Seaside Cove...or

I've decided to change my weekly 'Seaside Sundays' post to a 'Seaside Cove' or 'Seaside Shelter' or 'Seaside Retreat' post, so that I can post it on Fridays for the weekend. Which name do you like best? They both mean basically the same thing and the purpose of the post remains the same...a seaside retreat post where you will find coastal photos and poetic words of rest for the weekend.

Shelter~ A place giving protection. A retreat, refuge, harbor, or haven. A place of calm.

Cove~ A small sheltered bay in the shoreline of the sea. A recessed place, a sheltered nook as in cliffs.

or keep it' Seaside Sundays'.

You can vote using the poll gadgets on my sidebar or just leave me a comment letting me know your choice. Thank you!

Sea tidings,
Kerrie

~*~ Update- Seaside Cove is in the lead!

*photos~ TickleberryFarm Pinterest, Southern Living.

I will instead whisper your name

“As I write this letter, the ocean breeze feels cool on my skin. The very ocean is soon to be my grave. They tell me I will die a hero, that the safety and honor of my country will be the reward for my sacrifice. I pray they are right.
My only regret in life is never telling you how I feel. I wish I were back home. I wish I were holding your hand. I wish I were telling you that I have loved you and only you since I was a boy. But I am not. I see now that death is easy. It is love that is hard. As my plane dives, I will not see the face of my enemies. I will only, instead, see your eyes. Like black rocks frozen in rain water. They tell us that we must scream, “Banzai” as we plunge into our target. I will instead whisper your name. And in death, as in life, I will remain forever yours." - Hiroshi's letter (Restless)

From the movie Restless that I watched today with my daughter. We both cried.

Sea tidings,
Kerrie

Cleaning My Studio

Today I cleaned my studio. I still have some more organizing to do, but I am getting there. How fast the 'stuff' accumulates. And you all know how much I dislike clutter.



Feels so good. Now to tackle the cupboards in the hallway and boxes in the garage. I have piles and piles of homeschool books and curriculum to sort through.

Sea tidings,
Kerrie

Ikea inspiration for my kitchen

When it comes to renovating or building a dream cottage kitchen, a farmhouse sink is on most of our dream(wish) lists. I know it is at the top of mine. But I also made a choice a long time ago to be thankful for what I have. I therefore, am not one to want more or spend alot on items I love. Afterall, I wanted to live in a hut in an African village with dirt floors and a cot for a bed.



I know I've drifted far from my young adult values, but I still try to keep my life in the right perspective. I know I live with far more than I really need. But being a homemaker and creating a dwelling of rest for my family, I do have a weakness for wanting beautiful things. Thank goodness for places like Ikea who makes it affordable to buy some of those beautiful things on my dream list.

So here are some of the things I've found that might become a part of our kitchen renovation...



the domsjo double sink $319



the domsjo single sink $185



Even if we can't get a farmhouse sink yet, I would like to get a farmhouse style faucet.

This faucet $50 is the right price

and we may just try it. I'm not sure I would like the knobs. I like the vintage look of them but they are not practical for washing dishes. Has anyone purchased it?



faucet $159



ringskar faucet $179

in chrome



in sterling silver



and in white


which one would you choose?



white dishes are a must in a white kitchen

white tea cup and saucer $8



fargrik dinnerware set $25
we have this set already and love it.





We have a space next to our kitchen nook with a built in desk. We are thinking of pulling it out and putting in a china cabinet. Here are some of the choices...

the Hemnes glass door cabinet $325



the Hemnes cabinet with drawers $375



the Hemnes wardrobe $379

I like this so much that I would consider using it to store china and dishware in. I think they are all good choices for a nordic coastal decor. I would also love to use this in the hallway to store my R.A Shabby Chic bedding collection.



a must have rug for any coastal cottage



the norvald chairs that we already have



pendant lamps from $20-40

in white


in silver




in chrome





a tea light votive $8
to hang in the trees for a romantic dinner outdoors



and a heart door mat
perfect for the approaching St. Valentine's day!



I am getting excited about this project. Part of the delight is in the gathering of inspiration, don't you think?




