oar art

in the sunset room here at the b&b i have a big blank wall that i felt needed something... something unique. a couple years ago i took some photographs of a sunset at a creek near a friend's house and this became the inspiration for the room. see...

pretty. right? with the overturned boats in the photograph i got to thinking that oars would make a near decoration on the wall. i wanted something vintage, but all the painted/vintage oars i found were rather expensive or not the right color and i wanted something a bit more personal, so i decided to make my own.

i found these on ebay and the seller dropped the price for me as i wanted to buy four. i think i only paid about $5 a piece. maybe a bit more with shipping. anyway. when they arrived they were a little too 'new' looking. so, i beat them with a hammer, sanded them, left them out in the rain and sun, drowned them in the creek behind my dads house for a couple days. i didn't destroy them, but when i was done then looked a little weathered, one even split towards the bottom. excellent! success!

although everyone may not notice, the goal with the coloring was to look like a sunset. starting with a darker pink at the bottom and working up to a light blue. like in the picture above. (the will eventually be hung horizontally with the dark pink at the bottom and blue at the top.)

so how'd i do it? well, i started by taping off some lines with painters tape so that some of the natural wood would show through. then i painted the entire oar the color i wanted.

after that dried i went back and taped of some more areas and then painted specific parts with my contrasting/darker color. when that was dry i removed all the tape. then added a bit more tape to add in a couple white areas.

when everything was dry, i removed the rest of the tape. some of the tape i removed pulled off pieces of the paint, but i was okay with that ... it just added character and signs of wear.

then i sanded everything down ... harder in some areas and on the edges. i went back in with a rag and lightly added some brown and white paint for more interest and depth. and then sanded everything down again.

tada! finished.

it took some time, but i love painting so in enjoyed every minute of it! i also love that they are completely customized for my space. you could do any variation to match your decor. all white with the natural wood.. primary colors... earth tones ... etc.

a really fun project and it only cost me about $30-$40. i'm hoping to hang them after this weekend as there are guests in the room. i will post another picture when they are hung.

there's nothing better...

...than a garden tomato.

looks like my little technique worked. i know it's nothing ground breaking, but i'm pretty excited to see these little cherry tomatoes.

and it looks like there are a lot more coming.

so good.

cool or crazy?

i saw these pendant lights over at design*sponge today and i'm not quite sure what to think of them. they remind me of my thoughts towards bbq in a jar. remember?... genius or gross? (i'm still not sure how i feel about that.)

so what do you think? (oh and the designer {Chen Karlsson} also designed the plate/vase on the table, which i think is totally genuis and love.)

cool or crazy?

can you guess...

what's coming to the gift shoppe?

a stunning variety of succulents arriving in july. perfect for all your terrarium and living wreath needs.

 i'll let you know when the little guys get here.

a living wreath

sometimes i come up with some crazy ideas and when i do, watch out.

earlier in the year i decided i was going to make a living wreath. after seeing many for sale in greenhouses and on the internet for ridiculous prices, i figured i'd give it a shot on my own.

i did find some living wreath forms here and here, but i didn't really want to spend that much so i search from more options.

and i found one! all i needed was a pair of pantyhose (thanks mom) a simple wire form, some moss and floral wire.

it took a couple weeks for everything to take root, but i think it's looking pretty spectacular.

what do you think?

this is the tutorial i used. i would take time to explain it all to you, but why repeat the process when these folks did such a great job. (and while i was making it i was pretty much covered in dirt so taking pictures wasn't happening!)

i will admit the process looks a bit easier than it actually was ... and over the past couple week i did drop the wreath a couple times as it gets super heavy when you water it. but it's a survivor and has held up through a little bit of everything.

 i really do love it.

