Caught Up In The Moment

Well, the unofficial start to summer (June !st) started with a very happy event for us. Daughter #2 graduated from high school! The Christian homeschooling community in our state puts on a lovely graduation ceremony. We were so very pleased at how beautifully it all went. There were between sixty and seventy students that participated this year. I was quite impressed as I heard the accomplishments and plans of each student. It surprised me even more as I sat down a few weeks before to list my child's achievements over the past twelve years. Usually, I can barely focus on the year, month, week or even day in front of me. How did so much time pass? And, wow! She did a lot in that time!

My father flew out and spent the week with us to celebrate. It was nice having him here and just doing a whole lot of not-a-lot. We spent one whole day going through photos that we would be using for her party. The party date was two weeks after the graduation and dad wouldn't be here for that so we put him to work sifting through eighteen years of photos. Once we selected a few (120!), I put them together in a slide show to play during the party. Setting it on a loop allowed for people to come in middle and still get to see them all.

The weather was perfect and our guests came ready to play volleyball, bocci, corn hole, ect. In the back corner of our yard we have a grape arbor that was turned into a photo booth. I hung picture frames and tissue flowers. No, I did not make the flowers. I bought them at the dollar store-two for a dollar. Hung at different heights, they provided a pretty setting. I made a sign and suspended it inside an empty frame listing her Instagram hashtag. The sign was made from a piece of black cardstock and a chalk pen. Easy! I made a smaller sign that read Photo Props and I tied it with twine to a basket. The basket was filled with hats, garlands, glasses, masks, leis, beads, ect all purchased from the dollar store. All total, I think it cost me about $20. Adults and young ones alike were donning hats and phones were snapping photos!

I took all these before the party. Notice the Instagram sign hanging on the left? 

A simple sign using card stock and a chalk pen.

Downstairs, in our basement, I have a hoarded stash of furniture waiting for me to paint, repair, get rid of... anyway, I brought a vanity up to the yard. After cleaning it off and wiping out the drawers we were ready to turn it into our drink station. I lined the drawers with old linens and filled them with plastic cups. Two drink dispensers (borrowed from a friend) were to sit on top to hold lemon water.

A little sign hung on the mirror was made with my handy-dandy chalk paint pen and chipboard chalkboard from A.C. Moore at 50% off. Under the vanity was a galvanized tin barrel to hold juices.

Next up we pulled an old baker's rack out of the shed. I cleaned it up and gave it quick coat of Rustoleum in black. I made a banner sign from pages of an old book and free-handed the lettering with a Sharpie. A dear friend provided the iced coffee and fixings for the station. Another galvanized tin sat between the vanity and the baker's rack to hold sodas.

Of course, the only picture I got has one of the letters turned over! 

I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it so smart that I made one for our party.

As you can see everything was relatively easy and very inexpensive. Many friends brought salads and dishes to share. Don't be intimidated by perfect Pinterest party pictures. Use what you have, enlist help and have fun!

My girl wore the most beautiful smile the entire day. It was pure joy to see her have such a fun day set aside to celebrate her hard work and the Lord's faithfulness in our homeschooling adventure. I was so distracted with all the fun that I never did get finished pictures of the stations set up-I got caught up in the moment-and I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world.

I will try to do better the next time....

Party Time:
Lambert's Lately, The Blissful Bee, Savvy Southern Style, Up To Date Interiors

A Cape Cod Vintage Market

Recently, Mr.FixIt and I made a mad-dash getaway to Cape Cod.

The Bourne Bridge

Nobska Point Lighthouse, Woods Hole, MA

It was only for a few days but it was just us. The weather was beautiful and the water, though still cool, was a refreshing respite from the above average temperatures.

See the heart stone? I have a collection.

What could be more perfect? I had my husband (who happens to be my best friend), beautiful weather, a lovely place to stay and... the beach! Perfect!

Well, imagine my surprise when I realized that while we were there a vintage market would be happening. (Insert squeals of delight!) (Also, insert Mister rolling his eyes.)

