It's Good to Get Away

As I read some of my favorite blogs this morning, I was inspired to write a post - one I had planned to write earlier this month, but life got in the way.

Earlier this month, Steve, Lulu and I escaped to the beach - pretty silly for people who live at the beach,

but this little guy was our motivation.

KC and her family live a 6-7 hour drive from Ventura

so we made plans to meet in Capitola which is just a 2.5 hour drive for them with little Andy.

It was a 5 hour drive for us (had to stop for Lulu to run around) so we arrived late on Thursday and got in a moonlit walk.

KC, Jake and Andy weren't arriving until Friday afternoon so I did something really fun.

I met up with the Darrielle of D.D.'s Cottage and Design who I follow daily on Instagram - @ddscottageanddesign - at the flea market.

I bought a few things - my favorites are a bowl and pitcher I found for just $10.

I never tire of looking at Darrielle's house on IG so I forced her to take me there after the flea market.

It was fun to see this chippy door on her porch because she introduced me to the woman who sold it to her.

I got the grand tour - you'll notice a lot of green throughout the house.

Darrielle has great style and she turns chippy forgotten pieces into valued treasures.

I was a totally rude guest 

snapping photos

right and left.

It was fun to see, in real life, things I have admired in her Instagram posts.

I love how she incorporated fall into her beachy style with pumpkins and flowers.

An old stool and watering can look beautiful filled with seasonal greenery.

I have loved her old tub for years - why didn't my old house come with a claw foot tub?

Look at the great green cupboard reflected in the mirror

and the awesome job she did refinishing this dresser used to hold the sink.

Just to let you know that I didn't stalk Darrielle the entire weekend,

 we visited a few shops she said were "must sees",

 walked all over Capitola which is full of cute houses

Via

and ate at great restaurants.

But most important was spending time with our little guy who is full of life - it was good to get away.

Slow, slow, slow your boat . . .

When I was teaching, my co-workers frequently referred to me as "The Energizer Bunny".

I taught a 0 Period class beginning before most of the staff had arrived, taught classes in addition to being the Activities Director (dances, assemblies, field trips, games, etc.) and coached volleyball after school.

I retired when I still had all that energy and for the first year of retirement, I tackled my days as if I was still on the job.

On my first day of retirement, I began a personal 30 Day Pinterest Challenge and spent that first month checking things off my list - Done and Dusted.

But, things change.

My body goes on strike after a day of gardening so gone are the lists.

Nowadays I slowly "row my boat" - crafts and sewing rarely occupy my time.

Playing house will always be a favorite diversion -

I always seem to be moving something around.

These days I get my kicks from long beach walks

and the thrill of finding pieces of sea glass in rare colors.

I take pleasure in simply looking at the sky

and enjoying the palm trees that abound in our neighborhood.

And then there is this one who is always getting in the way of my photos - I guess it's her way of saying, "put that camera down and take me to the beach!"

Lulu has always had her priorities right so I'll take her on a slow walk along the beach - I can't believe the color of the water on our beach today!

Slow, slow, slow your boat
Gently down the beach
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Paradise is within reach.

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Monday Social

Ordinary

Sometimes I feel like I don't have an original thought of my own and I simply capitalize on the thoughts of others, 

but when I saw this quote on Instagram, it resonated with me.

I was a happy child

and I am a happy old lady.

  I attribute that happiness to my daily celebration of the "ordinary".

Each day in our garden brings a smile to my face.

The sight of fortnight lilies in full bloom this morning

was the perfect opening for another ordinary day.

Steve and I get quite giddy when we spot more tomatoes on the vine and can't wait until they ripen.

These pretty yellow flowers, or maybe they are weeds, are part of the ordinary view on our morning walks.

I enjoy an ordinary day on the beach

as much as a spectacular one.

I was talking to a friend recently about everyday life

and I told her I was content to simply watch my flowers bloom.