Salty Sweet

Below is the LAST post I wrote while living in Manette, WA
 FOUR YEARS AGO.
(For some reason I never published it)
This week I looked back at my blog for the first time since moving back to Whidbey Island in 2014...  Oh how I miss writing, and the people I met along the way.  Friends,  SO much has happend in the past 4 years, and I'd love to share that with you.  I will do an update post very soon!!
xo  Jodi


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In the Navy

 the term "Salty Dog" is given to an older,

 experienced sailor who has spent much of their career at sea.

Tomorrow our Manette Vintage house is getting all packed up

for our FINAL move.

A move that Jeff and I have been anticipating since we moved away

several years ago.

But its not to the East Coast after all.

We both felt that it was time for us to retire from the Navy

and move home to Whidbey Island, WA.

We are full of excitement, anticipation and happiness...

and for me, a little weird uncertainty.

I was born a military child. I never lived in one home

more than 3 years until I was almost 30 years old.

I married a military man 

and understood that his job and country always came first.

The government told me where and when we would live

my ENTIRE life.

I made friends knowing I'd be moving away.

I get restless after a few years in one place.

I never truly invested in my own career ideas or desires thinking I didn't have time.

Always committed to my husband and my family, but not a place.

**But now? Now WE get to decide everything!** 

And that tastes Sooooo SWEET!

SALTY SWEET

I will keep you updated on our "Salty Sweet Cottage" on Whidbey Island....

but for now.... I have some work to do before the packers arrive!

If you give a girl a Clawfoot Tub....

...She might act a little CRAZY.....

{Via}

So, I have shared many times how I've 

managed to put my foot in my mouth at the wrong time,

Or get myself in weird predicaments.....

Oh, you're new here? 

Click on the Story of Me to the right--------------------------->

And you may want to get a drink of water, it way take you awhile!

It happens A LOT.

Pinterest

Last weekend we were invited over to my husbands cousins house.

A long lost cousin who we just met a few years ago.

And, amazingly, only lives 35 minutes from us!

I'd love to tell the incredible story of how God put it together,

but it's not my story to tell.

Just trust me when I say God is always at work around us!!

Pinterest

They recently downsized from a huge, HUGE, house to

a much cozier house. 

An adorable house with breathtaking views of the water.

{Via}

After enjoying some pre-dinner appetizers, great conversation,

 and a glass of wine

I needed to use the restroom.

Here's the thing about wine...

it relaxes your tongue a little...and increases the enthusiasm.

I already have a loose tongue and too much enthusiasm.

Here's another thing...

I have a long standing love affair with claw foot tubs!

I have wanted one since I can remember.

{via}

So, I walked into the bathroom and there it was.

A gorgeous, clawfoot tub. Gorgeous.

I ran my hands along the smooth white rim.

And I must have squealed.

Loudly.

Claudia came around the corner to check on me.

"I LOVE YOUR TUB!!" I said... in very breathy tone.

"One day when we return to our Whidbey* house I'm going to get one!!"

I continued.

(We own a house on Whidbey Island that we rent out, we will retire there in a "few" years)

{via}

Then she said it.

"You can have this one, its not our style....We have another one

that we will be using when we remodel..."

YOU.CAN.HAVE.IT.

"WHAT!? OMG, REALLLLLYYYYY!!!!!??????"

And with that,  

I proceeded to climb into their/my tub with my boots on.

I laid my head back and had a "moment".

My heart swelled three times its size.

I could've laid there daydreaming for a very long time

 about how it will look and feel in my own house.

Daydreamers, you know what I mean!

{via}

BUT,

at the risk of looking like a total nut job

 in front of Claudia and my husband. 

(He had come in exclaiming "She has wanted a tub like this FOREVER" 

after hearing all my excitement.)

AND,

realizing I just climbed into their tub with my boots on...

I got out and toned down the enthusiasm.

(only on the outside!!)

{via}

We had a wonderful dinner, laughter and a fun game with their 10 year old daughter.

I can't wait to get together again!

Before we left, I had to see her one more time go to the restroom again.

I was tempted to lock myself in and rip all my clothes off...

but I restrained myself.

***

When we got home and my husband went to bed...

I went on Pinterest and continued my daydreaming!

Seriously, I am still so excited, and thankful!

(I'll post about it in a few years when we get moved back to Whidbey

but we have a big adventure in between now and then)

xoxo

Jodi

Bee's Knees

Grab your flip flops and a glass of iced tea and walk with me through the beautiful

back yard garden of my friends

Jody and Sheila, the owners of Shabby Stuff.  

When Jody isn't out hunting for the perfect

chippy, rusty piece to sell in his shop, he is at home creating outdoor

spaces for Sheila and guests to daydream in.

This is a "fence" Jody created to look like a building.

All over the property you will find "old" buildings made from recycled

barn wood, windows, or tools. Within those "walls" he has berries, a vegetable garden,

and a wood pile just waiting to be discovered.

Look at this colorful bottle tower Jody created.

On a sunny day the glass sparkles like jewels in the sky.

This birdhouse is perched just inside a secret garden. There is a surprise

around each corner of their yard!

No matter what the season, you will find fresh flowers to enjoy.

The bees are pretty happy buzzing around here too!

Old sinks, wheelbarrows, shoes and pots become wonderful places 

for these hen & chicks.

 

This cheerful chair faces a stone outdoor fireplace Jody built by hand

for outdoor S'mores parties and toasty toes on those

cool Whidbey Island evenings!

In this corner there is a waterfall and pond created with an old sink, pots

and buckets.  The sound of the running water is so soothing.

This garden "bed" is full of roses and a tomato plant. No place to nap there.

Shabby Stuff is located inside Island Paint & Glass

in Oak Harbor, WA

You can also find them on facebook here.

And if you enjoyed the character & love outside... you should know

that it overflows to the inside as well.

Inside their home and their hearts!

Thank you Jody and Sheila for sharing your talent with us!

xo

Where the Meadows Meet the Sea...

Hello Friends!

I hope you enjoyed your weekend.  I just returned from a whirlwind trip over to
Whidbey Island, WA.
The weather was gorgeous, and the scenery breathtaking. 

While visiting,  I had a little time to capture some of the beauty on camera.
Saturday morning we woke up at the crack of dawn to beat the crowd during
 "Shipwreck Days" in Anacortes, WA.

I found a couple really cool things I will share with you soon.

We also spent some time at The Rusty Chandelier in downtown Oak Harbor, WA.

I bought 2 colors of Anne Sloan paint to try out!

My sweet friends that I stayed with have a business called Shabby Stuff.

They work harder than anyone I know searching for and refinishing

furniture!

Not only are they talented with furniture,
they have a BEAUTIFUL yard full of flowers & antiques.

Here are a few sneak peaks!

I can't wait to show you the rest in an upcoming post!

But for now, I need to go to sleep.

All that playing and driving left Izzy and I tired tonight.

Sweet Dreams...

xo