Wynken,Blynken and Nod Tablescape

Today I am feeling quite reminiscent of days gone by.  My youngest son started his first day back to school for his senior year.  In addition to that, my oldest son has just completed his last day at culinary school, and so begins the rest of his independent future.  I sit here remembering all of their first days of school, and how scared and excited they both were and how very hard it was for me as well.  Nowadays, the hardest part was getting my youngest to bed at a decent hour last night after a long hot summer of late, late nights!

While we are not a fishermen, we are a sailing family and brave sailors are we through all of life's changes.  While I was pinning this weekend, I came across this wonderful old book that I fondly remember reading to my sons when they were little.  I haven't had the time to go through all of their old books we still have packed in the attic to find this one in particular.  However, I thought I'd share it with you in a tablescape I've set for myself this morning in celebration of my two sons who are off chartering their own courses.   I hope you will enjoy!

This image taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/25687895@N05/with/2661906012/

Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod

Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod, one night sailed off in a wooden shoe;

Sailed off on a river of crystal light into a sea of dew.

"Where are you going and what do you wish?" the old moon asked the three.

"We've come to fish for the herring fish that live in this beautiful sea.

Nets of silver and gold have we," said Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song as they rocked in the wooden shoe.

And the wind that sped them all night long ruffled the waves of dew.

Now the little stars are the herring fish that live in that beautiful sea;

"Cast your nets wherever you wish never afraid are we!"

So cried the stars to the fishermen three - Winkin', and Blinkin', and Nod.

So all night long their nets they threw to the stars in the twinkling foam.

'Til down from the skies came the wooden shoe bringing the fisherman home.

'Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed as if it could not be.

Some folks say 'twas a dream they dreamed of sailing that misty sea.

But I shall name you the fisherman three - Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

Now Winkin' and Blinkin' are two little eyes and Nod is a little head.

And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies is a wee one's trundle bed.

So close your eyes while mother sings of the wonderful sights that be.

And you shall see those beautiful things as you sail on the misty sea,

Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three - Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.

Thank you for joining me today for a magical trip and for;

  Tablescape Thursday. 

 Please be sure and check out many more beautiful tablescapes at the previous link above.

Today I am offering a sneek peek at a few goodies I picked up from my recent trip to The Christmas Tree Shops.  I went to one located in Augusta, Ga. which is about an 1hr and 30 minutes from my home in SC.  It was quite an adventure and I am thrilled to have scored so many beautiful tablescaping goodies at fantastic bargains.  Please be sure and check back soon to see more.  If you have one of these stores nearby you are certainly blessed.  If your like me and have to drive a bit, I think it is certainly worth it, especially when they are changing seasons and clearancing things out.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Mary

Do you Pinterest?

I do now!  If you do please, look me up and let's follow.  I just got started last night and am postively ghaaa ghaaa over this website.  I was up well into the wee hours of the night (or should I say morning) figuring this website out and pinning.  LOL!

I will be adding my link to my blog just as soon as it comes back up.  Update; done!  Wouldn't you know everytime I try to long on this morning I get..."Sorry, we are making changes, be back later!"  Story of my life! 

Okay, I think it's back up now and you can go directly to my page HERE, or follow me by clicking on the link on my sidebar.

Anyway, why do I love this site?  Finally a place to keep track of those wonderful images, books, authors, muscians, objects, and anything else I can think of that I want to catalog.

Here is a brief glimpse of the way a pinterest board looks.  You can name each box and add all the images you want.  This image was taken off of google because I can't log on to mine right now. 

You can also view a larger pin board of all your individual boards.  You can follow others and "like" others as well.  And one of the best things about having this is that once you pin something using the Pinterest tag bar it also provides the link back, giving you tons of reference information in seconds.

You can also comment and share info with others on Pinterest if you want but I suggest you read all about "pin etiquette" first.  I plan to use this site primarily for cataloging not so much for chit chatting. So, seriously, if you have Pinterest site let me know cause I would love to see what you love too! 

I have heard several bloggers I know of who are using this as well as several of my facebook friends and have been slow to get on board but boy am I sooo glad I finally did.  This is fantastic and I cannot wait to get back on today and start redoing some of my boards to personalize them more for me.  

Now I finally have a place to keep up with all those things in my brain that I don't want to forget!

