Don suggested I use the cake stand to display some of my seashells….good idea! I carefully packed each and every one in plastic containers surrounded on all sides by cotton balls. I am proud to say they all made it home safe and sound. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, I’m home. I love looking for shells. There is a zen-like focus and relaxation involved. Seriously, I could have gone out each and every day looking for shells. Even now I wonder what little treasures are lurking in the sand, just waiting for me to swoop in and rescue them.
I love all the varied textures – some have taken quite a beating in the ocean waves – I like them all the more.
I’d like to take a vacation at the shore and just look for seashells and antiques. That sounds heavenly. Last week’s visit to Florida was all things: wonderful, fun, emotional, exhausting, draining and touching. I’m sure I’ve left some adjective out of the list. I arrived back home yesterday afternoon. I’m tired.
Today I was mowing the lawn and guess what? I encountered another yellow jacket nest. I got stung twice last year by the little buggers. This time, one of those devils stung me on my thumb – through my gardening gloves. Now I’m sitting here with a swollen, itchy thumb. I did do three things immediately: scraped a credit card across the wound to make sure the stinger was out, held a copper penny to the wound (and watched the swelling go down!) and applied a baking soda/water paste to the sting. I think one of my readers suggested the penny in a comment. Everything worked. The swelling around the sting went down, although there is still swelling at the base of the thumb. The pain has diminished. I had just taken a Benedryl right before it happened because I am allergic to grass pollen. Perfect timing.
Finally, a photo of Max and me, taken by my sister.
Read her post about Max – that boy is a sensitive soul. (My hair can look brown or gray, depending on the light. Boy, it sure looks gray here….)
Hi Claudia:
Glad you’re back home, safe and sound. Our friend, Michelle Palmer, suggests brushing Gel Medium on the shells so that they always look wet. I’m going to try it on some of mine…and on my acorns, too! Hers looked fabulous!
Hope your Sunday is relaxing. You deserve it.
xoxo
Donna
Poor Max… he loves his Aunt Claudie so much! I’m sure you’re glad to be home though… with the exception of that horrible yellow jacket nest!!
Your shells are lovely– I love that one with the barnacles(?)on it. That dream vacation sounds divine– let me know if you want a roomie! I could use some time on the coast, gathering shells, eating great food, laughing with friends, etc.!
Hugs,
Jill
PS: Somehow, I think of you as blonde! (Reference: profile pic)
Welcome home to your beautiful place. Wow and ouch. Sounds like you know what to do to help with the pain and swelling.
Have a sweet afternoon.
I love golden retrievers. My daughter has one who is very very funny.
You both just have the sweetest faces in the photo. He looks old and well loved.
Di
I too love shells, and shell searches! The pic of you and Max is wonderful, you look great! I have never heard of the penny. I love “farmwife” or “country” wisdom. SO glad you are okay though. it could have been worse~~
Hi Claudia,
I am drawn to seashells too. I cannot get enough of them. Living here on the coast of NC might have something to do with it.
I love how you have displayed yours.
I’m glad you had a good trip. You and your doggie look so happy.
hugs
Sissie
hi claudia,
it sounds like gardening is a high risk job there! through the gloves?! wow.
~janet
ps ~ i’m trying to decide if i’m going to go gray. i’m so sick of coloring it.
I love collecting shells too! I have some that I brought home from Charleston in glass pedestal bowls in my family room, they make me happy. :)
Glad you’re home safe and sound!
~Brooke
Me too, I have a glass container on or coffee table filled with seashells and some in our guest bathroom and some in our bathroom. I can feel the warm sand between my toes, I can hear the waves rolling in and I can smell the salt . . .
Oh, sweet Max. He loves you! He’s such a sweetie! Great picture of you too!!!
xxoo
Welcome home!!! What a relief, right?
Except for the bees…eeek, but boy you were totally prepared…blogging is wonderful for solving some issues, isn’t it?!
