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Tag: beach


at frost glance

12
January

When Long Island Sound freezes

Bitter cold temperatures made walking along all the town beaches this past week risky business!  I felt I was in danger of frostbite when I took my hand out of my mitten long enough to snap a couple photos!

frozen waves

But, with wind chills below zero and over 13” of snowfall last week, Long Island Sound was definitely something to look at!  I don’t know if I would say the beaches looked magical or if they looked more like something out of a science fiction movie, but they did look amazing!

waves frozen in place CT

For today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing some of this frozen beauty through photographs!  And, you don’t have to risk frostbite to enjoy them!

frozen in CT Long Island Sound

Seeing ripples of waves frozen in action is pretty cool (pun intended)!

CT waves frozen in place

Wouldn’t a polar bear look right at home in this photo!  (I was tempted to draw one in!)

frozen long island sound

Thanks for stopping by!

Long Island Sound in freezing temps

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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a stop at amelia island

10
February

Amelia Island sunrise pleasure in simple things blog

This is a great Friday field trip!  Why?  Well, we are experiencing a blizzard here in Connecticut.  And, with 12 inches of snow on the ground, I am transporting you on today’s field trip to a little resort town called Amelia Island in Florida.  I thought these beach photos might inspire some daydreaming about warmer places on a day like today!

sand Amelia Island pleasure in simple things blog

It was unfortunate that this first visit to Amelia Island was for a work trip since so little time was spent admiring the beautiful surroundings.

pretty sand Amelia Island pleasure in simple things blog

Seventeen hour work days don’t leave much time for leisure, but I did take a few moments each morning to stop and admire the sunrise.

pleasure in simple things amelia island sunrise 1

And, as you can see by the photos, they were glorious.

Ritz at Amelia Island pleasure in simple things

The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island provided many beautiful views.

sunrise in amelia island pleasure in simple things blog
I hope today’s field trip has you thinking of some warmer weather or a favorite beach. :)

sand chairs Amelia Island pleasure in simple things blog

shells at Amelia Island pleasure in simple things

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air…”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Amelia Island at sunrise pleasure in simple things blog

Thank you for stopping by.

sunrise photo pleasure in simple things blog

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things…like a beautiful sunrise, Jackie xo

Comments Off on a stop at amelia island | field trips, sand & sea, travel

homemade ice cream on the beach

7
July

eating homemade ice cream on the sand pleasure in simple things blog

Did you enjoy your weekend? Mine was the best! So many of my family members were together and the fireworks were the best I’ve seen…all in all; a great holiday!

Today, I am trying to catch up with work and with household chores, but I am taking some time to share a recipe for the ice cream I made over the weekend.

Going into the weekend, I was having some trouble deciding what flavor ice cream to make. I thought I would try making s’mores flavor. It seemed like a challenge. Maybe roast some marshmallows first and add marshmallow, graham crackers, and chocolate chips. I still need to give that a try at some point!

cranking homemade ice cream pleasure in simple things blog

What I decided on for the Fourth of July was a ‘Ferris Acres inspired’ coconut chocolate chunk. You may remember Ferris Acres from this post (click here). I am not sure if it was the flavor or the work that went into the cranking that made it so good, but I thought it came out perfect! (I do need to give some credit to my daughter’s boyfriend – I had some helpers, but he did the lion’s share of the cranking!)

homemade coconut chocolate chunk pleasure in simple things blog

Coconut Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Recipe (makes 5 quarts)
5 cups of milk (*see note below)
1 14 oz. can coconut milk, unsweetened
4 eggs
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 ½ cups sugar
4 cups whipping cream
¼ teaspoon salt
1 14 oz. bag sweetened, flaked coconut, roughly chopped
3 1.5 ounce bars Ghirardelli Intense Dark Evening Dream 60% cacao bars, roughly chopped

*I substituted some of the 5 cups of milk with the coconut milk. I used the can of coconut milk first and then added enough milk to make 5 cups of liquid.

Beat eggs until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until thickened. Add cream, vanilla, and salt and mix thoroughly. Pour into ice cream maker canister. Add milk and stir well. (If your maker has a fill line, do not go over it.)

Put covered canister into fridge, as well as the prepared coconut and chocolate, until really cold.

pleasure in simple things ice cream makingPrepare in your ice cream maker. I use a hand crank using ice and pour salt over the ice. I used two bags of ice for this batch.

After the ice cream is done, stir in the cold chocolate and coconut and set the canister in the freezer overnight to set.

finishing a homemade ice cream pleasure in simple things blog

Eat plenty and often. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal, Elizabeth & Co., and Coastal Charm.