This is fantastic!

I love this!

Thank you Pinterest!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Mary

Poolside Picnic

With the construction of a new pool this summer I have been so starry eyed about setting a beautiful outdoor tablescape, along with the encouragement of a few friends. Since we are still waiting to complete the concrete decking around the pool tablescaping has been on hold, until....

...now!  But, I see no reason why I can't have a poolside picnic, can you?

The weather is just fine tonight and the water is quite inviting so...

maybe we'll have a few drinks.

And something to eat before we go for a dip.

Speaking of dips, here's one of my newest serving pieces.  I think it's perfect for pool side dipping.

When your ready to eat, I'll pull out the dishes.

I found these melamine salad cuties on clearance at Walmart.  I need one more to complete a set of four and thought that I would find it at another Walmart, but have yet to come across one.  Isn't that how it goes?

I chose these napkins because they remind me of tiles in the pool and the blue glass napkin rings remind me of the water.

A few utensils and we are almost ready.

 I  even have a safe place for the food, if we decide to swim first.

If it get's too late we can light up the lanterns.

That wonderful aroma you smell is from the centerpiece.  I just had to work a gardenia in here somewhere.

These pebbles represent everything about our wait to have a pool someday, so I thought they would be appropiate for our very first poolside tablescape.

Would you rather go for a swim first?

What?  Okay, I guess dinner can wait a bit.

and wait...

and wait.

Should I light the candles now?

Well yes, it is just a tad bit late now.

Maybe, I should just serve breakfast instead?

LOL!

Thanks for stopping by for my very first poolside tablescape.  Please be sure and visit the following link for the more wonderful visions of tablescaping inspirations at

BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday.

Have a wonderful day and weekend!

Mary

The Joys of Summer Reading

Last night we finally had a few more wonderful evening showers.  We have been completely dry almost all summer with the exception of last weeks evening showers.  I am soooo thankful for this rain!  I certainly hope there is more to come because we have all really needed it.

The crepe myrtles are finally starting to get heavy with blooms.

Do you like to read?  I certainly do, especially when it's a great book.  I have been so slack over the years about making the time to enjoy a good book.  I guess that's what happens when you become a busy  Mom and wife.  Somehow, the simple pleasure of enjoying a good book always takes a back seat to everything else with me, even though I think it's one of the healthiest things you can do.

Maybe it's because when I read a good book, I usually just cannot put it down until it's finished.  That's probably why I've so many magazine subscriptions.  They are so much easier to pick up and put down and thumb through at leisure.  But, this summer I've been enjoying getting back to reading again. 

It all started with this book.  I got this signed copy from my Mother when she was cleaning out some of her bookshelves.  One of her clients gave this to her.   My mother absolutely loves to read and is a regular at the local library every week.  I was quite surprised that she was going to give me this signed book of one of our popular SC authors and didn't hesitate to question her about that too.  She assured me it was fine after stating that this book was not really her taste. 

 I love this author and was very excited to get it, though this is where it sat all spring until I decided to read it this summer. 

 OMG what a story! Since this is an older book, and has been around for quite awhile some of you avid readers may recall what I'm talking about. It's not what I would call a comforting read, in fact it's quite disturbing at times.  I'm not going to give it all away here so you'll just have to read it yourself if your interested, though I will say I was quite envious of the friendships described in this book.  

All in all, I could not put it down  and I think this book is what reawakened that long overdue desire for snuggling down with a good book.

Before it got too hot outside, I enjoyed spending time out here during the day to read.  My front porch has late evening sun so it's fairly shaded during most of the day.  It has ceiling fans as well and our hammock chair that sits low enough so it's quite a private and cozy spot to read.

I just read this book last week, but I've been on this author for several weeks now.  I found this book to be quite enjoyable.  The red hat club ladies were a popular group around here a few years back in our town too, though I've never really understood the significance of it all until now. I remember several red hat customers and thinking it had to do only with old age, but it's more about women, divorce and sisterhood.  I read this book in a matter of a few days quite easily!  It was a smooth read for me. 

 I've also read all the other titles from this author that our "smaller" local branch library carries, which was only a few.  I started with "Ladies of the Lake" (I'm sure you get why) and then "Waking up in Dixie", both were very enjoyable.  She has many more books that I plan to order transfers from another branch.  I really have enjoyed her easy reading style. You can visit her official website for a complete listing of all her books.