I used ivy, pansies, potato vine, thyme, and pineapple mint. I think i will try to make one with succulents next year.

over the past week everything really filled in and took root. i can't wait to see what it looks like in a month! it's going to be even more beautiful! i'll be sure to share a picture.  

clogged

i clogged my kitchen sink today with cinnamon apple waffles.

a ruined a new pair of blue shorts with drano. they are now covered in pink spots.

then i got a broom handle stuck in the pipe (don't ask).

i had to cut the pipe out and replace it. 

there are still dishes on the counter from breakfast.

after several frustrating hours, i fixed it.

i didn't know what i was doing, but i did it all by myself. it doesn't even leak! good as new. i'm proud. are you?

let's look at some pretty pictures from this amazing designer as i drink a much needed glass of wine on my porch.

love two toned cabinets. i think could actually work in my kitchen. my bottom cabinets need painted.

fun. fun. fun.

i want need this light fixture.

love the dark walls with the photos.

adore a collage wall.

love this one too. maybe even more. not as fussy.

and who doesn't love a wood based lamp??

...

ah, that helped feeling ... calmer already.

a strawberry rhubarb jam story {in pictures}

the end.

super easy fruit dip

i guess i'm full of recipes this week. i hope you don't mind.

i love, love summer. the farmers markets, the plethora of fruits and veggies at the grocery store. it's so refreshing and nice to have a selection. i wish i had acres of land to plant veggies and berries and melons and squash. yum!

so this morning for breakfast (along with breakfast enchiladas {and all the fixins'}, cherry cream cheese danish, brown sugar bacon, oj, coffee, etc. ) i assembled some delicious summer fruits on a wooden skewer. strawberries, green grapes and watermelon. and for dipping i served them with one of the easiest and most delicious fruit dips!

it's this easy... you'll need one jar of marshmallow fluff. (i think it's like 7 oz .. not the jumbo size) an 8oz block of cream cheese (softened), a cup of vanilla yogurt and a splash of cherry juice.

 

mix it all together and dive in. it's honestly that easy. i could seriously sit down and eat a whole bowl of this dip. no fruit required!

a lot of folks make this recipe without the yogurt, but i think it creates a better consistency and a bit of tang and flavor. the splash of cherry juice also add a nice flavor and makes it the most beautiful pink color.

oh, and a sprig of pineapple mint for a fierce garnish. enjoy!

blueberry buttermilk cake

last summer i came across this recipe in gourmet magazine. the combination of buttermilk (which makes this cake super soft and tender) and fresh berries creates a perfect summer dessert or breakfast sweet. this cakes is perfect with blueberries but you could add any combination of sweet summer berries.

this is a must try people! enjoy!

Blueberry Buttermilk cake
adapted from Gourment Magazine

what you'll need:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 stick unsalted buter, softened
2/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, divided
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1 cup fresh blueberries

preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in middle. butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan

whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer at med-high speed until pale and fluffy (2-3 minues) then beat in vanilla. add egg and beat well.

at low speed, mix in flour mixture in three batches, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour, and mixing until just combined.

spoon batter into cake pan, smoothing top. scatter blueberries evenly over top and sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 tbsp sugar.

bake until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. invert onto a plate.

you gotta try this - sproost

the other day i saw a link to this design test from another blog (i forget which one ... sorry). i have always love personality tests. i was always amazed at how accurate the usually are. plus i always struggle on what i really like or what my 'design style' is since i really do like a bit of everything for different reasons.

anyway, here are my results - Rustic Revival. you may not care to read them (and that's okay) but i must say it pretty much hit the nail on the head. The only addition or change i would make is i do like bright happy colors too.

maybe they'll have to create a new category. Rustic Revival with a Splash of Color.

Anyway... check it out. it's pretty cool.

and stop back and tell me what 'you are'! i'm so interested to hear!

Rustic Revival

You can take kid out of the country but you can't take the country out of the kid... or is your theme "you can take the kid out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the kid?" Either way you play it, you are one of the unique individuals who loves a mix of modern and country. The clean lines of the modern softened by rustic /vintage elements is the perfect mix in your mind. And can we blame you? You've taken the best aspects of two popular designs and mixed them in a manner that appeals young and old alike. A subtle background of white or light colors provides a nice canvas for all the wonderful flea market, eBay or garage sale finds as well as the classic modern pieces that you love.

Materials:

The material palette for urban country runs the gamut because of the two extremes being mixed. On the countryside you see a lot of wood, woven rope, canvas and linen, rustic metals and wrought iron, cowhide and vintage leather. On the more modern side, you see acrylic, satin and polished nickel and chrome, glass, faux fur, refined leather, fiberglass and sleek woods. It's the mixing of these elements that makes the style work so well. Seagrass and other natural woven materials are often used for floor coverings. Concrete and natural wood floors are very popular, and work really well together.

