We Don't Skinny Dip-We Chunky Dunk! (T)

Yep- We Don't Skinny Dip- We Chunky Dunk 

Some of with less than perfect figures can relate!

Beach time fun!

When I first saw this figurine at Cracker Barrel several years ago I laughed and remarked how much she reminded me of myself so of course I had to have it. 

This is from the next year and I knew I had to have her too!  These stay in my glass display cabinet that's in our guest bedroom downstairs.  Everything in the room is cabin like or nautical.

I've been trying to put this beach time fun table together for a while.  Though today is rainy and I wanted to do this outdoors I told myself no more delays so I finally pushed to pull it together!

I cut some of my (Papyrus) King Tut grass and Caladium leaves for the arrangement.  

I bought the dishes starfish dishes last year from Kohl's and the dinner dishes from Cracker Barrel.  Kohl's has much more for sale on their website than in the stores and super low sale prices on their website.  I also got the tablecloth and napkins from there too.

The rattan covered bottled was from T.J.Maxx last year too and so was this cluster of seashells that are strung together with a loop to hang.  I poked the top inside and fussed with the seashells a bit for the arrangement.  

I believe I got the colorful starfish at T.J.'s too.  

Notice the two bathing beauties are posed on top of a starfish and a seahorse which are actually made for tea light candles.

I poked my head out the door- like I said- it's raining!

I started taking pictures around 10:30 in the morning and it got so dark from the rain clouds I went ahead and lit the candles.  We'll pretend it's early evening!

I got this nautical tea light set at Pier 1 last year too!  I had a bag of decorative sand and added a little to the bottom of the votives.

The anchor was also a T.J.Maxx find.  I added the green fish net which was the wrapper around the star fish!  Little miss nautical piggy is from Cracker Barrel a few years back.  I thought she was such a hoot I had to have her!

The seahorse pitcher was from Pier 1 last year too.  Do you see a pattern here?  I had all this stuff in a basket waiting to be used since last year!

I used my manual setting on the camera and a tripod to lighten some of the pictures up because it was crazy dark!  

I even changed the dishes on the plate rack for this beachy themed tablescape!  I've used those dishes in other settings including this one "here".

Just remember- We don't skinny dip- we chunky dunk!

Once again thank you for visiting- I hope you enjoyed!

I'm joining:

Between Naps on the Porch
for
Tablescape Thursday 

Dishing It & Digging It 

Red Days of Summer

Each year I select a color for an accent and red was my choice this year.  I'm enjoying seeing it from the kitchen.  I've done pastels before and they are pretty but this stronger color catches the eye more.  Red also looks good as the fall season starts.

These impatiens really bulked up a lot recently.  The plant tag reads Super Elfin Red. 

All those hostas you see around the perimeter I planted the year we put this together.  

I dug them out real early in the spring and split them up.  I replanted quickly and kept them watered and they took right off. 

You can read about the garden patio beginnings in the link below: 

Patio Garden Beginnings  

Little by little it's developed into what we have now. 

These impatiens have a nice shimmer to them.  I tried to capture it with this picture- if you look closely at the flower you'll notice what seems like a shimmer of gold on them.

I love the yellow color Hakone or Japanese Forest grass color looks with the red impatiens.

My hostas and day lilies are blooming.  I leave the hosta flowers (some cut them off) because I like them and the hummingbirds do too!

My favorite daylily called "Sunday Gloves".  

 A quick check in on the "forgotten garden" area.  There are some day lilies that should be blooming any day now too.

 The Mardi Gras Helenium, Sneezeweed is finally blooming.  I think it's a real cute flower!

 More cone flowers blooming with the Tuscan Sun, Heliopsis 

 I love this cone- it's a raspberry red color and keeps getting prettier as it matures.

I thought these cones were long gone.   There used to be more of them but it never was a very strong grower.  This one is called Sundown.  It came from a series called Big Sky.  

Do you think I like red? 😉

  

While we were gone on our short trip the Zagreb Coreopsis went into full bloom and so did the Shasta Daisies and more Cone Flowers (Little Annie)

My galvanized watering can planter has been doing great! These geraniums are called Patriot, Soft pink.  I put white Bacopa with them to drape along the sides. 

By the garage I have little planter full of white alyssum, vinca vine and Dipladenia (mandevilla family) I love the tropical look of this plant and how it blooms consistently.

Love their pretty flowers- so summery!

 These (Calliope) geraniums seemed to take so long to get blooming but now they're really going for it!

Fuchsia color with red mix- they seem to glow.

 The fairy garden is more secluded now with the big Annabelle hydrangea hanging over top!

 This flower head is absolutely huge!

Ha ha- my hobby decided to be a reference for the size! 

Thanks for joining me.

I'm linking up to Gardens Galore 

A Trip To Pitts and Phipps!

A 5 day weekender!

We visited our son, daughter in-law and grandson this past weekend in Pittsburgh and took the time to visit the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Throughout the conservatory there are a number of glass art pieces 

by artist Jason Gamrath and Dale Chihuly.  

I took a ton of pictures but tried to whittle it down to a small amount.
This is called Seven Paint Brushes by Dale Chihuly from his 2007 Exhibit.

Let's just wander through...

The Sunken Garden

The Desert Room, glass art by Dale Chihuly

I had no idea these could be so large.  It looks like it could crawl away!

A small Japanese Garden was outside between the buildings. 

Another Chihuly piece in the Tropical Fruit and Spice Room

Celedon and Royal Purple Gilded Fiori

These Macchia Bowls were created by Dale Chihuly located in the Palm Court

These were stunning….

Glass Pitcher Plants by Jason Gamrath

The orchid room…

Look in the center and you'll see two white almost alien like figurines known as Frabel's Longfellow's 

Entering the butterfly room…

Butterflies can be tricky to catch in a picture!

Temps were pretty high in some areas but our grandson was a champ through it all!

Another Dale Chihuly piece

Angela made four pizzas Friday evening.  With some wine and salad it was such a nice treat!  Ryan is a great hands on father which I'm proud of.  Our Grandson eats anything they give him- it's amazing.  He didn't have pizza - just a few bites of the crust.  He's nearly 10 mos. old now, is crawling and standing up next to things and attempting some walking.  He plays with his toys and is pretty content.  He's saying dada, dada and sharing a few other verbal conversations!  I last saw him in March so there were a lot changes. 😊

Our last evening was so sweet.  After his evening bath Grandpa read Joey a nighttime story (How To Babysit Grandpa) and he seemed to enjoy every moment.  When the book was finished Joey patted the book and then turned to Dan and put his arm up and leaned into his chest looking up at Dan as though to say thank you. 💜

On Monday we traveled back to Michigan to see my Mom and my Sisters, then over to see Dan's Mom at the nursing home on Tuesday and headed home.  We got a lot done in 5 days!

Joining:
Dishing It & Digging It