Summer at the Beach and Sunday Morning Coffee

Welcome to another Sunday Morning Coffee! Summer is flying by, and I have to say, it has been the busiest and happiest summer at the beach we’ve had in a long time.

We’ve spent nearly every weekend at our beach house with family and friends, which is exactly why we bought and remodeled it all those years ago. Back at home, two exciting new crafting machines arrived this week, and I can hardly wait to start creating with them. And in between all of that, I realized our family room at home deserved a little love too, so I spent the week cleaning, organizing, and getting everything in order. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s catch up!

Smiling woman sitting on a white couch holds a baby who is resting on her shoulder in a bright living room.

Season 6 Volume 27

A collage with a house exterior, a kitchen, a door with a wreath, text "Sunday Morning Coffee," and a Christmas ornament labeled "The Santa Family.

About Me

An adult bends down to help a small child standing at the edge of the ocean on a sandy beach, their reflections visible in the wet sand.

There is something so special about spending the summer at the beach, and this year we are truly living the dream we imagined when we first bought our Ventura beach house.

It seems like every single weekend we’ve welcomed family or friends to stay with us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The house has been filled with laughter, home-cooked meals, sandy towels, late-night conversations on the deck, and the kind of memories that remind me why home is so much more than four walls.

Five women stand together on an outdoor patio near the beach, smiling at the camera. There are chairs, a table with snacks, and oceanfront houses in the background.

When we decided to buy the beach house fourteen years ago, we knew it needed a lot of work. The remodel was a labor of love, and there were certainly moments when we wondered if we had taken on too much.

A man and woman stand indoors by a white couch; the woman holds a baby wearing a blue dress. The group smiles at the camera amid bright, natural light and neutral decor.

But every decision we made was with one goal in mind: creating a place where everyone would want to gather. We wanted a home that our family and friends would love just as much as we do.

Now, watching our grandchildren play, sharing long dinners after a day at the beach, cheering on the World Cup together, and seeing guest rooms filled every weekend makes every bit of that hard work worthwhile.

Two women stand barefoot in front of a large window in a bright living room, both smiling and casually dressed in light-colored shirts and jeans.

Our beach house has become exactly what we hoped it would be: a place where people come together, relax, laugh a little louder, and make memories they’ll carry with them long after summer is over.

Honestly, I can’t imagine a better way to spend the season.

And it’s only half over!

Seagrass Storage Basket Bins with Lid

Large Gold Cage Lantern Light Fixture

Square vintage-style tabletop clock displaying the time as 2:09. The clock has bold black numerals and metallic framing.

Small Gold Table Clock

Three tall, slender gold candle holders of varying heights, each with a round base, exude a touch of vintage decor as they stand elegantly on a white background.

Gold Tall Candle Candlestick Holder

A woven laundry basket with handles sits next to a beige sofa, adding a touch of vintage decor. A piece of light-colored fabric drapes gracefully over the basket's edge, contrasting with the light blue wall behind.

Tall Woven Basket

Pale Gold Bezel Frame TV Frame

My Latest Project

Several cardboard boxes, some open and some closed, are arranged on a hardwood floor in a well-lit room. — The photos are blurred to keep the surprise!

This week was a big one in my craft room because two brand-new crafting machines finally arrived! I wish I could tell you exactly what they are, but you’ll have to wait just a little bit longer.

Let’s just say I have been counting down the days for these deliveries, and seeing the boxes arrive on our front porch was every bit as exciting as I had hoped.

A cardboard box is placed on the floor next to a kitchen island with a woven chair in a bright, modern kitchen. — The photos are blurred to keep the surprise!

Of course, getting them into my craft room on the third floor was another story! These machines are definitely not lightweight, so it took some planning, a little muscle, and a lot of careful maneuvering to get everything upstairs and into place.

Then came the puzzle of rearranging my craft room to make space for them while still keeping all of my other favorite tools within reach. It was a bit of a challenge, but completely worth it.

A staircase with a wooden banister, cream wainscoting, three framed pictures, and a hanging "Welcome" sign on the wall. — I can’t believe I found this much room for my new machines!

Now the real fun begins. Over the next two weeks, I’ll be spending a lot of time learning everything these machines can do. I love the excitement of trying something new, even when it means being a beginner again.

