End of summer coastal inspiration

Hello and welcome to the end of summer - I thought I'd share a little coastal inspiration with you and talk about why I will miss summer. What will you miss about summer? We still have triple digit temp's here, so it is hard to imagine Labor day is almost here. I am so going to freeze when we leave here in a few weeks.

The first thing I will miss about summer is going to the pool and getting a free tan! Swimming doesn't even feel like exercise to me, you are outdoors, and having a great time. I will also miss just wearing a t-shirt and shorts-living in the south for the past 3 years I'm not used to wearing long pants and sweats again. (I told you we are moving to GE).

Still with me-good. Summer lends itself to decorating with white and blue colors-my favorites. I'm going to have to look for darker hues in the fall. Same goes for clothing-different layers and textures. And I for sure will miss waking up to sunshine every morning. The sun makes my day bright ! Did I miss anything you can think of? Happy Hump day!

(Chalk paint) Menu board

Chalk paint is very popular among crafters and bloggers alike. I have jumped on the band waggon and made a few projects with chalk paint lately. You won't believe how versatile it is and what you can do with it. I made this menu board with chalk paint on a repuirposed canvas that previously held a Lobster drawing that looked fake to me. First I gave it a white coat of Krylon primer spray, and after it was dry, I sprayed it with Krylon chalk spray. First up and down, then left to right. After it dried I took a chalk marker and covered the entire surface with it. Then I whiped it off with a rag and the board was ready for decorating. I really wanted a menu plan for the kitchen for a while, so I drew on it with some colorful chalk crayons. Et Voila-done. What do you think? I got all my supplies from HobLob. Linking here. Enjoy,

{Travel&Leisure} Dog beach, Panama City Beach, FL

Most of Florida is very pet friendly by US standards. The PCB area is a little more strict, but at least they have one beach where dogs can go. It is the Pier Park beach. They must remain on the leash though. I love this beach beacause of its white sugar sand and the emerald waters. Parking is located across the street, where Pier Park mall and restaurants are as well. A bit further down the road is a park where dogs can go, but more about that in another post.

We went to the beach during the day here, as you can see not many people were there.

Here is Feger shaking the salt water off.

Feger swimming in the ocean-she doesn't like the waves anymore, she is almost 15 years old. She loves swimming in our lake though. 

Bella taking a break.

Isn't this a great view at 6 AM? So peaceful and serene. I could wake up to this every day! Linking here. Have a good start into the week! Cheers,

Hurrican Irene Pet Evacuation locations in the Northeast

Here is some information shared by 'Two Little Cavaliers' on locations in New England where you can bring your pet for shelter and also shelters who need help evacuating animals. Feel free to spread the word on your blog, FB, or Twitter. Thanks~!

As Hurricane Irene threatens a large swath of land along the Eastern Seaboard, the ASPCA is deploying emergency responders to help rescue and shelter animals displaced by the storm. Members of our Field Investigations and Response Team are working closely with the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the OEM’s Animal Planning Task Force to assist with the city’s disaster relief efforts. For families who must leave their homes, evacuation centers and emergency shelters in New York City will be pet friendly, and people are encouraged to evacuate with their pets. Please call 311 to find an evacuation center.

RT @NCEmergency Pet-friendly Newport shelter in Carteret Co NC is open but running low on cages. Pls bring your own #hurricane #irene

If you are on Facebook please visit and like Hurricane Irene 2011 Animal Rescue Resource Page Have a Twitter account? Please copy-paste the following to your account to help increase pet rescue options for those in the storm’s path.
Pet Rescue groups in the path of #Irene please “Like” http://on.fb.me/oUKDQu & add your group to help save the lives pets in evacuation zones!

The Brookhaven Animal Shelter is working together with the Suffolk County SPCA to help the beloved pets of evacuees. The Suffolk County Community College Riverhead-Woodland Campus at 121 Speonk-Riverhead Road, Riverhead will be open for residents and their pets at 10 am tomorrow. Anyone that has a pet should bring medical records, food, medications, collars with identification and leashes, small litter boxes for cats as well as carriers/crates to house their pets and keep them safe.

Bring pets indoors at the first sign of the storm. Animals can become disoriented and wander away from home during a disaster.

RT @SteveRudinABC7: Pets allowed on subway in New York City during evacuation. #NYWX #NY #Hurricane #irene

Arrange a safe haven for yourself and your pets in the event of evacuation. Do not leave pets behind.

*URGENT*
NY ~ Freeport Animal Shelter is evacuating. Right now they’re trying to move all animals out of the shelter (180 cats & 40 dogs), but they desperately need dog crates and cat carriers for the animals. People can drop off crates at 71-03 80th St in Glendale Queens ( 718-362-6070 ). Also needed are blankets, flashlights, batteries, dog food, cat food. Please copy / paste to share.

Store an emergency kit—with items such as pet food, bottled water, medical records, a blanket, a flashlight and leashes—as close to an exit as possible.

NEW JERSEY! Gov. Chris Christie said the state is prepare to welcome cats and dogs to the emergency shelters of last resort meant for people.

Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification.

