The Secret Worlds of Beach Birds and Other Stuff

Good evening. Today is I think the first hot day here, I had the AC on by 3 PM, for Mo. I thought we could sit out this evening but a squall rolled through, just at sunset. 

Did you notice how early it's getting dark?

The beach birds were swarming just before the storm. Especially the Black Skimmers. They are funny squatty birds on land and magnificent long winged beauties in the sky. They form large colonies and lack the funny charm and friendliness of the Oyster Catchers. They aren't as vicious as terns but they will attack to protect the nest sites.

The skimmers are tireless parents, I see them flying low overhead 24 hours a day, bringing small fish from the marshes for their voracious babies. Quite a sight on a dark night.

But the swarms or flocks are unusual in August. Maybe they are practicing to leave soon, they migrate early in huge flocks.

Above photos from Google Images.

More on the skimmers and other birds, with my own photos, 

now lost due to computer changes: HERE

We had a lot of rain a few days ago. It has hastened the scraggly demise of my zinnias. The ugly powdery mildew has set in.

I cut them back today, might they regrow? Cutting back has renewed the nasturtiums!

Various little posies, they bring me so much joy! The zinnias say Cut and Come Again, so....?

This is the tiniest! A miniature travel inkwell my dad found for me. Size of a thimble. I love it. With Blue Willow doll dishes.

The marigolds are coming in nicely. They are miniatures, so not showy. They are, oddly, volunteers. Lori of Humble Quilts sent me Mexican Hat seeds from her lovely garden/ yard. And the marigolds are what grew from the seeds. We are both mystified.

Mo enjoys his afternoon snack of ice cream! A doggie mix from Chewy.com His fave flavor, here

He has lost one pound on his diet!

Enjoy these summer days! I am off now, it is the next day as I post this---beach walk and swim before sewing on the deck at 4-ish.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach......

Out and About ~ What's New and Fun at Home Goods

Good evening! My friend and I made our once a month visit to Home Goods the other day. I wanted a couple new dog beds for Mo, so that we don't have to carry his home beds back and forth if he stays with friends. But no. Home Goods was jam packed with other things instead---two themes Fall/ Halloween and Exotic Boho.

Seems to soon for Halloween, but I suppose retail has to cater to the autumn lovers who start putting out pumpkins the day after Fourth of July. [Like putting up one's Christmas Tree the day after Labor Day!]. Usually I don't mind, being a clothing designer I was always focused on a season either far ahead or just passed. But I love summer and try to enjoy every single day. It is hot here through early November most years.

Anyway. If you love the mercury glass pumpkins, now is the time to get a few! The lighted ones, quite large were only $12.00! 

I like the tall gourds a lot, but really have so many punkins, so I said no.

Cool signs. I'd leave mine out on the deck for a few years to weather. I like the palm reader hand, the Salem one not as much as it glorifies a terrible time in our early history.

Various Halloween cute stuff, mostly [oddly] wool felt: The Jacks are a garland.

Grey Fall decor for those minimalist purists who cannot abide an orange thing in their home.

Grey bowls, grey transferware.

Beaded grey / silver pumpkin pillows.

Then, Boho, which I adore.

On Instagram I follow a person who is a beachcomber in Morocco. the_sea_is_secret  here and while he mostly shows his fabulous sea glass finds, he also shows foods and markets and textiles seen in Morocco. So colorful and alluring. Home Goods currently captures that look of a Moroccan bazaar, with adds of India and Indonesia mixed in:

The bolster pillows I love, recycled India textiles, kantha stitch quilting:

Lots of pouffes! poufs? [Pouffes are like cube shaped stools made of fabric, like little extra seats or stools.] The colors are so rich and amazing. Eggplant, saffron:

I really loved this deep eggplant square pouffe. Much deeper purple like an eggplant, darker than in pics.

And subtle and textural

I especially loved these neutral linen big pillows, good for fall and winter. Embroidery! Tiny mirrors, just a delight.

A few still-here Summer items. Pineapples are still in style but white. Hmmm.

    

A variety of blue transferware, if you are starting or filling in your collection. Really inexpensive, under five dollars-ish

These are giant seaglass bottles, thigh high/ 30" tall. For your summer wine cork collection, or beach glass and shells?

And a few darling roosters, thouh not garden stakes.

...

Back home, doing online shopping, I got this pair of fall sneakers in a delicious pumpkin wool. Allbirds' unusual color ways often sell out immediately. I think they will be so cute with everything. These are Pipers, a bit more support than the original Runners. scroll down for the wool sneaks. here

I've lost the knack of shopping though. Many afternoons are spent slow stitching or deadheading the zinnias. Often too cold to swim!

btw My apricot galette was just awful. The apricots were so sour, like no apricots I ever tasted. The berries were cute but seedy. The store bought and repurposed crust was delicious. 

Have a good week!

love 

lizzy

gone to the beach...

*this is last year's shell art installation, made to show hope during the Covid crisis. Winter winds obscured the painted shells this second winter past but the Par Ducks lived on. Now someone has dug out some of the remaining pieces, I see my rainbow and my pumpkin there.