Summer! It’s almost here! Summer to me means it won’t be long before I’m walking on a beach somewhere, out on a boat, picnicking by the harbor, or hopefully all of the above! I know I will be seeing the ocean that I love very soon!
At the moment though, I need to be content with decorating my home to reflect all those wonderful things. I have added elements from the sea to every nook and cranny of my summer home. There is no shortage of nautical related items in this house!
Although I didn’t need to add another thing to my summer decorating arsenal… of course I did it anyways. In my defense— how in the world could I pass her up?
Walking through the stores several weeks ago, I saw her! She caught my eye immediately and I knew I needed to bring her home. On the drive, I was so excited just thinking about how well she would fit in with my summer decor. I was almost home when I realized… I love her but Katie would simply adore her! Anything nostalgic and she flips out. So I knew I needed to find another one or be willing to give mine up. I turned the car around and after scouring the shelves at several more stores, I found her in the fourth one I went through.
I took a picture of mine and sent it to Katie. Here is how the conversation (text) went:
This page includes Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, My Home of AlI Seasons may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please see our full disclosure here.
The Real Mandy
With my being the “best mom ever” now established, I went about finding the perfect spot for Mandy. Of course, I named her! It seemed silly to keep referring to her as the girl in the polka dot suit. So I named her Mandy, after my mom, who really was the best mom ever.
I believe that my love of the water was a gift from the real Mandy. Mom grew up on Kellys Island in Lake Erie. She would always say it was the best place to be a kid and I know from summer visits, that is so true!
Mom (Mandy) 
Mom and Auntie Mary ( my favorite! )
waiting for the ferry from the island
Great Grandma’s house
The Old Nest, Kellys Island
View from the porch
Mom was always happiest by the water. Every vacation involved a beach somewhere and we both grew to love the ocean. She took me to the sea as a child so it was only fair that I did the same for her as an adult!
Daytona Beach 1966
Mandy and me
Mom – Maui 2002
But back to the other Mandy!
The Perfect Spot
I tried putting her on the mantel. She was lost up there with everything else. Then I put her in a vignette on my table. Although she fit in, I was worried about the dogs. Knowing I would be heart broken if a happy wagging tail broke a limb, that wasn’t an option either. So, I realized the safest place would be inside one of my favorite lanterns.
I knew the kind of place that the real Mandy would love. So I went about creating that place for her namesake. It all started with a beach!
The Story
She would arrive there early and lay out her towel to claim her space on the sand. Of course she would bring her favorite magazine. As the day goes on, she might build a sand castle.
Mostly she just sits with her head down and her eyes closed. She is lost in the sound of the ocean.
I think I am so enamored with her because I can relate. So many times in the past, I have spent hours doing the exact same thing. I can lose myself in that beautiful sound of the waves rushing in. When they head back out to sea, they carry whatever worries I brought with me away and I am completely at peace.
Before the sun goes down she might take another stroll on the beach and add some shells to her collection.
The day is over, the sun has set but still Mandy stays. I understand her. Once I’m there, it is so hard to leave again! So she doesn’t. She is sitting close enough to the pier that the lights from the boardwalk hit the water before her. So she will stay awhile longer.
As the sky grows darker, she will pack up her things. She’ll take her bucket of shells, her towel and magazine, and the peace the ocean brought her. She will take one last look at the sand castle she built in the sunshine. She knows it will be gone when the tide comes in. But she is ok with that. It is a small part of the beauty of it all. The sand is a constant and there is comfort in that fact so she will build another one tomorrow.
Life By the Sea
Yes, this intense love of the sea was a gift from Mandy to me. It truly is my happy place! I have since passed it on to my own daughter. That love of the ocean took her from Denver to San Diego. For the moment, I can no longer see her everyday. That part is sad but I get such joy knowing she is right where she should be. She is young, healthy, beautiful and living her life in the sun and the sand. What more could a mermaid mom ask for?
Carry on Katie!
It Just Might Be
Mom always told me that she would like to come back in her next life as a seagull. I think perhaps she did just that! I see her often in my travels. You might think that is just another bird but I choose to believe differently. The fact that there always seems to be one who leaves the fight for the bag of french fries to visit me serves to bolster that belief. I mean… she did love french fries! I see her most often when I visit San Diego. Of course, that makes perfect sense. She would choose to be there and watch over her granddaughter after all. So thanks Mom! See you both soon!
In Conclusion…
If you are looking for a “Mandy” of your own, check out the links below. While I have not seen an exact replica of mine, I did find a few close enough to be relatives!
I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to the blog today and will come back often. Before you leave today, stop by the Printable Library. I have added some new summer prints for the season. Always free to subscribers, simply choose your favorite, enter your password, and print away!
