Sand

I shake the sand from the bed
and then I sweep the floor
the dog comes in, and shakes his head
and slings sand on the door!

I've got sand between my toes
in my ears, and up my nose
in the bed, and on the floor
I sweep it out, the dogs bring in more!

I like sand on the beach
it feels so good beneath my feet
in the yard, or on the shore
Florida has sand galore!

Building castles made of sand
on the shore, or far inland
this childhood activity feels me with glee
won't you come play in the sand with me?
Della
9/2011

Driftwood Window Treatment

I have had so much fun doing some rearranging, and decorating in my home! I have been wanting to do this for ages now, and yesterday was the day!

Depending on my lighting, the paint color looks different.

This piece of driftwood has traveled over 2000 miles with me, and was a garden accent until yesterday. I may add some shells and beachy elements to the net, but I really love it just as it is.

I am sooooo glad I kept my largest pieces of driftwood!

Do you like unusual window treatments?

Love,
Del

Seashore Sunday

Hello! It's Seashore Sunday!
Sunday is one of my favorite days of the week. I'm *almost* guaranteed to have a day with hubby.
Sunday reminds me of Sunday morning breakfast, and big Sunday dinners with the family.

....and taking my kids to the beach when they were little.
A few years ago I clipped a cartoon from the Sunday comics. It's in a frame, and hangs on my bedroom wall. It reminded me of when the kids were little, at the beach.

click the pic to see the whole scene up close

How many times have you had to wave your kids to come back to "the spot" after the waves and current have sent them several feet down the shore unbeknownst to them?! Or did your kids think you "moved"?
Mine did...and I got a chuckle from this that one Sunday when this came out in the paper! I had to clip it...and frame it. This was published August 7th 2005...but I feel like I've had it forever.
This little cartoon evokes some very fond memories for me!

Happy Seashore Sunday!

Love,
Del

Seashell Saturday

I am so glad it's the weekend! I sure would love to be at the beach :D but...I am lucky if my hubby takes one day off a week! If he does it's on Sunday, and if he's off...he is still working on something! I'm lucky that it's usually something for us, me, or our home :D

I have several projects in the works, but no big reveal today. I know...sad face :(
BUT...I have a little story, and a picture of bedding set number 1... which is actually my 2nd fave but came first in the mail....and this is why.

The girls and I went out and about town yesterday, our main motive for being about town was a trip to MyMochi. I LOVE this place! It's an amazing frozen yogurt shop. Forget that a side trip for groceries was in order, too. I know that's the part I'd like to forget every week. Hahahha!

Right before we got home, Lace mentions that even though she has said she has resigned/consigned herself to being childless, she really would love to have a baby. (awwww! ssshhhhhhh I did not tell you that!) But it ties in later on in the story!

Okay...anyway...we get back and there is a huge box on the bench by the pond. COOL!
Now, remember I ordered 2 bedding sets???
The "mail box mail" was on the table (Kyle brought it in) and there was another smaller (much smaller) package. It's mine? It's not one of the Etsy orders I was expecting? Hmmmm.

So I open this smallish package, and I pull out my other bedding set shipping label...
and a little tiny Baby Boy outfit!!! OMG! WTHeck?

 Hello...customer service.... LOL

I get to keep the outfit??? I don't know anyone having a baby boy...or a baby at all for that matter.
AT LEAST I DON'T THINK SO.

Coincidence? Hmmm. I would love to have another grandson! It has been over 8 years since we had a baby in the family! My grandson is 8, and my granddaughter is 12!
I will not get my hopes up, though!

I just had to edit this in...it was worth sharing...and I had to show the bedding set. I guess my choice #1 bedding set will come on Monday, and I will get better pics when the lighting is better (and my room has things on the walls?)

 I'm thinking of switching the seaglass (aquaish) colored curtains to the center.

I have more to share with you, but I don't want a never ending post!

I'll leave you with my intended post for today.
A poem I wrote a couple of weeks ago...

 Shells, Sand and Sea

I found a seashell today
it was real like Earth and clay
I was interested in what I found
this shell had stories to expound
about adventures in the deep
amazing tales, now mine to keep

There's more to a shell than meets the eye
some have a critter living inside
these are the shells we do not keep
for they belong in the deep

Down below the dark dark sea
this is where a shell may be
or upon the sandy shore
I will look forevermore

They delight and amaze
all matter of folk
from young to old
the joy they evoke

So very many kinds of shells
all of their names
I cannot tell
so much knowledge
I cannot know
hundreds of thousands
of species I'm told

Some I will never see
hold touch or feel the glee
of finding a rare and beautiful shell
but they are all special to me as well

Just a piece or perfectly whole
pretty shells I love to hold
finding them makes me smile
walking the shore mile by mile

The salty sea and sandy shore
is a cure to me of this I'm sure
for whatever thing is ailing me
just give me sand, shells and sea

By Della
9/2011

You know I am fascinated by shells, sand, and the sea.
But did you know I really think it has contributed to my healing, and well being?
But that is a very long story...

