also the crepe myrtle, sweetgum, pine, and other oaks.
There is a tale that the Spanish lost the Spanish Indian War because they stuffed their bedding with Spanish Moss, and were infested with chiggers.
Spanish Moss only becomes infested with chiggers when it falls to the ground.
Spanish Moss can be found from Maryland to Argentina, growing wherever it is warm, and has high humidity.
 This is the same "Spanish Moss" that you buy in the craft store! It has also been used for medicinal purposes, to treat type 2 diabetes, heart disease, edema, and hemorrhoids!
Seeing Spanish Moss hanging from the trees tells me I am in the south. I always associate it with Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolina's.
 I've been snapping pictures of Spanish Moss for a few years now. I loved how this tree was growing in the middle of the road, and draped with it. The others were taken more recently when I accompanied my hubby to Gainesville.
Seeing Spanish Moss tells me I am home.



*For the past few weeks, my heart hasn't been into Etsy. I still love to shop there, and I always got a thrill when someone liked my stuff....but sometimes that just isn't enough. I've been thinking about it for days. Maybe much longer if I'm honest with myself. The shop is still there, it's just empty right now. I need a break from it. Maybe more than a break. We'll see.

When I do something, I go at it wholeheartedly! I pour my heart and soul into it, leaving no room for anything else. Etsy has been my heart and soul for the past 2 years.

I want to create because I love it. I want to create for people I love. (This includes ya'll ya know!) But I want time for me. I want time to do things, to make things on my list that's a mile long, (have you seen all the awesome beachy things Maya has posted? I want to make some of those things, not just dream about it!) I want to see new things, and places, I want to read some books! I want to WEAR more of my jewelry!!!

I want to work on my Bucket List!

Florida is a big state, and I'm going to see, and enjoy more of it!

You will still find me right here, and I'm just an email away....

I'm not changing this blog, and I still love this, and connecting with my friends here, and I love reading your blogs, too!

Love,
Del







Sunday, August 14, 2011

Seashore Sunday

Happy Seashore Sunday!


I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful day!

Everyone talks about what is on their BUCKET LIST....

I think we all should have one!

It gives us a great excuse reason to do some fun things.

One of the things on my bucket list is to visit US Lighthouses.

I LOVE LIGHTHOUSES!

I haven't seen very many, YET...
but I do intend to see more!

Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse


Inside the Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse
The Ponce De Leon Inlet Lighthouse is here in Florida...I bet you guessed that ;)
It is Florida's tallest lighthouse, and has 203 steps to get to the top of the 175 foot tower. It is also the 2nd largest masonry lighthouse in the nation. It was completed in 1887, and has since had a restoration, making it one of the best preserved and most complete light station in the nation.

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, as it's called "for short", is located 10 miles south of Daytona Beach in Mosquito Inlet. There is a museum, and some cool old buildings (and Nascar memorabilia!) on the grounds. The admission price is $5 for adults, and $1.50 for children. It's a workout to get to the top, but it has been a few years since I went. Maybe I'm in better shape now....I'll have to go back and see!

Next week I'll share another lighthouse with you!

Do you love lighthouses?
Which ones have you been to?
Maybe we have seen some of the same ones!

Have a Wonderful Seashore Sunday!

Love,
Del


Saturday, August 13, 2011

Seashell Saturday

Hello and Welcome to Seashell Saturday!

I see some new ocean and beach lovers have joined us, and I'm so glad to have you with us!

I have had a busy week just full of Etsy, Etsy, Etsy!

I thought for starters, I'd show you something I found on Etsy, and I HAD to have it!




Isn't this vintage seashell box just amazing? I fell in love with it the moment I saw it!

I found it quite by chance, too.

It was in a treasury that I was featured in. I bought it immediately!

I have been very fortunate to have my seashell jewelry selected for a few treasuries this month. I thought I would share just a couple of them with you.





It really makes my day when someone includes my jewelry in their treasury :D

I've made some new necklaces this week, too! Something a little different.


A stack of Jingle Shells and some rough cut teeth style blister pearls lead to this Tribal style necklace.


This has such a wild, exotic feel to it. I just love the Jingles!

I recently purchased some End of Day English seaglass. So far, I have used one precious piece.


I love that it's my favorite color, too. Love the purple! I used one of my malformed seashells for this one.

A very simple little necklace, but rare and unique. I can't wait to use more of the seaglass!

I haven't found any seaglass since I've been in Florida. I used to find it all the time on the west coast. Have you found seaglass in Florida? Is it possible? WHERE is it?

On a more serious note....

Several blogs are participating in raising money for donations for a little boy named Charlie who has brain tumors. If you pop over to the participating blogs, a donation of $1 per comment will be given!

Isn't that a wonderful way to raise funds for this sick child?! The goal is 5000 comments! Just a few minutes of your time can help Charlie.

Visit Sherry at Country Wings in Phoenix to start your comment blog hop. She has the participating blogs linked up to visit.

We can make a difference!

Have a wonderful Seashell Saturday!

Love,
Del

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Seashore Sunday

Happy Seashore Sunday!


Is there anything better than a beautiful day on the beach?

No, I don't think so either!

But, in the heat of the day, when it's just sweltering out there...

you know, 98 degrees with 96% humidity???

This is the best time to see some sights around the beach town you are in!

I like to visit Aquariums!


The sting rays and skates glide through the water like birds through the sky.



I love the different varieties of Seahorse(s)


The tiny ones are too cute!

This guy was a real eye catcher...


and he's my favorite color!


This fella was scary.



I wouldn't want to meet him at the bottom of the sea! Maybe with a chainmaille glove!


The fish are so beautiful, colorful, and some are quite odd looking.



If you want to take a time out from the sun, heat and humidity, the Aquarium is a great place to spend a few hours.

Have a lovely Seashore Sunday!

Love,
Del

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Seashell Saturday

It's Seashell Saturday!

Thanks for joining me today!

I'm still in the party mode, or at least the cake mode, or mood...

Let Them Eat Cake! or at least look at cakes!

And of course, keeping with the theme of the day,
Seashell Cakes!
Birthday and Wedding Cakes...

I'm especially stuck on the Seashell part :D
and as long as it's cake,
I don't care if it's a birthday cake
or a wedding cake.
It's CAKE, with SEASHELLS
EDIBLE SEASHELLS!

They are ALL so pretty, I can't pick just one!

Which one is YOUR favorite?

Happy Seashell Saturday!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Del
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