To Church Without Shoes

To Church Without Shoes

Those little stubby toes...I could just eat them!  Well, not on Sunday.  I would prefer for them to be covered for church!  My children spent the night with their grandparents with the intent of going to church the next morning.  I packed shoes.  They were still in the bag the next day, but on that Sunday morning, no shoes could be found!  So, off to church they went without shoes!  Who is going to let a silly little thing like that hinder them?!  Well, probably me. 

 I enjoyed this little story of my barefooted Brooke Owen going to 'Big' church with her grandparents, walking into the sanctuary in all of her freedom and sitting on a pew for all to see.  I wondered...and pondered...would I be so free? 

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.  Psalm 119:45

Note:  I have enjoyed Yvonne at StoneGable's 'Sunday Scripture' every week, since I entered the wonderful land of Blog. She has inspired me to use my Sunday post in the same way.  I did not grow up a Christian and the Lord in His grace offered me a new path.   It is amazing what I have learned in my journey toward the cross and the life lessons I am learning from children.  I have often said that God uses them to teach me, just as much as I teach them, if not more!

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Outdoor Art for the House

I am lovin' this metal flower made from recycled cans! I photographed this outside a store in the old village of Mt. Pleasant, SC.

A painting next to the front door just pops off this little cottage on Sullivan's Island, SC.

The oars and the large numbers on the door are fun elements for this super cute house.

Miss Mustard Seed refurbished an old oar similar to these.  Check out her site to follow tutorials on how to redo your own furniture!  She is incredibly talented and so inspiring!

These doors are awesome, too!

Oh, this house is just a dream...the red tin roof, the porches, oak and palm trees, the hammock, the wicker furniture...just beautiful.  It is situated in the beautiful historic area of Old Mt. Pleasant, SC.

A little crab greets visitors from the window...just a fun touch to pick up on the red roof and red flowers of this old, southern porch!

On the beautiful Sullivan's Island, flags are displayed on many of the homes.

I think the architectural Adirondack chairs are pieces of art on the blue house and welcome guests to sit and stay awhile.

This adorable beach cottage is tucked under some grand trees.

It is home to this pretty little metal fish.

WOW.  This is a wonderful chalkboard hanging outside a store front in the old village of Mt. Pleasant, SC.

These island dwellers decided to leave their outdoor Christmas tree up year round.

A plague greets beachcombers to the Grand Pavilion in Isle of Palms, SC.

My husband put a coat of boat varnish on the swordfish and hung it above a bench at our front door.  I found the bench for $30 at a Goodwill store and painted it Charleston Green, which was left over from the shutters.

A fish made out of a picket fence hangs on our screened door and greets guests.

The metal moon added between the shutters is a fun addition to our porch.

Another fish welcomes sandy beachcombers to the outdoor shower below the porch.

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At West End is a great site to get some outdoor art.  They have a great selection of recycled pieces.  Here are a few of my favorites!  All photos below are from their catalog.

This State of Mississippi metal art is really great!

I would love to have this cross made from a vine on my porch.

I wish I had this nautilus...love it.

This pop art giraffe is adorable! 

Do you have any favorite outdoor art? 

Welcome those of you from New Friend Fridays!

 I am joiningPorch and Garden PartyA Few of My Favorite Things Saturday Weekend Wrap-up Saturday Nite Special Yard ArtNifty Thrifty Tuesday Sundae ScoopSunday ShowcaseSeasonal SundayJust Something I Whipped UpMetamorphosis MondayIt's So Very CreativeShow Off Your Cottage MondayMake it Cuter MondayMaking Monday MarvelousTips and Tricks Tuesday
Show and Tell Wednesday
Make it Yours Day
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Spotlight YourselfOutdoor WednesdayShow Off Your Stuff ThursdayStrut Your Stuff ThursdayTransformation ThursdayFriday PrettiesShow and Tell FridayFurniture Feature FridayFabulous Friday FindsSimply Designing Friday 
 'Cottages By the Sea.' offers a few more examples of house art!