DELMARVA: Michael Lopardi passes along this message from Sussex: Remember, storm questions in Sussex County should go to Emergency Operations Center hotline at (302) 856-7366. DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless it’s an emergency.

Affix a rescue alert sticker to your front door or window to let rescuers know that there are pets inside your home.

Telephone Land Lines may still work after the power is out!! So Dig out that Old Corded Phone!!! You know your Out-of-State Relatives are going to call you every hour asking “How’s the Storm? Are you ok?”

NEW YORK: If you can help transport, Please be at the Bobbi & The Strays Freeport 2 Ride Place @ 8am Tomorrow. We will need people to transport to Glendale. Location Below: 71-03 80th Street #132, Glendale (Queens), NY 11385

People Shelter in Bel Air, MD 21014 – Can take in dogs as long as they have crates

NEW JERSEY! Liberty Humane Society ( http://www.facebook.com/LibertyHumaneSociety ) is in an evacuation zone and needs MANY temporary foster placements for both dogs and cats! http://www.libertyhumane.org/

Be safe everyone!

Happy Friday!

Hello and how is everyone this Friday morning? How has your week been? This photo is a sunrise seen from our house-I got up at 4 AM the other day because I was exited that the packers were coming. Also this past week Bella found 3 squirrel babies on the road in front of our house - they had fallen out of the tree and their nest, and a lot of leaves and branches were down, too. We figured a big bird of prey was trying to get at them. It wasn't stormy out. Two of them were dead-one was alive. We recruited DH to burry the two and make a bed for the one. The next morning we brought it to the local wildlife and squirrel rescue (Yes, in AL this place does exist.)

I have also finished all my projects that I wanted to get done before the packers arrived. I didn't take pictures of the newest stuff, but I have plenty to share until then.

I also won a giveaway a while back-I won the Seaband and gum from Jerri's Simply Sweet Home blog.

This is perfect for me since I suffer from migraines and motion sickness and I get to try them out on my upcoming trip overseas. The sea bands are wrist bands with an accupressure point and the gum is natural with ginger to eliminate motion sickness. It won't leave you drowsy like the pills can. Thanks Jerri!

And lastly a beautiful view of Italy's coast-a place I hope to visit soon. Have a great weekend and lot's of sunshine! Cheers,

{Painting} Ocean on canvas

Hello my friends, during the past few summer months I have picked up the paintbrush again and painted a few ocean views. I used to paint as a teenager, but haven't done anything artistic since then. This is my first try at capturing the Gulf of Mexico of the coast of Shell Island, FL. I love all the blue hues-I think in GE I will put this over my bead. I used different blues and teals and different brushes and strokes. I'm looking for a good paint how to book right now. Painting is very relaxing for me. Have you painted anything lately? Please share your thoughts on my painting. Linking at Susan's and here. Cheers,

Top 10 reasons why I look forward to moving to Germany

Top 10 reasons why I look forward to moving to GE

10 Shopping

I get to go to Ikea for furniture and such and to H&M for clothing. Love love love them.

9 Flea markets & farmers markets & volksmarches

I get to go to flea markets, buy organic produce at weekly farmers markets, and go on volksmarches on the weekend. Volksmarches are organized hikes of 5, 10, or 20 km with control points on the way where you get your ticket stamped. You get a mug or trophy at the end and there is a oompah band playing at the start/finish point, and they sell cake, coffee, beer, and bratwurst. It’s great exercise for us and the dogs!

8 Dogs can go pretty much anywhere

Germany is the most dog friendly country I know of. With the exception of grocery stores dogs can go anywhere-public transit, restaurants, doctors offices, enough said. In front of the grocery stores there are places where you tie up your dog to wait for you while shopping and a water dish.

7 We get to travel Europe

Italy, the Canary Islands etc.

6 I get to eat German Broetchen (rolls) and other German food

No explanation needed here.

5 No pests, critters, humidity, and tornadoes

The most dangerous thing I will encounter on my dog walks there is a rabbit or deer. I will get to actually enjoy being outdoors because it won’t feel like I’m in a steam bath

4 Christmas traditions

Visit my Bavarian Christmas posts to see why

3 Four seasons

It’s just not Christmas without snow!

2 I get to see my car and drive on the Autobahn

My car has been in storage for 3 years and it’s my baby. It’s also fun to drive the Autobahn because most people in GE knows how to drive!

1 I get to see my F A M I L Y !

Need I say more.

3 reasons why I will miss the USA

Reasons why I will miss the USA

1 Florida

I love both coasts of Florida and want to retire there. It feels like home to me.

2 The Ocean & Collecting sea treasures

I love the oceans and its creatures, especially dolphins. Collecting and crafting with sea shells, driftwood, rocks, and what have you. The beach and sand. The sound of the waves. Boats and swimming.

3 The Lifestyle

It is a different life here-more relaxed and the people are more friendly.

What would you miss most about leaving the USA?

Tomorrow I will tell you about the reasons I look forward to going to Germany!

I'm back!!!