Colors:

When it comes to color, think light, casual and airy. White, pale gray or beige, khaki and sage; all of these colors make nice, subtle backdrops for Urban Country style. Think of the colors of natural linen, concrete, and if you'd like to go dark, use the dark brownish-black of iron or the deep burnt orange of rust. The key is to keep the spaces feeling open (go modern!) and yet warm (yay for rustic!), and by going light on the walls and major pieces and more color on the accents and accessories you can achieve this mix really well.

i am ...

i am still slightly obsessed with making these foliage arrangements. so much though that i'm worried by the end of the summer my landscaping is going to be no existent.

i am still discovering new-to-me blogs. and i love it. people are so talented and creative. it's inspiring. this one, this one and this one are there of several great finds.

i am really bad at reading books. i know, i have mentioned it before. my book shelf is full of books i have only read half way through. it's not because i don't like them, cause i do. usually another (and what seems to be better) book comes along and i want to read the new one rather than the old. maybe this is a sign of adhd? who knows. either way ... i was only half way through the lovely bones and moved on to this book.

i'm almost to the half way point, but i have a strong feeling i'm going to finish this one. i actually really love it. and recommend it! i love the way the author speaks ... well, writes. it's great!

i am going to try and make  these super-delicious-looking butter, cinnamon, sugar crusted french breakfast puff this week. don't they look super good?

via

i am super freakin happy i won this amazing vintage wrought iron birdcage on ebay. i actually saw the exact birdcage (expect it was white) at the antique shop where i found that vintage fabric for almost double the price. i'm not exactly sure what to do with it yet. it's either going to be a light fixture... or i'm going to get a beautiful unique fern (like maidenhair) to put inside and hand from the ceiling. endless ideas!

(i was really happy i discoverd this cage because the seller is super amazing and sweet AND has some other amazing vintage goodies in her ebay shop. vintage fans, furniture, more birdcages. i will definatly be watching for her new finds!)

i am going to decorate my beach house just like this when i win the lottery and buy one. (even though i don't play the lottery ... a boy can dream though!)

congrats to the winner!

wow. the weekends sure do go faster during the summer. it's another busy week here at my little inn, but i'm hoping to stay with you this time. we'll see how i do.

thank you to everyone that entered last weeks giveaway and for all the support on my first guest post. i'm hoping to have the opportunity to do it again soon.

the winner of the giveaway, which include a large strawberry fields candle from bridgewater and a jar of my yummy strawberry rhubarb jam is...

Michelle (Michabella) of Living a Life of Love.

yay! big congrats to Michelle! your home will be smelling and tasting of summer soon. please email me your mailing address to claim your prize.

Have a great week everyone!

the bee whisperer

the weirdest thing happened yesterday day. i was sitting in my dining room and something caught my eye outside the window. i looked out and saw all this 'stuff' flying around. after closer inspection i realized the 'stuff' was bees!

sadly, this picture doesn't do it justice. but surrounding my house (and my house only) were literally thousands of bees. thousands!

after 10 minutes they finally decided to make my weeping crab apple their home.

ya see that big bludge towards the top? all bees. all. freakin'. bees. so, once things settled down my camera and i decided we should go for a closer inspection.

bees sorta of give me the heebie jeebies. but after taking some pictures and watching them they don't bother me quite as much.(but still do a little ... sorry bees)

look at them all! crazy! right?

but, oddly beautiful in their own little way.

this morning they were barely moving, so i got REALLY close. so close i was afraid i was going to drop my camera on them. that would have been a mess.

these bees are honey bees. which people are pretty concerned these days about the lack of them. (so i hear)there are a couple people in town that keep bees. the plan was to call them to 'take them.' (however that goes down.) but this afternoon when i went to check on the little guys. they were all gone.

i guess they saw the bed and breakfast sign in the yard and decided to spend the night. i hope they enjoyed their stay. i kinda miss them now.

(and on a completely unrelated note, don't forget to enter the giveway!)