Haven’t joined us yet? Your email in the form below will have your welcome letter and password in your inbox within minutes. Your subscription makes sure you are always the first to know when new additions are added. The weekly/bi-weekly newsletter will keep you up to date with the very latest in seasonal home decor.
Hurry Summer! See you soon!
Really cute Mandy and the vignette created, Denise. I love the old photos of your mother Mandy, the inspiration. Your Grandma’s house and waterview would leave a lasting impression on anyone!
Thank you Rita! That house is now a bed and breakfast on the island. I would love to stay there at some point but it seems like whenever we have the time for a trip we head out to see Katie. But I am really hoping I can go this year and see my Aunt. I talk to her quite often but it’s just not the same! Thanks again for stopping by. Have a wonderful week.
I love your Mandy story! Thank you for sharing with us ♥ Would you mind sharing the name of the store you found her at? And thank you for the links to similar ones.
Thank you Susan! I found her at the beginning of the season in HomeGoods. I bought two but I’ve been looking for another for a friend. I have not seen them again in any HomeGoods in Colorado. That’s why I searched online. I’ve ordered one from Amazon but it hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe your local stores will still have them! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.
I always look forward to your lantern dioramas and this one particularly speaks to me and so did your post. I am a landlocked Canadian prairie girl who yearns to live by the sea…or even a lake for that matter. Like Mandy and you, my happiest place in life is sitting by the sea listening to the sound of the waves. Reading your post took me right there!
Thank you Marie! I think you and I appreciate the beauty of the water more than most because we are landlocked. Katie has made some great friends out in San Diego that have lived there all their lives. They always tell her that they have spent more time at the beach in the last few years since they’ve met her than they did in the 20 some years before. She treasures every minute there and they just always took it for granted. We are the same way with our mountains. When I really look at them they are pretty but most days I never even notice them! I’m glad this post spoke to you and thank you again for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!
As a dollhouse/mini lover as well as an ocean lover, I really enjoyed your diorama. You did a lovely job! The ocean is where I go to get re-centered. Tourists look for the biggest shells; I go for the little tidepools and look for the tiniest ones for my dolls’ collections! Who else would get excited about a sand dollar 1/4″ in diameter!
I would Kathy! A sand dollar that small would look great in my fairy garden! I’m so glad you could relate to this post. That’s such a great way of describing it…it really does “re-center” you! Thanks so much for coming by and I wish you a wonderful weekend ahead!
What a sweet story. Love how you used it to decorate. Your seaside/beach/tropical themes never disappoint me!! Thanks so much for linking up with me at the Unlimited Link Party 27. Pinned!
Thanks so much Dee! I guess if I can’t see the beach from here, I sure feel the need to surround myself with its treasures! Have a great weekend!
Mandy looks perfect in your lantern and coastal decor! I enjoyed taking a peek into your life and learning your connection with the sea.
Thank you Allyson! I was thrilled to have found her and she fits in perfectly here. So glad you came by and have a wonderful weekend!
Denise!!
OMG!! How cute is that vignette in that lantern and how imaginative to have even thought of doing that!! LOVE it especially with the fairy lights turned on!!!! So cute!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing this charming project!!!! I hope you have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks Debbie! I keep telling myself it’s time for me to be trimming down my decorations instead of bringing more in. But… there was absolutely no way I could pass her by! I’m so glad you came by and I wish you a wonderful weekend!
I love playful decor like this and your fun story! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thank you Cecilia! Glad you stopped by and I hope you have a great week ahead!
I love Mandy’s story! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Thanks so much Ann. Have a wonderful week!
This is so adorable, my friend… always love seeing what you do with lanterns, and this little beach beauty scene is so sweet and unique! Pinned, and so glad to be featuring you at Tuesday Turn About this week! (Don’t forget to add your affiliate disclosure to your post. 😉 )
Thank you Julie! I do love my lanterns and I’m excited to be featured at Tuesday Turn About. Thanks so much for the reminder too! You’ll never know how grateful I am to have stumbled upon My Wee Abode and in turn found my first blogging friend. You’ve helped me countless times and it means the world to me! Have a wonderful day and I’ll see you at the party!
Such a sweet story. Thank you for sharing it. Mandy is lovely, both of them. #HomeMattersParty
Thank you so much Donna! I think they are both lovely too!
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at my Unlimited Link Party 28!
Thank you Dee! So appreciated!
Visiting again to say thanks so much for linking up with me at A Themed Linkup 64 for Coastal Crafts and Décor. Pinned again!
Thanks so much. Appreciate the pin!