Summer is dwindling away.....

 September is almost here and the SUMMER is dwindling away.
Soon it will be time for pumpkins and the turning of the leaves.
When I was younger I use to live for the summer and the heat didn't bother me so much - but as I have gotten older, I am not a fan of the summer heat BUT I am a fan of visiting the beach and I adore summer decor. I love the BEACH COTTAGE look and the gentle hues of blue and corals together. For me a perfect day at the beach would include a picnic basket full of yummy food and a quiet spot where I can relax and enjoy the sounds of the waves and the sea gulls. I also love to visit a few of the local shops when I am visiting a beach town. I love to stroll around after a day of relaxing at the beach and re-energize myself with a ice coffee. Knowing that summer is close to an end soon - I think I will plan a couple more visits to the beach and enjoy the warm sand on my feet and taking in that awesome sea breeze. Next stop......FALL !

 I have been away from my Blossoms & Bark blogging. So many things going on and not enough time to do them but I am getting back into the swing of things again. I hope to be able to stick to a regular rhythm of posting.
Time has just flown by and I can't believe it's almost the end of August. Before I know it I will be posting images of my favorite season again......Fall. Today my husband and I really enjoyed sitting outside by the pool this evening. The weather was so nice and the breeze was heavenly. The temps have been so mild for a California August.....and I am NOT complaining one bit. I love to get out in the yard in the evening just before the sun is setting. I really enjoy piddling around and tidying up. I am in the mood for hanging up some twinkle lights and enjoying some more evenings outside. We have been slowly trying to redo and few things in our backyard and incorporate more water conservation plants and make use of more rock where there was once grass. It's a slow going project when you are both working. I am really hoping to get it all finished by the beginning of October. I can't wait until its all finished.

FALL SHOWCASE Item # 1

TODAY is the FIRST DAY of FALL and the first item I would like to SHOWCASE in Blossoms & Barks Fall Showcase is this lovely crochet ensemble from BABY BELLES CROCHET by Melody Sutton. This sweet little hat and shoes are listed for $ 12.00.

Here is the link to view all the information about this sweet little set and to https://www.etsy.com/…/crochet-newborn-hat-and-booties-gift…

purchase.

Melody lives in Colorado and is a Stay at Home Mom to 5 children......3 boys and 2 girls. She is a family member of mine via marriage and the sweetest person on the planet! She absolutely loves to crochet. She is VERY talented and she has some wonderful items for kids and babies in her shop on ETSY.
She also does MADE TO ORDER items.

FALL SHOWCASE of HANDMADE ITEMS

TOMORROW is the FIRST DAY of FALL!!
I am very excited! One of the reasons I am very excited is that I will be featuring some HANDMADE GIFTS in my BLOSSOMS & BARK facebook page and also here in my BLOSSOMS & BARK Blog. 
I love to support Home Based Businesses....especially those from STAY at HOME MOMS. I was a stay at home mom myself and I often made extra money for our family by making HANDMADE ITEMS and CRAFTS. I would love for all of you, to enjoy the FALL SEASON and I hope you all LOVE the ITEMS that I have chosen to SHOWCASE in my Blossoms & Bark Facebook Page. They are made by some wonderful and talented women. PLEASE SUPPORT them if you can by PURCHASING some of their wonderful HANDMADE PRODUCTS. Please also SHARE the posts of t my FALL SHOWCASE with all your Facebook Friends.
Thanks and have a most BLESSED FALL SEASON.

DRIED HYDRANGEA

Today I bought some silk Hydrangea. I usually love dried hydrangea but these were for my kitchen and I needed something more durable. I love hydrangea ...but I especially love them when they have been dried. The colors seem to become more beautiful and take on a wonderful tissue paper look.....almost like a timeless piece of watercolor art. 
I also love how the colors fit wonderfully into a FALL color palette. Fall will be here in 2 days and I know I will be lacing some of my pumpkins with delicate dried Hydrangea blooms. 

VINTAGE MUST HAVES

I love all things old. I love restored items too or pieces given a new look with some Shabby Paint. I have a extensive "Vintage Gotta Have" list. Right now I am on a Vintage Camper kick. My husband and I are thinking about owning one soon. We have our eye on one and if we can arrange for us to buy it....I think we just might become Gypsies!! That would be a dream of mine come true for sure. I think these Vintage Gotta Have Items below ....will fit nicely in or attached to my Vintage Home on Wheels. Don't You?

MERMAIDS

When I was little my cousin and I use to play and pretend we were mermaids. We use to do this whenever our families went to Seattle for the day or we were catching a ferry to Bremerton. We loved it. 
I use to dream for hours about living near the ocean and having a house near the beach. As I grew older....that desire  faded a bit and now I am more of a Mountain/Woodsey kinda gal. But the other day I was on facebook and I was looking at some posts from a new Facebook friend. She loves mermaids and the ocean. It instantly reminded me of my childhood wish to be a beautiful mermaid. When I sit here and think of all the ocean themed decor and all the fun things that people do at the beach.....and oh yes....the SEAFOOD.....I kinda can't believe that I changed my mind about loving the mountains and woods more. I may have to start a little mermaid collection myself soon. I know I won't be living anywhere near the beach.....and probably never will......so I think a some beach themed goodies and mermaid nick nacks will do just fine.