Have a Happy Fall Saturday!

Love,
Del

From Coastal to Tropical Part 2

Hello my beachy friends!
This post has been a loooooong time coming...at least it seems like it to me!

I'm not even sure where to start???

Hmmm...

How about the Heart of the Home?

The Kitchen!

before

 

during...laying tile

After!

and I took several AFTER pics.

oops...'scuse my dishes in the sink! I do live here...lol.

Bree loves it!

Ahhh... that's better!

Zach approves!

Did you notice I still need a threshold? Maybe by the end of the week???

so many DOORS!

Nothing is on it's proper shelf, or in it's proper place....yet.

CD shelf makes a great SHELL shelf

As you can see, I still need to do some decorating. LOTS of decorating. And window treatments.

My bedroom had a massive remodel too!

Buuuuut since I'm still looking for a bedding set, and curtains....this room will have to wait...for Coastal to Tropical Part 3!

But it is so pretty! and I'm oh sooooo Happy! Which means my hubby is oh so happy, too!!!

I did spend half of yesterday running all over town looking for the perfect bedding set,(cause I want it NOW!) and found several...but they also were not washable, and I will not compromise! I did find one online that I am ordering. It IS washable!

I will have some after decorating pics coming up. Just give me a little...okay maybe more than a little...time.

Right now my craft room is full of my wall hangings, pictures, and various decor items. It is a mess!

I took some pics of my mess, but I don't think you really want to see it!

I better get busy! It's time to hang some stuff!

Love,
Del

Seashore Sunday

Hi! Welcome to Seashore Sunday! If you've never been here before, Sunday is the day of spotlighting a story or a picture of the seashore. I just love everything pertaining to the sea, the seashore, sea life, seashells, and all kinds of beachy goodness and beauty!

For the past few weeks, the focus has been on Lighthouses, and this week it's back to the east coast to check out the St. Augustine Lighthouse.

I took this photo in March of 2007. It was rainy, and dreary, and the lighthouse wasn't open that day. The St. Augustine Lighthouse is still at the top of my list for places to see (again) AND it's a lighthouse that can be visited inside!

I need to muster up the courage to go, because it is a Haunted Lighthouse. They even do night tours in the dark!  Witnesses have reported hearing footsteps and voices, smelling cigar smoke, and seeing the ghost of a girl.

Having 219 steps makes it quite a daunting climb, and children under 44 inches aren't permitted inside. The lighthouse is open from 9am-6pm Monday through Friday, with Dark of the Moon tours Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Times vary depending on the time of year.

The history of the St. Augustine Lighthouse goes clear back to the Spanish! The original lighthouse was built on the site of a Spanish watchtower, and another lighthouse was built when shoreline erosion threatened the lighthouse. The original lighthouse succumbed to storm and sea in 1780, just 6 years after the new lighthouse was finished.

Did you know St. Augustine is the oldest permanent settlement on the North American continent? The Spanish settled here 42 years before Jamestown was founded, and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock! Of course, the Timucuam Indians watched the 1500 Spanish troops descend on the area.

You can delve deeper in the history of the lighthouse by checking out the links highlighted above, and there are many beautiful pictures of it here.

When I do take my tour of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, I will be sharing it here!

* Redecorating Update*
You know I have been busy painting (and it is taking forever!) I'm not sure if I mentioned that hubby is laying tile too? And laminate/hardwood in our bedroom? The bedroom and bathroom floors are done, and the kitchen will be grouted today!!! The main bathroom will be next....maybe next month. I think we need a break, and need to put together what we've torn apart before we take on anymore home projects!
And that will leave me to crafting, and doing the decor part. WooHoo!
I bought a bolt of muslin, and I can't wait to use it! Just wait till you see what comes next! I will be sharing pics this week, even if everything isn't back in place...and you can see my projects come together!

Have a Delllllightful Day!

Love,
Del

Seashell Saturday

WooHoo! It's Seashell Saturday!

I'm so glad you could join me today!

The painting of my house is going very well, and I am almost done. I'll be finishing up this weekend with trim and touch ups...and then I can get back to playing with my shells. Yippeeeeee! I haven't played for a couple of weeks now, and I sure do miss it. Okay...I did make ONE thing! Or maybe THREE??? I'll share them next week!

Since I am supposed to be hard at work, and YouTube is full of awesomeness...
I have another video I found there to share with you!

This is so very interesting!


I knew they were poisonous, I just didn't realize HOW poisonous they were. I know from now on I will be careful picking up cone shells! I haven't ever found a LIVE cone snail before, but I have found other live shells.
What do we do with live shells?
Put Them Back In The Water!!!
Let them live to make some baby shells... so we, and future generations, can enjoy them as well.

A nice big warm WELCOME to my new followers! I'm so happy you are here, and I hope you have some fun with us!

I'll see you tomorrow with an interesting Seashore Sunday!

