Thursday, June 26, 2014

We have arrived !

I am here !

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I have been down here in Apollo Beach for just over two weeks now.

The move went very well, in spite of the extreme stresses involved in moving us and our furry kids across country.

My friend Suzanne and I had a very successful road trip down with the dog and two cats.

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I will forever be grateful to Suzie for making that trip with me !

David and I and the animals are settling in to our new home.

The house is big, airy and starting to feel more and more comfortable as we unpack and make it ours.

Most of the furniture is in place but there are still a lot of boxes with knick knacks and paintings and decor items that need to be dealt with.

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I have kind of run out of steam this week.

Which totally makes sense if I think back and realize that I have been living in limbo land and chaos for quite a few months now.

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My body and spirit are reminding me of what I have been through, and I have had to slow down a bit.

The heat of Florida summer is no joke either.

That is helping me slow down too!

This morning at 9:30, it is 85 degrees with 77% humidity which makes it feel like 96.

It means I spend a lot of time indoors in the lovely AC cooled air.

It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t just leave behind a cruel long winter where I spent a lot of time indoors in the lovely heated warmth of the NH house.

I am craving the outdoors and missing Northern early summer greenery and growth.

But there are things about FL that I love already.

Number 1 is the beach !!!!

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David and I have committed to going to the beach as often as we can, like every weekend, maybe ? Please ?!

Last weekend we went to our beloved Fort De Soto, and this weekend we are going to explore the Anna Maria Island beaches near Braedenton.

Even though it is overwhelmingly hot right now, once you get to the gulf waters, the breeze takes over and those turquoise waters are the perfect temp to frolick in all day !

Butter me up with sunscreen and sit me under that umbrella. I am in heaven !

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My studio is starting to be a favorite thing in the house too.

I have unpacked a lot of my treasured toys and set them up in my new space.

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I still need to find a rug or something to cover the carpet in the room so I can get as messy as I want with paint.

For now I have started back to stitching which doesn’t risk the carpet but gets my create juices flowing again.

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I am stitching “quillows” again for a swap with Deb Taylor and other sweet stitching hearts.

Our theme for this swap is “Circles”.

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The yoyos in the pic are vintage ones created by my grandmother.

I am including one on each of the 11 quillows I am making,

wanting to spread the circle treasures around, instead of hoarding them in a box just unused.

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I hope to get back to blogging more now that things are settling in here.

I miss connections with my artist friends and love seeing what others are working on, and sharing bits of our life loving through photos and words.

For now, from my new home in hot and humid Florida,

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Happy Summer, Beautiful Ones !

16 comments:

Jennifer said...

Oh, how lovely Kim! I love the feel of your space and yay for the beach! I hope you get to get outside a little more very soon <3

Mary said...

I have a feeling you are gonna thrive there. I pray your days are filled with joy and discovery.

xo

Snap said...

Welcome to heat and humidity (my world)!!!! So nice to "see" you. Slow down a little and take some time just to enjoy.

ox

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

I am so glad you are getting comfortable in your new surroundings. Your house is really coming together but I can certainly understand needing to just stop and breathe.
I'd be inside with the AC too....I don't do well in heat, let alone humidity. BUT at the beach....now that's worth it.
Love the stitching...would love to join a stitch swap with you sometime. (I DO owe you a heart too).
XOXO

Olivia said...

I am very happy for you, My Queen, and it is a joy to see your light-filled beautiful new space falling into place! I hope that you do indeed get to visit the ocean often, xoO

Meri said...

So happy to get a tour of your new castle!

Kim Mailhot said...

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cjsrq said...

Hey Kim, welcome to Florida! Walking on the beach at sunrise is an excellent way to enjoy the beach without so much heat. When you are on Anna Maria Island, check out the Rod and Reel Pier Restaurant for lunch or dinner. Great food and you sit right out over the water. You can see the Skyway Bridge out the window as it is on the bay side of the island.

lynne h said...

happy summer, my dear Big Heart! i wish you a gentle transition to your new home, your new environment.

sending much love,

me

Anonymous said...

Happy new home - so glad to see the transition went well!!

Anonymous said...

Happy new home - so glad to see the transition went well!!

Tumble Fish Studio said...

It is always a fun, and slightly envious experience, to watch someone's life adventure develop and unfold. One person's new beginnings offer hope to another that someday their life will have a chance to be reinvented, forged forward. Many many wishes for blessings of all kinds in your new home! ♥

Unknown said...

I LOVE Florida and am so glad to have you here! Unfortunately, the summers are basically our winters- lots of time indoors, lots of dark(er) weather, a little bit of opressive blah feeling. But fall.... OH, beautiful fall in Florida! Come late October and November, it's MAGICAL. The slanted golden light and the cooler weather and the *feeling* in the air is like nothing you have ever seen or felt. I know you will find as much magic and happiness in it as I do. So hang in there- just a few more months until our best time of the year!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you are settling in just fine and with ample beach going opportunies, I know that your Rock Fairy heart will be delighted. Glad you are back in blogland. xox

Anonymous said...

Ah ah ah!!
Glad you have landed and are gaining your sea legs for your new adventures as a coastal girl. That whole humidity thing is really over rated. You will get use to it and the sea breeze is a great help there. You better get to that beach one day each week or I will kick your butt!! do not get lazy and let that opportunity fade away. I miss it everyday since I left Charleston ( the last coastal city I lived in).
I am excited to see what creativity is born of you now that you live in this new environment!!
Teehee, all a twitter
Enjoy my sweet
~Dawn

Sherry said...

You are "home". Happy news! xo