Blue Containers By The Blue Sea & Winner

Well, thoughts have definitely turned to spring and someone has requested some plant
containers for a deck by the Pacific.  As we get closer to summer the ocean areas take
on a very distinct crisp blue aura...the sky and sea seem to become vibrant in shades of
blue.  This particular house has three outdoor decks and a patio area (Gosh, I wish I
could say it was my house!!!  No such luck). The decks are white against a white house
and white sand. For the most part the furniture is white with both white and blue cushions.
Because the sky and sea are also quite blue, I thought I would add blue and white
containers with palms and succulents and some white flowers. Keeping with a crisp look.


I have found wonderful large white vessels so now I am on the lookout for some blue
pots. Not as easy as one might think!  Finally I found a variety of blue containers and
have been told I can order any of these shades in large sizes and shapes also.  I think I'll
probably order the deep blue color in the lower right corner because the hot California
sun will eventually fade even the deepest blue.

The colors are so pretty...

The shape I've decided on is a tall square hour glass shape... narrower at the bottom
and wide and square at the top...

Most containers will be white but I think the addition of some blue to the decks will be
perfect...especially by the deep blue sea.

What do you think?


For the Giveaway I did a very casual draw.  I put all the names in a straw sun hat and let
the little girl up the street pick a name.  She has just completed her third heart surgury
and hasn't been able to do many things so this was very exciting for her.

The recipient of the giveaway is Good Life Of Design.  Congratulations, Kathysue!

You have a wonderful blog and you continue to educate and inspire all of us.

Please send me an email with your mailing information.

It looks like I may be doing another giveaway soon so be on the lookout for it.

As most of you know, I have been having major blogger problems.  I have a very

special post that I have been trying to post but it either disappears or publishes too

early and incomplete.  I would like to introduce you to an artist I know you would

really enjoy meeting, so hopefully I will be able to publish it in it's complete form in

a day or two.

Wish me luck!

See you then.

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning...I Can Even See Catalina Island!

We have been having lots of rain in Southern California this past week but today was
beautiful.  In an effort to ease my eager spring fever I decided I would take a few
pictures while on my walk this morning. 
Our beautiful white flowering pear trees lost all their blossoms in the heavy wind and
rain of the last few days but the flowering plum trees are still quite lovely.

The Magnolia trees are beginning to bloom...

Some of the spring flowers are also beginning to blossoms too. Like this Calla Lily and
Bird of Paradise.  You can still see the raindrops...

After the walk I met a friend for breakfast. He is leaving to go to France for a few
weeks so we decided to meet in Santa Monica because it was a glorious crystal clear
morning.  I looked toward the mountains and was surprised how snow covered they are.
They are about 2 hours away. That’s one of the wonderful things about California, you
have the Pacific Ocean on one side of you and the snow covered peaks on the other.

Here are some of the snow covered peaks...remember they are about 2 hours away...

Look, you can even see the famous Hollywood Sign below the mountains...

But I was headed to a restaurant near the Pacific Ocean. The sky and water was so
blue today...

Even though it was very early (he had to catch an early flight) people were already at
play and enjoying this beautiful clear crisp weather...

And sailing...

It was so clear you could see Catalina Island which is 26 miles across the sea! There’s
a bit of morning haze but the island can still be seen...

Those of you who used to watch the show Baywatch will recognize this beach.
This is where they filmed that show...

Looking toward Malibu...

Well, getting back to my spring fever...I have put some flowering branches in a vase and
I was hoping they would be flowering by now. But they are just beginning to bud.
Oh well, I love the branches and once the flowers bloom they will look extra beautiful...

Kathysue of Good Life of Design recently wrote a wonderful post about decorating with
branches. Her post also included some beautiful images you can view here.

Also helping with my spring fever is this lovely orchid that friends gave me when my kitty
died. It is a soft yellow that definitely speaks spring...

I also added a couple of vases of roses because they were on sale at Trader Joe’s for
only $3.99 a dozen. Who could resist!

And yes, my dried hydrangeas also remind me spring will bring fresh flowers...

What are you doing to help with your spring fever?  Do you ever decorate with flowering
branches?   I would love to hear your spring fever tips!

Red Sun At Night...

A few days ago I was driving home from antiquing/thrifting in Santa Barbara...but more
on that later.  It was a glorious, sunny and warm day.  I was late in getting started so I
decided to take the coast road instead of the freeway as to avoid the late afternoon traffic.

Actually, my intention was to watch the changes in the sky as the sun would begin to set. 
I was not in a rush.  I guess the surfers around Malibu were not in a rush either.

As I drove along I could tell the sky was beginning to change and the sun was casting
shadows and a glimmer on the ocean water.

It seemed like every time I looked toward the ocean the sky was beginning to change hue...

Slowly but surely...

Now it was more and more difficult to keep my eyes on the road because my attention
was on the magic light show taking place in the sky. Finally, I just gave up trying to drive.
I quickly parked the car, sat back and enjoyed another magnificent sunset over the
Pacific Ocean.

Is the sun falling from the sky...?

It looks like a big round ball coming to earth...

It's getting lower...

And lower...

Kissing the mountains...

 The sun is starting to say goodnight with a glow behind the

mountains...

Another sweet gift in life.

A gigantic Thank You to Mother Nature!

As they say, "red sun at night sailors delight".

Tomorrow will be a delight for surfers, sailors, kite surfers
and perfect for me to work with my roses.