A Cozy Little Cottage By The Sea...

Every now and then, I start to think about what it would be like to have the perfect little cottage by the sea...and what it would look like if I designed it. It would look something like this from the front and be located on the Southern California coast....

The view to the back would look like this....And, tucked ever so perfectly under the cliff would be this bed..
along with some chilled wine and chocolates. A perfect combination after endless hours of skinny dipping in the moonlight!


Afterward, we would meander up this beautiful lantern lit path to our humble abode that awaits above...



As we arrive , we are greeted by this lovely little retreat in the garden...

After we enter the cottage, we are greeted by a warm and inviting decor...

The kitchen...

The living room....complete with a crackling fire....



and the dining room....completely light by candlelight!


a tiny bath located off of the bedroom, to wash off the days wanderings...



And last, but not least, the romantic and ever so charming bedroom suite.
With the bed facing floor to ceiling windows, overlooking the moonlit sky and celestial happenings. it's the perfect end to a magical day with the one you love.


SWEET DREAMS!

Clematis Cottage Blooms!!!!!!

Stroll up to Clematis Cottage with me......
And see what beauty awaits you...........

Hello Dear Blogging Friends~

Yesterday morning I woke up to the most breathtaking, beautiful site that I have been anticipating since last year....

Hundreds of tiny little flower buds began to unhurl themselves quietly in the night to anxiously greet me in the morning with their sweet, colorful, joyful faces.....

Ahhhhhhhhh, yes friends, Clematis Cottage has finally bloomed! Aren't they just gorgeous?

Today I am thanking God for the simple pleasures in life, you, and asking Him to slow me down a bit so I can take time to smell the clematis!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

xxxooo Ruth

Take Time To Smell The Roses....

Garden Cottage
Cherub Fountain
French Bust
Tree Man
Gabriel- My Garden Guardian

Good Morning Dear Blogging Buddies~

It's hard to believe it's been almost a whole month since my last post, and I do apologize because I have missed each and every one of you so!

Life just seems to take over and the demands can be somewhat overwhelming at times. That was the inspiration behind this post, "take time to smell the roses".

I decided after working all day in my garden on Sunday, to grab my camera and focus on the little things that make me smile and help me to decompress. It is amazing how the garden has the ability to do that. There is just something about sitting in a garden that can take all of your cares away, for however brief a time it may be.

The colors, the smells, the sounds, the warmth of the sun.....so tranquil and inspiring. A beautiful natural tranquilizer from God!

It is my wish that you find the time this week to "stop and smell the roses" and remember to thank God for your blessings!

xxxooo Ruth

Happy Daffy's....

Hi Everyone~

Happy spring! I hope all of you are doing well and had a blessed Easter. It's been awhile since my last post, but I thought this adorable arrangement of mini daffodils would make up for it. I just can't help but smile everytime I look at them. (They actually smile back at me!)

It is so very warm and seasonable today, 59 degrees and sunny. It's the kind of day that I love sitting outside and just letting the warm sunrays soak into my very being. It is energizing and medicinal at the same time, and so good for the soul!

I hope each and every one of you is having a wonderful spring day, and make sure you take time to smell the daffodils!

xxxooo Holly

Feeling the Need for Spring!

Feeling a little antsy and craving the outside was the inspiration behind the decor of my mantle in my family room...hmmmm...looks like I have summer more in mind!

I love seashells and pinecones together. Reminds me of my summers in Long Beach Island....

Hope you are having a great day!

xxxooo Holly

Sweetest Little Easter Find at Michaels Craft Store...

I was at Michaels Crafts yesterday and found this ADORABLE little bunny..isn't he sweet?
Could not resist, so he HAD to come home with me and meet all of my other Easter buddies.
Hope you have a Michaels near you...they have really cool stuff for the home, too~
xxxooo Ruth (Holly!)

Home Goods

Ahhh....took a nice relaxing trip to Home Goods today to get my creative juices flowing and to see what's out there this week. Hubby has had the flu since Valentine's Day and I was due for a little "me" time.

Some of you might think it's a bit strange to shop to relax, but I find it so inspiring and a wonderful creative outlet. I have even set up my own prop's in the store, pulling together things I love and putting them together on a tabletop, a chair, or wherever my design eye leads me. I have always loved set designing, decorating and creating new and unusual arrangements, so to "play" in the store, keep's me from spending a fortune and allows me to have fun... I just don't get paid for it!

Whenever I go there, I always find the most unusual and adorable decorations for the holidays, and Easter is no exception. The store has had tons of Easter items for the past few weeks, so when I see something, I pick it up. Needless to say my collection is growing and I have gotten such a sweet assortment of items over the years.

Here are a few pictures of the finds I picked up. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and hope you have a Home Goods near you, Their prices are amazing! xxxooo