“Each day has been chained to the previous one…but the weeks have wings.”
― Jonathan Safran Foer
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Howdy, friends! It’s been a while since I’ve published a post, and I honestly didn’t plan to take such a long break from blogging, but this summer was so…different…and I guess it just felt most natural to ebb with different for a while too. Anywho, I’m looking forward to writing more regularly now, and I look forward to reconnecting with my ol’ blog friends here too!
Speaking of writing…Kevin and I wrote a book! It’s a children’s story book based on a real-life experience we had at the beach back in March. Our wonderful literary agent (Lisa) introduced us to the fine folks at Bethany Books at the end of May, and we signed a book deal with them in August. We’ve been working with our talented editor (Jennifer) on all sorts of things since then and I can hardly wait to see the illustrations! We’re working with a phenomenal artist (BIG TIME dream come true to work with this guy!) and I look SO forward to seeing our story pour out of his pen!
And speaking of happy pictures…I dusted off my camera card reader today and found a handful of Tybee Island photos waiting for me there. You may remember that Tybee has been our happy place since 2010 and I’ve always felt like there’s something extra magical about it in the Fall. Summer crowds thin, and it’s still warm enough to enjoy the beach. We stayed in a new-to-us Mermaid Cottage this time last year and it was such a sweet little place. It was called Nora’s Cottage and the cheerful colors had me at hello.
Steevenson had a very wiggly baby tooth when we arrived, and by the next morning, the three of us were admiring that same tooth in his hand. He saw me editing these photos yesterday and squealed, “That’s where I lost my tooth!” 🙂 He tried (and loved!) Corn Pops for the first time in the Nora’s kitchen, and he was equally excited about her shower water pressure because “It doesn’t feel like hailing. It’s so soft!” Ha! We’ve stayed in a lot of Mermaid Cottages on Tybee, but I think Nora’s might be our favorite so far.
Ooh! And that reminds me to tell you about another incredible travel destination in Georgia. River Falls at the Gorge campground in Tallulah Falls. WOW! We spent my birthday there in early June and told everyone we had discovered heaven on Earth! Here are a couple of photos from my phone:
We camped there again a couple of weeks ago and although the river was rushing over the rocks during the day this time, we still had a magical time and I hope sharing about it here doesn’t make it hard to book our favorite site there now! 😉
On the home front, everyone is doing just fine, and we’re fiiiiiinally starting to tackle the back side of that big wall that separates our living room from the rest of the first floor.
We added it several years back to delineate the spaces because I didn’t like having the living room, dining room, and kitchen all in one rectangle. It felt almost like a studio apartment, or loft-style living, which is fine in a studio or loft, but didn’t feel right in this traditional, single-family home. It instantly helped the living room feel more cozy and did away with the issue of feeling like we were cooking in the living room and watching movies in the kitchen- ha!
I’ll keep you posted as things come together. It may be several weeks before we’re completely finished…but you know what they say about weeks…
Layla
So so thankful you and your family are well and enjoying life…so sweet to simply be together!
Great to see a post…I was just looking on your site yesterday and thinking about your family! How Blessed you are!
Yay! welcome back!
I have missed you. Who is that tall young man in the creek?!!
Good to know you are OK. I’d been worrying about you. Steevenson is growing like a weed! He’s going to be tall I think. That cottage is so cute. I particularly liked the kitchen, and the Tallulah Falls photos are gorgeous. Good to have you back!
Just wondering what your plans would be in your wonderful LR – Will you open up walls or replan your area. Good luck!
Loved your vaca pics!
It was such a happy surprise to see the email this morning. I’m glad everyone is doing well. I’m looking forward to your blog posts in the future! I really missed them.
Layla, its been probably a few years since I clicked on your blog–I got out of home blogs and into decoupage and paper crafts–but I did dip in today. It’s so very nice to see that your family is thriving, you seem as happily busy as always, and you guys have a book on the way. Big WOW! Congratulations!! I hope I click in again when the book is available! Hugs, and good luck with everything —
Welcome back! I loved your opening quote. It seems so apt right now.
