Saturday, June 28, 2008

Some Florida Fun with Laura and Kim!!

Hi y'all! LOOKIESEE! Recognize this charming 1920's bungalow? I know you do!! But why do I have Kim's darling Daisy Cottage on my blog? Well remember I told y'all I was taking a wee bit of a blog break? Yes indeedy I did ~~ and a little mini vacation, too! I had to go to Florida for some family matters and was so very blessed to meet two of my sweetest Floridian blogging friends, Kim AND Laura (Lallee's Cottage)!!!! We had never met and I was so thrilled to have the chance to meet these two beautiful and talented women who I have been blog buddies with for quite some time now. Oh ~ and lets NOT forget getting to have the grand tour of Daisy Cottage and also meeting Miss Maggie!!
Kim had a wonderful WELCOME sign for Laura, my son Spencer and I. My son was along on the trip and just enjoyed himself so much! Now if only adorable Shannon had been there so they could talk about what teenagers talk about!
Laura and I had a little photo opportunity with Kim's blessings. Daisy Cottage is not only as precious as can be in all of Kim's photos, but even more amazing in person!!!!!! Each room is artistically put together with treasures that Kim carefully arranges in lovely vignettes. My son even noticed how wonderful the rooms smelled with all of the pretty candles burning.
Love this little postcard with a message about a cottage. Even though it was a cloudy day outside, light still streamed in through the windows and played off of the bold colors on the gorgeous plaster walls of this delightful little cottage.

Remember this? This is the birdhouse that Penny made for Kim!!!! It is just fantastic and the details are amazing! Penny, I am still saving up for mine!!


Each room has amazing treasures tucked in here and there.....from these pretty vintage aprons displayed on an old wood hook to......the little chickens sitting on the old cake stand. ...Oh and wait...there is Maggie! How can I possibly leave her out? This little princess was the icing on the cake for our visit!!!! Of course, she wanted some attention, too. Sorry Miss Maggiesweetiepie, I got your photo blurry.
Kim has a wonderful variety of chalkboards here and there with sweet messages written on them.
....In case you forget where you are...
Kim's fantastic kitchen where she made all of us a lunch of...
...delicious steaming hot croissants fresh out of the oven, delectable hot chicken salad, and sweet strawberries. For dessert (not photo'd) was her wonderful Chocolate Chip Cake served with chocolate coffee! We visited over our lunch and got to know each other a little bit better and talked about our families, our homes and our hobbies.
Isn't this just so pretty? This is the gorgeous view from the living room looking into Kim's office (to the left) and the dining room ahead.
Kim presented Laura and I with sweet fresh flowers of none other than, of course, Daisies!
Some more photos for you to enjoy...



But wait! Who is this beckoning us to take photos of her?

...ahh yes...little Maggie with her cute Daisy collar!!
Colorful pieces from Kim's "Granny Room"....
...and lots of loving hugs for little Maggie....
...Now off to the back porch where more pretty things await us...
Atop this little red table are Shawnee pottery pieces. Kim said she collects Shawnee because her son's name is Shawn. I cannot think of a better reason, other than they are so very sweet!
I love how Kim used an empty frame to place shells and an angel in.

...Time to go out and do a little shopping...
In the historic downtown section is a wonderful quilt shop where their motto is "We have everything for quilters except more time." So true! The shop is located in an old building with punched tin ceilings and old brick walls.
Ton's of fabric for all tastes.
Laura and I found some lovely fabrics while Kim and Spencer chatted it up.
We had an early dinner at a wonderful Pizzeria in the historic part of town.
I love the historic downtown area with all of the potted plants, bricked streets and palm trees.

Before having dinner, we popped into Vintage!! I loved this wonderful shop and met the owner, Angie, who has an artful eye for buying lovely pieces for her shop. See the aqua trash can below? That came home with me and will go in our bathroom once we are done remodeling. I could have easily bought more items, like the cute aqua tables, too - but those would not fit in my luggage....darn ;(

When we were done getting the grand tour of Kim's sweet town, we went back and visited some more over a cup of hot coffee. Laura also brought Kim and I wonderful gifts! She made us each fabulous crocheted dish clothes - of which neither Kim or I would use as one because they are too pretty. Of course, they are red and we agreed they'd make great doilies. Laura also gave Spen and I a travel package of Starbucks coffees, Chex Mix and chocolates. Also pinned to one of the dish clothes was tiny little Scotty pin - but of course us Scotty girls love those Scotty goodies!!

