Views of Sanibel

Oh, I just can't help myself. It won't be long and I'll be back on Sanibel for a couple of weeks. I'm so in love with the place and people that I want to share it with everyone. Here are a couple of quick photos. See if they don't leave your heart just a little warmer.

Good old pudgy pelican is always one of the first to greet visitors.

Sanibel Lighthouse 

Sand in between my toes, puffy white clouds, and palm trees - oh, what Heaven!

The yellow staked off area behind the sea oats, that is a turtle nest. I hope all those little rascals made it to the water.  I sure would love to actually see that sometime.

Stay tuned. . . looks like it is going to be a photo finish!

Hope I've brought you a little smile on a Monday morning. Remember, you are the one that can make it a great week!

Fire Pits for Chilly Nights

This morning there was a definite nip in the air. I scurried back in from my morning outing and sat down with a warm cup of coffee to see what warming fall inspirations I could find.  

Growing up and living in the Midwest, hayrides and bonfires are favorite fall memories.

Here are some amazing fire features for coast, beach, yard, or campground.

The first three fit that WOW factor and would make a definite focal point no matter their location.

 

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This next photo is fantasy, fun, and yes I would love to live next door to the people with this creativity.  Wouldn't this be great in a city where there is no front lawn and just that little fenced in outdoor space in the back?

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Ah, now we are getting close to my favorite pyro-style. Great start on the kindling, but not seeing the big logs and turning stick anywhere. This could be it. raised block to start and finish the evening warming hands deciding who will be the evening's fire master. Love the Adirondack chairs, but they are a little bulky to move and turn when your front is hot and your back is cold or the smoke follows your beauty. 

All in all a fantastic set up in my mind.

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And here is my winner! The positives: simple, from the coal bed you can tell it started small got bigger, probably a bit too big at one point, and it passes the warm toe test.

There is nothing better than resting you toes on the edge till they are toasty, but not burning rubber. That, if you didn't know is the real reason to keep a bucket of water handy when you have a fire. Oh, how I wish I could be at the most perfect fire pit on earth. Congratulations to the owner of the shoes!

 

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Have warm and toasty dreams tonight!

Countdown Calendars. . . Anticipation (part 1)

Here I sit. My messy piles of stuff surround me in my office/bedroom. No, should be bedroom/office, but you can't find a place big enough to curl up for a nap! So what am I doing about the situation? Happily trolling the internet with a hot cup of coffee. This choice scares even me! 

Fall holidays are staring us right in the face along with the munchkins staring us somewhere in the midsection. Halloween is first on the list of food holidays so here we go down the "Yellow Brick Road" in search of fun to make and fun to use calendars that help us all contain our anticipation.

This might be for the over achiever, but it would be well worth the time!

 

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This one may not be so labor intensive, but beware of the hidden notes behind the numbers!

 

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A Classic

 

 

 

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This is a close-up shot, but you get the idea.

 

 

 

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Now time to get the spiders and other scary things out of my workspace. 

 

 

 

P.S.

If you were looking for that kickoff calendar to football season--too bad, missed it already since it started in August! Maybe next century.