2 comments » | food & festivities, holiday, recipe, sand & sea

patriotic driftwood bubble wands

26
June

patriotic bubble wand pleasure in simple things blog

The Fourth of July at the beach is great! And, just like in the rest of the nation, some serious red, white, and blue action is going down! It starts early in the day with the kick-off red, white, and blue parade. The kiddies dress themselves, their bikes, their dogs – and just about anything else you can think of – in the colors of the day!  Once the evening arrives, a magnificent display of fireworks is the crowning glory of these patriotic hues.

diy patriotic driftwood bubble wands pleasure in simple things blog

The relaxed vibe at the beach makes it easy to create – most times using items found on the beach. A classic example is the crab catcher. This handy item is crafted from an old wooden clothespin and some string. When baited with whatever scrap of meat or meat related product can be salvaged, it works its magic!

making bubbles with homemade wands pleasure in simple things blog

Another handy item for the beach is a bubble maker aka bubble wand.  For the holiday, this can be a fun patriotic craft!  Using some dish detergent (1 patriotic driftwood bubble wands pleasure in simple things blogtablespoon dish liquid per 1 cup water) and some homemade bubble wands, it is super simple to create some fun in the sand. Running along the beach after bubbles can keep the young (or young at heart) occupied for hours!

Bubble wands are easy to make using pipe cleaners and driftwood.  They can be decorated with shells, scraps of ribbon, or any other number of items washed up on shore.  Some crafters take time for elaborate decorations. while others work fast; anxious to get to the bubble part!  (Yes, the star shapes do work to make bubbles, but are much more complicated for young fingers to create.)

For today’s Friday field trip, I wanted to show you some of the wands I made at the beach. You can use wire or stiff ribbon – anything that will hold its shape. I used items I already had. The smaller ones here are made with a sparkly wired ribbon and the others are made with metallic pipe cleaners.

patriotic beach day pleasure in simple things

I like to make the bubbles by dipping the wands into a shallow container of the bubble liquid; especially for the larger bubble wands. This makes it easy to dip the wand and the shallow container helps avoid knocking over the solution.  Remember, the larger the wand, the larger the bubble!

loading bubbles onto a homemade bubble wand pleasure in simple things blog

And, for some extra night time fun, break open a glow stick to add to your bubble solution for some glow-in-the-dark bubbles!

I hope I have inspired you to create some bubble wands of your own!

4th of July pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with House of Hipsters, Thoughts From AliceCraftberry Bush, Nancherrow, and The Shabby Nest.

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march book giveaway!

27
February

giveaway book march 2015 pleasure in simple things blog

February has certainly gone by quickly – though I am not complaining. After the winter we have been having here in Connecticut, most people seem to have the same sentiment – spring cannot come soon enough! Now we only need to wait until the 20th day of March to officially welcome the new season!

For the giveaway book this month, I am really being a tease and selecting Lazy Days and Beach Blankets: Simple Alfresco Dining with Friends and Family by Ryland Peters & Small. Right now alfresco is really a stretch – I know – especially when you consider the temperatures are below freezing and the ground is covered with mounds of ice and snow. A girl can dream though, can’t she?

giveaway book pleasure in simple things blog

I thought this selection would prove a great way to dream of warmer days ahead! “Lazy Days and Beach Blankets” celebrates the joy of eating alfresco with loved ones and provides plenty of inspiration with beautiful images of lazy days and outdoor dining. The book contains more than 120 simple recipes and ideas for dining alfresco – sections devoted to snacks & sides, salads, barbecues, entrees, desserts, and drinks.

Leave a comment during the month of March to let me know you would like to be entered to win this book. “Lazy Days and Beach Blankets” is sure to have you dreaming of setting up cool drinks on the terrace or dinner under the stars in no time flat!

Congratulates to Barbara, the winner of the February selection, The House Gardener by Isabelle Palmer. Barb, send me an email through the blog with your mailing information, and I will send it right out to you! I know you will enjoy it!

march 2015 instagram challenge pleasure in simple things blog

For Instagram users, this month’s challenge will be to photograph the first signs of spring! We are all eager for it to arrive – what signals the start of the season to you? Please share using hashtag #pleasuregram. We could all use some images promising warmer days ahead!

