We've spent 6 of the past 8 Christmases here at Lost Cay Cottage. This place has been a real blessing for my whole family!

I have a tendency to want to fill empty spaces and I'm trying to live a more simple life.  The look I'm going for is vintage beach cottage.  I probably made that up as a style but I'm not sure what else to call it!

The wreath on the gate was provided by Lynch Creek Farm, it is the Three Cedars wreath, with or without a bow. 

I chose this beautiful version without a bow so that I could use this fabric.

Growing up in a military family, my fondest memories of Christmas are visiting my grandparents in Charleston, SC. They had a beautiful white gate that led to a backyard that was full of possibilities for a child. I just loved that yard and that gate.  I still go by there when I'm in Charleston for a little glimpse even though the house is no longer in our family.

Hanging this wreath on this white gate in my own yard makes me so very happy.  Grateful for memories of Christmas past and those yet to come.

Full of possibilities. 

 I picked this cute snowflake up in Atlanta at Linen and Flax, such an adorable little store!

  Hmm, Rudolph?

 I didn't want to do traditional Christmas lights. We aren't allowed to have lights up any other time of the year in our neighborhood I
thought market lights would be fun

for my vintage look.

I hope you've been catching everyday of this marvelously beautiful home tour...here are all the links for you. Come back to see us Sunday (12.2) when Q1 is in the lineup!

With Gratitude, Shand

11 Magnolia Lane | Dixie Delights | Summer Adams | Style House Interiors

Sincerely, Marie Designs | Sincerely Sara D | Just a Girl and Her Blog | Most Lovely Things

A Stroll Thru Life | A Blissful Nest | This is Our Bliss | Pink Peppermint Design

Southern State of Mind | Housepitality Designs | 2 Ladies & A Chair | Southern Hospitality

CitrineLiving | Setting for Four | The Pink Clutch

Maison de Cinq | The Heathered Nest | Home by Heidi | Rough Luxe Lifestyle

Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss | 11 Magnolia Lane (Amy) | Quarters One | Evolution of Style

 

Final Farewell

It ended pretty much as it began...
In 1982 we walked hand in hand off the field at Michie Stadium following Bill's graduation from West Point.
In 2018, 36 years later, we walked hand in hand out of the Army Retirement Services Office at Ft. Meade, MD.  
Making the decision to leave a career after so many years wasn't an easy one but it was the right one.  
We have been privileged to be a part of so many amazing military postings like the 1st Ranger Battalion and the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 173d Airborne Brigade, the 1st Infantry Division and all of the outstanding communities that support them.  
I am grateful to so many people we met along our journey!

A little truth from Jimmy Buffet

Reflecting over the years these are some things I wish someone had told me as a young Army spouse...

*Put your family first.
*The only thing people will remember about you is how you made them feel...good or bad.
*Your friends make Army life the best life.
*Don't create drama or be drawn into it. 
*The big Army does not have a secret plan for your military spouse...people are in the right place at the right time. 
*There are no guarantees, everything promised is written in jello.
*When it's your turn to leave the Army 
(and it will be your turn one day) 
remember that as good as it was...the best is yet to be!

With Gratitude and Happiness, 
Shand

Postscript...Ok, this is not really the final farewell, I'm staying around the blogosphere for the after party hope you'll stay with me!

October is My Favorite Color!

  

It's been exactly 3 years and 9 months since I've been able to say I love our Army quarters.  
Don't get me wrong,  I'm grateful to have lived at Fort Myer but those quarters and I had no chemistry.

Nada.

But I love, love the new Quarters One!
(Which is actually Quarters 3 but you know the story...)

 This is the same 1930's floor plan that we lived in, with some variation, at Fort Benning and Fort Bragg. 

 Last fall I thought we might retire over the summer so I gave almost all of my faux fall decor to my daughter.
Even though that hasn't happened (yet) I didn't want to make purchases I had to keep around.

So when I came across a veggie stand full of these beauties...

I decided to fall into my favorite season keeping everything natural and simple. 

And I don't have to pack it up when Christmas rolls around!

These little white pumpkins are the best! They go with everything and just about every room gets one.

One of the few things I kept were pillow covers.  I'm pretty obsessed with pillows.

The foyer.

These heirloom pumpkins are perfect for the kitchen.

The crows made the cut, too. 

See them in last year's fall blog HERE.

We had our first guests for dinner...

Our gorgeous, fun friends,Vikki and Jeff.  

(They seriously look like Grace Kelly and Cary Grant!)

We served our dinner in small, Italian style courses:

Butternut Tarte and Prosecco 

Leek Soup

 White Bean and Fennel Salad

Shrimp and Grits

Ginger Snaps with Cream 

Wine

and then some more wine...

Keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram! 
Thanks for visiting our first post about the new 
(and improved) 
Quarters One!

With Gratitude,

Shand