I love the ocean.
The movement of the waves. The peace that comes with being near the sea with the fresh and salty air. The sounds of the birds over head. All of it....Love.
Being near the water reaches into my soul.
Because of my love of the sea, I bring a little of it into my home. I dream of someday living near the ocean, in a quaint cottage that is within minutes of the sandy beach. But for now, I collect things that remind me of my favorite place on earth.
I found this book, written in 1896, at an estate sale years ago. It is filled with beautiful etchings of sea life and ships. The cover is detailed as is the spine with a sea horse. It matches the tiny sea horse that I have propped up against a star fish..both casually leaning against an antique shaving mirror.
Inside the book is written this….
Captain Tony Perrich,
Morehead City, NC.
Who is Captain Tony Perrich of Morehead City, North Carolina? Captain Tony Perrich, I have your book now and it is in safe keeping in my home. (Though I have to wonder if he is still alive.) I will treasure it as long as I am alive on this earth of ours. Thank you for your service on the seas and thank you for your lovely book that is filled with wonderful images of life on the vast blue waters. I have to wonder how people captured in their minds such images and to spend hours carefully reproducing these images for all of the world to see in print.
I recently found the little bathing beauty plastic doll. She is sporting a lovely green bathing suit and cap. Next to her is a sweet fella adorned in his striped bathing shorts. The look on his face is priceless, as though he could be saying, “Uh, I’m not going out of the house looking like this. Are you seeerrrriiiousss?”
I have shared the whale toothpick holder before. He is one of my favorite pieces and one that I shall never part with.
Not to worry, little green bathing suit girl, he is NOT a shark and he won't eat your lollipop!
Below is a shell creamer that is a souvenir piece from Florida and the photo below that is a flower frog of a star fish that belonged to my Great Aunt Nora and was given to me by my mother.
I found this beautiful painting of a lighthouse last week. At first I bought it to resell, however.... once I got it home I decided to keep it. It is lovely and I like the artist’s name…Studley. ahem.
Till next time…ahoy, maties!
All of that would certainly put you in the beachy mood!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Ahoy there! I love all your maritime bits and pieces - what a treasure the book is. Have you googled Captain Perrich? Who knows what you might find.......
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection of beautiful things that remind you of the sea. I love water, and grew up going to lakes. I love a lake, like you love the ocean. It brings me peace. Water is such a powerful force.
ReplyDeleteXO Kris
I'm glad there are other land lubbers who dream of the sea like me. My bathroom is a shrine to the seaside and I also collect beautiful water colours of our Norfolk Coast. My favourite artist is Jason Partner who draws exquisite studies of beach, boats and boathouses. Are I can almost smell the salty air now!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky,
ReplyDeleteOh yes me too! I love the Beach! and that sea horse is wonderful! We are heading to Kauai next month and I can't wait to put my feet in the sand!
The last picture of Desire' and Paul was taken at a family members friends ranch and that is one of his old trucks..The ranch is amazing full of great photo opps. I hope all is well with you and the family, Gary has been laid up for two months and is now back on his feet (thank goodness) so now I have time to sew and do the things I enjoy. I hope to browse the shops soon and maybe I'll run into you my busy friend. Its always fun to vintage shop. Sending love and hugs your way,
Elizabeth
loving that little girl in the green bathing suit...reminds me of my granddaughter!!! sweetest face...as always your collections & home are simply charming !!!!
ReplyDeleteIm all about being on the water. while I LOVE the ocean and ocean beaches, I have to be content with my lake ontario and its beaches. And it does do the trick for me. In fact I'm heading there today for a couple hours of relaxing!
ReplyDeleteI love your beachy collections. now I feel like I need to find a seahorse to go with all of mine! LOL!
have a great day
xoxo
vivian
What wonderful seaside finds! The girl in the green bathing suit is so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love that little doll! Your collection is great. I live about 5 miles from the beach and work 1/2 mile from it and love it. I love to go on my lunch 1/2 hr. and just open the car windows and listen to the waves and watch the beach as I eat my lunch. I live in Southern CA but we hope to move up to Northern CA when we retire and not too far from the beach. Happy Tuesday and I hope your back feels better soon! karen....
ReplyDeleteBecky I love your collection of the sea. Neat book and I love the little girl in green not to mention the little fella with the "OMG I'm going out like this look". Too cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful finds. I love old books. Currently reading the 1st edition Titanic. It was written by a writer who talked with the survivors in 1912. Janice
ReplyDeleteThis may be a duplicate comment, so ignore if it is. You've collected a wonderful assortment of nautical treasures, Becky. The illustrations in your book are fabulous, and I'm sure the owner is happy you're the caretaker of his old book. My favorite is the plastic (looks like porcelain) doll with her adorable googly eyes. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteI hope someday you find that cottage by the sea, Becky. :)
Vickie
Your collections from your 'favorite place on earth' are awesome Becky. I am a landlubber myself, but I can understand your love of the sea.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful book you shared. I'm sure the Captain would be pleased that it is yours now. You create the loveliest vignettes with the things you cherish.
sending hugs...
I share your love of the sea. You have amassed some sweet and lovely little reminders of it. I think the book and painting are just marvelous.
ReplyDeletePatti
Oh, I wish I had known you wanted to live by the sea. A charming little cottage just steps to the ocean just sold on our lane. It is a storybook house. Tomorrow is the "Getting To Know You" party on the beach for the couple who bought it even though they won't move in for another month.
ReplyDeleteI love all your sea relics.
Wonderful painting! I am glad that you are keeping it.
ReplyDeleteI was watching the movie Mrs. Brown so your bathing beauty reminds me of the scene where Queen Victoria's bath house is wheeled down to the water and she comes out and down the steps wearing an old-time bathing suit. I was quite impressed to think that the Queen could swim.
And that sent me off wondering about Pilot Crackers of all times. I was quite disappointed to learn that they are no longer made.
Oh I love those old books with the graphics inside showing you all the power and endangerments of the ocean - sea monsters and dangerous waves! Great!
ReplyDeleteYou made a very lovely decoration! Congratulations!
All my best from Austria
and a happy happy time
Elisabeth
Oh, Becky....I too love the sea, although I've never really been but a few times to Galveston. The ocean there isn't as beautiful as some others in Florida or California, but like you, the sights and sounds is what draws me in. I always feel so near to God when there as well. It's just the awesomeness of his magnificent creation. I pray I can go again someday......soon :) I love your seaside collections. Blessings my friend
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful! I too love the sea and have decorated a hallway in our home with all sea treasures. I just love your dolls! What a great find. :) Kit
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see your different collectables. I think the little bathing beauties are my favorite. '-)
ReplyDelete