Have a wonderful weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

13 comments » | good reads, monthly book giveaway, sand & sea

balmy beach day in november

14
November

life guard chairs pleasure in simple things blog

A balmy day in November certainly warrants a trip to the beach – no matter how brief.  There are signs of the season here – the fall colors in the marsh…

fall colors at the marsh pleasure in simple things blog

an occasionally leaf under the docks…

stray leaf under the docks pleasure in simple things blog

but even with an odd sixty degree afternoon in November, winter is on its way.

canadian geese at the beach pleasure in simple things blog

signs of birds at the beach pleasure in simple things blog

For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a few photos from my trip to the beach this balmy day…

beach grasses on the sand pleasure in simple things blog

I’m here to collect some items for holiday crafts…

scavenging at the beach pleasure in simple things blog

It is so much fun to repurpose collected materials from nature!

under the dock pleasure in simple things blog

Today was the perfect day to do some scavenging!

beach grass pleasure in simple things blog

Snow is predicted this week in Connecticut, so soon this fall scene will make way for the white stuff!

geese at the beach pleasure in simple things blog

Thanks so much for stopping by!

And, remember to take pleasure in simple things…some of the very best things are the simple things!

Have a great weekend, Jackie

Comments Off on balmy beach day in november | field trips, inspiration, sand & sea

oyster shell place cards

5
August

pleasure in simple things diy oyster shell place card

Today, I am sharing a diy on painting oyster shells to use as place cards.

Growing up in Connecticut, crafts using materials from the beach started at an early age. Making necklaces out of small golden shells was more common than the macaroni variety and, constructing items from rocks or driftwood… or any items found on the sand…occurred regularly.

Fishing trips with my dad when I was really young were more often about creating adventures and finding ‘treasures’ than actually fishing. Remember back when playing with the worms was more fun that catching the fish?!

My crafts got more involved as I got older. In my high school crafts class, I once made clay tiles that were imprinted from found shells. Painting the smooth rocks found on the shore was always a fun activity. As I got older, creating wreaths or mirrors from shells seemed more in order…my favorites always made from oyster or mussel shells. I even created the paint palette for my home using the delicate colors from the inside of an oyster shell.

oyster shell place card

So, for me, painting shells is nothing new. But, sometimes details are perfected over time. I feel this way about oyster shells. I love using them as place cards and today, I am sharing a feminine way to paint an oyster shell to use as a place card…perfect for a bridal shower or luncheon.

oyster shell ring holder pleasure in simple things

Everyone has their own cleaning system for shells. My method is to boil found shells in a pot on the stove first and then soak them in white vinegar. After rinsing them in cold water, I let them air dry.

There are so many ways to paint oyster shells and you can experiment to fit the occasion…I think the inside of an oyster shell is so beautiful and I often just paint the outside of the shell, leaving the inside natural…try Krylon blue ocean breeze as an outside color!

For this project, I spray painted (insides only) of the shells with two coats of an off white (using Rust-oleum gloss navajo white). Then, I used a little gold leaf around the edges in an irregular fashion to add a little sparkle and to create a more formal look. (If you don’t have any gold leaf, you can purchase a small gold leaf kit online or in a craft store that includes the gold leaf sheets, an adhesive, and a protective coat.)

pleasure  in simple things a diy shell place card

As a place card, just use a small piece of decorative paper to hand write or stamp a name or table number and lay inside the shell…easy! Add a ‘pearl’ or pretty piece of sea glass. So pretty and so coastal!

Because this shell can be used as a ring holder, it makes a wonderful gift for a newly engaged friend. It also makes a great soap dish or salt cellar. For a bridal shower, a handmade beaded bracelet could be a pretty favor to include in the shell. Or, add a small square soap or sea glass shaped soap pieces. :)

pleasure in simple things oyster cell ring holder

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. You may also enjoy monogrammed shell gift tie-on, beachy bridal shower, nautical gift wrap, shell candles, or beachy shower gift.

Sharing with Finding Silver Pennies, Craftberry Bush, Coastal Charm, and Sand & Sisal.

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lucky enough

18
July

flower at the beach

The beach is a special place. I always say, even on a bad weather day, it is beautiful at the beach…and, I pretty much feel the same way about summer in general.

umbrella at the beach pleasure in simple things

For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a few photos from a random day at the beach. On this particular day, a day when everyone at work was complaining about the weather, this is what it looked like at the beach throughout that day…

every day is good at the beach pleasure in simple things

rocks at the beach pleasure in simple things

My appreciation for the beach starting young…some of my best childhood memories revolve around the beach and water activities. When I reflect on these memories, it is no wonder the beach holds such a special place in my heart. Just the thought of an old-school orange life preserver puts a smile on my face! Some of these memories include:

  • Learning to swim (in the salt water)
  • Eating fresh caught shark brought home from my Dad’s fishing trip
  • Going clamming with my grandfather
  • A lifetime of collecting sea glass & other ocean treasures
  • Fishing on the boat with my siblings
  • Steering the boat for the very first time
  • Bringing home sea creatures in a plastic bucket
  • Buying a cardboard box of scary sand worms for bait
  • And, yes, even cleaning barnacles off the bottom of the boat with my dad!

