Ode to a Rock

I realize I've been pretty vocal about the fact that I'm on vacation in Westhampton. When there are so many memories and traditions wrapped up in a family summer local, it's hard not to reminisce. So here I go again.....

Who doesn't love to collect seashells on the beach? Over the years the storms and destruction of the jetties have changed the landscape of the beach that our family has enjoyed for 6 generations. When I was little, I loved collecting the little beach jewels - seaglass!

I don't know if environmental awareness regarding throwing glass in the ocean has increased or what, but I haven't found a piece of seaglass in years. This year though, I found a lot of very large clam shells. How many of these did I paint when I was little and try to sell to all my relatives as the latest, hippest, chicest ashtray? Countless!

We all know that coastal creations are very popular in interior and exterior decor right now, but sometimes I think just celebrating these gifts from nature in their simplest form is the most beautiful.

Yesterday my family and I drove to Montauk (an hour away) to visit a dear college friend of mine. I was amazed at how different the physical landscape of the Montauk coastline was than that of Westhampton. It was a completely different Long Island experience for me.  The most amazing difference? The rocks!

All sizes and shapes and colors glistening in the breaking waves - I'll definitely be paying the extra Delta baggage fee to bring a load home! Now what to do with them?

I could always go back to painting them like I did when I was little.

One thing I know for sure is there is a special vintage mason jar awaiting my Montauk rocks when I get home. I saw this idea years ago at the 2005 Cottage Living Idea House in Bridgehampton and loved it.  I have sand and/or rocks from special family vacations housed in vintage mason jars on a shelf in my kitchen. Each jar has a tag on it secured by twine that notes the location of the vacation sand.

Once again, the creative possibilities are endless but I vow to keep it simple.

Special thanks to Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Apartment Therapy, Christopher M, Susan Diana Harris Interior Design, Allison Gibbs and Edin Makers blog for the creative images.