My Muse.....and Fall-Ing

It would be an understatement to say I am particular....almost to a fault.

Living in CA for over 35 years and especially living in SD for the past 28 years I have always wanted a oil painting of the ocean for our house....sounds easy right - there are literally thousands to choose from and I have been to every art show and antique store to be found.

 

  Trouble is,  it has to be the ocean the way I see and enjoy the ocean...Artists do great paintings and their views are amazing but I did not want any that were....

 

 

 too fake like this one.....

 

 Or too grey like this one....

 Or too mean like this one.....

 Or too unrealistic like this one....

 

Earlier this summer on one of our many trips to OB Steve and I met this one, which instantly became my muse....I went back  several times so it could taunt me and we could get to know each other better and decide if we wanted to commit. 

I went with my bestie in SD, Annette,  and she loved it but I just wasn't sure....then another visit with Edie from AZ and she loved it and I carried it around the store for awhile but just could not commit....then back with my bestie Tracy from Florida who insisted I put in a bid on it and came to my house and scouted the area for me for a perfect spot.  She, nor I, could really find the perfect place for it so when I did not get a call back for a week I just decided to let it go...if you love it let it go and if it is real it will come back to you (70's poster flashback) 

 And like the lyrics from one of my favorite Eagles Songs....I got the call today.....

 and I am so happy I did

 My muse will entertain and make me happy for along time.....or until the next muse comes along...

 

 Although the calendar says September and I have called an end to summer the weather just is not complying with my demands! 

I decided to encourage fall to come by decorating just a little for it.  The summer lantern was looking faded as it should be by September!

 I had some fall items to up cycle so I took this wreath apart with some gourds I had....

 And put it out for fall to embrace....

 Oh and a little owl as well.....whooooooooo wants fall???? I do I do!

 Another up cycle project this week - repurposing this wreath, ping pong balls and Google eyes...

 Removed the fall décor and painted the wreath black....

 Glued on google eyes on the ping pong balls....

 Had a little help....

 And made this google eye wreath which I will take to the boys house in a few weeks with some fake spider webs on just for fun....

 It was fun to get out thrifting a little this week....I found these great bookends for my vintage baseball boys.....

 And this cast iron salesman sample stove....with all the pieces.....too fun and cute...

And the boys asked coerced me into yet another trip to the pond.....

I really love to go and watch them enjoy themselves....

And catch and release and catch and keep - only the big ones....but they hate to leave! They want to control when we leave and they can't!  They do not like to release control....they want to demand!

 Summer  also is hating to leave.....time to stare at my muse and my fall décor!

And accept the fact that the apple does not fall far from the tree!