Lions and Tigers and Bears...and Frogs and Lizards and Snakes

Saturday was a big day for Ellie. She went to a birthday party and got up close and personal with some interesting creepy crawlies.  It never ceases to amaze me how fearless she is at 19 months old.

How do I open this thing?

There was the giant lizard, who to me looked more like an alligator....

There were super sized frogs and snakes, everything that made me shiver and made the children smile...

There was also some good cousin bonding...

All in all a good day packed with learning and fun. We even survived the South Carolina summer heat!

I found this at a yard sale for 10 cents.

It is most definitely home made and probably a kid's art project.  I have used it as a succulent planter, a catch all dish and now it's a tiny oasis for the birds that visit my garden.  Funny how much I love this odd little dish.....

Hopefully the birds will enjoy it as much as I do :)

I love this room.  It's coastal, it's comfortable, it's cozy.  The conch over the door and the starfish on the wall are perfect.

What to do with this:

I picked up this antique french bed from the auction house for $70.00. It's in great condition, the walnut finish just needs a cleaning and maybe a conditioning..I liked it because while I am a fan of antique french furniture, I am also a fan of clean lines and not too much froo frooary and this was just ornate enough but simple at the same time...... I'm going to say it.......I want  to paint it and remove the 'bow' from the top.  I'm catching some flak from the family about removing the hand carved bow and painting over the wood....so I'm not sure yet what I'll do with it.  Meanwhile, it just sits there doing nothing, not even holding a mattress :)

Crepe Myrtle through the Willow branches...

My window boxes are surviving the summer heat...so far....

The perennial hibiscus doesn't mind the heat, the hotter the better....

Me, on the other hand....I'm going to be spending more time inside admiring the flowers through the window :)

Two vintage Craigslist finds furniture makeovers, no before shots but here are the afters:

This one took ALOT of sanding 

Total cost 35.00 (someone over to the left wants in...)

The pic is crooked, but you get the idea :)

It started out a shiny orangish wood color with gold handles on the side that served no purpose.  It cost  $15.00 including paint..

Love Craigslist!

A Simple 4th

Is it ever hot outside! Not to mention muggy.  We spent a quiet 4th, fired off early fireworks for Ellie.  She loved some:

And others....not so much :)

We had steak (yes, that's my fat laden rib-eye)

We had conversation...

And some play time too!




Hope you all had a Happy 4th too!