Have a Super Sunny Saturday!

Love,
Del

Seashore Sunday Remembering 9-11

Today, we look back, and remember...

We will never, ever, forget.

Where were you 10 years ago when the Twin Towers, and Pentagon were attacked? What were you doing when you found out?

I was at my computer, chatting on Ivillage...in the foodies room. My aunt called and she was hysterical...rightly so.
"Turn on the TV! We've been attacked!"

I tuned in, and I spent the day watching news coverage...
I felt shocked, outraged, sympathetic, sad... and SCARED!

I remember feeling grateful that I didn't live in a large US city,
and feeling sorry for those who did.

We were all watching, and waiting to see if there would be anymore attacks.
and we watched rescue efforts...
prayed for them all.

We will always remember.
We will never forget.

We will enjoy our Freedom!

 and everything about living in the USA!

Love,
Del

Seashell Saturday

A big HELLO and a big WELCOME to
Seashell Saturday!
I am so glad you are here :D

I have something new today!



When I saw this I knew I had to share it with you. There are several that struck my fancy, and it was hard to choose... so stay away from YouTube! I have a few more up my sleeve ;) but this one just screamed "Me First!"

Now I just need to learn to edit, and put my beach videos on YouTube!

Have a Super Saturday!

Love,
Del

My Sentiments Exactly

Credit to Oklahomastencil.etsy.com

Seashore Sunday

Let's travel out west again, this time to my favorite Lighthouse so far.

North Head Lighthouse, in Ilwaco, Washington was my 1st Lighthouse!

I fell in love with lighthouses on my first visit here, in 1999. The construction of this maritime marvel was built in 1896, and was lit for the first time in 1898.

There are only 69 steps to reach the top of the tower, but unfortunately, the tower was closed to tours earlier this year. It was only $1 per person! I had to go up every time we went! I have some incredible views from the top of this lighthouse, but also unfortunately, can't locate them at this time. I was so sad when I heard you couldn't go inside anymore.... but you can still rent the lightkeepers cottage for an overnight stay!

 This is the view looking over the edge of the cliff. The waves crash, surge, and spray up over these rocks making an incredible scene below. Don't bend over too far!

On the other side, this is what you see! Cape Disappointment is just around those trees, and I have a perfect shot of it....in my huge waterproof picture box....

The lighthouse sits 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean below.

This is one of the windiest places in the United States, with winds clocked up to 150 mph! They say maybe it was the howling winds that drove one keepers wife "over the edge". She committed suicide in 1923...by jumping from the cliffs, to the rocky and cold Pacific below.

Since Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is only 2 miles away, North Head needed a distinctive light to tell the two apart. The North Head light is a steady white light, and Cape Disappointment is a red and white flashing light. 

All along the Pacific you will find fishing ports.

This is the Ilwaco marina.

We also passed by several packing houses, and I would have loved to have gotten into these oyster shell piles!

Just a couple of bucket fulls would make me as happy as a clam! Oh, the things I could make with these! I do have a few that we found on the beach. Some are in my wreath, some around my pond, and a couple on the fish net. My favorite ways to eat oysters are steamed, Rockefeller, and of course...RAW!

A trip to a lighthouse just wouldn't be the same without some good local seafood!

Have a Stupendous Seashore Sunday!
May your shores never be too distant...

Love,
Del

Seashell Saturday

Hello! I'm so glad it's Seashell Saturday! Thank you for joining me!

And a big THANK YOU to everyone who has stuck with me through the last 2 weeks!

It has been a bit crazy in my world...let me tell ya. No. I better not! haha

Even though I am in the redecorating mood, I have had some time, or MADE some time, to play with my shells!

I have had this lovely combination on my bead tray for some time now.

A nice big shiny Olive Shell, stick pearls, and natural abalone beads. This will be so pretty!

I love love love copper with Olive shells! I haven't found another metal that sets them off quite the same way.

I recently saw a post on Completely Coastal about a driftwood and seaglass chime.

I have way more seashells than I do seaglass, so my take on it is this driftwood and olive shell wind chime, or wall hanging.

I love driftwood...

and SEASHELLS!

I still haven't decided where it's going yet. Hmmmm.

While I've been contemplating where to hang it, I played around some more!

I adore Spiny Oyster Shells, aka Jewel Box Shells! Especially the small ones!
And you know how I feel about PEARLS! I love these peach baroque pearls!

This was a fun little necklace to make!

I love Swarovski Crystal Elements, too...and this crystal fish is no exception!

A simple shell and sharks tooth made this cute necklace...

and everything just has to have at least one pearl!

I had to have some pink and purple, too!

Little lavender pearls just make me squeeeee!

I'm supposed to be 'taking a break' ..... HA!

I guess I'm just not one to be too idle.
You know what they say about Idle Hands....ooohhhhh.

And we all know I can't just stop making jewelry. I just don't have that kind of will power! I can turn down food, but give me a shell and some bling...and I'm hopeless!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Love,
Del