How it Began

I told ya, from the get-go....We have a fixer-upper on our hands. Currently or, well at this phase in the photo is was a bit more of a downer. I can not even begin to tell you the work it took to get this lot cleared. It was and continues to be a untamed mess. I am learning to embrace a lot of it. The exterior of the house is filthy-but I have zero desire to have it painted. So-again "I have plans"in the form of lots of climbing ivy-further pushing this home into the boho-commune I always imagined myself to create. This is the spot I chose for our garden space.

After tons of sweat and hours with power tools our cedar beds were built. Organic Soil poured and grid made. I used cooking twine instead of wood to mark the square feet-

(This is my first attempt at square foot/companion/raised bed gardening. All other attempts have been haphazard and complete learning experiences that led to this "science".)

*That's our cat-Marshall*

For about a month before I nursed and started seeds with the very intention to plant them in this space. It's also a super idea to have plants at different stages of growth to ensure you have a "continual" harvest.  Seedlings and Seeds alike began their journeys here and I am completely grateful for their progress. 

This bed is home to three different varieties of carrots, onions, beets and eggplant. Basil and Tomato grow together happily in the back left corner....

I was amazed at how quickly this space exploded. I must admit it hasn't gotten any prettier in the landscape department....but the plants seem to love their spaces and that's all a gardner can hope for.

I Dream....

We woke early this morning. I find it completely amazing that our girls are so eager to start their days, while I walk around one-eyed for the better half of the day. It is my complete desire to have that spark. This morning though it was a bit slow, it was obvious by ten o'clock that- a nap was greatly needed.

So, we ate a mismoshed meal and headed for bed. In our case bed is-complicated. Or not so: an ikea bunk bed...bottom bunk used, an organic cotton futon on the side of bottom bunk-that's where I sleep. My sleeping partner varies from night to night. I think at some points the three of us end up there. Either way, there are tons of pillows and it can be a sweet place to be. (there are some nights my grumpiness takes over and I mumble the words: I am 29 and I am sleeping on a futon-on the floor.)

I am not a good day napper, once I have woken up it's nearly impossible for my mind to shut off. This morning I slept but my mind reeled. In a dream, a small simple dream I dreamt that I had my first comment in this space. A comment by someone I had never met, or known-they took the time to join me and felt impressed enough to comment. I logged onto this space of mine this evening in hopes that maybe a dream-come true.

There was no comment, and I still feel as if I sit here and talk to myself. (which isn't out of the normal and completely ok by me.) I visit blog after blog filled with inspiring content and photos, I notice all of the lovely comments and encouragement the curators receive and I cant begin to imagine-how amazing that must be.

Alas ::sigh:: this is a space I love, and take comfort in-and I will continue even if I am lost in a sea of  blogging beauty. A dream is still a dream and worth holding on to. Until then-oh bla di, oh bla da. <3

A few weeks ago I blogged about this eye sore, or.... I couldn't wrap my brain around the issues at hand: after years of abuse the hearth was in awful shape. it hadn't been cleaned in decades.

the type of paint required is not something allowed in our household-completely toxic.

so after a ton of research (because apparently I have no readers.) I decided on a few things..

I used pumice stone to get the soot off. It worked like a charm. (made a dusty mess)

I opted to paint the fireplace screen with high heat Rustoleam spray paint. (outdoors) I let it off-gas for a few days.

After scrubbing and scrubbing and using a non-toxic/earth friendly cleaner *outdoors* I began to see this amazing patina left behind. A few hours of sun and I was completely thrilled with the outcome.

Before

After

So, keep in mind that I love odd things. I love the fact that we used what came with the house and has lived here longer than I have been alive. I love that it compliments what we brought into the home and that somehow I have found it to be the "Or" instead of the Eyesore in the room.

The Purpose of Repurpose.

I have a few...weaknesses. Some (enter Husband) may call them obsessive compulsions. I love hardware. I love the fact that it's gorgeous on it's own and even more so I love that you can add it to a piece of old rickety furniture(cupboards, closets, vanities) and reinvent it with little time. The greatest thing is that you can change them with times, moods and seasons. Great places to find drawer pulls:
Anthropologie
Salvage Yards
Antique Stores
Home Goods
World Market (stores only)

A few of my favorites from "the collection"...

Pulls vary widely in prices and it's astounding to find the same exact ones at different stores at literally three to four dollars price variance....But when it comes to hardware hoarding one-often does not care.

The next piece on the agenda here is...a bit subjective to beauty and hasn't met it's true fate as a "piece" in our home. I found this board washed up on our last Beach walk. I instantly picked it up and imagined the great places it must of seen. I told the girls it was part of an old pirate plank and we started silently daydreaming together. I bring it home (enter husband-again) and my head (which is often in the clouds) became a bit more front and centered with the words: "looks like someone was doing some work on their dock..." ah...well either way I found it to be gorgeous. A bit smelly but gorgeous. I have big plans...

but for now.....it houses our clementine adoration on the sideboard.

The beauty in things is that YOU find them beautiful. 

Upon Us...

Fall is upon us....it's creeping in sweetly. Florida summers typically go out with a BANG!: in the form of gnarly storms and what seems to be an explosion of colors and tastes.

Fall begins in our home with a few definitives:

Open Windows
Anniversaries
.....and
Clementines.

I am disappointed not to see the wooden crates they used to come in this year-but not disappointed to see them for the first time this season.

Fall-I can not wait for you, my friend.
Until then, we have Darling's Clementines.

To If By Sea....

There is something to be said about fleeing to the Ocean to clear your mind and remind you what is GOOD about life. Well, anyhow-that is what we did...

Storms come and go this time of year over the Atlantic...the churning tides bring in the most amazing things...

these sponges were so bright and beautiful they lit the sand on red fire....I was tempted to keep them but I threw them backs in hopes-they'd make it.

(after speaking with my husband-chances were grim that they would-but I knew the bright red meant life, and hopefully the water made their last day a bit less painful.)

A mind cleared and even in the midst of clouds-a brighter outlook and two very happy tired little girls in love with life by the water.

Unpacked Wrinkled Curtains and No Words.