There are so many ideas swirling around in my head, and I can’t wait to start using these new tools to create projects for the blog, gifts for family and friends, and, hopefully, to inspire all of you along the way. I have a feeling this is the beginning of a whole new chapter in my crafting journey, and I can’t wait to share every step with you.

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

Two pendant lights with brass fixtures and clear glass dome shades hang from round ceiling mounts, each containing a visible bulb.

Farmhouse Glass Pendant Lights

A large transparent gridded cutting mat with measurement markings along the edges and diagonal lines across the surface.

Cutting Mat for Hobby Table 36in X 59in

A white pegboard wall panel with various metal hooks and three small gray storage bins attached, designed for organizing tools or supplies.

Amazon Basics Rectangular Metal Pegboard Kit

What Worked This Week

Bright living room with large windows, a white sectional sofa, glass coffee table, framed photos on the wall, and neutral-colored decor.

This week, “what worked” wasn’t a craft project or a room makeover. It was simply getting our home back in order, and honestly, it felt so good.

After eighteen wonderful years, our amazing housekeeper retired. She became part of our family over the years, and while we’re so happy for her, it’s definitely been an adjustment.

Add in our busy summer schedule, weekends at the beach house, traveling, and lots of time spent in my craft room, and one place has been a little neglected… our family room!

A beige sofa with decorative pillows sits near large glass doors; a side table with a lamp and a digital device is next to it, and greenery is visible outside.

So this week, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Slowly we have been updating our family room. We changed out the light fixtures, added recessed lighting, moved a coffee table from the beach house, and added new end tables and lamps.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about putting everything in its new place. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s amazing how much calmer and more peaceful a clean, organized home can make you feel.

Bright living room with a white sectional sofa, glass coffee table, side table with a lamp and tablet, and large windows overlooking a green backyard.

As much as I love starting new creative projects, sometimes the most rewarding project is simply taking care of the home you already love.

Walking through the house now, with everything fresh, clean, and back to normal, reminds me why I enjoy creating beautiful spaces in the first place. It feels like we’re ready to enjoy the rest of our summer adventures, knowing we’ll always come home to a place that feels welcoming and cared for.

A living room with a white sectional sofa, glass coffee table, wicker tray, decorative bowl, and large windows letting in natural light.

Rectangular table lamp with a white shade, gold finial, beige rectangular base, gold accents, and a gold decorative tassel hanging from the neck. — SAFAVIEH Lighting – Amiliana 32-Inch Tassel Table Lamp

White ceramic bowl with an irregular, scalloped edge and a slightly wavy, textured surface, shown against a plain background. — Large Free-Form Edge Glazed Ceramic Bowl

Two decorative cream and white patterned pillows on a light sofa, with a beige throw blanket, a book, and dried flowers nearby. Green plants are visible in the background. — Ivory Embroidered Decorative Throw Pillow

Finish embroidery gift for our hosts in Sun Valley.
Set up two new crafting machines and stations.

A pink oval plate holds eight crackers topped with slices of hard-boiled egg, a dollop of spread, dill sprigs, and a sprinkle of seasoning, arranged neatly on a beige tablecloth.

Here is a recipe for Cheater’s Deviled Eggs.

Open bathroom drawer under a marble countertop sink, neatly organized with cosmetics, skincare bottles, towels, a hairbrush, and toiletries in clear and wooden dividers.

The 1-3-5 Decluttering Rule Can Help Keep Your Home Organized

An adult sprays insect repellent onto a child’s arm outdoors, with trees and grass visible in the background.

8 Effective Ways to Prevent Mosquito Bites

Living room with two brown leather chairs, a striped ottoman, blue chest of drawers, potted plant, lamp, framed art, and antler wall decor.

This is interesting … 7 Items That Can Make Your Home Look Tacky

A plastic bag of sliced bread with a twist tie showing an expiration date of 25 May, placed on a light wooden surface.

You May Stop Seeing ‘Sell By’ Dates at the Grocery Store Soon -Here’s Why!

Set of 4 White Serving Platters -14.5″

Two glass table lamps with gold bases and white shades are placed on a table. A small bouquet, a decorative bowl, and two smart bulbs with remote controls are also shown.

Dimmable Modern Glass Table lamp

White Ceramic Baking Dish Set, Set of 3

And what a week it was!

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