Folly By the Sea

Follow Me To The Sea



Every year since I can remember (with very few exceptions) I have spent at least a small amount of time at the seashore in the summertime. I know I am not alone in this ritual. The lure of the ocean is powerful at any time of the year, but particularly so in the summer. I am not sure whether this is because so much of my childhood was spent in swimming and sailing on the waters of the Cape or whether the feeling would be as strong if we hadn't had that pleasure every year. But either way, I cherish the small amount of time I can get away each year and visit the sea. I know, too, that everyone has "their" ocean. The one that speaks to them the most clearly. For some it is the rocky coast of Maine. For some it is the Islands of the Carribbean. For me it is the sandy shores of Cape Cod, in particular, the Outer Cape where the land narrows to a thin strip, embraced on both sides by the sea. I am so lucky that my Father and his Partner live there for half the year and are happy to host a never ending procession of friends and relatives! And this year was no exception!



So I went to the seashore. And while my Father and his partner Diane don't live right on the shore (which is actually a very good thing because the shore doesn't stay put very well in some places...) almost everyone I know dreams of a visit to a cottage on the shore. So you may imagine my surprise when I came across this lovely little cottage by the shore that was NOT already booked for the WHOLE summer!

It looked so familiar!

My friends and I engaged it on the spot!

Oh, did I forget to mention that besides my son, a bunch of my little friends decided to come with me to the shore this year? It was one of those last minute decisions, but they all wanted to come!

Ken has decided to go for an early walk on the beach before the crowds arrive!


Oh, and my time traveling friends are here too! I'm not sure how long they are staying.

But they wanted to check the place out.

I know they have NOT brought their bathing suits so there will be no swimming. But a walk perhaps?

But not a very long walk in those gowns!

Someone should have warned them how sandy it would be!

Charlotte and her children came too! They were very eager to spend some time at the shore!

They are VERY good children. But she did have to warn them to be careful and not stray too far. And they did NOT bring their swim suits either. It was a last minute decision to come after all. But that is just as well. I don't think she would have let them swim anyway because of the Sharks!

Maybe not any farther than this!

(Tommy is sure that sharks won't come this far ashore!)





Oh, but WHO is this? Have we even met before?
Would you care to go for a walk on the beach?

Felicity is happy to go for a walk, even though she just got home from staying out all night at a ball..... (NOT a beach ball in that gown!)

It is such a lovely view!

Or they could stay and join Charlotte and the children for a picnic breakfast!

But I am not sure if anyone remembered to pack the picnic basket..... it WAS such a last minute decision!

So you may be surprised to find out that some small improvements have been happening recently to the Folly! It has NOT been ALL fun and games! Come on in and I will show you!





The most noteworthy improvement has been the addition of a cornice trim in the parlor. I found some small scale trims in the ready-made wooden moulding sections of the local Home Depot. I painted them in the light blue with gold in the recessed parts. I think they add a good framework that was missing before with the painted ceiling.

I know you won't remember how it was before, but the fireplace has been painted to resemble black marble around the firebox. And the firebox itself has had the brickwork painted in.





This close-up just shows the rough nature of the paint job.

I think it will need a little touching up!

So far, the only improvements to the windows has been the view.......Come look!

I sure wish I could curl up and sleep by this window!

As for the outside, the missing shingles on the roof ARE slowly being completed!







I don't know about you, but I will ALWAYS dream about a cottage by the seashore.

I'm glad you could join me in a little Folly by the Sea!

Follow Me To The Sea