Well, settle in and enjoy the bliss of your sweet cottage.
xox Rella
Hi Claudia, glad you made it home safe and sound. Someone should have told those nasty bees to be kind to you after your trip. I never heard of putting a penny on a bee sting, I will have to keep that in mind. I wonder if it would work on fire ant bites too? Max sure does look like a sweet dog, I bet you miss him too. Have a great week, Nan
Hi Claudia Sweetie…
I am so glad that you are home safe and sound, and I thank you so much for sharing your shell treasures with me this evening. I love the beach and I could walk forever looking for treasures. They looks so beautiful under the glass on the cake plate stand. What a clever idea. Aren’t husbands so clever.
I am so sorry that you got stung mowing the grass. It never fails if there is a wasp or yellowjacket around the pool, if I am out there, you can bet I will be the one to get stung. Every time.
Lastly sweet friend, I so adore the photo of you and Max. Claudia sweetie you are truly beautiful. Your smile would light a thousand rooms. Thank you for sharing with me this evening.
Welcome home sweetie. I pray your thumb will feel better tomorrow, and it’s a resting day for all.
Many hugs sweetie and much love, Sherry
hi pretty,
i always think of you as blonde.
love don’s idea for displaying the shells! you found some real beauties.
i bought a little seashell lady and she needs a glue-gun repair from rolling about the car floor on the ride home from cape cod. of course, i may just take her apart and rebuild her, tinkered style!
xo
elyse
Love the seashells on the cake stand. When mine are unpacked again, I’ll have to give that a try. What a wonderful photo of you and Max! ♥
Welcome home lovey! Don is right the sea shells are very pretty on the cake plate. You and Max look serene. hugs♥olive
Last year I got into a hornets den wow does that hurt I’ll remember your tricks, thats great information!
oh claudia…you and max…adorable…he is just a darling little guy…. you know i love dogs…..love love love them….i just can’t imagine my life without a dog….
and your seashell collection is wonderful…loved this post….
sending love today
kary and teddy
xxx
I’m glad to hear that you made it back home safely. When a visit to beloved family members ends it’s always bittersweet.
Sorry to hear about the bee sting, but happy to hear that you are on the mend. A lovely post dear friend. Give those sweet puppies and the sweet hubby lots of hugs and have a lovely Sunday!!
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Wecome home, Claudia! Love your seashell collection! :)
Hugs,
Zuzu
What on earth are you doing out there mowing the lawn if you’re allergic to grass pollen??? I would so LOVE to dig in the sand for seashells. Never done that.
Brenda
No problem Claudia! You’ve been mega busy, so I knew you would find my new blog eventually. Actually I’m still in a moving transition. I presently have all my stuff in storage and am visiting with my son and family until we can all make the “BIG” move to NC. In the meantime I’ve started the photo blog and will now start working on products, and researching, in order to open an Etsy shop. There is a lot going on all at once, but it’s fun! ♥
Good Morning, Claudia!! I just spent several minutes catching up on your posts! Your trip to Florida looked and sounded great. What fun to spent quality time with your family….in such a beautiful location! You looked darling in the photos….and so did your sis and nephew! Love how you displayed your gathered seashells..they are so lovely and such wonderful reminders of your trip! Sorry about your sting!! I NEVER heard about the penny thing….a great tip to keep in mind!!
I hope you have a wonderful week!!! L, Dana
PS I thought I had you on my sidebar…and I see I don’t…HOWEVER, it’s going on there right now!! :)
Beautiful collection, Claudia! I love looking for shells too, I have some that remind me of fabulous places! I made a wreath with blue and cream beauties from Cape Cod. I love looking at it and I can almost smell the Ocean.
Lovely doggie, that cute Max! Hope you’re better now, and thanks for your adorable comment about my painting.
Monicaxo.
Hi Claudia…I bet it feels good to be home! I love to walk along the shore at Siesta Key in Sarasota and find shells and listen to the gulf waters as the tide comes in. Heaven! I enjoyed your story about your nephew dog and the water starting in the pool every morning. So cute!~Hugs, Patti
Hi Claudia,
Glad your back home. It must feel great. Your seashells look so pretty in your beautiful cake stand! Thanks for sharing this fab idea with us!
Hugs ~ Jo :)