Hello my friends, I am back from my blogging hiatus. I'm done working and everything is packed, today the movers will arrive to prepare our household goods for shipping. I'm so exited I got up at 4 AM this morning! It was a very busy month so far. We were able to get away for a last long weekend at the beach though. We took the dogs to PCB! We had a wonderful time collecting sea treasures at the beach-we never found so much stuff in PCB. I found lot's of coral, mini sand dollars, mini shells, two glasses of olive shells, toys, and sun glasses.

We also saw an abundance of dead crabs and marine skeletons of all kind. That kind of concerned us-why are there so many dead crabs on the beach? Another thing we did not like was all the sea weed, and the smell of it, it was disgusting and it hasn't been there before. The only beach clear was by the Pier Park and the tidal pool in St. Andrews Park, but it had jellyfish, so no swimming there, either. We also saw a dead stingray in the water, someone had tried to stab it. It was unfortunate, but still cool to see one up close. The sand in places was also blackend and bubbling, and it smelled rotten, like sulfuric acide in my humble opinion. I actually got stuck in the mess and could only get out by leaving my flip flop behind. The stuff was more than ankle deep and sucking you in. One has to wonder if this has to do with the oil spill from last year? Sure enough they were doing surveys on the beaches asking people about the effects of the oil spill and the condition of the beaches. There was also a lot of trash on the beaches and in the city itself. It was awful. I won't even talk about the triple digit heat index.

Here is a before (May 2011) and after (August 2011) shot of St. Andrews Bay, FL, looking towards the county pier. Quite a difference in water colors.

We had some wild life encounters in St. Andrews State Park, I wil show you those photos in another post. DH got fresh fish and shrimp, and we had wonderful meals. Nothing beats the taste of freshly filed fish cooked on a grill. How awesome is that.

I hope everyone is having a great start into the week! Cheers,

Giveaway winner

The winner of my Uprinting sticker giveaway is Emilee! Congratulations to you-please send me your address to claim your prize.

Thanks much!

Stray dog needs good home-meet Boonie

Meet Boonie-he is an unneutered male Lab-boxer mix and has been living in an empty house near ours for the past few months. Not sure if someone abondened him or where he came from. I'm looking for a good home for him since we are moving soon and I cannot keep him. I bring him food and water several times a day, he is really cute and a bit timid. He is getting used to me though. If he hasn't found a new owner by the time we leave either he stays or we will turn him over to a local no kill shelter. Either way, things are not looking good for Boonie unless he finds a new home soon. He is located in the wiregrass area-email me if you are interested or know someone who might be.

Thanks a bunch!

Giveaway with UPrinting

Hello everyone, I’m still busy working and preparing for our upcoming move, but I did manage to do this giveaway for you guys! UPrinting makes Custom Stickers and Personalized Stickers as well as an array of other items that can be customized to your liking.

These stickers are great for promoting your blog, Etsy store, or crafts. You can stick them on tags that are attached to your products and you can give them away like business cards. Remember, they are customized to your design. They are also great for schools, fundraisers, or parties. I will use mine to give out with my crafts that I plan to sell on flea markets.

They have graciously offered 250 Customizable Stickers for One (1) Winner of this awesome giveaway! The stickers are 2" x 3.5", 70lb Label Matte, Front Only Printing, 4 Business Days Turnaround.

Restriction: This giveaway is open to all followers and subscribers of Doberman’s by the Sea. Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only. If you have won this same giveaway during the past six months you are not eligible to win again.

This giveaway is open through midnight CET 21 August 2011. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced on 22 August 2011. You will have 24 hours to contact me to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen. Good luck

How to enter

-leave a comment telling me how you would use the stickers -1entry

-Like us on FB (see right side bar) -1 entry

-Like UPrinting on FB -1entry

-follow UPrinting on Twitter -1 entry

-sign up on GiveawayBlogs -1 entry

-blog, tweet, or FB about this giveaway -2 entries

Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive stickers for hosting. All opinions are my own. Check out standard label templates on Uprinting.com.

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Thought of the day

Have a great day!

Coral Inspirations

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Good Morning and Happy Hump Day my friends! Today I will share some more splashes of coral with you. It is one of my favorite summer colors. As you may know I am busy volunteering right now and getting ready to move overseas. I do have another giveaway planned that will post here shortly.

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You should visit this boutique, they have color schemes in all hues, no matter what your preference is. Pinterest is another great source for color inspiration. You should check it out if you haven't already.

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Love these coral frames-and it goes well with another one of my favorite colors-aqua. Have a great rest of the week!

Pin It

A big announcement...

Hello and happy Monday! I won't be around much the next few weeks as I mentioned in yesterday's post, but I do have to tell you the big news: we are moving in the next few months! We are going to be living here:

Yes, that's right-we are going back to Germany. While it is exiting there is a lot of work to be done in the meantime-packing the house hold goods, cleaning, shipping two cars and three pets, and figuring out what to pack in the suitcases that we will be living out of for a few months.

We were supposed to spend August here:

St. Augustine, FL

Not happening-but we will sneak in a few days here:

Panama City Beach, FL

I have to hurry and finish my crafting projects that I started and make gifts for family back home. I will tell you more about the move in my next post. Meanwhile, have a great week!