Turquoise and Red: 2 Colorful Friends

I haven't browsed Etsy for a while. You know, the handmade and vintage collective. I have been loving the idea of creating a vintage/rustic/eclectic look, well, everywhere in my home. But in the kitchen is where I see perhaps a lot of white color and natural wood, with several red and turquoise accents. Those 2 colors are so lovely and happy together. They incorporate warm and cool, they are nearly opposites, thus complimentary, and they just have a rich fun feel to them. So, I found some art and accessories that I just love from several Etsy sellers. I hope you enjoy my little collection. 

This one is a photo of a rustic door in Venice. The locks and hinges are so cool. So is the blue bird that happens to be perched above the brilliant door.

Antediluvian Door ~ by Robertcrum

 There are so many things I can imagine serving in this bowl.

A Turquoise Bowl with Flowers ~ by Kelim Pottery

 I love beat up red barns. They have such history and silent mystery.

Abandoned Barn Photo ~ by Photography by Gbrosseau

When done right, altered photos can create a mystical version of what was already stunningly beautiful.

River Below Altered Photo ~ by Dahlia House Art Studio

These handmade throw pillows have such an authentic vintage feel to them. The fabric appears to have images from around the 1940s. So Cool!

Fun Turquoise Retro Toys Pillows ~ by Court & Spark

So interesting how one can create an aged, retro photo and it ends up looking better than the clearer, more accurate, original version. 

 Magic Berries Photograph ~ by Elle Moss Photography

 This looks like a newer sign, but it still carries a heavily rustic feeling, especially when placed against bricks. I really like the little messages that would subliminally reinforce positive thinking when glanced at.

Subway Style Art Sign  ~ by Words to Live By Signs

I can picture these staggered on a wall together with simple black and white photos of my boys. :)

Set of 3 Distressed Frames  ~ by Delta Girl Distressed Frames

 This is such an attractive little trinket box!

 Rustic Wood Box ~ by VintageChichibean

Though I do not have a daughter, I still adore this darling little outfit!! Just So Sweet!

Retro Twirly Skirt  ~ by Reimagined Treasures

 These are awesome door hanging decorations. Cute. The kids would probably take them down to use for imagination play. :)

Fairytale Storybook Woodland Mushroom Door Hanging ~ by bezzab

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Springtime Reading

Spring is in the air. It is a fantastic opportunity to tune one's child in to the senses and the celebrations of the season. One way to do this is to collect several books over the years or visit the library. Checking local thrift stores and school book sales are other frugal, sustainable ideas, as well. Yesterday, I was browsing a favorite website of mine, Rhythm of the Home, and I discovered a fantastic list of springtime books for young children. Today, we just set up some of ours. They are so lovely.

(Notice the nests and robin eggs Dylan and Jared made today...super cool!)

Enjoy sharing the colorful illustrations and the innocent story lines with your children if you have them. These moments are priceless.

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Gone Bowling

A few weeks ago, a friend and I got together one very rainy evening for a couple hours of good old-fashioned bowling with the little ones. They had such a blast! In fact, they keep asking me when we are going back. We have just been so busy lately. Hopefully sooner than later. :)

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Dylan: A Piece of History

Hands-on Cultural Activities: Japan

As Jared studied the country of Japan and worked on his book, he also did a few hands-on activities representing the culture.

Zen Garden

Making Paper

Making Sushi.... Well, more like vegetarian rolls...

Nice work, Jared!

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From Tea Garden to Sushi

We walked across the courtyard from the Japanese Tea Garden to the California Academy of Sciences because it was a special free admission Sunday. 'Twas a bonus to the day...

 Amazing carvings. 

 Awesome outdoor stage. Very Romanesque. 

 I just noticed this is the same courtyard shown in the film, "Contagion," which we saw 2 days after visiting the place.

 Always a tree hugger.

 Whoa, this was essentially parallelogram architecture across from the museum. Cool!

 We embark up the broad steps.

 Ooooh, Jellies!

 Look at the nose on that guy in front of Dylan.

 "Excuse me while I get past you."

 Stare down.

 Beautiful chameleon!!

Pretty spider.

 Some of the coolest poison dart frogs!

 Tree frog on the glass...

 Tree frog toes.

 Double vision.

 Amazing!!

 The courtyard is more beautiful at night.

Practicing using chopsticks is apparently more amusing than drawing. 

 Someone was tired..

Apparently, everyone was wasted. Nighty night, boys. 

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Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden was quite lovely on that temperate Sunday in the Bay....

The bridge was a hit for us all. 

Actually, this was Jared's absolute favorite part of the garden, aside from the zen garden.

I always love getting shots of them ahead of me. 

Oh yes, and the koi fish were certainly Dylan's favorite attraction. 

 

I am always behind the camera, so I decided to capture a quick photo of myself. Silly, I know. :)

 Jared had already played with his homemade zen garden, so he was stoked to see a real life size version.

Now off to the California Academy of Sciences and a sushi dinner.

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