Almost Tomato Time

The soil is ready, the plants are purchased, (no starting them from seeds-been there, done that) but it is still too early! So combine my tomato obsession with being housebound for a few weeks, some fun things have happened. First, my favorite ceramic tomato (made by my daughter back in high school) has found itself in the spotlight. Here, on the sill above my kitchen sink, alongside my grandmother's tea pot that holds my tea bags. Nana Ri would love to know how I cherish this teapot!

 And in its own nest....on the sunporch.

Watching the plants grow while waiting for the weather to cooperate.

While upstairs, the gardener feeling restless, has some Illustrator ideas. It was fun to goof around for a few minutes...maybe I will do more of these simple graphics and make some cards?

Here is the line up for this year. Orange Slice Hybrid, Sunny Boy Hybrid, Pink Pounder Hybrid, Fourth of July Hybrid, Lemon Boy, Early Girl, Red Brandywine Heirloom & Green Zebra Heirloom. I have 12 plants in all and have had to expand the garden. Thanks to my husband for helping with that. Now he has some ownership!

Beach Rock Coaster

There are so many things to find and collect on a beach. One day I noticed the
multitudes of smooth and very flat stones along the high tide line and below.

Wonderful shades of gray and brown. 

What can I possibly do with these beauties? Enter, the cheese wheel.
Those large Brie wheels that arrive every year around the holiday...hmmm.
Made of thin wood, nice round shape and free when Trader Joe's uses them for demo!

Paint, arrange the stones & glue, then spray a little poly...
a "Rock Coaster" ready for whatever use you may find for it. I mostly use them for plants but possibly wall art?

Notice the seaglass votive holders? And those candles are beeswax, directly from a local beekeeper!

Thanks Bruce! 

And thank you to Nina for my lime green watering can & Gerbera!

More Glass!

Since we had such wonderful news to share yesterday I am sharing my weekly glimpse 

of my seaglass today! When you enter my home you are greeted by this 

glass bucket of...

you guessed it, seaglass! My painted walls with their fun design are a great backdrop

for this bucket-o-glass, mostly larger pieces and the special bottle neck pieces. 

First impressions?

Something to Celebrate!

John & Kate are engaged! Congratulations! Hoping to make more trips to DC to see them in the upcoming year and looking forward to a beautiful Baltimore area wedding next Spring!

Shell Collections

In my living room I have beautiful built in shelves made for me by my brother Neil quite a few years ago.  On these, is a family history of collectibles, photos, books and my shells! Most are shells from either Fairfield Beach or Long Beach, Stratford.  I think they add interest, color and provide me a place for the shells I pick up on my walks. 

One jar filled with Florida Shells... 

But mostly local Jingle Shells, Clam Shells, Moonsnail Shells, & Scallop Shells!

A very small jar of Hawaiian Pink Shells ...

And most precious, the shells of mini Horseshoe Crabs.

Mother's Day Card

An awesome pop-up card from my daughters. 

The garden, the birds, the shadows.

Just perfect. Simple things make my day.

Had a great day...thank you!

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all a very happy Mother's Day! We all have mothers, some of us are mothers and some are mother-like....all to be appreciated on this beautiful Sunday! I thank my Mom for having been a wonderful, caring, fun and supportive influence in my life. This photo of her, taken I believe in Florida while she was in her 20's, is my all time favorite. She was truly stunning.

Collections

If you haven't already figured it out, I am a collector. I typically collect things from nature and mostly from the beach. I may start a new category for my blog called, Collections! I just have to learn how and where to put it. So many things I want to learn about the whole blogging world...but one step at a time. Last entry I tested out using a link and it worked! So here I go again.

Wampum Collection

Wampum was often used as currency in colonial history. The quahog shell (hard clam shell) that we find along the beaches here in New England is rimmed with a beautiful shade of purple. Small pieces like these are worn and smoothed by the daily tides.

This is my small but so beautiful collection of Wampum. 

Not many people know what I mean when I say I have found a nice piece of Wampum along with my seaglass! A co-worker, (Alex!) knocked my socks off the other day when she knew exactly 

what I was talking about! 

The collection resides in a little lobster dish made by my daughter. A few pieces have naturally occurring holes ready for someone like me to make myself little piece of jewelry!

A little more history and jewelry that people make, right here.

No more walks for awhile!!!!!

 I am going to be out of commission as far as seaglass walks go for 3, maybe 4 weeks! 

Not sure how I will survive!

I am having a lovely labral tear fixed in my right hip this coming Monday. It decided to rear it's ugly head suddenly, leaving me no choice but to get it fixed. So my blog entries will depend on the images & ideas already existing in my home, in my head and in my computer.

This is my version of a Sailor's Valentine! 

A morning walk, a peaceful hour sitting at the family's beach cottage last summer produced this paper towel canvas of local shells, arranged in a flower like design...just a fleeting one since it was not saved except on film. Sort of "Andy Goldsworthyish".

See his work here.

A sunny Sunday

I was so happy to get out on the beach today. Great finds, great Vitamin D from the sun and some nice pieces of glass to add to my recent finds pile!  Along the way, I came upon a beautiful, perfectly shaped starfish washed ashore. It was still alive...could see the little feet underside wiggling away. Although they are known to be quite the predator, I gave it another chance and flipped it, put it back into the sound.

I am still "showing off" my love of seaglass and the way I have incorporated it anywhere I can in my home. This is a little lamp in my seafoam green living room....a great light to leave on as a night light.

I was also quite honored today when my cousin Bonney gave me a mention on her blog as another seaglass enthusiast.  She and her husband have built a beautiful new home and have incorporated a special seaglass countertop...from years of collecting. I guess it runs in the family! Thanks Bonney! 

http://camanohouse.blogspot.com/

Since Bonney is from the west coast, I must show my only west coast glass. Here in the boat shaped bowl is a small portion of seaglass gifted to me from my friend Nina. She inherited a huge collection after one of her friends from San Francisco (?) passed away. I have saved it apart from my own to keep its honor.