Seaport Gingerbread

One of my favorite activities when traveling out of town

is wandering through the historic district

and enjoying all of the lovely architecture.

  In this post we'll visit Amelia Island, Florida -- 

specifically the Fernandina Beach area

that is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fernandina Beach has a 50-block historic district.

While there are many interesting buildings 

currently used for shops and restaurants,

the focus of this stroll are the residential construction.

Descendants of the home's original builder

 still occupy this residence.

 The home was built in 1860

 and was constructed of hand-hewn timber and wooden pegs.

Note the pirate flag on the top railing.

Villa Las Palmas was built for lumberman,

Nathaniel B. Borden in 1910.  This home was a gift

for his new bride who was only 17-years old!

The Hirth House, built in 1886,

was designed by New York architect,

Robert Sands Schuyler. 

 Isn't the curved porch the perfect spot

to sit and sip your lemon-aide?

The Hinton Baker House, built in 1905, 

has unique arches at the peak of the roof. 

The red diamond and bar under the window

draw your eye upward.

Built during the period 1900-1902, 

this Queen Ann was owned by Dr. D. G. Humphreys.

The Baker House was purchased in 1860

by the first minister of First Presbyterian Church.

The home has remained in the Baker family except for the time it was occupied by Union Troops during the Civil War.

The Prescott House dates to 1876

and is known for its exquisite architectural detail.

The flag and red rockers near the entry way add a pop of color.

Captain Steve Chadwich owed a tugboat company

and a livery stable.  He built this home circa 1883.

The home known as Meddaugh House was a

one-story structure when built in 1850.  

About 25 years later, a second story was added.

The Hoyt House now operates as a bed and breakfast.

The home was built in 1905 by the man who organized

Fernandina's First National Bank in 1887.

The exterior of the Tabby House is constructed 

of crushed shells and poured cement.

It was built in 1885.

Although I don't know the history of this home,

 it has the most unique feature of all. 

Wooden carousel horses prance along the porch railing.

Can't you imagine the lifestyle in this beach community

during the early 1900?

Thanks for joining me for this trip

to an earlier, more romantic era.

Until next time, live and love well.

Sharing with 

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E
Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Doing A Happy Dance!

I'm doing a
Happy Dance today.


I had such a
wonderful surprise
this morning.


Kathe, 
my blogland friend,
from 
Kathe with an E
sent me a congratulatory message telling me
I was the winner of the giveaway
that she had sponsored. 

Thank you Kathe for the lovely gift of

My Memories Scrapbooking Software  

This software will be perfect for creatively displaying

our family photos as well as adding interest to my blog posts.

Give me a bit of time to learn how to use

My Memories Scrapbooking Software

and then I promise to give you an update on 

some of the useful features.

If you don't already follow Kathe's blog,

she posts about

gardening, cooking, tablescaping, crafting and thrifting.

You might also see Max (pet) photos as well.

Plus, Kathe hosts a weekly linky party,

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday

Join the party!

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Welcome to Summer

Won't you put on your sunglasses

 and join me for a garden stroll

 to welcome the official start of Summer.

Lollypop is the name of this hardy lily.

This insect found a perfect resting spot.

Stella de Oro is a popular variety of daylily to plant in Midland.  You see this plant everywhere.

I've planted mine near our Japanese Maple for contrast.

The golden-yellow flowers lean toward the sun
in our partially shady yard.

The Grape-O-Licious Wishbone Flower

is an annual in our region. 

This is the first season I have seen this plant available

in our local nursery.  

A closeup of the delicate blooms features 

the deep purple throat of this plant.

We'll stop a moment to admire the Royal Candles Speedwell. 

The purple flower spikes

match the sunglasses worn by today's tour guide.

I'd love to hear about the plants

that welcome Summer into your garden.

Please leave a  comment.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining these fun parties:

Bunny Hop Party at Bunny Jean's Decor and More

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup from Mrs. Olson
Show Off Friday at What-About
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

A Salute to Fathers

Wishing  a Happy Father's Day

 to all the special men

 who play an important role

 in the life of a child.

What Makes a Dad

by Anonymous

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea, 

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight, 

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need, 

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Faux Tablescape

Those of you who have visited with me in the past know that I have not previously prepared a tablescape to share with you. 

I thought the white floral border plate
needed a dark background to show it off. 
Since this is a summer setting and so many people
use quilts for their picnic cloths,
I thought I would use one of my quilts as a backdrop.

A rosy pink petal bowl sits on top of the white plate. 
A smaller tulip shaped crystal cup with a yellow daisy center
makes up the top layer of this setting. 

This angel graces my table during the summer months
so I gave her a place of honor in this tablescape as well.

But all is not as it seems.
I am not really sharing a table setting at all.
This lovely piece is garden art
that I just purchased at a local art fair.

Rather than enjoying the placesetting on my dining room table,

this is the scene I can enjoy looking out my dining room window. 

So sorry to have teased you.
But I couldn't resist preparing a faux tablescape
to showoff my newest garden treasure.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining these fun parties:

Bunny Hop Party at Bunny Jean's Decor and More

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup from Mrs. Olson
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E
Show Off Friday at What-About

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Colors of Spring

Spring is my favorite time of the year.  In Michigan the flowers arrive long after the official calendar start of Spring.
Today I will share what has been blooming recently in my yard.


The speckled tubular flowers of the foxglove are beautiful
but the plant is considered poisonous because the leaves
contain digitalis, which is a potent heart medicine.

 

Over the past 10 days Midland has experienced

several days of temperatures in the 90's 

and then a few days later

the nighttime low dropped to 43.

Both of these extremes are outside the normal

we would expect for late May and early June.  

Along with these temperature extremes, it was rainy.

A check of the rain gauge showed 2.5 inches of rainfall 

the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend

and an additional 2.1 inches of rain fell on June 1.

Last Fall we updated the plantings near our backyard patio.

Among our new plantings is Blue Muffin Viburnum
 with white flowers in spring through

early summer that will be followed by blue fruit

 in late summer -- hopefully attracting birds to our yard.

For contrast, the rosy blooms of the Double Knock Out rose, 

Rosa Radtko, will bloom through Fall.

Moving to the front of our home, 

the Jackmanii Clematis will provide color into July.

The star-shaped petals of the Columbine plant nod in the breeze.  But their bloom will be finished soon.  

I snapped this peony just as it started to open.  

This variety is named Mons Jules Elie.

Our front landscaping has a planting of 

Rainbow Knock Out shrub roses which

 feature pink petals with a yellow center.

Luckily I snapped these photos

while the flowers were fresh and crisp before being bruised

from the temperature extremes and the rain.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining these fun parties:

Bunny Hop Party at Bunny Jean's Decor and More

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup from Mrs. Olson
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E
Show Off Friday at What-About

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!