By the Sea, By the Sea.....

Hubby and I haven't taken a "true" vacation for quite some time. So, we decided with our 25th wedding anniversary, we were overdue! There is nothing like being by the ocean to make a person unwind. It was truly a wonderful vacation. We both are feeling restored and have wonderful memories. Never having been to the "Outer Banks", North Carolina, we lived it up like true tourists. Soaking up the ocean and the sun, seeing all the local attractions, and eating all the scrumptious seafood we could hold in the days we were there. I recommend it highly for any of you looking for a vacation destination.

There are historical sights, light houses, gardens, and lots and lots of water! The picture above is the first picture I took when we arrived. I just had to get a picture of the ocean. Nothing cures "the build up of life" like walking along the beach!

This is a shot from the Currituck Light House. I did climb the 200+ steps to the top, but could not walk out around the top! Just couldn't do it. But, hubby did and took this amazing picture. While in the northern part of the outer banks, we four-wheeled in an open air jeep to see the wild horses. These are amazing animals and I will post about that next time.

But one of my all time favorite spots was the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island. You all may remember how much I love the statues and urns. Here is the sweet face of a cherub on a wonderful planter in the garden. How angelic! And below is a boy playing the flute. Waer drips out the end of his flute pipe. A more calming sound, there never was!

Beautiful pink roses in the rose garden.

And a long view into the formal garden. A knot garden with boxwood and herbs planted in the interior. Just lovely!

And did I tell you about the hydrangeas! I have been trying to get my hyndrangeas to grow here in Pennsylvania for a number of years and without success. These beauties are amazing! What's the secret? A local woman told me they don't like the hot afternoon sun and if they are not blooming, move them. So, that's the plan.

Can't you just feel the cool of the shadow after being in the sun!

And did I tell you about the hydrangeas! LOL! LOL!

Well ladies, that's all for now. Hope you are all well and happy and enjoying the wonderful summer here up north. Sit back and have a glass of "sweet tea" and soak up the joy of this beautiful season!

Blessings,

Kitty
xox

A sampling of the cottage...

I'm sorry it has been a while since my last post. Life has been getting in the way in a very big way! So, just for fun, I pulled together some of my favorite pictures of my cottage to give you a bit of a "tour". The picture above is old millinery and of course my beloved "strawberries" and velvet millinary, arranged on a huge silver tray that I found for $15 at the thrift store. Just love how it looks on the tray.

I was a collector of "primitives" when I first started collecting antiques. I could never resist these "child size irons. I have about a dozen of them, but here are some of my favorites. Can't you see a little girl in days gone by mimicking her Mama with these irons?

I'm sure many of you have seen these lambs before. But, they are my very favorite garden statues. I just love them snuggled down in the boxwood and lambsear.

These mini oil lamps are a sampling of the "milk glass" lamps that I have collected. These are impossible to find now. I cannot believe how hard it is to find things I could find 10 years ago. But, I am thankful for the ones I do have. They are sweet in a combined collection.

And where would I be without ironstone? Simple but beautiful, don't ya think?

Not sure if I have ever shown you my tiny guest bedroom. This is a poster bed I found at an antique sale. Just love it. I had to have the mattress cut down from a double, as it is just a bit smaller. As they say, people were much smaller back then.

And again, child size sewing machines! Just love them. What happened to these traditions? Where little children would sit with their mothers to learn these things? I think we are missing the boat on these old traditions. What do you think?

Well, thanks for touring a bit of my home with me. I hope to be around to see all of you soon. My hubby and I are taking a quick vacation, but I'll be back soon and can't wait to catch up with all of you! Hope you are enjoying your summer,

Blessings

Kitty