Nora Butler’s Whimsical Seaside Illustrations

 I found some delightful prints online done by Nora Butler

and knew right away that I'd have to include them in my blog.

Wait - it gets better.

I discovered that Nora has a shop - in Naples, Florida, 

of all places, where we'd soon be vacationing!

The coincidence was too cool to ignore.

Sure enough, we found Nora Butler Designs

in Naples' Crayton Cove, at 800 12th Avenue South.

Total beach charm, the shop was stuffed to the gills with

Nora's prints, figurines, clothing and note cards.

And as a bonus - I got to meet the artist herself.

Nora was blessed to grow up with Florida sand between her toes.

She developed both a talent for drawing and a love for the shore at a young age.
Her illustrations invite us to pause and look closer at what's within,
to take time to appreciate the details.

"Fantasy Fish"

"Palm Party"

"Tropicool Crab"

"A Night on the Town"

"Dolphin Dream II"

"Reef Rider"

"Mermaid Music"

Visit Nora Butler Designs in Naples,

or at her website here.


Also in Crayton Cove,
Lunch at Bleu Provence.

Images used with direct permission from Nora Butler.

A Gorgeous Day at California’s Crystal Cove

Oh, what a glorious California day at Crystal Cove!

It's just north of Laguna Beach in Orange County.

With temps in the low 80's, it was a perfect family beach day.

Charming seaside cottages are available to rent.

Sky and sea competed for the title of "Most Brilliant Blue."






Bird of Paradise - one of my favorites!

Nieces waded in the cool water.

Notice that house in the background?

It's the house that was used in the filming of the 1988 movie,

"Beaches" with Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey.

How cool is that?

(A hug for R!)

Here's a screen shot that may remind you...

muenchner-sicherheitsforum.de

...and a YouTube video of "The Wind Beneath My Wings."

My nephew looked for signs of tidal pool life,

but unfortunately, we timed our visit at high tide.

Want more information?

Here's the Crystal Cove State Park website.

(A hug for A!)

(More hugs for J, J & J!)

Visiting Laguna Beach, California

Vacationing in sunny California!

Sharing photos from a fabulous day at Laguna Beach.

(Made that much more fabulous knowing there are 4 inches of snow back in PA.)

Forest Avenue is a popular place to do some shopping.

Quaint shops with interesting architecture like this one.

The Lumberyard Mall is a charming outdoor village 

of gift shops, services and galleries.

A close-up of the unique brickwork,

also in the planter, above.

Always attracted to succulents!

Street art spotting: This sculpture, by Michael Graham, 

is called "I Want to Make a Phone Call."

Homes on the hillside overlooking the beach.

Imagine their view of the Pacific Ocean!

Another of my Laguna Beach posts:
Breakfast at The Greeter's Corner Restaurant

Stay tuned!

Planning to do lots more CA blogging!

Some links:

Visit Laguna Beach

The Lumberyard Mall

Info on "I Want to Make a Phone Call" at re:sculpt.

Ocean Grove, New Jersey

We'd heard so many good things about Ocean Grove, New Jersey

that we decided to take a day-trip to see what all the hubbub was about.

L-O-V-E-D it!
Super family spot. Clean, well-tended beach and boardwalk.
Slow paced. An aura of a simple life of days gone by.

A bit of history~

Back in 1869, a Methodist church camp was formed. 

Gradually, the meeting place attracted folks to form a community around it, 

and a little seaside town grew from there, becoming what we know as Ocean Grove.

Tight regulations were enforced. 
The sale of liquor was prohibited within a 1-mile radius of the town. 

On Sundays, which were set aside for worship and rest, the beach was closed 

and the use of carriages, automobiles and bicycles was banned.

The Great Auditorium

Ocean Grove is known for its tent houses. Back in the day, there were 660 of them.

Today, the remaining 114 are set up each spring on their wooden platforms.

Some are occupied by families who've tented there 
each summer through 4 and 5 generations!

To ensure time for church-going, 
Ocean Grove beaches don't open until noon on Sunday.

Along with rules of the beach and tide times, 
the signs here include a "Scripture of the Day!" Awesome!

Street signs are stylish concrete and mosaic markers.

Oh, the lovely Victorian architecture! Pure charm!

We're not ones to pass up a kiddie-run lemonade stand!

Here's a post on Ocean Grove's

Nagle's Apothecary Cafe!

Learn more about Ocean Grove, New Jersey

at the Chamber of Commerce website.