On the way to Cape May.......

One more glorious weekend  "down the shore"!   How fortunate I am, that the owner of the house I just painted and cleaned, is having new carpets installed and wants me to return next weekend.
Woo-hoo!  
   I'll help arrange new furniture, clean up any messes the contractors left behind, make up the beds, and make sure everything is perfect for the next lucky guest!  This is  what I do, in my business, saving the landlord lots of time, stress and money, making everything sparkle.
   Check us out!   www.selectiveresidentialservices.blogspot.com

 Then I will go to the beach!
In the evening,  I'll visit the shops and  walk around admiring the beautiful homes and gardens!

First,  an awesome project revisited, while I was in the neighborhood last week!

The long sections on this piece seemed perfect
for the Cape May Lighthouse, and a pylon with a seagull!

  I  custom- painted
this  funtastic furniture
 for another Cape May resident
 a few years ago..   
 and am proud  and delighted
 that the owners still enjoy these
 special pieces in their charming home.

 For inspiration,
 the owner gave me
a postcard of
 Cape May beaches,
 a sample of  the main colors
 they wanted me to use,
  but left the  designs
entirely up to me.

This whimsical toybox lives in the playroom,
waiting for future grandchildren to visit.

A nostalgic touch!   The owner's son was a lifeguard as a teen,

so this scene depicting a lifeguard stand and lifeboat

was very meaningful to the family.

I remember completing this furniture,  just in time for their daughter's wedding.

She was married on the beach, and they had a flip-flop theme at the reception! 

The wedding guests had a fantastic time at this lovely seashore home

 for this most- memorable occasion.

But now, I'll just get my things ready,  for another trip "down the shore",

mixing up a little business and pleasure.

  "On the way to Cape May....I fell in love with you!

        On the way to Cape May,... I saw my dreams come true."

I can't stop singing this song!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsfeEvZcTjM

The Abbey

Cape May Beach

Estate  jewelry and antiques shoppe

Cool stuff in the Pink House

Stop and smell the roses!

Love, Linda

I joined these parties!

 

http://www.thestuffofsuccess.com/2012/06/summer-fun-party

"Down the shore"

What a weekend!  I was in Cape May, New Jersey  on a paint job.
 In the evenings, I walked and saw the most gorgeous homes and gardens.
 I just loved being "down the shore",   as we say in South Jersey,
 enjoying this  lovely Victorian resort town .

     I came down here  before 6 a.m.,  to see the sun rise over the ocean,
 but the beach was facing south. It was overcast, but still glorious
 in the new dawn to watch the endless waves roll in, and  listen
 to the sea's powerful crashing.  I tried to just be still and meditate,
 until I spotted some dolphins frolicking.

It's such a quaint seaside community, where you feel safe to walk around,

 even at night.   I was so blessed to be able to work here for a few days,

 refreshing the interior of a rental unit before the summer crowds ascend.
Then, on my time off,  I went to the beach and walked around
 the neighborhoods and shops.


     

Linda Lee Bed and Breakfast

 
The John F. Craig House, 1866 Carpenter Gothic  inn

"The pink house"   It has a  fabulous fashion boutique and jewelry store

Inviting porches

The fence at the Emmitt Physick Estate
 They were holding a craft show this weekend on the grounds

The  US Coast Guard Boot Camp is near where we stayed, and the new recruits run by,
 singing cadence chants right down Madison Avenue, and we run out to watch them. 
"My  grandmother is 91..., my grandmother is 91.....
She did PT just for fun... , she  did PT just for fun........"
Makes you feel kinda proud! 

I love this color scheme!

A peek into a lovely courtyard garden

I was amazed to see this unusual petunia with
 a chartruese edge, cascading from a shop's window box.

Here's another pretty variegated plant I couldn't identify.
 Anybody know what this is?

I just adore this sage  that grows very well here.

The Victorian houses are so grand! 

 Hmmm, looks like I could have plenty of work, scraping and
 re-painting these "painted ladies" each year.

 The damp salt air is hard on them, weathers them terribly.
Every property requires constant upkeep.

This is such a quaint seaside community,

 where you feel safe to walk around, even at night.

I was so blessed to be able to work here for a few days,

 painting the interior of a rental unit.  A working vacation.

Ah, the summer begins. 

 Sweet, sweet summer in Cape May. 

Love, Linda

I've been grilled by Grandma's Briefs!

I joined the party!

 

Dinner's ready!

 I feel bad that my daughter gets home from work so late, and then has to start  cooking dinner and eat sometimes as late as 8 p.m., so often I ask her if I can start preparing it for her.  Tonight she told me an easy, delicious way she likes to fix pork chops, and I had them ready when she and her hubby arrived home.  I didn't fix potatoes or rice, because she's on  the Adkin's diet.

Baked Italian Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops

Mix together  2 Tbsp.Dijon Mustard,

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning on a plate 

Place 3-4 Tbsp. shredded parmesan on another plate

Coat each pork chop,  with the mustard mixture.

Lay each chop in the cheese and press,  then turn to coat both sides.

Arrange in a baking dish,  which has been sprayed with a non-stick coating.

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

They should be crispy golden brown, and juicy inside.

Very easy and flavorful, and it is also a low-carb recipe!

I served them with sauteed garlic green beans.  Ummmmm!

 

Thomas sat nearby in his highchair and had his dinner,

 while I  prepared the meal, so when Mommy and Daddy

 came home, they found a happy baby and dinner all ready!

I  love to see the little family come together after a long day at work. 

I think it's important that they sit and eat at the table, and

 share good food and their day's experiences! 

Yeaaaah!

Love, Linda

I partied at   typeadecorating.blogspot.com/2012/05/anything-goes
and
I am linking with GRAND Social on Saturday!

Mother- another word for love

 My daughter Julie and  my grandson, Tommy

One of  later-life's greatest rewards is the immense pleasure

 of watching  your child parenting your precious grandchild.

"Of all the rights of women,
         the greatest is to be a mother."

                                          ---Lin Yutang

"Of all the rigOf all hts of women, the greatest is to be a mother."
Lin Yutang

Being a mother completed me, 

 supremely blessed me!

And being a grandmother 

 is ultimate joy!

God bless all the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers,

 adopted mothers, and mother-in-laws

 for their unselfish love and giving.

Love, Linda