Unwinding on the Porch

Enjoying the screen porch is one of my favorite pastimes on a summer evening.  There is nothing like winding down with the glow of candlelight.  Although it's not quite Summer yet, the temps are starting to rise, and the evenings are feeling quite lovely. 

Hope you'll join me for a relaxing evening.  How would you like to have a swing on the hammock?

It's a Pawleys Island Original.  I purchased it from Pawleys myself.  It's a single size hammock.  That means it's built for one person and smaller then the average size, and so it tucks in nicely on most porches.  That's a South Carolina thing yall!

I've been working on this table today, and added a few things.  I have a bit more to complete but let me show you what I've done.  First I brought this lamp from indoors outside.  It's always nice to have a softer lamp lighting a night, don't you think?

Did you notice the little black birds?  I just purchased these recently from Hobby Lobby.  I moved them outside because for some reason the Mr. was really having trouble with them inside.  He didn't like the black birds in the kitchen.  LOL!

I like to keep my magazines nearby for those times when I get to truly escape!  I converted this old potato bin some time ago to a magazine holder.  It's rustic but I love it!

So how do you like the other side of the my porch this evening!  There's my lovely chandelier feet !  Oh goodness, where are my manners? 

That's better!  Now, there's my lovely candle chandelier.  Isn't is so pretty all lit up this evening!  I think  it has just the right amount of candles to give my porch a nice warm glow!

And finally for total relaxation bring your scented candles right on outside too!  This one is Yankee Candles Lilac Blossoms.  It is very strong inside, but much more tolerable outside!  For me, scented candles are the crowing touch for a perfect evening of relaxation.

Well, I'm pretty mellow now, how about you?  That's great!

Come back again next time you need a unwind,  K?

I am linking up with the following party today.  Please be sure and visit this site for more inspiration!

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/ for Show and Tell Friday

Name that bush... Please!

 Every spring my side yard is awash in white blooms!  I thought this shrub was a Weigela!  Now I am not so sure.  I was researching this after another blogger posted pictures of her Beauty Bush, it was absolutely beautiful!  Although hers is pink,  it reminded me of my shrubs!   Please check out Decorating Tennis Girls post here; http://decoratingtennisgirl.blogspot.com/2010/05/pink-saturday.html

After researching these shrubs online I had a hard time finding any Weigelas with blooms like mine.
I saw white, pink and red varieties, but all the flowers I have found thus far do not resemble what I have.  Here's a closer look.

Please feel free to leave me a comment if you recognize this bush.  It is another gift from the previous owner.  I know she told me the names but I am at a complete loss.

 Too bad these blooms don't last all summer long, they are just so pretty!  Don't you think so?

I am joining Susan today @ http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com for Outdoor Wednesday!  Please click on the link above for more beautiful outdoor visions!

Thanks for stopping by!  Please be sure and leave me a comment if you do.  Love to hear from you!

Look what I found!!!

I just can't believe it!  Look what I found!  What are the odds?  I know these may be more plentiful in other areas but not in ours.  I found this at T.J. Maxx and was just bubbling!  I picked it right up and was thrilled it was only $6.99.  Usually I only find things that I like that are $12.99 or $14.99, like  A LOT OF THINGS for $12.99 or $14.99!  LOL!  Anyway, wanted you to see why I was so thrilled!

Yep, this is what I found! Perfect for us, and we didn't have to make it either!  Love the coloring on it too!
And I knew exactly where I wanted it!  Remember this area?

Well now it has become this area on my mantle!  Love this!

Yep, that's right,  I borrowed several items from the coffee table and reworked it because I really wanted the boats I repainted to be up there too beside my new sign..  So I took them off the plate and stood it up and now it shows much better too!

I reworked the candle on the table too, just took it out of the grass in the bowl and turned it upside for some height and moved it over closer to the rest of the vignette.

Now I know what your thinking!  But what about your coffee table?  Well, it still is coastal too!  I just moved a few things from the mantle over to the coffee table.  Easy peesy, and here it is!

I like how now you can see the beautiful candle w/sand and shells up close that my very special friend made for me.  This is also a little easier to move off the table when all the MR's in my house want more table space.

Well, I really gotta run!  I've got so much to do and so little time to get it done.  You ladies are so inspiring but I don't think I have near the energy and drive most of you do!  I just can't seem to catch up!  LOL!

Oh, almost forgot, here's one more peek at something else I found, I am still working on these.  Can't believe I found them.  The small one came from Hobby Lobby, they were sold out of all the bigger ones.  Then I found the other one down the road at our Carolina Pottery!  Now all I need is a little more inspiration! 

Thanks for dropping by today leave me a comment if you please!  I am joining the following parties today.  Please be sure and stop by these as well for more creative and beautiful inspiration!
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ for Tabletop Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A Splash of Blue

Nothing cools you down faster then a splash of blue!  Of course if your like me and you don't have the ultimate splash of blue in your own backyard then you make amends.

This beach umbrella has served us well for the past several years as our patio umbrella.  I purchased this from our local Sam's Club.  It is not your ordinary size Beach Umbrella.  It is over sized and even larger then most standard size patio umbrellas as well.

Unlike standard beach umbrellas it has a thick base and fits nicely into the hole of the table, and my umbrella stand.  I bought this because it literally was less then $20.00.  You absolutely cannot beat that!   It has held up really well considering we have left it outside for several years now, only brought it in this winter.

In SC, our summers are sure to be hot.  If you are to survive anytime outdoors you will need a nice large umbrella to offer you shade.  I love the solid blue color of this umbrella!  I am instantly cooled in my mind just sitting under this color!  I highly recommend these if you are on a summertime budget!