And before I go...I am painting Heart(s) Of The Ocean for the approaching month of Febuary(Valentine's love)and am listing them in my etsy as soon as I finish. You can see more at my studio blog. ox

Sea tidings,
Kerrie

linking with Faded Charm Cottage White Weds and A Beach Cottage Good Life Weds.

*photos~ Ikea, Country Living.

Seaside Sundays

"If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans.." Ps 139



"My life is like a stroll upon the beach,
As near the ocean's edge as I can go."
- Henry David Thoreau, The Fisher's Boy





Sea tidings,
Kerrie


*photos~ tumblr, Coastal Living, Seawashed.

White kitchen

The skies are a thin layer of grey with a glow of sun on the horizon. We wait for rain. Bella and I went for a long walk under the redwoods while it remains dry. I could wander through nature all day, everyday, if life allowed it. We are indoors now, by the warm fire. I tend to the housekeeping while Sense and Sensibility plays on the flatscreen.

I have been filing away inspirational images of white kitchens. This one from Better Homes and Gardens is my favorite at the moment. The only home project I have planned for 2012, if our budget allows, is to paint the kitchen white.



The polished nickle pulls and knobs recently added to our oak kitchen cabinets have just not satisfied. The longing for white lingers. Thankfully hubby is supportive. He likes the idea of a white kitchen too. We will put beadboard around the island and possibly paint it a sea grey. The sink is in the island and we want to replace it with a farmhouse sink...possibly the one from Ikea.



As the rain approaches and we find ourselves cozy by the fire for days, I will be dreaming and planning for our kitchen renovation. Any suggestions or helpful hints are welcome.

Sea tidings,
Kerrie

An Unexpected Adventure...

While driving my son to school this morning the battery in our honda died. We were on a country road with ditches on both sides. That means, no space to pull over. Thankfully a small gravel driveway appeared and I pulled in, just before the car died. We sat, we waited, I tried starting the car. Nothing. So, I called AAA but to my suprise found out that we no longer had service. Wonderful hubby stopped making payments last March and didn't tell me. So then I called hubby, whom works 3 hours out of town. He said he was sorry and would come help. Did I mention I was in my nighty? Yep, this is me in the photo above, in my white nighty, sweats, a sweater coat, sock hat, and crocs. I wrote a note to leave on the dash with my phone # so the cops wouldn't give me a ticket. They do that in our city. Then I got the dog, thankfully I had her leash, locked up the honda and we were on our way...walking, down the old country road, in the ditch...on our way back home. Bella barked with excitement. She liked the unexpected adventure...and I will have to admit, I thought it was kinda fun too...nighty and all.

Sea tidings,
Kerrie

Tiny Shabby Chic Cottage

This is a re-post that I did in June of 2010. It is the most viewed post in my five years of blogging, according to my stats. I decided to re-post it because Sandy has been on my heart.



Have you seen this? My friend sent me the link of the NY Times article about Sandra Foster building her dream cottage for only $3000.



This really is an enchanting dreamy cottage. I think in this economy it could be the way of the future. You can click on the link at the end of this post to read the full story and see more photos.















Get inspired: Shabby-chic gingerbread house

*Sandy's blog~ My Shabby Streamside Studio.She's a hidden beauty.


Sandy has brought so many of us beauty. Her story has inspired us all. Now she is in need of us to come along side of her and lift her up in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. She has just lost so much that was dear to her. Can we extend our compassion? Most of us have been, many of us are, in a broken place. I have found in my own suffering that there is beauty in the ashes. Love comes into those dark places and through the tears we find our way again into a place of goodness. Restoration comes. I am praying for you Sandy. ox Kerrie

Find the seed

Find the seed at the bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower...


A Wall Hook with Flower Vase at New Old Again by Liz and Rick


A new sign at House Of Belonging by Tiffini


Love notecards at The Wheatfield by Katie Daisy

This treasury I created made the front page of Etsy!

I'm still on retreat and it has been good for me. We have had unusually warm sunny weather this entire month, so I have been outdoors alOt! But all good things come to and end...the rains are expected to come tomorrow and last 7 days. We need rain so I am not complaining. I will drink in all the remaining sunshine that I can today. I will miss you sun!

Sea tidings,
Kerrie