Do you have some favorite beach memories from your childhood?

beach pleasure in simple things

After all, if you are lucky enough to be at the beach, you are lucky enough. :)

aaOcean House 010

 

Visiting the beach pleasure in simple things

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. I am so thrilled one of my summer photos was included in Martha Stewart’s My American Summer gallery posted on her website! Check out all the wonderful summer photos in the gallery by clicking here. If you are an Instagram user, please follow me and be sure to share your summer photos with the hashtag #pleasuregram.

Sharing at Craftberry Bush, Shabby Nest, and Coastal Charm.

1 comment » | field trips, inspiration, sand & sea

wicker table update

15
July

wicker redo Madison pleasure in simple things

How do you take an old, dark, and boring wicker table from blah to ‘beachy’ in one simple step?

wicker redo before photo pleasure in simple things

A little bit of white paint!  (But then, doesn’t a little white paint make everything better?)

Before and after wicker redo pleasure in simple things

This table was in wonderful shape, but it was coated in brown paint and stored in an attic for many years. After giving it a good cleaning, I used some Annie Sloan chalk paint in country white to add a little depth and a whole lot ‘beachyness’!

wicker table redo pleasure in simple things madison

I brushed the paint over the entire piece, using just the tip of the bristles, keeping a consistent pressure throughout the painting. By using a dry brush and keeping a small amount of paint on the brush, the results were great!

wicker redo pleasure in simple things

This piece is a wonderful example of how a little paint can give new life to a piece!  Now, for a name.

wicker table redo pleasure in simple things

I love that Danielle over at the blog Finding Silver Pennies names each piece of furniture she refinishes and I decided to start coming up with names for my refinished pieces. So, where to start? I haven’t named a creation since I named my very finest – my two kids!

I decided to go with something along the tradition of author Wally Lamb. The first time I met Mr. Lamb, I was intrigued to find out that he names every one of his novels after song titles. Not that I necessarily wanted to name all my furniture pieces after song titles, but I love the idea of tying all the names together with an underlying theme.

So, in the tradition of Wally Lamb, I came up with a theme.  From now on, I will name every furniture piece after a New England beach town… what is the name of the wicker table?  Madison.

furniture redo tag pleasure in simple things

I hope you are having a wonderful summer!   Thank you so much for stopping by, Jackie

Sharing at Liz Marie BlogSand & Sisal and Crafts a la Mode.

3 comments » | diy, sand & sea

beauty by the sea

11
July

Ocean House RI front view pleasure in simple things

Come visit an iconic New England seaside resort located on the bluffs of Watch Hill, Rhode Island…today on Friday field trip!

Ocen House, RI pleasure in simple things

If you are a beach lover, Ocean House is the definitive beachside luxury that inspires at every turn…the kind of place dreams of made of…I am excited to share some photos of this ‘must see’ location with you for today’s field trip – especially for my friends that have never been to this area of the country.

Ocean House croquet pleasure in simple things

Ocean House pleasure in simple things

It really is impossible to include enough photos to give an accurate sense of the beauty of this destination and the incredible attention to detail displayed throughout the property. (I will post additional photos on my Facebook page to help!).

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

The resort originally opened in 1868 and was a widely recognized summer destination back in the 1800s. After welcoming guests for more than 136 years (and surviving the Great Hurricane of 1938), Ocean House was rebuilt replicating the original exterior design.   Isn’t it amazing?

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

One of only seventy-six hotels in the world to hold a Forbes Five Star rating, the Ocean House offers 49 spacious guest rooms, 15 extraordinary suites, and 6 gourmet and casual al fresco dining options.

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

Boasting a 650-foot private white sand beach and world-class amenities, Ocean House is the ultimate New England resort destination.

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple things

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed visiting this iconic New England spot with me today for Friday field trip. Have a fabulous weekend!

Ocean House, RI pleasure in simple thingsRemember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Finding Silver Pennies and  Coastal Charm.

2 comments » | field trips, sand & sea, travel

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