If a large shady blue umbrella doesn't cool you down, then the sound of trickling water will surely do the trick.

This little half fountain has been moved all over my deck for several years now too.  I moved it hear recently because it's easier for me to dump the water in the yard in between cleanings.  I'm still working on improving this setup so please bear with me.

It has a pretty blue tile with pink flowers mosaic in the bottom.  Unfortunately they are coming apart and will require some maintenance very soon, but I still have all the pieces, just need the time. 

It's so refreshing listening to the sound of the water as it trickles out and seeing the blue reflection in the bottom.

I also have two cats that absolutely adore this fountain all year long as one of their favorite spots to stop and cool off a bit with a nice refreshing sip of water.

Keeping with the blue, I added these little pots to the steps this year.  They are made of a bamboo product, that is new to me.  I purchased these from Ross.  It will be interesting to see how they hold up with the color outdoors.

I added some pretty red million bells for contrast that will spread and cascade quite nicely.  I'm all about keeping things cool even when it's not!   Sometimes all you have to do is just add a splash of color to suggest that!  And......

I can't think of any other color then blue, can you?

 I am joining Smiling Sally for Blue Monday today @ http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

please enjoy more beautiful blues by following the link above.

Pink Saturday & Happy Mother's Day Wish

For all my new friends and followers out there, I want to extend a very heartfelt, Happy Mother's Day!  I'll be joining Pink Saturday today @ http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

This is a tribute to all my new blogging friends that includes a beautiful pink flower display.

I have been having the most fun getting to know some of you and being inspired by all your wonderful posts.

I cannot tell you how much of joy it has been to be able to find so many women who share my love for decorating, gardening and projects of all sorts.   Unlike a lot of women, I do not have a group of women that I regularly get together with.  Lot's of women have bunco groups, girls nights out, and various other women's social groups that they are a part of.  I  don't have that pleasure.  It's not that I would not welcome one, it's just that I have not found the right fit for me.  It's largely because I have devoted a great deal of my time to my family and various jobs I have held.  I do have a few close friends that I treasure.  Unfortunately, with their work schedules and family's, our times spent together are limited at best.  I am always grateful for the times we do get to spend together and can never seem to get enough!

If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is that we all need to SHARE our lives in order to have the abundant love that God has promised.  

 My previous job taught me alot about myself that I hadn't known before.  You see working in a small town in a small shop you get to know people.  I miss that interaction tremendously!  I had always thought of a store as somewhere you got in, shopped and got out!  I generally don't chat with the sales people as I am usually very intent on "seeing" all that there is before me.  I like to soak it all in as I am a very visual person.  However, at my previous employment I had the most chatty customers you can imagine.  We were a small embroidery shop with many items available to be embroidered.  Our customers would tend to linger!  We had a very dated check out system that included a calculator and hand written recites.  It took time to check out!  For the most part our customers didn't seem to mind.  They were usually a patient bunch and used this opportunity to chat and visit.  So many took the time to visit I often thought we should set up coffee and cakes at times.  That's what can happen in a small town store.  Sadly, these stores are becoming more and more extinct.  If you have such an opportunity in your area, enjoy it, for you are blessed!

  There are several larger stores further down the road that I may eventually look for employment but it will not be the same.  There will not be the customers who ask how you are today?  Or the ones who seem to just want to come in and tell you how their life is going.  We all need someone to talk too!  That is part of why I am blogging and am so happy to have found you all.  You are my "shop" ladies!  The ones who want to see what I have and want to share what you have done.  Luckily for me, somewhere along the way you are also sharing your lives! 

Most people would say, but they are not real friends, they are only online!  They might even question why I would want to share so much with people I don't even know?  I am happy to say that is not the case.  I have never met a nicer group of women then the ones I am blogging with right now and it has only been a few months!  Real friendships are made a little bit at a time and the truest ones stand the test of time.  Lasting friendships take effort, communication, and nurturing both ways.   I am thrilled that there seems to be such a mutual understanding of this among my blogging friends.  This giving and taking to maintain the relationship.  You are filling a void for me and for that I am ever so grateful!

Finally, I want to share one more thing.  I have a friend who shared an email to her daughter and DIL's for Mothers Day and it included this verse, from Proverbs 31.   I want to also share it with all of you!  So many of you are living just this way as I can see it in some of the things you are sharing.   I don't manage to meet up to much of this in many ways but I'd like to think that I am heading in the right direction.




Proverbs 31:


A good woman is hard to find,


and worth far more than diamonds.


Her husband trusts her without reserve,


and never has reason to regret it.


Never spiteful, she treats him generously


all her life long.


She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,


and enjoys knitting and sewing.


She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places


and brings back exotic surprises.


She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast


for her family and organizing her day.


She looks over a field and buys it,


then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.


First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,


rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.


She senses the worth of her work,


is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.


She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,


diligent in homemaking.


She's quick to assist anyone in need,


reaches out to help the poor.


She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;


their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.


She makes her own clothing,


and dresses in colorful linens and silks.


Her husband is greatly respected


when he deliberates with the city fathers.


She designs gowns and sells them,


brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.


Her clothes are well-made and elegant,


and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.


When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,


and she always says it kindly.


She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,


and keeps them all busy and productive.


Her children respect and bless her;


her husband joins in with words of praise:


"Many women have done wonderful things,


but you've outclassed them all!"


Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.


The woman to be admired and praised


is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.


Give her everything she deserves!


Festoon her life with praises!

Thank you for taking the time to share in my life and for opening up yours!  Bless you all!  Happy Pink Saturday and a very Happy Mother's Day!

Mary