Another great spot I like to read is on my screened porch out back.  I used to have my lounging hammock out here for years and loved it, but am trying out a few chairs this year.  We have a ceiling fan out here as well and it helps a lot but it's still too hot for reading outside.  I really do hope we cool down soon!

This is my current read at the moment.  I just started reading it yesterday and am already two thirds of the way through.  I've enjoyed looking at this authors blog, Designs by Gollum, quite a bit already.  After hearing many other blogger reviews of her books I knew I wanted to read these.  Since I've been so very slack about keeping up with current reads over the years I'm excited that I will have plenty of her books to enjoy.  Check out

her official website for more titles.

 I went to our library in hopes of getting her book called "Gone With A Handsomer Man" but had to order a transfer on it as well.  Much to my surprise they did have this one and I was thrilled because I remember someone else saying how enjoyable this book was.  So far I am loving it!  I can just smell the Alabama coast from the way it is described in this book though I've never actually been there.  LOL!  I'm hustling through this story much faster then I thought I would.  Though much to my relief because they have already called to tell me my other book is in.  

 I have such a hard time with remembering names and titles that I find I often can't be if sure I've read a book until I start reading it again.  I'm considering putting together a book list here on my blog to help keep up with that.  So, don't be surprised if you see one pop up in my pages.

In case you missed it from yesterday's post, I am keeping this blog comment free for awhile.

I believe reading is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself .  It is quite relaxing, but also mentally stimulates the brain as well.   That is why I'm putting this out here today for my own

Wellness Wednesday post.

Hope you have a great day and thank you so much for visiting!

Mary

Fleeing the Coop!

Do you do Roos's? I didn't!  That is until I started decor blogging last year, and saw how warm and friendly they made all of your spaces.  Then suddenly they had wonderful new appeal.  However, too much of anything is never a good thing, and so it goes with me and blogging in general.

  Last year, I added quite a few Roo's to my home and posted about them here if you would like to see all of those.  I still find myself wistfully looking at them in the stores but I have decided to reign them in this year.  I am feeling much the same about blogging lately too.  But, more on that in just a bit, first I want to share a few new pretties who are joining the hen party this year.

This sturdy male took up roost by the door.

Isn't he quite the gentry?

The kitchen cupboard has a few hanging around.

Here's one who refuses to stay inside!

I must say, he is quite a colorful character!

But... this little sweetie from Cracker Barrel stole my heart!

Oh, why oh why, didn't I catch more of these when I had the chance!

Thank you Sheila for hosting another Heart of the Home party, Roosters and Chickens

 again this year.  Please go to 

Sheila's at Note Songs

to see more hens in the pen!

I have made a big decision regarding my blogging style.  I have decided for the time being to turn off all comments.  I have decided to do this so that you and I can enjoy blogging more "without" all the strings attached as far as I am concerned.  

It has been a pleasure getting to know many of you and I have always appreciated your comments.  But... I often find myself making too much of it all!

  I've been up and down so many times this past year, judged and misjudged and have nearly quit blogging all together many times for this very reason.  I enjoy blogging and visiting others, though I do not comment on many that I peep at often, no pun intended.  LOL!

  I find myself  really needing to move on with my time online these days.  I feel quite guilty and have been so misjudged when I don't find the time to respond to my commentors or visit and comment on all those I like to follow.  Not to mention a few of you who have even misjudged my comments to you.

  My statistics show me that I have quite a few who visit my blog regularly who are not even followers and never comment.  I am sure many of you have those as well.  Quite frankly, this style of "no comment" blogging is quite appealing to me!  I find the thought of it very freeing at this time in my life. 

 My plate is quite full these days and I am done stressing over this blog and all the real or perceived issues and attitudes that come with it due to the commenting factor.  Hopefully, this will be the last time I will ever have to cluck about this issue again.      

I do hope you will continue to enjoy following along with me when your so inclined but if you don't that's okay too, because the reality is, it's just a blog online.  Inspiration and designs come and go, but lost time can never be retrieved.  So my gift to all of you when you visit me is, you get to take a peep and move on giving you more time for all the other important things in life.

Time is precious Y'all, make the most of it! 

I'm certainly going too!