Chickadee Home Nest: Florida

Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts

Friday, December 13, 2013

Cottage Neighborhood Tour

We live in a community of cottages designed, I’ve been told, after Seaside in Florida. All have at least a front porch, and many, as you’ve seen in my many posts, screened porches as well.

Decorated at Christmas, they’re as cute as can be. With the recent snow, I took a drive on a particularly beautiful, bright day, and when I came home in the evening, when they take a whole different look, I took another drive, enjoying the lights. I of course took some pictures then too.

So, here’s our community tour~

This one is across the street from us! After the a recent snowfall I stepped out on our front porch and took a few pictures…

…and how about that sky?! Those of you who visit often know I LOVE summer and always mourn its end, but God’s paintbrush always reminds me that every season has its beauty and gifts.

Aren’t the snowflakes on the door pretty—and something unique? And her beautiful bows are red-and-white checked, so they look pink from a distance.

~~Moving~~ Driving along~

And the Chickadee home :)

I’ve done these bows for years; they always look like cardinals in the tree. This year I added the red ornaments (Dollar Tree bargains!!).

One lone ornament…Two of our chickadees were going to help me decorate the bush with the ribbons and ornaments,but it started to snow, so as we headed inside, Middle Chickadee put his ornament on the tree. Yes, it’s staying there :). Love that sweet little touch. And are you wondering about the shovel? We got it on our trip to Richmond, Indiana (you can see that post here) in the fall.

I fell in love with the wood handle on the shovel as soon as I saw it in an antique shop. Imagine the hands that worked with this shovel! It’s not lightly used—it was used, and used often. I was happy to give it a home. Do you ever wonder what the original, long-ago owners of old things we buy at antique shops would say about our buying their belongings? Or the history behind the article? Would they be happy that their belongings are still valued and given a happy home? (More on the details of our front porch soon, I hope.)

Our view across the street.

Some of the cottages have two porches~

How’s this for cute?! Wait till you see it lit at night!

And one of our community gazebos.

And now…some nighttime shots~

I love the reflection in the window, and of course, the Adirondacks. I wonder if Lynn, the owner of this home, has taken a picture of this darling, beachy vignette, or am I the only crazy person trying to capture life as we roll along?

Oh, how I love snow on illuminated bushes! They look like cupcakes to me!

Our cottage (more to come at a later post)…

This is our community barn, at our community garden.

And last but not least, our light post. I LOVE light posts, especially in the snow, and lit~

I hope you enjoyed this tour, and that it provided a bit of respite if you’ve been busy with holiday preparations.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home Fridays at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Thrifty Things Friday at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

What's It Wednesday at http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Open House Party Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Thursdays at http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

Sunday, May 6, 2012

WaterColor-Themed Mother’s Day Brunch

The power of a logo…not only are some instantly recognizable, but they evoke feelings instantly. The most powerful logo I’ve encountered is the logo from WaterColor, Florida. We were fortunate to stay at WaterColor Inn several years ago, and I still have simple mementos around the house of that wonderful place, and the logo that so captures its essence:

Can you relate? Does it speak to you as it does me? It’s the SAND, the WATER, and the SKY! (or I’ve also heard that the deep blue represents the deeper blue of the Gulf, farther out). Isn’t it LOVELY?? (sigh…)

This logo has helped me to hone in on the colors I love, and they are now reflected in various ways throughout our home—always bringing back memories of this special place. In their website (http://www.watercolorflorida.com) they describe WaterColor as “a vibrant beach resort and residential community that eases into its natural surroundings with a Southern simplicity and grace.”

Sooo…today Bright Eyes (3 weeks old tomorrow) was coming over to your home for the first time—with his Mama and Papa, Baby Love, and GL. Grandbabies coming over for the first time has always been a very special event for us, and in celebration we prepared a beach brunch. It was a perfect day for it—bright skies, warm, a soft breeze… This post is dedicated to our DIL, who has blessed us and our son by joining our family and giving us three BEAUTIFUL grandbabies.

And again, guided by the WaterColor logo, our table evolved.

About the table ~ It’s a family table, a REAL table. You’ll see the inspiration from the logo, but you’ll also see no centerpiece—the FOOD was our centerpiece—and the grandbabies’ Bunnykins place settings.

First came the runner…I tell you, teal and blue, and I’m happy. I got it at Crate and Barrel last fall and hadn’t been able to use it. So that’s our SKY.

The blue tablecloth…right along with the logo, is the WATER, and

the napkins are the SAND.

Our menu was simple but yummy:

Cranberry Scones and Chocolate-chip Scones (recipe from The Gourmet Cookbook, edited by Ruth Reichl)
Baked eggs (see Wings of Eagles at http://wwweaglewing.blogspot.com/2012/05/you-asked-for-it.html) ~ She was my inspiration for our menu. (I kind of followed Ina’s recipe but added my own twist. They were a big hit, and I have to tell you, our son is a professionally trained chef!! :) )
Beeeauuuuutiiiifuuuulll, red, sweet strawberries
Bacon
Home fries
Toast, coffee, juice

The eggs were baked in the individual gratin dishes.

Thanks for stopping by. Please leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I read every single one of them! They encourage me and inspire me. And if you like what you see a lot J, maybe you’d like to +1 this post or pin it on Pinterest too! Thank you!

I hope you will follow me. If you’ll let me know that you’re following, I’ll be sure to follow you back.

Seasonal Sunday at http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com

Sunday Showcase Party at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Show Off Your Cottage Monday at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Cozy Home Scenes Tuesdays at http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/