1st Anniversary

My husband and I keep saying “ do you believe it’s been a year since the wedding?”  It really proves that time does go so fast and that life after such a big event returns to normal.  For eighteen months, we all were focused on wedding planning and while most of it was so fun, there were also a few stressful bits.  But, now that we’ve done it once, I can’t wait to do it again, because the payoff of the whole experience, especially the wedding day, is something I will never forget.  Being  the mother of the bride and watching your daughter marry her love is nothing short of amazing.

When Megan and I talk about the wedding, we both say that everything turned out exactly like we had envisioned and that we wouldn’t change a thing.  And, as far as the newlyweds go; still happy and in love, with an adorable puppy added to their life in Pittsburgh.

It’s been so fun looking back at the wedding photos, so here are a few of my favorites.

Life Lately

Isn’t August kind of a funny month?  Even though it’s still summer, there is an in between feeling as fall looms. I have already noticed that the sunset is getting ever so slightly earlier and I have needed to adjust my walking time.  And, for those of us who are college football fans (me!) the football news has begun.  But, the days are still hot and steamy here and I mostly stay in the air conditioning, golf in the mornings and as usual, have my nose in a good book.

The highlights lately include the beginning of our pool construction.  It’s quite a mess looking out the back at the moment, but the result will be worth it.  I’ve been also doing my landscaping volunteer activities, both with the neighborhood HOA committee and with Keep Venice Beautiful.  The HOA committee just met at our clubhouse and pool and spent an hour fine tuning some landscape issues that needed to be done.  I love both the community spirit of neighbors pitching in and getting my hands in the dirt.

I made one of my favorite and most successful low carb recipes a few days ago and forgot how good these pancakes are.  They are the perfect recipe for that last ripe banana staring at you from the fruit bowl too.

Finally, I want to share a book I really enjoyed.  Finding Mrs. Ford is a really good read, with a plot twist you won’t see coming.  But for me, the highlight is that it is set in Detroit in the summer of 1979.  I was going into my Junior year of college that summer and the details, both of the time period and of Detroit and its suburbs, were a blast from the past.  I’m telling all my Michigan friends and family that they must read it.

Happy Friday and weekend!

Florida House Tour - Some Changes

My philosophy in my new home has been to take my time and not add things just to fill the space, but to make sure it’s the right piece that fits. It’s about creating a calming place through minimalism. That means I resist going to Home Goods or looking at Wayfair, because of course I want all the things, but recently, I have made a few changes or completed a few rooms.  It’s a process, but for the most part, it is looking like I envisioned.

First, we ordered a comfortable chair that matches the couch in the living room, which gives us three chairs instead of two and is much better for entertaining.

A decorating dilemma has been that our master bath is directly off the master bedroom with no door separating the two spaces.  I like the openness, but I knew it needed something to add interest and some presence to the space. We put up crown molding and it turned out beautifully. I also brought in some coastal texture and style with a tall wicker basket, glass bottles, seashells and a palm leaf print.

Lastly, the guest room was the first room I finished when we moved in and I used a pin from Pinterest as my inspiration.  Recently, I have added some art from Etsy (Florida watercolor prints) and some comfy throws at the end of the twin beds to add a bit more coastal color.

My next project will be decorating the greatly expanded lanai surrounding the new pool with plants and accessories.  We think construction will start today and it will be a long process, but I’ll share as we go.

Happy Wednesday!