I've never really been a big cook. I'm not bad at it, the process of preparing food has never exactly been high on my list. Oh sure, I like to eat. I just prefer it when the food magically appears at dinnertime, like it did when I was young. I'd come home from work or school and my mom would have a lovely meal prepared . There was nothing to buy, plan or prep. The fridge was always packed and a hot meal was served every night. Of course, now I'm the mom...and most of the meal prep falls on me.

Last weekend, it rained. A lot. So rather than celebrating the unofficial start of summer at the beach, I was in my kitchen. Crafting. And you know what? It was glorious.

Lately, I've been playing with clay. I don't know why it's got such a hold on me, but boy oh boy, is it fun. There's something about grabbing a chunk of it, mushing it into a ball and then rolling it out that just feels good. Creative. So when I was at the store the other day and saw this pack of floral patterned sheets, I grabbed them. And I knew exactly what I was going to do with them. You see, I have quite a collection of small clay pots in my craft stash. They're very versatile, so whenever I spot them at the thrift store or at yard sales, I grab them, too. In the past, I've aged them with paint for a vintage vignette on my Easter mantel. More recently, I decoupaged one, to make a flower pot pin cushion . Well, today, I'm sharing a clay pot makeover that will actually be used in my garden . Fancy that! And like I said, it all started with clay ...making it a clay on clay kind of day. How To Embellish A Clay Pot With Clay Patterns First, I gathered my ...

Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend, discussing all the #homebody posts I've seen popping up on Instagram. Have you seen them? Quotes about the joys of staying home, often coupled with soft music or videos panning quiet gardens and dreamy decor. My feed is full of them. Probably because I stop to view them all. Clearly, I relate.

Thrift store makeovers are funny. 99 out of 100 times, I'm super happy with the transformation. A huge hit. Better than anticipated. And frankly, I'm rarely disappointed. However. There have been times when after a while, the shine wears off and I need to makeover my makeover . Ever happen to you?

We opened our pool this weekend and, honestly, it was the best Mother's Day present.  Once that awful green cover is removed and that gorgeous blue water comes into view again, it signals the beginning of the unofficial summer season, which is my favorite. But around here, it's super short. That's why as soon as the warm weather and sunshine arrive, I try to spend as much time as possible outside. And while I adore the beach, and try to go almost every day, I'm a true homebody. This little 1929 bungalow is my haven.

Be careful what you wish for... That's a saying I heard around my house often, growing up. My beautiful mother was the eternal optimist, but she also had a very practical side. And a great sense of humor. I don't remember asking for that ugly space when I wished for a sink! So...when she wanted us to really consider the scope of what we were wishing for, that phrase was uttered in a serious tone. When she thought our wants were a little nuts, she said it with a touch a sarcasm.