sneak peek: cottage living

For five and a half years, Jonathan and I lived in a sweet mid-century modest cottage. We fell in love with our little home the very first time we laid eyes on it. Everything about it was charming. While it wasn't perfect when we moved in, we were okay with that. We loved adding our touches over time, while working hard to preserve the 60-year-old cottage feel. I don't think we realized how truly charming it was until we listed it for sale at the beginning of July. When I saw the photos of our house on the Internet for the first time, I cried. There was our perfect little cottage, the keeper of our treasures and memories. We arrived here as wide-eyed newlyweds with our cat, and we're leaving with almost six years of marriage under our belts, our cat, our dog and even bigger dreams for the future.

I'm writing this post two weeks before it's actually scheduled, so I'm still in our little cottage. Mountains of boxes surround me, and the process of moving begins tomorrow. I know the tears will come soon.

A sixty-three-year-old house comes with so much history. Five and a half years is such a brief time in the grand scheme of things, and yet I feel that we've left our mark on it -- the roses are blooming, the new windows open wide, the deck welcomes friends and the white paint is so fresh and bright. Yes, it feels like home to us, and it will feel like home to the new owners.

They will add new memories and treasures to the next chapter of the little cottage we once called home.

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On the Road: Millington and Covington, Tennessee

Since Jonathan and I moved to Memphis seven years ago, we have wanted to drive to Millington, Tennessee to pick peaches at Jones Orchard. I'm not sure why seven years have gone by without a visit, but on Saturday, we finally decided to go to the orchard. The day was blistering hot, but we didn't care. When we arrived, a clerk handed us a basket and sent us down a gravel road to pick our $10 worth of peaches. It was a little confusing at first, but soon we saw signs that directed us to the peaches that were ready for picking. From there we ventured off the beaten path in Jonathan's truck, feeling hundreds of peaches and trying to determine which ones were the sweetest of all. After a while, we figured out that the peaches on the highest branches were the best, so Jonathan backed his truck up to a tree and scored a ton that were ready-to-eat. We left with about 40 peaches and had a great time as well. Bonus: the truck smelled like peaches all the way home! After our peach picking excursion, we drove on to Covington because we had always heard good things about it. The town square did not disappoint, boasting not one but TWO old theaters, several antique stores and a very quaint coffee shop, Coffee in the Attic, where we enjoyed sandwiches and a brownie sundae. Although they didn't have veggie options on the menu, they created a toasted lettuce, tomato and cheese sandwich for me that was so good that I've been craving them ever since. The brownie sundae hit the spot as well, as you can see!

Something I noticed everywhere we went -- the people were incredibly charming and warm. It's really nice to explore new places and be welcomed like old friends. We will definitely visit again soon!

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An Old-Fashioned Fourth

Our neighborhood has hosted a Fourth of July parade for 64 years. It's the oldest in Memphis, and people come from all over to be a part of it. Everyone dons their most patriotic attire, flags adorn the streets and dogs wear silly red, white and blue outfits. At the end of the parade, a fire truck sprays all of the kids, and the parents stand around and catch up on the neighborhood gossip. It's a fun tradition and a great way to celebrate the holiday.

Bringing the beach home

There are few places that have a more calming influence over us than the beach. The sand, the sun, the surf, the flip flops...what's not to like? The ocean has a calming effect that touches all aspects of life -- from transportation to fashion to food to architecture. Even though we live a good eight hours from any beach, we decided years ago to bring the beach culture into our home in order to create a simple, carefree vibe in our daily lives. Here are five ways we do it:

1. Choose neutral wall colors: We like white, but a soft beige or gray would also work well. Not crazy about neutrals? Other good beach colors are blue and yellow. 2. Use natural fibers: Cotton slipovers and linen curtains give off a breezy vibe. They are also easy to clean. 3. Add beach-inspired art: Examples include classic beach photography, antique paintings of water scenes, vintage beach posters and abstract art in beachy tones. You could also frame a collection of sea shells, feathers or sand dollars as three-dimensional art. 4. Proudly display finds from past beach trips: We like piles of beach stones in old wooden bowls, hundreds of seashells in a glass vessel, a piece of driftwood as a paper weight and a collection of sand dollars in a shadow box. Beach shop souvenirs count toward your beach finds. If a necklace, blanket or pair of shoes reminds you of the beach, then put it in a place where you see it everyday and use it often! 5. Read, listen, watch: There are hundreds of great books, movies, CDs and records that help you get in touch with your inner beach bum. Some of our favorites are Endless Summer by The Beach Boys, Beaches by Gideon Bosker and Lena Lencek and the movie Beach Party.

*Share with Gerald & Joan: We'd love to see photos of your favorite beach and how you bring it back home with you! Simply tag us in your Facebook photos to continue the beachy inspiration!

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