Your children’s book sounds intriguing. I’ll look forward to hearing more about it!
Nora’s Cottage is darling and the campground looks amazing. Thanks for sharing them. I’m on the West Coast, so I won’t be too much competition for your favorite spots. 😉
I travel vicariously these days and your Tybee Island pictures brought back happy memories of a trip I took for real many years ago. Thank you for sharing your charming home and delightful family through The Lettered Cottage.
As a Georgia girl, I love that you have discovered – and enjoy! – some of our gorgeous destinations. 🍑
Today’s post was a delight; and that includes the info on your living room wall! I love to see someone putting back a wall, when today they all seem to be getting taken down. I so enjoy cozy, intimate spaces, which can be lost in large open concept areas. Kudos to you for taking back that feel and making your home YOU. 💙🤍💚
So nice to see you post again. Was just thinking of you the other day and noticed I hadn’t seen anything from you lately. So glad you and the family are doing well and enjoyed your summer!
I’ve missed you, Layla! I was just thinking about you yesterday and how long it’s been since you posted and here you are today! Magical! So glad you all are doing so well during these trying times. I love hearing Stephenson’s views of everyday life. The shower description…doesn’t feel like hail and is so soft…LOL I love that! Through the eyes of a child, eh?
You caught my attention immediately with that headboard. I live in Oregon and there is a little coastal town, Rockaway, that has a few homes with the best shutters. I took a picture of one with a starfish that reminds me so much of that headboard. I’ll save it for my beach cottage. I have to put it out there, who knows. It oculd happen some day.
I have read about Tybee and wanted to visit so many times. When we are out of this mess, I am going to make it a priority.
Your little guy is shooting up. It’s such fun to watch him grown. He’s about the same age as our grandson and they have such spurts of growth. Love little boys.
Congratulations on your book. That is so exciting. I can’t wait to see it.
Keep writing
So glad you’re back. You’ve all been missed! Any chance you have a source for your Chandelier?
Well, thank you KK! 😀 I got the chandelier from Shades of Light several years back, but I bet if you search ‘wine barrel chandelier’ you’ll find lots of options!
Thank you! I’d love another Fall Hay Bale tour. It’s one of the things I’ll always remember & miss about living in Pike Road.
Soooooo excited to see a post from you !!! Thank you for sharing the pictures.. and for catching us up on your adventures!!!
Thank you, Terri! 😀 I look forward to catching up with you here more often now too! XO
Layla,
Thank you so much for introducing us to Tybee so many years ago. My 2 daughters and grandchildren go every year and have such a great time.
They don’t want to go anywhere else. It has been such a great place for the grandkids to play in a safe beach town. A big bonus is the bike riding, we don’t have to put kids in the carseats every time when we want to go somewhere. We love that it is not over developed, it adds to the quaintness of the location.
Thanks again
Joan
I agree, Joan! Those are all things I love about Tybee too! Your comment made me want to head that way TODAY! 😀
So exciting about your children’s book! And what is the name of said book? Out in time for Christmas?
Love the Tybee Island pics!
Ruth
Thank you, Ruth! The book is tentatively titled ‘The Happy Crab’ and it’s scheduled for release in Fall of 2021. Thank you for asking! 🙂
So Happy to see you blogging again! I discovered your blog almost seven years ago and it still remains one of my top two design blogs and I have many. I am a cottage lover at heart and am partial to coastal cottage. Thankful you and your family are well. Look forward to many days reading your wonderful blog!
Thank you, Mary! You made me smile and I’m so glad you’re here! 🙂
So glad to see you back. You have been missed! I can’t wait to see your new children’s book.
Thank you so much, Dawn! 😀
Yippee! My favorite gal is back! I CAN NOT WAIT to purchase your book for my gran babe! She adores
books just like her Mimi!
Sending lots of Love to you all . . .
I’m so glad you’re back! I’m not much of an Instagram user so the two new blog posts made my day!
Hi’ya, Peg! It’s nice to e-see you today too! 😀