Wiping the sleepies from eye, from “springing ahead,” that would be a resounding “YES!” from my camp. But let me ask you something, as we are skirting around the seasonal periphery, is there anything more delicious than spring blooms?

Daffodils especially deserve a spotlight as they are among the first to appear on the spring flower scene.  They are like Pharrell William’s Happy song to me, but in the form of flowers.

The annual Daffodil Days Festival in Nantucket joyfully greets Spring for Islanders.

I hope you’re doing the Happy Dance too.  Happy Spring!

Photo sources found here

Projects like this make me smile.   Have you ever installed a salon-style gallery of art work in your home?

This kind of installation is the perfect form of assembly and expression for me, because I love changing things and not being held accountable to “rules in hanging art.”  I’d say the only “rules” are to cluster items that speak to you–even if that just means you love it because: it’s beautiful…or quirky…or appeals to you on some inexplicable level.  You’re the boss here.  You can choose the distance, spacing, and basic rhyme and reason–it only needs to make sense to you.

Let me tell you about about this display, I recently created, which is intended as a loose collage of our life. I’ll start with the focal point, otherwise known as a treasured piece of art inherited from my grandmother.   I have to admit that starting with this piece and using it as an anchor helped to build the vision of this project.

During the last ten or so years of my grandmother’s life, she would always ask me (and my whole family) what we wanted in her house after she was gone. The conversation always made me deeply uncomfortable and sad, as I could never really imagine her as “gone.”  All I wanted was for her to stick around longer. And though there were many lovely things in her home,  this piece of art was the only thing I ever admitted I wanted, and every day when I look at it, I think of her. I imagine it proudly hanging over her mantle in her warm, but formal living room. It’s amazing how transporting art can be.  I could stare at this image of the blustery and brooding ocean for hours, contemplating many things.  To me this is truly the pièce de ré·sis·tance.

Anyhoo, back to the “gallery.”  The small round cameo, a gift from my Mom, is an antique. I love the size, scale, daintiness and patina of this paining.

Above this sweet little lady hangs glitter deer antlers, which were a Christmas gift from my deer (ha! couldn’t resist the pun) husband.  Below hang the pair of teeny original watercolors, a gift from my in-laws are by Nantucket artist William Welsh.  They depict Siasconset cottages, my someday summer dream retreat.

On top are two photographs of Nantucket, also gifts from R&D—one of the front doors of St. Mary’s Church where we got married (almost 12 years ago, wow time flies!).

The other of The Nantucket Atheneum.  Remember, you can always cut out silhouettes of the pieces you are trying to test the placement

with newspaper and tape to the wall before making any “permanent”(is there such a thing?) choices/selections.

To the right, the photo mounted on a bamboo board—my greatest work of art yet—our daughters.

And finally the bright Modern acrylic original canvas painted by my oldest is another treasure with just the right pop of color.

You too can create your own salon-style gallery. I know ours will grow and evolve as we do.

Got what, what, what, what….remember that high school cheer?

What can I say? (Sea) Hawks Mania has really taken over. I can’t seem to stop. But as today is finally the day, the Superbowl is here…I guess now I will (stop that is).

Not without one last display of spirit.  A DIY’er for you.

Got home last night and for some reason, got out the yarn, and this styrafoam wreath form.  Sometimes the force within me to craft, is just too strong.  Next thing I know, this is happening…

So I just kept wrapping

And wrapping.

And before (too) long, voila.  This happened.  Sure, my husband is actually AT the game now, but does he get to make yarn wreaths?  We all show our team spirit in different ways.

Go SEAHAWKS!

I feel like we are finding ourselves in this once in a lifetime (Ok maybe a couple times if you are lucky) moment; Our team, The Seahawks, in our adopted city, Seattle, is in the Superbowl!

It reminds me of when I was a kid in the 80’s, 1984 to be exact, when the Kansas City Royals won the World Series.  It was the most I’d ever known about a full roster of players on any team, ever.  Fast forward 20+ years, and thousands of miles, this Northwestern city and all the fans, otherwise known as the 12^th Man (you know, broken world record for loudest fans in a stadium),

are no less than electrified.

Being at the Championship game was pretty surreal, the whole atmosphere is just plain infectious.  Civic pride is at an all-time high.

This made of Oyster shells, of course!

The kids are sooo into it.

Every week since the playoffs began has been “Seahawk Friday” at their school–where they usually wear uniforms.

And oh the things these kids know.  About Marshawn Lynch and his love for Skittles… and Wilson and the Phish song…and the Macklemore (after all, “this is our moment and the ceiling can’t hold us…”)

Signage is found everywhere and the excitement is purely palpable.

I definitely couldn’t resist a fan-icure and will continue the spirit on through Sunday…

and after!  GO SEAHAWKS!

A few years ago, actually more than a few (I suppose I am getting to the point in life where “about a few years ago” more accurately represents say, 7-9 years ago…) years, a good friend of mine shared pictures of her future wedding site.  I remember her sharing pictures with me of an idyllic, small, southern, white chapel.

and a quainter than quaint village, called Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina.  I was completely drawn in by the concept and the visuals, however, as I am a firm believer, “what’s meant to be,  will be.” suffice it to say, this union/wedding was not meant to be.  And as quaint as the chapel is–which I can now vouch for, as I actually got there for the first time a few days ago in person, the wedding was not meant to be.  In fact, it never happened.

Details, details, but the chapel and village are a sight to see.  Do not worry, this same friend has now been married to another wonderful person and they have two lovely children together now. (again ,what is meant to be, will  be)

Anyhoo, I finally got to Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina and it was about time because it’s only about 45 minutes from where my parents now live.

The lay of the land of this place is quite exquisite.  Like, “close your eyes and try to imagine what the quintessential “low country” looks like…and you are there.  Blue herons, egrets and wildlife-a-plenty mix with visitors and residents who occupy these seemingly unspoiled parts of nature.

Porches with ceilings painted of “haight blue” an old southern tradition designed to fend off evil spirits!  Do you believe it?  I do.  Well, it’s pretty anyways.

The ‘Bluff is so abundantly full of salt marshes and unspoiled rivers, you feel as though you are in a story book.  I could have easily stayed a while, but this was a day excursion, so we headed up the road for another adventure to Bluffton, SC.

A cute little town situated on the May River teaming with galleries and charm

and vintage shopping galore.  It was kind of a “pickers” dream, just how much can I stash in my carry-on anyway? Always an interesting challenge to take on.

And again, those churches of the south, ohhh the churches of the south.  If I lived here, I’d practically be non-sectarian so I could try them all!

But for now it’s back to sippin’ tea and squeezing in a few more southern adventures till it’s back to Seattle we all go!