wedding bells~

Here's a little peek at some of the other creative displays at my brother's wedding this past weekend...Did I mention what an incredible time was had by all?!!  It was an amazing day!

First, came the set up ~ seashells for place cards, centerpieces, gift table...

Flip flops for dancing the night away, when feet are tired of heels...

My Mom's bouquet was the sweetest thing...look at it against the shade of purple that she wore!!

These beach themed tea lite holders were adorable, too.  And, looked amazing lit up at night...

Italian cookies, a sundae bar, and coffee bar ended the evening, along with dancing, and mingling under the tent and out on the lawn. 

 The festivities ended with a fireworks display over the lake!  Perfect ending for the perfect day!!!

xoxo J&K

something old...

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue...
           What an amazing weekend with family!  From decorating, to making Italian cookies, to writing on sand dollars for place cards, my brother's wedding was perfect ~ from pinning on the boutonnieres, to the firework finale!!  A memorable night was had by all!

Here's one picture, just to peek your interest....as soon as more are uploaded, I'll share!
Here's to the happy couple~ love you J&K!!  xoxo

Pamet

Cannot wait to roam this beach again soon, collect a pail full of beach rocks to add to our gardens, and of course a few rocks to write some quotes on...

Last time we were at this beach...

1. we enjoyed a picnic lunch (lunch always tastes better at the beach)
2. we found a few jellyfish
3. some of us took a nap :)
4. the sun was shining brightly
5. Michael & I walked (almost) to the inlet opening (maybe this year his little legs will make it all the way)
6. we brought home lots of beautiful beach stones (I'm using them to finish the trim around our pellet stove)
7. I threw a rock in the ocean for Grandpa xoxo
8. We thoroughly enjoyed out time together!!!

we rehearsed...

We rehearsed for my brother's upcoming wedding - what a wonderful day together!  The rain stopped just long enough for us to rehearse outside, walk through the lawn & make our way to the deck overlooking the lake that J&K will be married by.  We then headed to a luncheon together - ate, drank, and enjoyed the decorations that mom created. 

And, we parted with the most delicious cupcake - favors ever!  Mmmm...

Can't wait to celebrate the happy couple's wedding day!!!

a new find...

I found these great, handmade necklaces on the web, and ordered them for teacher gifts this year ~ and got one for myself too!  Check out Anne Franklin Designs...her necklaces are adorable, inexpensive, and she's a former school teacher!

http://www.annefranklindesigns.com/shop.php

 Have fun exploring Anne's necklaces!! :) 

You make me happy...when skies are gray...

 Every night before bed, after our prayers are said, I sing "You are My Sunshine" to Michael.  This necklace is from Lisa Leonard's website ~ I think it would be perfect for me, don't you think!?  He certainly makes me happy, even when skies are gray!

Check out her shop site, and her blog...she makes incredible jewelry!!

 http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/

  My little boy goes to Kindergarten Open House today!  Six years ago this month, I found out I was pregnant ~ the most wonderful experience of my life!  And now, he's off to kindergarten (after we enjoy the summer together).  He's going today with his amazing grandfather, that means the world to him.  I hope they have a fun morning together!!

thoughts of summer...

 

My preschooler is done with school, he has one more soccer game for the summer, and the end of the school year is certainly in sight for me too!  Where has the time gone??  Do you ever feel as though you need to stop & smell the roses (or the pansies - my roses aren't blooming quite yet).  We're working on our summer list, like we've done for the past 2 years...when we've got it posted in our home, I'll show it to you.  We got the idea from friends of ours a few years ago.  So far, our list looks like this...

1.  The Aquarium

2. A visit to Cape Cod (after Daddy's surgery)

3. Uncle Johnny's Wedding (& being the ring bearer, of course)

4. Finishing my first childrens' book

5. A few boat rides

6. Going to the drive-in

7. Ice cream for supper (we do this once every summer)

8. Camping in the backyard in our new tent!

9. "Free ~ Fun" days, with some friends

10.....more to come...

Bring on summer!!!

hobbies~

Here's a new little hobby of mine...I love to give these cards as gifts!  When I see a sale on ordering prints, I order a bunch of my seascape photographs, crop them to fit some cute little note cards, and off they go to a friend or relative.  These are put aside for a friend's birthday that I missed ~ she'll be getting these soon!!  ;)

It's June!!

