What Makes Me Happy {Slightly Coastal}

Thanks for joining me today for my weekly series, What Makes Me Happy. Today, I am so happy to introduce you to Nancy of the blog, Slightly Coastal. I have followed Nancy for a while and just learned that she lives in one of my favorite places ever. 

Take it away, Nancy!

I’m so excited to be here on Uptown Acorn to share what makes me happy! I’ve spent some time thinking about what makes me happy. The obvious jumps out at you and some of those items are in this list…but some items came to me after some real reflection and are really quite personal.  

My Faith

This is first on my list because it is the most personal relationship I have in my life. It’s a relationship I have cultivated in a quiet way over the course of many years. I’ve always had faith, but I didn’t really have faith if you know what I mean. The kind of faith that is still and quiet. I grew up in the church and always had a belief but I wouldn’t define that as faith. I taught VBS and Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served on the Board of Directors…but those things aren’t faith. My faith is stronger now than it was 10 years ago and I have to say it makes me happy to think that someday, if I’m blessed to live to a ripe old age, my faith will be even stronger than it is now.

My Family

 

 I am blessed. Like everyone, I think my kids are awesome. But each one has his own unique qualities that make him great, challenging, and distinctive. My oldest is a wicked combination of creative and intelligent. His creative mind will think of the most imaginative objects and then his mathematical mind will conceptualize the physics behind the creation. He truly amazes. He is a rule follower and came home from his first week of high school and proclaimed, Did you know some kids just don’t do their homework? Why would anyone just not do it? sigh... Oh dear heart.

   

 My youngest wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s the first to profess his love for his family, always ready to share his last bite, and when he smiles his eyes twinkle. He loves music and will often go over to our Alexa and tell her to play Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop The Feeling and dance around the kitchen with me while I make dinner. So sweet.

   

 The hubby is pretty awesome too. Twenty-three years of marriage and still going strong.

The Water

I’m blessed to live on Amelia Island, a barrier island in Florida. If the weather is nice, most Saturday afternoons you’ll find us at the beach enjoying the water. It is such a joy to just relax on the beach with the kids, a cooler of snacks and drinks, and the sound of the ocean. Both my boys adore the water.

 

Painted Furniture

I love giving old furniture a new lease on life. There is something about having a paint brush in your hand and a vision for a piece of furniture that makes me happy. In particular, I’m a sucker for a carved piece of furniture. All of the detail makes me swoon and I just know with a little love and attention it can be stunning. Here are a few pieces I’ve transformed over the years.
 

Blue and White

I love touches of blue and white. The majority of my home is a neutral pallet of white, off white, grays and beige, but I do love some pops of blue and white. A little sprinkle of blue and white throughout the house lifts my spirits.

Milk Glass

I know a lot of people collect ironstone. Although I think that is so pretty, milk glass has had my heart for a long time. There is something about the pure white color of milk glass and the texture of it that pulls me to it. It is so fun to hunt for because usually the prices are so affordable. Here are some of my favorite pieces.
 

Disney

 

 As a Florida resident, loving Disney should almost be a pre-requisite for living here. I love Disney for a different reason. There’s something for everyone. It is hard to find a vacation destination that can delight a 5 year old and a 15 year at the same time, especially when you already live a stone’s throw away from the ocean. Disney does that for us. Both kids have a great time every time we go to Disney and we never have to hear the dreaded, “I’m bored”. Disney makes it so easy to relax, have fun, and spend money.

Friday Night Lights

No not for football. I'm with the band. In the fall, most Friday nights we are sitting in the stands by the band. I'm a band mom and love it! Being the mom of someone on the drum line is the coolest. I have to say, it is pretty awesome.
 
Thanks Ron for letting me share what makes me happy! If you want to follow along with me as I work on taking our builder grade island home and making it a coastal cottage...you can come on over to Slightly Coastal. I can't wait to see you there!
I hope you will give Nancy some LOVE and follow her blog. Thanks Nancy for sharing what makes you happy. Amelia Island makes me happy too!

What Makes Slightly Coastal Happy, y'all!