Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Yesterday Raleigh, North Carolina received a surprise visitor, SNOW! We get snow occasionally, but what was forecasted as a slight dusting turn into this:

All photos taken with my Canon Rebel T1i.

Thank you to all the bloggers I polled who highly recommended the camera. 

It really does an amazing job making stunning photos.

Mother nature did such a nice job highlighting our home for the holidays.
(Photoshop filters and feathered selection applied)

Thankful for...

I am thankful for a warm bed to sleep in...

...and a roof over our heads.

I am thankful for the food that we put on our table, to sustain our bodies.

I am thankful for mother nature, who reminds me that we are not alone on this planet.

I am thankful for this earth, which provides for us a home filled with beauty.

I am thankful for my family, who remind me that life is good.

And my sisters, who understand me to my core.

I am thankful for my spouse, my best friend and better half.

I am thankful for the time I'd been given...

to spend with loved ones before they left our world.

Most of all, I am thankful for my children...

who humble me and remind me what life is like through a child's eyes.

Thanksgiving Prayer

 Iroquois Prayer, adapted 

We return thanks to our mother, the earth,
which sustains us.

We return thanks to the rivers and streams,
which supply us with water.

We return thanks to all herbs,
which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.

We return thanks to the moon and stars,
which have given to us their light when the sun was gone.

We return thanks to the sun,
that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.

Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit,
in Whom is embodied all goodness, 

and Who directs all things for the good of Her children.

The Painted Cottage - A Tour of My Favorite Store at the Beach

We just got back from a very relaxing week at the beach. The weather was perfect and our boys really enjoyed playing in the surf. I think we brought back a bit too much of the beach with us (sandy sheets, hair and toes). But, at least we had fun!

My mom and I spent an afternoon shopping at the outlets in Myrtle Beach, but not before stopping at my favorite location in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

A place where I can look at lots of this:

Admire plenty of this:

And go ga ga for this:

All these and more can be found at The Painted Cottage.

This eclectic shop is an adorable boutique with sherbert colored walls and oodles of antiques, art and shabby chic finds. I could spend hours browsing this store and still not see everything.

Here is just a sampling of what is inside:

Did you see that white oyster shell mirror on the wall?
How about the same mirror with black oyster shells?

Very chic in black, don't you think?

Precious blue bottles with coral and starfish lids

I just love this summery beach wreath spray painted light blue
and accented with ribbon, coral and shells.

Don't you just love this red floral wingback chair with the starfish throwpillow?

(Realistically I know it would only last 2 minutes in my house before being plucked off
the pillow by my boys or crushed during wrestling matches.
But, I can dream about it, right?!)

A Trio of Starfish on Burlap

Another unique way to decorate with an old window and wine corks!

Whoa! I just found Daisy's twin? She looks fab in red.

Hey, another coincidence! A chair with the same P. Kaufmann fabric
as my daisy chair and bench in my guest room (only in a different colorway.)

Let me tell you, The Painted Cottage has the best decorative chairs.
Like this blue rattan chair.

Or this shabby chic floral detailed chair

I'm crazy about this child size rustic chair with the monkey fist knot ball

And just the aqua color of this chair has me hooked

More aqua color on this vanity and clear glass lamp

Catching my breath as I spot this gorgeous aqua armoire!

I'm only pulled away from the armoire by these glass beauties.
Am I part magpie? Why am I so fixated on shiny shinies?

 

 This dresser pulled me out of my aqua fixation.
Beautiful sea foam green.

Will you look at this lampshade?! Fabric flowers sewn to the shade. Heavenly!
I can't wait for one of you crafty readers to write up a tutorial on this.

or how about this lamp? LOVE IT, right?!

A beautiful hydrangea painting

Upon closer inspection, the flowers are actually cut magazine photos.
How clever!

The store has an abundance of signs with clever sayings.

"Barefoot is Bliss" so true!

"At the Beach we live by the currents and follow the sun"

"Dogs have owners, cats have staff"

That black bench under the throws is another headboard bench.

 This sign just kills me...get it? KILLs me. Okay, sorry, that was corny.

The crab shack

More artwork and accents

So, if you make your way down to the  southernmost beaches of North Carolina’s unique barrier islands, (or even if you are in Myrtle Beach). Take the time to stop by and visit The Painted Cottage at 6692 Beach Drive, Ocean Isle Beach, NC. (Phone ahead for hours and directions: 910-579-5995). Be sure to tell them that I sent you. (I am not paid by the Painted Cottage, I only hope they remember me next year when I go back.)

Best of all, if you haven't had your fill of eye candy from this post, visit the shop's website: thepaintedcottageonline.com or blog: thepaintedcottageonline.blogspot.com