It was so hard to end the evening, but we all had a beautiful day together. Thank you so much, Laura and Kim, for sharing your day with us and to Kim for opening her home and treating us to such a delightful lunch and tour of her charming home and town. Laura, thank you for traveling so very far, too!!! I wish I lived closer to visit more often! ;)


While in Florida, we took a little drive over to the Atlantic side of the coast. I am amazed at how pretty it is ~ so green and lush!!! The roads are much nicer than here in California! Check out the green lawn on the side. They actually MOW it!
We were at Cocoa Beach....looking for the I Dream of Jeannie bottle or Major Anthony...but only found shells instead. And there are shells everywhere, unlike our California beaches.
The coastline is so pretty and so different than California's. It is the beginning of Hurricane season in Florida, but thank God there weren't any storms brewing out there!! They do have amazing thunder and lightening storms!!
The water was so very warm!
After putzing around, we drove into Cape Canaveral for an early dinner.

These are fish that people caught on a boat tour. Hey, any of you up to going out on a "Night Shark Trip?" I will pass...thank you very much!
...This guy was a total "poser!!" He just whipped his head around and gave me that "hey, I'm sexy" bird look!
A local favorite for great fresh fish!
Fun signs displayed as you enter the restaurant. Not only was our food delicious, but my son had to point out the fact that our waitress was incredibly cute! They chatted it up quite a bit, too.
Some local fishing boats were docked just outside the restaurant's windows where we sat and ate our lobster and large shrimp.
~~~~


We had a FANTASTIC time in Florida, despite the rainy days and humidity. The people there, like KIM and LAURA, are just so friendly and nice. It was sad to leave, but hopefully we can return there again real soon!
On the flight home I sat by the window. Outside was an angel! See the wings and the harp it is holding????


I did bring a few small things home....The ironstone butter pats and the shaving mug and brush were from a Thrift store near Kim. The scotty came from Kim's AWESOME Goodwill. The starfish were found at Ron John's surf shop.
...and these are the shells I found instead of I Dream Of Jeannie.....
See the wonderful crocheted dish cloth from Laura that is in the enamelware pot and under my cherry plate from Target? I just adore them!!!!! Thank you, Laura!! They look GREAT in my kitchen!!!!!
See the little black scotty? This is the sweet pin Laura gave to me, too. Rosemary, the silverware in the scotty cup are from the "bargain" section at Target!! Aren't they great?
Well my sweets, thank you for visiting again. Wish I could meet each and every one of you! It was just so surreal to actually meet Kim and Laura. I tell you what, the blogging community we have is full of great women! I feel very fortunate and blessed to have met both amazing women. It is as though a chapter has closed and a door opened for a lifetime of friendship.
xoxo to all of you! Because of you, are world is a better place to live!

44 comments:

Janet said...

Becky,

I am so glad you enjoyed your "right coast" time. Isn't it amazing how different the two coasts are? I envy you getting invited to Daisy Cottage and actually getting to chat with Kim, what fun.

Expecting more thunderstorms here in the Northeast today; I will think of you when they are booming!

Janet

Rosemary said...

BECKY! Is that silverware in that scotty dog cup? Inquiring minds NEED to know! LOL! Sounds like you had a blast meeting Kim!

Betty said...

What a wonderful trip Becky! Can I be just a little bit green with envy?! You know, I do live just up the road from you?! LOL My house isn't near as pretty as Kim's though.

Anonymous said...

You obviously had a great time visiting Kim . Thank you for sharing your photos.

becky up the hill said...

Lovely trip..thanks for taking us on this fun journey with you. What'ya mean they mow their grass and have better roads. I love our brown weeds/stickers and pot-holes. lol
I am wanting to hunt for shells. I am an avid beach comber. Florida looks like a place to go a hunting. Glad you are home. becky up the smoky hill!

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Zowwee, Becky. What a great trip. All the visiting and ogling. Shopping and eating. Sounds like a great time.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful that you got to meet some blogging friends. Thanks for sharing your lovely trip. Oh my those shops! I'm always lurking like a nasty smell in charity shops for bargains and fabric shops. Can one be a fabric groupie?

