Seaside Saturday: Images of the Maine Coast ~ Feb. 19th

This week's Seaside Saturday is all about rowboats! Because sometimes it's fun to actually get out onto the sea. Or if you're like me, sometimes it's fun just to take pictures of boats! I can't remember the last time I was in a boat on the ocean. But I sure do like to photograph boats in their moorings.




I also like to dream about what it would be like to be a little boat on the lovely, rolling ocean...

I wish I were a rowboat,
Rowing out to sea
And all the pretty mermaids
Would come to visit me.
I’d toss and turn in waves of green
Tickled by moss unseen
If I were a rowboat
Rowing out to sea.

Holiday sale at Intuitive Photography - 30% off now through Nov. 30th

I decided to get into the holiday shopping mode by offering my first ever sale in my online shop, Intuitive Photography! Now through November 30th, every photo in the shop is 30% off! I just started the promotion this morning, and I've already made my first sale! Thank you, Irene! Fine art photos make great holiday gifts, and I want to make it easier for folks to give one-of-a-kind photos that convey the spirit of Maine.



Irene chose Beach Bench, one of the many photos I've taken at the Maine Coast. But there are many different types of photos to choose from at Intuitive Photography, including my newest category, Industrial & Architectural.





Thank you to Casey & Donna for their purchase last week of No. 22, a photo I captured while walking near the Narrow Gauge Railway in Portland, Maine.







I'm always intrigued by unusual lettering, and I spotted several examples of it on buildings and railroad cars while out shooting recently by the Portland waterfront.



The classic Maine lighthouse, Portland Head Light, is a favorite subject of mine in any season.



And of course Pemaquid Light is another iconic Maine lighthouse that I can't get enough of.


So if you get a chance today, stop by Intuitive Photography and see what kinds of photos I've been taking lately, here in the great state of Maine!

Books that inspire me ~ to get creative, hunt for the treasure, explore the out-of-doors, comfy up my home, and more

Recently I was inspired by a book called MaryJane's Outpost to suggest to my local library that they allow patrons to make book recommendations. They said, Sure, go ahead and put together a list! So I did. I thought I would share my book list with you. I came up with a dozen titles, and in this posting, I'll share the first six.

The theme for my selection of books is
Living well: at home and (occasionally) outside.

Some of my favorite books are decorating books. I especially love decorating with antiques and vintage goodies, and I like looking at lots of colorful photos of rooms and houses. My book list includes books about decorating, some with practical how-to's and recipes, and one with display ideas. But my list also includes books that just help me live better – by cooking up good foods, eliminating clutter, and getting outside to enjoy the beauty around me. These books all inspire me for different reasons. I hope you'll find some inspiration here, as well.

1. MaryJane's Outpost: Unleashing your inner wild
Love this book! This was the book that gave me the idea of having patrons recommend library books – I guess I needed to share it. MaryJane's Outpost is written by MaryJane Butters, a 50-something grandma who has spent a large portion of her life playing and working in the out-of-doors. There's lot of inspiration to be found here, everything from outdoor activities to decorating to cooking. She even shows us how to make jewelry out of fishing lures. I especially liked the vintage photos and old advertisements. This book is fun and fabulous!









2. Bazaar Style: Decorating with market and vintage finds
Selina Lake & Joanna Simmons
When I first read the subtitle, I thought it meant flea market – and it sort of does, but these decorating ideas really come from all different types of markets around the world, including French brocantes and Moroccan bazaars. The book uses photos of real homes, which is a nice change from the overly stylized rooms we see so often in some decorating magazines. The colors are bright and cheerful, and anyone can get this look, even on a tight budget. Inspiring to look at, even if you don't want to change a thing in your home.





3. Good Things: A collection of inspired household ideas and projects
Martha Stewart
This Martha Stewart book was published 12 years ago, but the ideas stand up to the test of time. I have mixed feelings about Martha's projects in general – they are a little too perfect to suit my offbeat tastes – but there are some ideas here that I like and could see myself doing, including sending the box of leaves (a perfect gift for my friends in Savannah) and making the floating apple candleholders.





4. The Art of Display: Creating style with decorative objects
Katherine Sorrell
I've lost track of the number of times I've checked out this book. I like browsing the photos that show how to display everything from the sublime (silk kimono) to the ridiculous (a fireplace entirely covered in little seashells).
 


5. Party Basics for New Nesters: More than 100 fresh ideas for holidays and every day
Maria McBride
I've lived on my own for 30 years, so I'm obviously not in the target audience for this book, but I like it anyway. The candy bar idea is just right for Halloween, although I suggested it recently to a friend who is getting married, since I think it could be a fun idea for a wedding reception too.



6. Love It or Lose It: Living clutter-free forever
Barbara Hemphill & Maggie Bedrosian
This falls into the "if only" category. I am a pack rat who is trying to reform, and I need all the help I can get. This will likely be one of those books I return to again and again.



Do any of these books look interesting to you? What books do you read when you want a little inspiration for making life more comfortable? Please leave a comment with your thoughts! Thanks for visiting, and stop back soon to see Part 2 of Books that inspire me.

New Etsy shop! Maine Coast Vintage

[collectible miniature teacup available at Maine Coast Vintage]

No Funky Friday post today. Instead I want to talk about a couple of new things: For starters, my new Etsy shop is finally getting off the ground. It's called Maine Coast Vintage, and you can find it here. I've only listed 4 items so far, but stay tuned -- there are more to come! I am a lover of vintage and antiques, especially vintage china and glass. I also like what I call "interesting junk." Perhaps the dollhouse furniture from the 1930s falls into that last category! I've had it in my own collection for years, but now I've decided to add it to my shop. It's shabby but it's really cute!


[vintage dollhouse furniture, circa 1930s]

Also, it is truly a new season here in Maine, with temps this morning only in the 50s, and let's not even think about how low it went last night. I'm borrowing a nice Nikon camera from a friend on Monday and must try it out before my cousin's wedding, so expect to see some new outdoor shots soon. Until then, I am dipping into my archives for a few pics from last September.


[hydrangea & pine, North Fryeburg, Maine]


[potted flowers, North Fryeburg, Maine]

I am going to quickly mention September 11th...


[Tiles for America, Greenwich Village/NYC; December 2007]

I can't quite believe it's been 8 years. I lived in NYC on that fateful day, and it was partly due to that day's events that I left Queens and moved to Maine. However, rather than dwelling on the past, I'd like to take a moment to express appreciation for my life. I feel blessed to be an American, I feel so much appreciation for my life in Maine, and more than anything, I am very grateful for all of my wonderful friends and family members. I also appreciate you folks in blogland who take the time to stop by and read my words. Thank you!

OK, folks, it's Friday. Time to rock the weekend! Keep it safe but have a good one!