baby its cold outside !

                           I don't want to get up ! It's cold outside here in northwest Florida . I think I'll just stay in the bed , have a cup of coffee or two while I catch up on some reading . Maybe I'll plug in a Nick and Nora movie ( the hubby loves the oldies too ) ! Or I could get out that  new book on simplifying our lives that I threw in the already full magazine basket ...... what to do , what to do ....... ? Maybe I should finish one of the several quilting projects that are happening in the craft room ..... maybe not . That is the deliciousness of a day off , the possibilities . Maybe I'll roll over and dream a little more , hope your day is wonderful too.xxoo Susanne

color therapy

     " I go to nature to be soothed and healed , and to have my senses put in order ".    John Burroughs

                                We have a wonderful garden center here in town that is a pure delight to visit . I run into everyone I know when I go , we all go for the same thing ......... inspiration . The fragrance of these flowers is downright heady and the colors are breathtaking  and I must have ! They have areas that feature bamboo clumps and ponds that take you to the orient , spiral topiaries and garden areas that you could swear you were in Europe , personally I love the fountains and I have seen people bring their brown bag lunches , just to sit and soak it all in. When I am blocked on whatever creative project I am working on , I come here....... to be reinspired , refreshed and reminded that God is the master Creator , and He is an artist ! Gotta go and plant something .....xxxooo Susanne

watch out Emeril !

I came home Sunday afternoon , after a day of church , shopping and a photography session , to the aroma of something delicious wafting out of the kitchen . Imagine my surprise to see my husband and good friend Rick cooking up their catch from a fishing trip the previous day. Now these men look like your regular  good ole southern boys , but when they get in the kitchen ..... watch out ! Rick is Greek and a wonderful cook , he was baking a fish wrapped in phyllo and some sort of clam dish baking in a shell . My sweetie was blackening the redfish and serving it with a freshly made mango salsa . Top it off with cheese grits , a fresh baguette , and a fruit salad made by yours truly ....... wow , it was delish ! Wish you could have been there ! It only took an hour to clean up all the dirty dishes...... but who's counting ! Till next time ,  Susanne

art saves lives

" I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way ..... things I had no words for ".  Georgia O'keefe  

                             I have enjoyed art ever since I can remember . My earliest memory was at the Seven Seas restaurant in Panama City . I remember looking up from our table , I was probably only 5 or 6 and seeing the most beautiful thing hanging on the wall ...... a painting ! I was mesmerized and very impressed . Color and pattern keep my creative thing going , be it painting , pottery, fabrics , you name it . That would explain the crafting supplies I keep in two rooms ....... I can't help it . After the loss of two family members last year my life took a turn I was not fully prepared for ....... I journaled , I cried , and then I started painting. It didn't matter what the subject , as long as there was lots of color and movement . I then discovered quilting and I have fallen in love with that . It may be something different next month,  but as long as I am creatiing I am becoming myself again . God isn't finished with me yet ! Till next time.xxoo Susanne

Is it Spring yet ?

                              " Just living is not enough . One must have sunshine , freedom , and a liitle flower"
                                 Hans Christian Anderson

                               I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day . Mine was spent outside gardening in the beautiful , sunny weather , a rare thing in February I can assure you ! It made me start thinking about the Spring and all the things I want to do in the yard . With all my shade I have a lot of hydrangeas . My favorite is the Oakleaf with its big , white frowsy blooms.....may do more of those . I also have the long blooming ones that were still blooming in November , very soft shades of blue , pink , bridal white that has a hint of pink..... very pretty . The Lace Cap variety is very dainty and pretty , one year I had close to 100 blooms on one bush , it was unreal . But this is a far- off dream , for now I will have to be content with my coral pink Gerbera Daisies from the Fresh Market and keep planning my summer yard . Have a great day . xxoo  Susanne

on a summers day

                  
                     I love this picture of my brothers and I at Mexico Beach years ago. The brother on the right , Daniel , passed away year ago today . He was a warm, funny, loving person and he is missed by everyone who knew him . Life is precious and fleeting and you have to relish every moment, good and bad, because ...that is life . I keep this picture of brothers flying kites on a beautiful summer day where I can see it daily to remind me of the sweet things in life. Hope your day is sweet and blessed and don't forget to tell your family that  you love them . xxxooo Susanne

it runs in the family

                                    " A good home must be made, not bought "  Joyce Maynard


                                 I spent a wonderful weekend with my 91 year old grandmother. She is an incredible lady and I am still learning from her everytime I am with her . She grew up in a different time, very genteel, mannered..... and the pace was much slower . She knows the art of conversation and uses darling phrases like  "over yonder  " and " my word , you don't say " .... just darling . I inherited her love of home and yard and her sense of color is outstanding . At Easter , out comes her Ukranian eggs and others from her trips around the world, Spring arrangements pop up overnite,  In October Fall pumpkins and scarecrows show up ... I love that she celebrates every season so wonderfully . Her name is Mary Caroline , so named because her mother was from South Carolina and her beloved father from North Carolina ....... and I want to be just like her when I grow up . Till next time xxxooo Susanne

my cup runneth over

                              My girl turns 28 years old today....wow ! It seems like only yesterday she was all dressed up in workout gear , headband , leg warmers , pig tails and doing her aerobics .... in style . When you are the only child you tend to be very memorable and well, she is ! She is the apple of our eye and she is all grown up. Lu is our music director, our style coordinator , our cheerleader and her own person. I feel very blessed to have her in our lives and can't wait for her to live out her life the way she wants to,,,,, in style. Happy Birthday Lu Lu .xxxooo  Ssuanne

a hop,skip and a jump away

                        I love the water ! Living in close proximity to the coast is a wonderful thing . I grew up going to a small , quiet beach called Mexico Beach that has sugar white sand and beautiful views . Now I live close to an island that is even more beautiful . Every spring my darling husband / cowboy / fisherman starts to get the fever to get out in the boat. Of course it's too cold and we freeze our natural hineys off , but there we are ! We breathe in the salty, briney air and always comment on how we should do this more often. It's the best therapy there is , just the lapping of the water on the boat , the breezes blowing , and just being........ punctuated by the occasional fussing from the Mr. on how the fish aren't biting today. I hope you have a wonderful day and  I hope you enjoy your  view ! xxxooo , Susanne
                                

spring cleaning ?

I have spent too many cold days inside, I've started spring cleaning....a little early ! Airing out the down comforters in the clean , crisp air , I even lay out the pillows and let them sit in the sun for awhile. I guess I want to snuggle in but bring fresh air and sunshine in. Don't you miss clotheslines ? There is just something wonderful about sheets that have been airing, they are crispy , but I like that . I have a wonderful sheet spray that is called Beach Home that reminds me of vacations and that salty sea spray smell of waking up at the coast . Oh boy, I feel a trip to the coast coming on! Well I have more rooms to go and miles to go before I sleep. Have a wonderfully blessed day! xxxooo Susanne

family night

                                         I love that my almost 28 year old daughter LuLu comes over almost every Tuesday night for our family night. Sometimes its just pizza and beer, sometimes its a vegetarian surprise , but most of the time it is just being together and being grateful we have each other.... and a glass of wine. We started the tradition when my mom passed away in 2008, the realization that life is indeed short and fleeting and we needed more face time with each other. Life is busy, Lu is an energetic whirlwind, my darling husband and I need oxygen after she leaves , I don't know how she does it but she is definitely plugged in ! Take time to stop and gaze at your children's faces and don't forget to thank God for them. Have a blessed day.xxxooo Susanne