Sand Jar Souvenir

beach, decor, decoration, family, favorite things, fireplace, House progress, mantel, New Jersey, North Carolina, seasons, vacation

So many of my most special memories in my life with Jim have occurred on a beach. We got engaged on the beaches of Cape May, NJ. We went to Hawaii on our honeymoon. We visit his father in Ocean City, Maryland every year and when Molly was 15 months old we went to Mexico alone...just the two of us. Jim was grieving the death of his sweet mom and needed a bit of paradise. Those are just a few of our beach moments but there are so many more!

During our weekend in Cape May, after he asked and I had said yes, we began a tradition that we have continued all these years. We take home a bit of sand from each beach, store it in a pretty little jar with a label, and keep them on our mantel. I was recently unpacking some more boxes (yes, we are STILL unpacking) and found them. My heart melted. I quickly put them up on our mantel where they belong. This summer I am hoping to put some good ole Jersey shore sand from Point Pleasant or thereabouts up there!

Such a simple souvenir but it's so fun to compare the sands from all the places we've been. Some are dark, some light, some gritty, some soft. All lovely!

Forgive the somewhat blurriness. I did the best I could with my little point and shoot. I even used a tripod. Not sure what gives.

OK! You caught me. We haven't quite gotten to put the Mexico sand in a jar.
I am such a bad blogger!
I'm always showing you my unmentionables.

Did you all have good weekend? Our was filled with pool fun, barbeques, and lots of time in the sprinkler. Good times!
Jenny

10 comments:

Jenny@NorthwestLoveliesMay 29, 2012 at 4:45 PM
This is such a great tradition! We have many fantastic beach memories as well. In fact, one of my favorites is Cape May! I had it in mind for sure when I recently put together our guest bedroom! :)
UnknownMay 29, 2012 at 8:14 PM
What a wonderful idea. I like the way you displayed them.
TammyMay 30, 2012 at 9:09 AM
This is a great idea! Love the Mexico bottle. Here I thought you kept it in that bottle because it had Spanish words on it:).....then I read your caption.
ShaunaMay 30, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Love the sand!! My husband and I visit the beach a lot, I always forget to bring home some sand though, and then I kick myself all year!
Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)May 31, 2012 at 11:00 PM
Beautiful travel souvenirs! Fantastic post!
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)
RoeshelJune 3, 2012 at 9:05 AM
I love this idea and your special display, Jen! I've never brought home sand...looks like I'll have to revisit all of those beaches, right? ;)

Great job!
Lauren @ My Wonderfully MadeJune 3, 2012 at 9:41 PM
What a cute idea for preserving your memories!
BethJune 7, 2012 at 8:28 AM
Love this idea!
Sooner LauraJune 8, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Awesome. I started out buying little bottles of sand in the local shops, but eventually just made by own to include shells found while walking the beaches. I wasn't good to label them though, you did good! I pulled some out for my summer mantle display and blogged about it this week.
AmandaJune 8, 2012 at 5:18 PM
This is such a lovely idea, a wonderful way to keep memories.