Buoys and Burlap holds a monthly market during the summer months, I believe, in this gorgeous old church. The market is similar to the Vintage Thymes Market I wrote about in my last post. I grabbed my camera and credit card and off we went. I met some sweet, talented ladies. Come on, I'll show you!

These three photos were courtesy of Erika at Beach Cottage Living. Again, sweet lady and so nice to let me photograph even though I had forgotten my cards in my other pocketbook! Yup, I did. Anyway, you can find her on Facebook here or follow her on Instagram: BeachCottageLivingCC.

You've seen MapSacks before if you follow my blog. I love her stuff! There are such cute things to find here. They make great gifts and fun conversation pieces. I have purchased from her before for myself and for gifts....such a clever use of paper that would have ended in a land fill. I really should introduce myself and get her name!

Pretty things caught my eye at Soo Soo's Vintage.

I love old chippy paint!

Shells for handles, smart!

Then, on the way out there was Modern Vintage Design Studio. They are on Facebook, too. I had never seen anything from them before and wow, I had a big ole' case of the I-wants at just about everything in their space. Good thing Mister was with me, right? Take a look!

Inside I was screamin' "Me, me, me....I want to be a mermaid!".

I came home with a few treasures, too! Thank you Beach Cottage Living and Mister! We have been looking for one for a long time and it fits in beautifully.

We spent another day on the Cape walking around Chatham, taking some pictures.

Ooh, do I have the guts to paint my stairs and floor that color? 

An art display in the park of different sharks painted by different artists and groups. 

Couldn't ya just imagine an afternoon with some sweet tea and a fan watching the folks walk by.

It was not officially summer yet but everything about those few days put me firmly into the grasp of summer's siren calls. We spent the rest of our time wading into the ocean as we walked the beaches. We enjoyed sitting by the sea, reading and enjoying the beauty God has made.

Isn't that the cutest idea! 

Totally girlie shop so Mister waited outside. It was this piece of furniture that I went in to see! Falmouth, MA

So, this was in Lilly Pulitzer's shop. I can only look when I go in there!

Here it is the first day of summer. Buoys and Burlap has another market coming up soon. If you find yourself out that way I am sure they would love a visit from you. I am going to pack my beach bag... I feel the ocean calling me!


Joining these parties!
Stone Gable, Imparting Grace, The Charm of Home, The Vintage Nest, Have A Daily Cup of Mrs Olsen, Saavy Southern Style, The Blissful Bee, French Country Cottage, The Girl Creative, Shabby Art Boutique, The Cottage Market, Pieced Pastimes, Nifty Thrifty Things, Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home, Finding Silver Pennies, Inside the Fox Den, Pink When, Create with Joy, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Pluckys Second Thought, The Dedicated House, Stonegable, Up To Date Interiors, The Saltwater Wife

Hard to Stay Focused....

It seems like weeks since I talked to you all! You have been on my mind but life gets really busy sometimes and sometimes the words and ideas are just not there. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty going on around here but to write about every thing in all their half finished states just makes me a little bonkers. Ah, forget about all that and lets take a trip!

It is June! Summer, summer, summer! Yup, it is my favorite time of the year and I have already spent some lovely days enjoying some unseasonably warm weather on Cape Cod. Toes in the sand makes me a happy girl. I'll show you more of that in another post.

However, that is not all that I have been up to. My favorite vintage market, Vintage Thymes, is back up and running after finding a new home and I had to make it to their first two markets! May's market theme was The Potting Shed.

It's always a pleasure to see the ladies at Vintage Thymes, Fleurish Home and Gardens, and 23rd and Bird~!

They have another market coming up next weekend with a beach theme... You know I will there!

When we were on the Cape, Mister and I attended Buoys and Burlap Vintage Market. I'll save those goodies for another post! ....Suddenly I have lots to show and tell to you!

The home of Buoys and Burlap

When we returned home the garden was in full bloom and desperately needing some weeding. I love when everything starts coming in! Here is a peek. Things are always changing and don't last long enough to enjoy them enough...

My mom's favorite flower.

A peony waiting for just the right time to open!....I can't stand it! 

It is so very hard to stay focused on the projects that are indoors when all this is waiting for me outdoors and you know the beach is calling me.....