Showing posts with label Seaside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seaside. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Lazy Day's Of Summer! There's Always A First Time!


Yes, there is a first time for everything! 
We got a new artist today! A local artist! 
We are so excited!
And, I've never experienced a lazy summer until this summer! That's also a first!
 I feel as if I'm on a Summer Staycation! Our beach house is rented out for most of the summer…I've worked through it…at least I've tried to!


But... because I'm here I've been blessed to meet Vicki Denaburg and get the privilege of carrying her gorgeous artwork in my shop! We are more than ecstatic! 
I doubt I would've taken the time to search her out if I hadn't been in one place for this long!


We've had several wonderful artists over the years…and each one has blessed me and I hope that I've blessed them even in a little way.  I'm forever grateful for all of them! Right now…I am overwhelmed at the fact that we get the wonderful privilege of representing Lauren Dunn, Melissa Payne Baker and now….Vicki! Vicki Denaburg is a little fireball…full of energy, bursting with creativity and one very special lady!


If you don't believe me…come in and see for yourself! I knew we had an immediate kinship when I asked her how she names her paintings! When she answered me I wanted to fall on the floor AND call my son at the same time and tell him I'm not the only one! She likes to listen to country music…in fact, blare country music and see if a title hits her! I totally get it!


I TOTALLY GET IT!!

In fact, I get a lot of what our artists do..how they paint and how they express themselves! We all have ways that we express our creativity…some just better than others! 
Lauren, Melissa and Vicki have us all beat in my opinion!
What a wonderful group we have in our little shop in Birmingham, Alabama!


Vicki even paints places that are so near and dear to my heart! Like I said, we've had to put our beach house on the rental program for the first time and that has not been easy…I will not tell a lie! But looking at her painting of "Western Lake" near Seaside and Grayton Beach…makes me feel right at home!


Just as the newest painting that Lauren delivered this past Saturday 'Point The Way' reminds me so much of my roots! My dad is an avid hunter as was my grandfather and both of my boys…I grew up with hunting dogs so this speaks volumes to me!


And just maybe…I will have to purchase some of Vicki's art to remind me that my beach house still awaits me…it may not be THIS summer…but it's always there in my heart! And I will most definitely be there this fall! My most favorite beach time!



Beach colors or not…these paintings fit in every home…every type of decorating style…you name it!



The best part for me was to see how well Vicki's paintings complimented both Melissa's and Lauren's work as well! They all work so well together!


These orchids are a particular favorite of mine...


As was this still life! Be still my heart!
 Even Pattie knew I loved it right away!



Pattie and I both decided this was our most favorite painting….shown here and below in different lighting…yes, I need some photography classes! Look past that please!  Plus it was cloudy today!


Don't you just love it? So incredibly gorgeous! 
Her touches of metallic are spot on!


To say we are thrilled to have Vicki Denaburg at Mulberry Heights Antiques is an understatement! 


We are already planning and plotting our next art show!
 What a show it will be!


Just as I'm plotting that next country concert…


Or that next beautiful beach sunset!
It's ok to plan out that next big adventure! 


Just like it's ok to remember the things that you love and look forward to whatever it is that God has in store for you!



You can always find me planning and plotting…and right now, I need to be seeking out a beautiful sunrise! Not for me…but for some of my children that I love so dearly! 
Let's get back together soon! 


just a little verse that was special to me
Jeremiah 42:3
Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do."

Monday, March 17, 2014

Here Comes The Sun!


Wow! I cannot believe how long it's been since I've had the time or taken the time to sit down and write a blog post! We have lived in a "Birthday whirlwind" for the entire month of March! Literally! 
It began on March 1st and hasn't ended yet! 
You see…this was the big 5-0 for me! I've dreaded this for quite a while and now that it's here…and I survived…I think I can handle it! Jim even had tulips waiting in the house when we arrived probably to "soften the blow" of turning fifty! 


My sweet husband took me to Seaside for the entire first week of March and we had a wonderful time!



Our house was named "Here Comes The Sun" and rightfully so! Every window upstairs had a view of the beautiful ocean! It was definitely medicine for this old lady's soul!


The views were enchanting and it was so peaceful as the Spring Break crowd had not yet arrived! 
I bet it's a whole different feel right now!



We had really hoped that all of our children could come down for part of the week but only Holly and Brad were able to. Holly's Spring Break was actually that week so it worked for them.


 Just look at some of the beautiful sunsets we got watch at night…right on our own porch!







 And then it was time for the birthday…yep! 
It started off with a bang, that's for sure!
 Jim's tulips were fading fast but then my parents sent this beautiful arrangement on my real birthday! 
So sweet!


But little did I know that I had another surprise about to show up!


After finishing his test on friday, Miller made the drive from Auburn to meet us…even if just for one night! 
I was truly shocked!


(yes, those are wind guards behind us because it was still quite chilly to be out on the beach in bathing suits!)


 We had a wonderful time and really wished that Mitch, Britney and Layton could've been there!


One of my most special gifts that I received was this incredible "Memory Book" that my sweet daughter made for me. Holly is quite creative and I was truly stunned by this gift of love!



 It took me forever to truly read through this and I've only shown you the highlights…laugh if you must! 
Some of the pictures are quite funny but I can truthfully say I've never loved anything more!










 Like I said, I only showed the highlights! It would be much too much to show the whole book! And you would probably get sick of me! However…I will tell you that once we got home there was still another event to celebrate the big occasion!


 Some of my friends gave me the loveliest birthday luncheon! It was so special and I am so thankful for such sweet friends! I will only show you a few of the highlights from that party as well and then I will quit talking about myself! We've moved on to the rest of the family's March birthdays now! 

 There were so many special touches as we drove in!



 Sharon and I have been friends for at least 28 or more years…that's a long time! Our son's are best friends which is an extra added benefit! Her Victorian home is truly lovely and so warm and inviting! She and the rest of the hostesses did a wonderful job!


 I loved all of her table arrangements!



 The mimosas were such a nice touch!


 All of the food was truly delicious and I plan on getting each recipe! This asparagus was amazing as was the Chicken Salad, the Cowboy Quiche and the fried okra fingers!


And we certainly can't forget the wonderful dessert of Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfaits! That was the perfect "ending" to a wonderful 50th birthday celebration!




All in all everyone that helped me celebrate this big occasion made it seem quite painless! In fact, they all helped to make it one of the most special birthdays I've ever had! I haven't even gotten to the immediate family parties! But I will spare you! Too many pictures, too many details! All I know is I am a very blessed woman…God has blessed me with a wonderful family that I cherish and friends that I adore. 
I am thankful to be 50!