Coastline Treasures

I remember our trip to San Francisco when my children were young.  The sounds, smells, street entertainers, the sea lions, China Town; there was so much to see and do in this beautiful hillside city.  Trying to decide what to see first, we walked along Fisherman’s Wharf.  To my surprise, there they were; huge ships from the 1800′s on their own pier.  As we got closer, I discovered that it was the San Francisco Maritime National Park.

Here there were a half dozen or so ships from yesteryear.  Dating from 1886 to 1914 were real ships that had been used and restored.  There was a square-rigger, schooners, steam ferryboat, steam tug, and a paddlewheel tug.  We had a blast as the kids went running from ship to ship to walk aboard and explore.  The seaman that sailed these vessels had to have been brave to cross the seas in them.  Seeing these wooden model ships was such a wonderful surprise. 

Much to my wife’s never-ending consternation, I’m a fisherman through and through. It’s really the perfect hobby for me as a natural morning person and outdoors enthusiast. I relish the opportunity to roll out of bed before the crack of dawn and saunter my way down to the lake, tackle box in one hand and rod and reel in the other. If I’m lucky, I’ll sneak in an at least an hour of quality angling before it’s time to go to work.

More recently I’ve started a new project – building an addition onto the back of the house. My wife has been clamoring for a screen room for years, and I’m finally going to appease her. Of course, there’s one catch: I’ll be decking out the entire room with fishing home decor. The decorations will run the gamut from mock wooden lures to witty wall art. I would fill my wife in on those minor details, but I think I’ll go fishing first.

Birds are fun to watch and who doesn’t like the chipping sounds that they bring to your yard?  You have hung your decorative birdhouses and now are waiting for visitors.  To get our feathered friends to pay us a visit be sure to have fresh water available at all times.  A simple bird bath with two inches of water is needed.  If the bath is brightly colored it can actually confuse the birds and they won’t stick around.  Next, be sure to have food close by where predators cannot get to it.  Birds will not come if they feel threatened or their food is gone!  Try to make the area as safe as possible.

Once you have done all these things, sit back, relax and watch to see who comes for a visit and maybe will even stay for awhile.

In the 1800′s people of Europe began to add pieces of fruits, nuts, and paper streamers to evergreens; a symbol that life would return in the spring.  Germans started adding foods, such as cookies in all sorts of shapes like stars, hearts, angels and bells.  In America they started adding long strands of cranberries or popcorn along with small gifts that would be hung by a string or a piece of yarn.

In the1880′s various German entrepreneurs began making ornaments that were mass produced solely as Christmas ornaments.  Known for their glass making, the area around Lauscha, was central for glass ornament production.  Soon these popular glass ornaments were exported all over Europe and to America.  Today we still adorn our Christmas trees with glass ornaments, bows and tinsel.  Make your tree special with your own theme; angels, bells, cowboys, lighthouse décor, doves.  You choose; the ideas are endless.

The Sandpiper is abundant in North America with their population in the millions.  These small birds are a familiar scene running along the seashore and in mudflats.  These wading birds have long legs with slender bills to forge their food in the sand or mud.  They mainly eat insects, small crustaceans and mollusks.  These migratory birds fly to both North America and South America in large flocks.

These birds are so common upon our shores; a trip to the beach would be incomplete without them.  I love watching these small birds as they run around looking for food.  If you are lucky you can see them as they nest in local vegetation as they incubate their eggs and eventually care for their young.  Bring home a memory of these special birds with pictures, souvenirs or metal yard art, to name a few.

Several years ago we vacationed on the east coast in North Carolina.  We stayed in the Outer Banks which is a fabulous place to visit with ongoing lengthy sandy beaches seeming to be endless.  I remember the blue skies with white puffy clouds and warm waters.  The west coast waters are so cold; it was a delight to be able to jump right in and not turn blue!

As we drove the entire length and visited site seeing spots, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Cape Hatteras, I was amused that I could take in the sites on the sea and in the bay at the same time!  The bay was filled with wind surfers, jet skies, sail boats and canoes.  Everyone was enjoying themselves as was I.  I didn’t want the trip to end so I bought myself a nautical décor souvenir that I enjoy each day.  Every day I am fondly reminded of our trip.

In decorating walls, add a bit of dimension.  How do you do this?  One way is to add decorative wall plates.  Plates come in different sizes and shapes.  I have seen beautiful artistic large plates and simple smaller round plates.  Some even have a wood frame around them.  Hang them individually or in groupings depending on the area that is available.

If you have a collection of decorative plates you can create a pattern on the wall making for an interesting design.  Adding just one plate above a small table will add interest.  Mixing one or more plates on a wall with pictures will enhance its appeal. There are plate hangers that allow for easy hanging of one or several plates adding even more décor.  Whichever way you choose, have fun and don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit.

Buying a house near water can represent a sizeable investment, but when you consider all of the positive aspects of the experience it’s almost always worth it. For one thing, beachside homes are ideal spots for entertaining guests. Where most hosts have to work hard just to keep their guests comfortable and interested, the lakeside homeowner can let her location and decorations do most of the work.

Just mount a nautical welcome sign in the front entryway and start the party with a little tour. Most guests will be eager to spend time close to the roaring surf, especially if the weather is cooperative. If possible, serve dinner outside in the warm air or at least provide a dazzling view of the shore. By the time they leave, your guests will be just as enthralled with the home as they are charmed by your gracious hosting abilities.

Dolphin home décor is replicated out of true features of a dolphin.  So, does it make you wonder about dolphin behaviors?  One of the most common types of dolphin is the bottlenose dolphin, and because of this, it’s most interesting to study their behavioral patterns. 

Its common to think of the different migratory patterns of animals, especially sea animals, in relation to the seasons.  However, the truth is, bottlenose dolphins do not migrate the way most animals do.  In fact, they don’t technically migrate at all.  Migration refers to the movement of an entire species from one geographical location to another.  However, bottlenose dolphins do not move as a species, but rather individual choices within the pod.  They also do not completely change geographical location. 

Instead of migration, bottlenose dolphins “move”.  They travel up and down the coastline, sometimes at great distances, to find and follow food.  During movement, some dolphins move great lengths; others barely relocate.  This is why in any season its possible to see a dolphin at the beach.

Accent tables are great additions to a bedroom.  Because finding a night stand that is the right size and color can be difficult, using accent tables instead is a great alternative for any small space next to a bed.  In addition, accent tables make great night stands because of their versatility.  Many accent tables include a lamp, therefore making it unnecessary to find alternate lighting.  They also usually have enough room to place a clock, book, glasses, and a drink on them as well.

My night stand is an accent table that includes a floor lamp.  Its perfect because it gives off ample lighting while also giving me a place to put things next to my bed.  The table also has enough room to allow for decoration accents as well.  And, there is a table to mach and fit any room.