Lovely shells- I'm always picking things up when I walk- shells bits of pottery from the days when broken crockery went on the muck heap and on to the fields, bits of barnacle encrusted driftwood et.

I'm on the Summer Stash Challenge too, so I hope to pop in again,
Best wishes,
Melanie

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Becky! I am so envious! I was in Naples Fl last week and tried to connect with Kim, but we just couldn't work it out. Her house looks beautiful in YOUR photos too! Thanks for including a picture of the birdhouse I made for Kim...:-)..

It looks like you had a wonderful time. The Atlantic looks awesome. Come over to my current post and your can see the other side of the state of Florida.
Hugs,
Penny
p.s. when ever you want your own birdhouse - just let me know :-)

Anonymous said...

((((Becky)))))
((((Spencer))))

I miss you both! I am SO glad you are home safe and sound though and THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! What a special day it was, spending time with both of you AND Laura! Becky, you are SO sweet and SO thoughtful - and thank you for this extra nice post... and all of your kind words!
Sending you big hugs from my coast to yours....
Love,
Kim

Anonymous said...

Oh, what fun! I wish I could go visit too. I visit so many of you everyday in the virtual world. But how nice to get to see and meet one another in person! And that glorious home of her's. Kim, you know we all love ya! Thanks so much for the tour, darlin.'
Brenda

Dena said...

Hi Becky,

Welcome back! What fun to meet these special ladies and to tour Daisy Cottage, now that IS a treat indeed :)

Hugs,
Dena

Anonymous said...

You are so lucky to get to visit Daisy Cottage! I love her blog and her whole outlook on life. It sounds like you had a fabulous trip.

Kate

Jean said...

So glad you're back and had a wonderful trip. Thank you for sharing the pictures of Daisy Cottage and little Maggie. Of course I have a soft spot for dogs named Maggie since I have Miss Maggie Mae. Welcome back, Jean

the said...

You for sure enjoyed your trip! You took some great pics too! Thanks for sharing , Im going to go back and look at them again :)
Stephanie

Susie Q said...

Oh you lucky, blessed girl you! Such a wonderful trip AND you got to visit Kim and Daisy Cottage!
I am green with envy!! Totally green!
I love all the pictures and am so happy you all got together.
I would so love a bloggy get together!!

So happy you had such fun.

Love,
Sue

Anonymous said...

I so enjoyed meeting you through Daisy Cottage. What a wonderful visit you had---what terrific photos you took!! I love your blog and shall return!

Mrs.Kwitty said...

What a fun post--I felt like I was there with you!! How absolutely wonderful that you got to meet a couple of your bloggy friends and it sounds like you had a fantastic time (yup, I'm a little jealous! lol) I really enjoyed seeing all the pics from your trip.
Smiles, Karen

Anonymous said...

Hi Becky,
What a great post. That is so awesome that you got to meet two blog friends in person. I visited a blog friend yesterday in Michigan, Jan from Feather Your Nest. I'm glad you had such a great time but oh how I can only imagine you missed your Doogs.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Cindy said...

How fun!!! I bet Daisy Cottage is so adorable in person! I loved looking at all the photos!!!

Kerrie said...

Thanks for sharing through your lens, Daisy Cottage what a srumptious place... Kim is just so clever!!

I am salivating over that delicious bird house Penny made too.. Actully I'm needing a bib about now over all of what you've shared..lol
:)
Kerrie <><

Laura said...

Trips like this are good for the soul.

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Hello Becky,
It is such a blessing to be able to meet our fellow bloggers whom we can call our friends. Thank-you for the beautiful tour of Kim's cottage, I loved it!
ginger

Kathleen Grace said...

What a lovely vaction! Thank you for including us through your photos and post. Sucha treat to be able to meet some of the wonderful people we visit online too!

Eileen said...

Loved this post. So much to see! And everything is beautiful.

Lallee said...

Oh my, I am STILL reliving our visit. What a treasured day meeting you and Kim in person! I love your blog capture of how special it all was. I still can't believe we got to meet in person. Kim was extra wonderful opening her home in such an inviting way.

I loved seeing your Cocoa pictures. Those red snappers--yum!

Now I have to go back to Target and get one of the cherry plates I passed up. LOL I love the utensils too. Are they in Target now? I don't remember them.

Love you!
Lallee (Laura)

