Greenhouse Oasis

Are most of your plants looking like this after the FREEZING and HARSH winter we had?

Well, if you had one of these at your disposal you may have been able to save some plants.  Or, you could have at least created your own little oasis of beauty and been surrounded by beautiful green, living, thriving plants all winter long!

Step inside this unassuming greenhouse and see what treasures it holds.  It's warm and moist and practically pulsing with plant energy.

Who's wonderful greenhouse is this you ask and how am I so lucky to visit?  Well, it's my neighbor Tyra's mother's house down in Seadrift, TX. (Between Houston and Corpus Christi).  And it's right on the bay; with winds blowing constantly from the water.  But here in the greenhouse everything is cozy and warm and thriving.

Lea decorates with seashells, statues and wind chimes.  Each item (and lots of the plants) have their own story about how it arrived there.  Some were given by friends, some were bought, others found in junk shops, and big trash boutique.

I think this little angel is so sweet.  Check out the blooms (in February) on these plants!  Mine don't even look that good one day after I buy them at the nursery. 

Lea definitely has a way with plants.  I think she's a Dr. Doolittle type and "talks" them into growing and looking good for her.  She says she just waters, fertilizes and trims.....I'm not buying it...She's Magical!

Lea and a helper spend many, many hours trimming and pruning and it sure shows!

Look at this huge Kolanchoe......and the sweet owl that guarding the greenhouse----asking WHOOO goes there? 

This statue of St. Francis is lucky to have such a comfortable and beautiful place to oversee.

And this is the beautiful and talented Lea, and her equally beautiful and talented daughter, Tyra. Tyra lives right next door to me and has a beautiful, small greenhouse of her own.  She is always making me potted plants and giving me clippings for my garden....but so far the MAGIC hasn't rubbed off.  I can kill a silk plant!  LOL!

Texas Coast Visit (Part II)

As we headed out on our second day of beachy small town shopping we ran across some really cool houses. Shopping is important but we like to take the road less traveled and discover interesting detours. Some were in need of some TLC and others were just perfect and "move-in" ready. I could envision the one below in all it's former glory. It sure would be fun to fix up...but first, I'd have to rob a bank or win the lotto. This one was right on the bay and had inhabitants that clearly love the place and take really good care of it.

This was another grand historical home in Rockport and clearly has been well taken care of. When we return I want to see if we can take a tour.

Below is the view that this historic homes looks out on. The Gulf of Mexico, palm trees and shrimp boats. What a view!

As we drive on the main road to Rockport we can practically sniff out the fun beach shops, this is our roadside view.

At the recommendation of a local, we ended up going to a new Cafe and Art Gallery. We were told they have some of the best Chicken Salad and we weren't steered wrong. This was a mural that was on one wall of the gallery. We asked about the painting and the owner laughed and said..."Everyone thinks it's a drawing of the shops just down the block....but it's wallpaper". We had to get up VERY close to confirm that. However, it looks VERY similar to the surrounding stores.

Our first stop was a cute little shop that had old and new items. And of course, most of it was ocean themed.

The next stop was a fun and funky place that we were quickly drawn too. It reminded us of a lot of the cool vendors at Warrenton. We asked them if they had ever been to Warrenton and they said of course....and they were pleased to report that they will be having a booth in the fall! Ya'll go seek them out....they are called the Rowdy Maui and do the coolest painted cowboy boots.

We loved all their colorful signs. This is my friend, Tyra, holding up one of our favorites. ;)

You can see they have an eclectic fashion sense and it's a hoot. They will paint cowboy boots that you bring in the store OR you can buy the already painted boots they have in stock.

The whole store was a feast for the eyes with their bright colors, clever signs and funky clothes, jewelry and artwork.

Now, jump back into the air conditioned car with us to head up the road...because remember, the temps over the weekend were hovering at 102 and we were hot and in search of a SNOW CONE! Those things are so refreshing and can cool you down immediately. Wouldn't this hammock be the perfect place to have enjoyed that icy treat?

Inside THIS store we found lots of Shabby Chic items. I've always loved turquoise and I love the way they are combining shades of turquoise with a pop of red. Hmmmm....do I smell PAINT in my future? Well, I believe I do!!

I have almost that exact dressing table (below). They painted theirs white but mine (I inherited from my Grandmother) is in very good shape in a mahogany finish so for once in my life, I believe I'll leave it unpainted.....but I do LIKE the look of the white dresser, don't you?

So thanks for coming along with us on our beachy, shopping adventure. There are SO many places to discover in that part of South Texas, I just know we'll be back to visit soon. Perhaps in the late fall when the temperature finally starts getting a bit more bearable.

My Birthday Escape to the Coast

When at 6:00 p.m. the temperature in Houston registers a toasty 122 degrees, the smartest thing to do is head for the coast. Since the last weekend in June marked a birthday for me (June 28), I did the smart thing and jumped in the air-conditioned car and travelled 2.5 hours south with my friend/neighbor, Tyra to her Mother's house in picturesque, but tiny village, of Seadrift, Texas (population approximately 1,000). Lea (aka Mom) has a cute little home right on San Antonio Bay. The view below is from her back yard looking out to the bay. The view alone made us FEEL cooler! AHHHHHH!

Seadrift, TX is known for it's murals. I think they have almost 25 scattered throughout the town and for such a small town....that's a lot of cool art.Traveling down the main street, the huge bougainvillea is stunning and colorful.

First shopping stop is at this cute and beachy store named Morning Glory. Morning GLORY got it's name because the building was formerly a church. Since Tyra grew up in Seadrift, it's literally a place where EVERYONE knows your name. This store is owned by a former classmate (Janey) and she couldn't have made us feel more welcome.

Isn't this tricycle just the cutest thing?

The store owners love children but they had this cute little sign. Kinda makes a mother think twice before letting her kids run wild...lol!

Continuing my love of signs, I honed in on this funny version of Shabby Chic. And since the shop is part beachy.....there were lots of fun painted fish too.

Wouldn't it be nice to kick back on the porch with a custom painted folding chair? Click on picture for more detail.

This was one of my favorite rooms. I always love, love, love (do I sound like Teresa from Housewives of New Jersey ?) garden art and french inspired garden folly.

Another view of the garden room with lots and lots of pretties to look at.

A old armoire painted in funky beach colors would sure be fun in a kitchy beach house, don't you think?

As we made our purchases and headed out the door, we just knew we would be back. The bargains were too good, the staff uber friendly and this place just SPOKE to us. They even let me go in their work area in the back and I was in heaven....surrounded by paint and glue and things that just cried to be embellished and repurposed. I took a picture for myself but promised them I wouldn't share the place where "all the magic and transformation happens"!

Below is Janey and Tyra holding my favorite purchase of the day....you guessed it...another SIGN! Help me out all you French speakers....it says...."Life is Beautiful", doesn't it? No matter....I love it!

And as previously mentioned, we celebrated my birthday while in Seadrift! My sweet friend had this cute place setting at the kitchen table when I woke up. It was a perfect start to another day of shopping and you'll see THAT shopping day on my next post.