Fog weather photo via Stuff in the Air

We were on vacation in Disney World last week. Although the sun came out, the last couple of days were overcast. But I think I prefer that. Cool winds, a light fog and grey skies? That is my cup of tea. What is your favorite kind of weather?

When you think of your favorite weather, you think of all the things that go along with it to make the perfect day, right? Thinking of a cool, foggy morning immediately makes me long for a delicious pastry/drink combination. With the right outfit and a mug of something tasty, a foggy morning is the best. Did you know there are different types of fog? Yep, one of them is our breath!

Summer Memory Photograph from A Life Through the Lens

Happy Independence Day everybody! As much as I want you read my post, I sure do hope you are spending some time outside in the sun with friends today. In my opinion there’s no better way to celebrate the 4th then a good old fashioned cook out with burgers, brats, potato salad, cold watermelon and fresh lemonade.

I used to hate watermelon. I thought it was too watery and the texture was a little strange. I would still make myself eat it because I thought it was one of those fruits everyone should like. Plus its just cool how you eat it off the rind and spit out the seeds. That was worth it to me even if I didn’t quite care for the taste. This summer is probably the first summer that I’ve really enjoyed it. I think I have probably bought about 3 or 4 already and I plan on enjoying a few more before fall comes.

If you don’t get a chance to devour any today, here are a few for you to enjoy until you can get your hands on some.

Photo by Fotoos Van Robin

This is really not the time of the year to be gazing at cinnamon photos. I know Christmas is still six months away. However, I stumbled across this DIY face mask that uses cinnamon and I started thinking about cinnamon in a different way. And then I made french toast (for the first time!) tonight and I added a bit of cinnamon. So I just had to share — cinnamon is not just for winter! You guys already had this realization and are rolling your eyes at me, huh?

Here are some reasons cinnamon is good year-round. Supposedly cinnamon can lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. It can also kill bacteria and prevent infections. And it smells good. Plus ground cinnamon is yummy when combined with sugar. Not so yummy otherwise. Cinnamon sticks also make for pretty decor. Cinnamon buns/rolls/pretzels are heavenly. Need I go on?

P.S. Did you know cinnamon strips are called ‘quills’? And they can be stored for hundreds of years in the proper conditions! So cool — learn more about cinnamon here.

Sea Shells Fine Art Print by Rbrosseau

She sells seashells by the sea shore.

Now say that 5 times fast. It’s a tongue twister. I can hardly read it let alone say it more than once. Shells have always amazed me; they’re beautiful, little creatures live inside of them and you can even hear the sound of the ocean if you listen closely. Pretty cool, huh? I always have so much fun visiting the beach and searching for shells. It feel like a little treasure hunt. I still have a shell that I saved from my first visit to the ocean years ago. I’m sentimental like that.

While searching for images for this post I was pleasantly surprised with how many lovely shell things are out there both to purchase and to make. I’m really loving the little shell necklace and you can’t tell me those shell pets aren’t the cutest things you’ve ever seen. They remind me of Marcel the Shell With Shoes on. If you haven’t seen him before you should check him out here.

Summertime via National Geographic

I guess I am a little late to the poppy party. It seems we’ve long been infatuated with poppies, particularly the beautiful reds. The poppy crazy has been around for a very long time and has made it’s way into home decor, fashion, crafting, fine arts, and baking. Poppies grow around our town but this is my first spring in this town, prior to this I had never seen a poppy in real life. Gasp! Can you believe it? So now I’m hooked. They are so beautiful and certainly deserved to be celebrated.

I’m sure you are eager to learn some poppy facts, right? You may already know this, but it was news to me. The big poppies that everyone loves are actually called Oriental Poppies, not Red Poppies. Those are two different flowers. If you follow those links, you can learn a lot! Like the red poppy’s significance in the Great War in Belgium…