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Becky, HOW LUCKY ARE YOU? I am jealous. You got some lovely photos so I'll forgive you. How much fun that must've been!

What delightful ladies, and I bet they are equally as thrilled to have met YOU!


xoxoxo

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Looks like such a wonderful time! I'm a bit jealous that you got to see our friend Laura in person....... I keep telling her that *someday* I'll make it to Florida!
Thank you for sharing about your lovely day!!
:)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, how great! I've had the pleasure of meeting Kim at her house too back in March/April, so I loved seeing it all again. She is the sweetest person & so generous and I just love her. So glad you got to experience Daisy Cottage too & I would have loved to meet Laura too. She & I have crossed paths many times in blogland.

So nice to meet you!

Rhoda

Simply Heart And Home said...

Your visit looks wonderful. What a lovely cottage. I love the yellow walls. :)

Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.

Blessings,

Gina

Michelle said...

Becky,
Your vacation sounds like a dream come true! Thanks for sharing it with us. So glad you are home safe and sound..

Hugs,
Michelle

Anonymous said...

I found you throgh Rhoda and Im tickled to death. I love your friends cottage. It's so refreshing looking I could just kick back and read a book. Thanks for letting me pop in and take a peep....Nice to meet you, Susie H~

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Wow! That was a wonderful post Becky. It seemed to be something that you will remember for a long time. Seeing your bloggy friends in flesh and blood has got to be priceless. I have always lived on the Atlantic coast, and found the Pacific coast to be charming, but like you said..different. Things do seem a little turned around. Also, I loved that the Pacific has such cold water. Susan

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Becky what a wonderful tour of everything! I'm so glad all of you had a great time and had this chance to meet.
Nikki

Natasha Burns said...

What an awesome time you had Becky!!! I love all your fun photos and your goodies! The birdhouse at Kim's is fab, isn't Penny so talented!

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

What a fabulous trip you have had there Becky..and a wonderfully happy reunion with your son.
It is so good to meet fellow bloggers and if I had my way there would be a huuuuuuge blogging bonanza party get together each year so we could all hook up and share even more good times.

Welcome home..

With love
Michelexx

Cathy said...

Becky,

Could you just pack up the birdhouse and ship it to me? I think it was meant to join my other mosaic creations, especially my birdhouses.

I LOVE IT!!!! You go girl. Enjoy it all.

xo
Cathy

Rue said...

Hi Becky :)

I came over via Kim's post and I just wanted to say hello. It looks like you had a great time in Florida. I love all the pictures you took!

It's also wonderful to see even more of Daisy Cottage and Miss Maggie of course :)

rue

Mary said...

Oh Becky, what a fun post! How wonderful that you got to meet Kim and Laura, and see Daisy Cottage! Thanks for taking us along...
xoxo,
Mary

Life on the Edge said...

I so enjoyed this post! It made me feel like I was right there too! Wow, Daisy Cottage is really beautiful, and Kim sounds like the most perfect hostess and so fun! How wonderful that you got to meet not one, but two blogging friends. I also loved your pictures of the antique shop and the Florida beaches. Makes me want to go there now too! Of all the lovely pictures, I'd have to say that the one that really made me go "awwww" was the picture of your sweet son holding that precious puppy dog. Love the dogs eyes in that picture.

Thanks for sharing!

Kathi said...

Daisy Cottage is adorable. Thank you for the tour. You are so lucky to have actually seen it first hand. I love your blog. Happy Wednesday, Kathi

Tammy Gilley said...

How fun!!!!!!

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Dear Becky,

Thank you so much for sharing your visit with Kim...it certainly was a treat for me to hear about her and her lovely home. Thank you!

Love, Kim

Rhondi said...

Hi again Becky
It is taking me quite awhile to catch up on all the posts I missed because I took a break from logging! That must have been so much fun to visit with Kima nd Lallee. Thanks for showing us more photos of Kim's adorable house.
Rhondi xo

Hats'n Hospitalitea said...

Becky,
I read about your wonderful trip, thank you for the picture tour I had a great time. It sounds like you had plenty of fun, friends, and finds.