Pounce leaped onto the bathroom counter as I washed my hands. I blocked with my elbow before he could stick his kitty tongue under the faucet. For absolutely no reason whatsoever, this spurred a cat freak out. You know what I mean—where the kitty in question turns into a blur and expands and contracts like an out-of-control balloon, shooting around the room like a pinball. 
Despite the fact that one of my favorite decor magazines said seashell bathrooms are overdone and obvious, we have an extremely charming seashell-themed bathroom. It houses The Sand Collection. So maybe it’s a sand-themed bathroom. The sand is fine, thank goodness. And the huge Shell Cube that houses shells from all over the world that were too big for the miniature globes is also intact. But one of those tiny beach globes—the particularly colorful Rottsnest Island, Australia, one—went flying over the edge of the counter. I caught it against the cabinet with my foot while still rinsing the soap off my hands, held it for several seconds balancing on one foot, watched Pounce Ping! out the door in a flurry, felt relieved we avoided broken glass and sand all over the floor, and figured it was a good idea to try to lower it to the ground. Then it fell and shattered, scattering sand, glass shards, shells, rocks, etc etc. Sigh.  |
| Homemade rolls wrapped in a seashell towel and seahorse salt and pepper shakers. |
Then Isaac and I had to go to Hobby Lobby to get a replacement jar. They didn’t have exactly what we were looking for, but Isaac got tons of compliments from the grandmas that roam the aisles, so that was good. Since we were on that side of town, I tempted fate. And by fate, I mean my fast from buying stuff. So we went to Books a Million and read a couple of books. Then we went to TJ Maxx Home Goods to check out the summery nautical tableware a friend said she thought I’d like. After all that, and lots and lots of compliments to the sweetest and smiliest baby in the world, we came home with just the two cork-topped glass jars ($3.21) we got as a replacement. $uce$$!! I also felt inspired to come up with a beachy/watery dining room switch.
Isaac Peaced out for a nap, and I had an ah-ha moment while sweeping up sand and glass shards (two days after the shattering). Beneath the counter in the sand bathroom were loads more mini globes of sand and shells. And here I was looking for inspiration for a summery table setting. My favorite blue and green books stacked for the centerpiece, topped with a huge sand dollar Chris found here in Pensacola five years ago. One of the books on top is called Angelfish, the other is about the expedition that proved great white sharks really exist. Silver sharks glide across the white linen cover. I put the Floridian/Bahamian palmy botanical print plates beneath glass fish plates I vaguely remember buying in Japan. Tiny clouded glass seashell dishes hold sea salt and caramel dark chocolates. Yesterday during Captain Goodbaby’s afternoon nap I had homemade rolls with a cup of roasted Japanese tea in the English teacups I got at Ichiban. Naughtily, Pounce leaped onto the table and flattened out like a rug. He may have round-aboutly inspired this delightful tablescape, but he’s still in a little trouble. Shoo shoo shoo.
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| No kitties on the table! In my lap is ok. |