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Island Dining

The children help set the table...

a work in progress for all of us...

Wine glasses are placed at either end...just for the adults, of course!

We gathered some of the shells from around the house and a few from the beach that morning...

and arranged them in a little boat as our centerpiece.

The shell wine bottle top is perfect for tonight (a gift from a friend!)

The farm table is from Victoria and Thomas, and the chairs are from Pottery Barn outlet.

The linen napkins were a housewarming gift from a friend, when we came to run/walk the Cooper River Bridge Run.  The plates are from Pottery Barn outlet and the flatware is Martha Stewart.

The oars, the seashells, cobalt blue glass, and even the 'crab' chair in the corner give a 'beachy' feel to this cottage.  When guest come, we want them to feel like they are at the beach!  The prints are from the Southeastern Wildlife Expo, which is held in Charleston.  The telescope was left by the previous owner!

The candles add a nice glow at dinner.

The lobster sign is from an antique store in Mt. Pleasant, SC.  It is one of my favorite things in the house.

My mom's hats are displayed in almost every room of this little cottage.  She loved big straw beach hats!  They are a sweet reminder of her and of fond memories at the beach!

This Gullah sweetgrass basket is another one of my favorites!  Weaving these baskets from the beautiful sweetgrass and pine straw is truly an art!  If you are visiting Charleston, stop by and see these talented artists.  The baskets were originally crafted for the practical purpose of collecting rice and cotton in plantation fields.  You have to shop around for the best price. 

After a day of sand and sea, the table is set, so we head out to buy our dinner!  First stop, the Farmer's Market for some fruits and vegetables.

Then, we head over to Raul's Seafood for some fresh shrimp.

A little bit of butter, garlic, white wine, a pound of shrimp, some fresh greens and a good recipe from one of these books, and I think it will be a wonderful evening!

Please join me at
Show Off Your Cottage Monday
Make it 4 Monday

Tabletop Tuesday
Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday
All Things Domestic
Show and Tell Wednesday
Make it Yours Day
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Centerpiece Wednesday
Spolight Yourself
Show Off Your Stuff Thursday
Tablescape Thursday
Transformation Thursday
A Few of My Favorite Things




Please check out Frou Frou Decor's new link party Fabulous Friday Finds!  Terrell has an adorable site with french and vintage style!  I was the winner of her first link party and received a beautiful vintage magnet!  Be sure to check her site!

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Porch Livin' on the Isle of Palms, SC

I found these old shutters in an antique store in Southport, NC for $12 each. I painted them 'Charleston Green' which is almost black.

This beach access path runs right beside our house.  The shutters give a little bit more privacy.

A little fish made from an old piece of fence greets you at the screen door.

The swing that my husband painted and hung is a favorite spot for all of us.

The ledges around the porch hold different treasures...beautiful conch shells...

pieces of drift wood...

and more beautiful shells.

The blue and cream ticking pillows are from Pottery Barn.  The little boat is my son's.

Some old buoys hang in another corner and add some color to the space.

The metal 'moon' between the shutters was found at a flea market.  South Carolinians will find anywhere to stick a palmetto tree or a moon (our state flag!) 

These rockers were painted white, as well as, the Adirondack chairs on the adjoining porch to portray a simple and fresh look.  Navy and white cushions are used on the porch and carry the color scheme from the family room.  

I just love a porch! 

Join me at these GREAT parties!

 Metamorphosis Monday

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Make it 4 Monday

Summer Sundays

Making the World Cuter Monday

Trash to Treasure Tuesday

Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday

White Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday

Spolight Yourself

Show and Tell

Make it Yours Day

Whatever Goes Wednesday

White Wednesday

Show Off Your Stuff Thursday

Transformation Thursday

Strut Your Stuff Thursday

Feature Yourself Friday

Friday Pretties

Furniture Feature Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Frugalicious Friday

Fabulous Friday Finds
A Few of My Favortie Things
Porch and Garden Party

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