Father's Beach Day

Today was a perfect beach day to celebrate Father's Day. Pappa D had a nice relaxing day (I hope!) and now onto the Lobster Roll Dinner....Yummmm.  From one beach to the other, Lordship to Fairfield and back, I shelled, took photos because I can't sit still for very long. We are all a little sunburned, salty but so happy for the sensational day!

Hopefully tomorrow I will complete my shoreline watercolor map to show my 2 beaches, the view from each and more awesome seascapes!

Garden Conservancy Jaunt

Today I decided to take a little ride to view one of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days gardens. As the name implies, the Open Days Program opens private gardens all across the USA for a small donation at each. This garden belonged to Jean Sander of Sandy Hook, CT.

Of course, some of the things that excited me about this beautifully designed & maintained property were the sculptural elements.

A wonderful combination of wooded, shady areas, semi-formal and sunny spots with gorgeous early summer blooms.

Oh, to dream.

Beach Wildflowers

When walking down a sandy path to the beach yesterday I was sorry I didn't have my camera! Even though I was tired and hot today, I couldn't resist going back. I missed a few great shots so maybe I will have to visit this path again tomorrow. The cactus plants were in their glory!

This is NOT the shot of the beach rose I thought I took!

Wildflowers are so under appreciated. They exist compatibly with poison ivy, flourish without care and give the landscape unexpected color. 

A shot gone wrong....don't know what was up with me today!

My Next Shell

I have decided which shell to pursue this summer....mostly during my Fairfield Beach walks. You really have to pick something and stick to it. If not, there are just too many things to collect on beach walks!
An interesting shell, named Pandora gouldiana is my choice. It is small, iridescent when worn and quite beautiful. I have a small collection started already!

The opalescence of this shell seems fitting for me because I love pearls!

 This small collection seems right living in a shiny silver candy dish as you enter my home. Old silver is so hard to maintain so a few pieces in a prominent spot really make a statement.

Reflections and shimmer.

 The entry vestibule is a combination of old and new, natural and refined and lots of color! Hopefully I can fill these silver dishes with more Pandora pretties!

A Long Walk on Sunday

Today was overcast with a slight chill in the air...at least when I began my hour and a half walk! There was some stormy weather in the last couple of days and I couldn't wait to get out there and search the beach. Sand was shifted, tides had been quite high and it was a perfect opportunity to really release myself for a spell. The "catch" was OK.....and I spent some time trying to decide which shell family upon which to focus my attention this summer.

The disk shaped shells that look almost like earrings are the backside of the Jingle Shells. Cousin Kate found these interesting and I agree...but I think I will leave these for her shell walks this summer. My Wampum finds were great along with a few nice pieces of aqua and small blues.

Not sure if you can spot the Ferry here....but it is always a bright spot on the horizon, traveling from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson and back daily. I will catch it again and get a better shot!

Here....now you can see it returning, I guess I spent more time out on the beach than I realized!

The Great Salt Meadow Marsh. Beautiful, peaceful and so important to the health of Long Island Sound. This is a path down from the beach to the shoreline of the marsh. The flora and fauna that thrive here are spectacular!

Rock Groups

A rainy Saturday walk produced little seaglass but I did happen upon a cool rock! Another collection, another "something" to look for and marvel at. I wish I took a geology course at some point in my life...but I know a few who did (sons John & Peter?). Maybe they can help me understand how these rocks came to be.

Black & White Rock...like the cookie?

Layer Cake Rock

 Oreo Rock, Hole In One Rock

Rock Group...needs a name?

My Garden Rocks...

Cluster Rock? Hmmm, no comments please!

Radishes

I don't have a huge garden. Sometimes I sneak lettuce and radishes into the flower gardens before they become full leaving no room for friends. I enjoyed these little radishes for a couple of weeks before they were spent. Wonderful color in a spring salad!

Driftwood Project Complete!

The Driftwood Project has been completed. I have a knack for leaving things only partially finished so this time I made a real effort to bring the project home....quite possibly because of this blog!

 I walked my "other beach" this weekend to find the missing piece-the base. Found quite a few so now I am all set for the next tree I build. Next, where do I put this tree? Front steps? No.

In the front garden? I am not sure it would weather the weather..even though the pieces have all seen quite a bit of wind, water and sun already.

Dining room as a centerpiece? Cool juxtaposition of rustic and elegance with the crystal chandelier! For the summer, this spot will be home for the Driftwood Project Tree, then possibly put away in the Fall and brought back out for Christmas Holiday decor. Time to make a few more smaller versions now to keep it company.

Seaglass Sunday!

Sometimes an image is worth a thousand words. Waking up to a cool but sunny morning after a good night's rest and looking forward to a nice seaglass walk & a cruiser bike ride too!

My Beach

A short walk this morning on an absolutely beautiful day! I think I should show you my beach...at least one part of it. On the body of water known as Long Island Sound, a block or so from my home, the sandy, rocky and sometimes littered beach may not be the prettiest of places but I love it. I really, really love it.

 

At nearly dead low tide there is plenty of space to stroll back & forth and soak up the the wonders of what one day's worth of high & low tides can produce. You become visually acute after years of beach combing and almost always find something that makes you smile!

 Here a "sea brick" as I call them, is a lost art project! But now found and given another chance. It is another story, another mystery...who painted it? Was it a child spending a lazy summer afternoon at their grandmother's cottage? I would like to think so because that is what summer should be.