Fall pumpkins...

I picked up a couple of plastic pumpkins.

You know, the kind children use to hold their candy?

 

 

They were inexpensive, a good base for my project.

 

 

If you're interested in making your own, here's the scoop:

 

Items needed:

plastic pumpkin

newspaper or plastic bags

white paint

small paper plate

burlap

raffia/straw

wooden sticks

various ribbon

hot glue

 

Steps:

1. take off handles

2. paint pumpkin white - possible 2 coats

3. fill pumpkin with crumbled paper or plastic bags for weight

4. cut slits in center of paper plate for stem

5. glue small paper plate to top of pumpkin, keeping paper in place and covering hole

6. cut strips of burlap

7. glue burlap around pumpkin, overlapping as shown

8. place sticks into the slit of paper plate for a stem

9. glue straw/raffia to cover top of pumpkin

10. add various ribbons

11. glue circle of burlap to bottom of pumpkin to cover rough edges of burlap strips



 

If you make one, let me know! I'd love to see your fall pumpkin!

 

 

 

My little companion

My sweet little puppy is a loyal companion.

And...she loves her Buddy.

 

 

 

Gorgeous new flowers...

Look at these beauties!

 

 

Red sunflowers...I've never seen them before.

Stunning.

 

Turtles...

Do you have a favorite animal?

I have a few...

one of them is turtles.

Not really sure...but it might be their eyes.

They seem wise, don't they?

 

 

 

A Little Visitor...

So it's Monday and the weather is absolutely glorious!

It's feeling much more like fall,

and that's a welcome change.

 

This morning while sitting on the porch,

I spied this little guy.

 

 

 

At first I thought it was a leaf

but upon closer inspection,

I discovered that it was a snail!

 

I couldn't believe it!

I haven't seen one this size since I was a child.

And it's shell?

Beautiful!

 

What new discoveries are you seeing these days?

 

Aw...beach life.

 

You know,

there's something about living at the beach.

 

 

Just about anything goes as far as decorating.

 

 

However,

anything tropical

 

 

or having to do with nature is a win-win.

 

 

And Bolivar Peninsula has quite the story to tell.

You see,

Hurricane Ike (2008) ravaged the entire area.

But after 7 years,

the peninsula is back!

 

 

So happy for the area, the residents, and weekenders!

 

 

It is well with my soul...

The beach brings out the best in me,

really.

And this time of year is just amazing.

 

 

There are cool breezes,

crystal clear water,

and warm sand.

 

 

We took our trip during the week

so there minimal crowds.

Ok...there really wasn't anyone down there.

 

 

Summer has passed,

 and fall has officially begun.

Yay!

 

Happy Birthday!

I have nicknamed my mother, sister, and myself as the traveling trio.

We take quite a few trips together,

and this time we headed down to the beach.

 

 

And when you're at the beach, you have to drop by t-shirt shops.

And...you have to buy matching t-shirts...it's the law.

 

 

And then you have to take a selfie...

of you all wearing those T-shirts!

 

 

And when you see these punch-out boards,

 it's mandatory to stop and take a photo.

really.

 

 

And to top it all off?

It was my sister's birthday!

Happy happy birthday!

 

 

Good Morning!

One of my favorite times at the beach is the early morning.

Here's a photo that makes me smile.

 

 

Can you see an image of a cross in the sun's rays?

 

 

A little vacation...

I took a few days and visited a favorite destination.

Want to guess?

Ok...you got me...

the beach.

Yep, it's a favorite.

And...we just happen to have one fairly close.

 

You've most likely heard of Galveston, but have you heard of Bolivar Peninsula?

It's a small stretch of land that almost connects to Galveston.

 

 

source

 

And if you're traveling from Galveston to the peninsula, you get to take a ferry.

Yep...pretty neat.

And guess who also likes the ride?

...these guys.

 

 

They are a hoot.

I love their attitudes.

 

 

Yep...just hanging out because

you know, they're on beach time.

 

 

And when you see the 1852 lighthouse,

 

 

you know you're almost there.

 

 

Where do you like to travel for quick get-aways?

 

 

Adding a little love...

This is the story of a wall clock that just wasn't working.

 

 

Literally, it wasn't working

and

something about it just wasn't making me "love" the way it looked.

It sat in a box for a few years broken.

My "Mr. Fix-It" took a look but couldn't make it tick.

But this isn't the end of the story.

You see,

I have a "thing" about clocks.

I love them.

My home is filled with them and about half actually work.

They other half?

They make me smile.

 

So what's a DIY'er to do with a piece that has potential?

Love it...

With a bit of trim and paint,

it's perfect.

 

 

Do you have a decorative item that could use a little love?  

 

 

The golden hour...

The leaves on these trees look golden, don't they?

That's the indirect sunlight...at sunset.

Isn't it beautiful?

Each evening, I try to catch this sight because it makes me stop and give thanks.

God is amazing, isn't he?

 

 

What are your favorite times of the day?

 

Welcome fall...

Today, 

Wednesday, September 23,

is the official first day of fall.

Yay!

 

 

 

Look up and shoot a pic...

I know a couple of photographers who take amazing shots.

One of their trade marks is to, "...look.up.and.shoot.a.pic..."

Well, I looked up and saw this...

 

...bees doing their thing.

amazing

 

Try it yourself...look up and find a great sight...

and keep me posted!

 

 

To Jacob and John, two of my favorite photographers,

thanks for the inspiration!

 

It's the simple things...

Have you really looked closely at nature lately?

Sometimes life gets so crazy that simple things are just overlooked.

Since our weather has been so nice,

I've been outside as much as possible.

Here's a couple shots, things that I've rediscovered.

 

 

What are some things you're seeing again, for the first time?

 

Surprise!

Look who I found today!

He was so content...

all tucked in and enjoying the day.

Have a great weekend!