“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.”
-Khalil Gibran
Kevin learned five new songs at a cottage called Fish Camp last week. He (and Max) called the place home while I was off with the girls at Eisenhower’s Retreat.
‘Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)’, ‘Spirit Break Out’, ‘Freedom Reigns’, ‘How Great Is Our God’, and ‘Beautiful One’- he strummed through them all for six straight days, committing their chords to memory. He was asked to lead worship at our church’s Old Cloverdale location each Sunday in December so he’s on a Mission to get prepared. He wound up singing himself hoarse, but I know he loved every minute of it.
Not long ago, we were talking about how he’s got his guitar in his hands more often than he does not, and how it pulls at him whenever he’s not playing it. In that conversation, he told me he feels like he doesn’t make music because he wants to, he feels like he makes it because he has to. Meaning, it doesn’t feel like a choice. Playing guitar, he said, feels as essential to his survival as breathing.
I loved that…and I knew exactly what he meant. While I can’t relate to that particular tug (it’s one of the spaces in our togetherness, I guess), I can definitely relate when it comes to blogging, creating, and taking pictures. A blank page triggers a different kind of aliveness in me, and these days, capturing moments for keeps feels fulfilling, and almost automatic. I’m not saying my “art” is for everyone, I’m just saying that my spirit wakes up yearning to create, and capture, and string letters into words.
Whatever that is, I don’t think it would let me take a day off even if I wanted to.
***
And now since we’re on the subject of snapping and sharing, you have just *got* to come in and see this adorable Fish Camp.
The master bedroom was my favorite. It used to be a one-car garage, but now two tiny steps lead down to a bedroom completely covered in white-painted beadboard, and there’s a small half bath off to one side.
Oh, and please excuse the grainy pics. It was overcast that day, and I didn’t have my tripod with me, so it was hard to get super bright/clear photos.
I’ve got a thing for clever storage, angled walls, pitched ceilings, and sunken rooms, and the space planning nut in me was absolutely smitten with the layout in this room. I mean, a bookshelf-lined “foyer” built out around the outside of the bathroom door- creating the perfect place for a flatscreen TV that sits straight out in front of the king-sized bed? GENIUS!
And don’t even get me started on the office space you walk through on your way to the master bedroom. Another pitched ceiling, more white-painted beadboard, and more storage at almost every single turn!
I’ve got an appointment with the walls here at our house tomorrow, to see if any of them can work any harder like that. 😉 Oh gosh, and that sweet little lobster pink door! How fun is that?!
The kitchen is super cute, too. And looky there- more clever (wine glass) storage above the sink:
I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to feel anything other than cheerful in a room that is outfitted with a handpainted tile backsplash, hex tile countertop, yellow & white checkerboard floor, vintage sink and cornflower blue cabinet doors. (Jane Coslick, you sure know how to happy-up a place!)
Another nifty thing I noticed was that there was always a place to hang things. I would be standing somewhere- towel, or jacket, or purse in hand, and BOOM. There was always a hook for me to hang it on.
Aside from the row of four by the front door, our house is currently very hookless, so I’m feeling like I need a few more hooks in my life today.
Baits, no, but hooks, yes. 😉
PS- Thanks again to the sweet “mermaids” at Mermaid Cottages! Fish Camp was the perfect place for my boys to work and play, while I was away!
I absolutely LOVE the yellow checkered kitchen floor! This is definitely a happy house. Thanks for sharing.
This is what originally drew me to YOU — My love for Jane Coslick. I have been a fan of Jane’s for many years and draw a lot of inspiration from her. We fell in love with Tybee and want to get there as much as possible. There is just something magical about Tybee Island!!
Hi Layla
I have an uphostery shop at. 15454 Vaughn rd
I would love for you to stop by ! Also did I miss the finished photos of your built in cabnet in the room with the piano . I love all of your built in ideas I live in my great grandparents house built in 1937 and there is not much storage. My shop is to the left of Macon east and before you get to halls store,
I look forward to meeting you !
Mindy
I am a friend of Tammy griffin
I upholstered her cut little chair with the barkcloth vintage country scene and burlap skirt.
Oh, Mindy, you are just the gal I need to see! I’ve got two old dining chairs that are in desperate need of some new fabric! What are your hours? I’d love to come chit chat with you! 😀
I love that little crab planter! Well, everything else too, that just popped out at me.
I loved that too, Andrea! It was actually a cookie jar, but I felt like we needed a centerpiece so I stuffed some clippings from the yard in it instead!
This same cottage graced the cover of Cottage Living magazine several years ago (no longer in publication). I still have the issue. It’s just as adorable now as it was then!!
~Dana
I have the same magazine and recognized it, too! Miss Cottage Living …
Oh my goodness! Just adorable!
Oh my…. love this post, all of it! Especially the little lobster pink door!!!
We stayed in Fish Camp Cottage last May and it was just adorable! We loved being able to hop on our bikes and go anywhere around the island.
Layla, I just realized that when I load your page the last post it shows is from September. I hit home and still shows Sept. not until I go to your archives do I find that you have been posting all along! I had been wondering why you stopped blogging :(. I had hoped everything was ok and then I realize you have been all along!
Hi Laura!
A few other folks have said the same thing, but when they cleared their computer’s cookies, cache and/or history, the posts all started popping up again. Hope that helps! And thank you for joining me here! XO
Being from Evansville, Indiana…I sure do love that crate! We have a similar one that I found in Franklin, Tennessee!
We just booked a week stay at Fish Camp Cottage in June 2015 tonight thanks to your beautiful pics and post. I let them know what a fan we are of your blog and gave you all the credit! It will be our first trip to Tybee. When I saw the pictures, I knew our 2 year old little boy would have a blast staying here. I can’t wait for this family vacation. Thank you for sharing.
hi Layla on a totally different note could you ask Kevin a good starter guitar?, I feel like it would be the perfect gift for my son who went to college this year and has so much talent that he could apply to the guitar. :), thank you!!!!!!!
That sink! We had one, except yellow, when I was growing up 🙂
We are the owners of Fish Camp Cottage and couldn’t be more pleased with your blog and so happy you enjoyed your stay! We have great friends from Newburg, Indiana and have graced us with all the Cook things in the cottage (our last name is Cook). So glad we have previous guests that have enjoyed Tybee and new guests that we look forward to greeting! Layla, you and your family are welcome anytime!
My daughter and I are at Fish right now on a mommydaughter long long weekend. I saw your blog address in the guest book. I am also a momma through adoption (from foster care), so I felt compelled to say hi. Swing by my blog sometime. I write about adoption, trauma, attachment and whatever else is on my mind. Tomorrow is our last full day at Tybee. 🙁