June, at last!!  June 1st came in with a bang, literally.  We experienced some of the worst weather in a long time here in Massachusetts yesterday.
Our herbs are in, and our veggie garden is planted.  School is wrapping up for the year, our calendars are getting busier & busier, and I'm looking forward to spending summer vacation at home with family!  Here's to JUNE!!!

feels like Monday...

It sure feels like a Monday, but what a wonderful Loooooooong weekend it was!!  These flowers just popped open in my yard ~ welcome summer!  I know it's not officially summer yet, but it sure feels like it!  Here's to the memories made this past weekend:  working in Mom & Dad's yard, opening the pool, Michael running through the sprinkler (for the first time in '11), fixing the shed roof (thanks to Dad), watching the parade with friends :), having a yummy cookout (on Dad's new grill), and Michael being the "first one in the pool" ~ brrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Our flag

Our Memorial Day tradition, since living in our home, has been to step out onto our front lawn to watch the parade pass by.  This year, Michael was really excited about it, and was talking about it days before.  When we woke up Monday morning, it began to rain, & even thunder a little.  By 10:30, the rain had passed, the thunder rolled away, and our flags were out with us on the lawn.  Our little town parade is a pretty quick one, but that certainly doesn't take away from its meaning.  We ventured up to the center of town to see all the little white crosses standing on the town common, and with the sun shining down on us, we spoke about their purpose.   ~What a wonderful Memorial Day!!

Michael & William

strength!!!

memories~

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk through my garden forever." ~Alfred Lord Tennyson

I receive Real Simple magazine's Daily Thought, and this was yesterday's...makes me think of some very special people in my life who helped to make me who I am today!

Hello again Monday...

Monday's come so quickly it seems! 
Hello rain drops, hello mug of coffee, hello school lunches & laying out clothes~

 We had a great family weekend at the beach ~ very relaxing!  Now to upload & order these beach pictures, before my little boy gets any older.  Happy Monday everyone!!!

the countdown...

It's hard to believe my little man is almost out of preschool!  He LOVES that his summer vacation begins after 6 more school days - and mine is a bit further away than that.  We made a paper chain tonight...Michael can't wait to rip off a loop tomorrow afternoon!  Here's to childhood, & the little things that excite my son!!! xo

May showers bring June flowers???

Here's hoping that this week's rain brings lots of life to our flowers & veggie gardens!  These tulips remind me of sunshine ~ which we are lacking this week.  Off to dream land I go, dreaming of sunny days ahead!!

Happy times...

I love letting kids paint with their feet & hands!  Have you ever looked at a child's expression when they first begin to smear the paint around?  Priceless...
I framed a print that I made with my son when he was about one, so I decided to do the same for my brother & sister in law.  I had such a great time painting with my nephew, and then tubbying him to get the paint out!:)

just beachy...

Along with my other summer time decorations, I just put out this beautiful mirror outlined with beach glass.  Isn't it just amazing!  My mom made one for me (she's the best), as she was making these for my brother's upcoming rehearsal dinner.  These are the centerpieces!  I think I need one more candle - I like things to be in 3's.  A little quirk of mine...
The simple things in life make me happy ~ candles lit on a rainy night, listening to my son explain his day at school, my flowers growing in the window box, and newly planted grass seeds sprouting!!

decorating

Do you feel inspired when you decorate for a new season?  It was such a rainy day here today, that I decided to tackle the dining room, & move around my hutch and plates.  I ended up decorating with SUMMER in mind!  Seashells, beach stones, sand, and my summer dishes came out ~ I love it, and am sooooo ready for summer weather.  This was my happy place today!!

I also put together this starfish tree.  I've had these branches in my dining room since February, when I made a Valentine tree.  I love the branches so much, that I just keep changing their theme!

trying times...

I have not posted anything in a while...I can tell my mind has been elsewhere!  We have had even more trying times in the past couple of weeks, and I don't usually crawl under a rock, but this time I did!  Well, it's about time to crawl out & enjoy the simple things in life to the fullest!!!  There is a new day dawning ~ even if it's supposed to rain for a week!  xoxo