Would You Have a Seashell Driveway?

Coquillages à Fadiouth, Sénégal

Image via Wikipedia

One option for a southern driveway would be to fill it with seashells. Obviously this would not work in the north and no company (that I know of) even offers it where driveways need to hold up to snow plowing. But it’s an option for those living in a tropical climate and the crushed shells add an old Florida look to the yard.

Lets list the Pros and Cons of this type of driveway.

Pros:

  • All natural
  • Good looking and light colored (cooler than pavement)
  • Porous – won’t hold puddles
  • Won’t crack or stain
  • Can be used right away

Cons:

  • Rough surface – no going barefoot!
  • As a play area the kids might not be so happy. (Biking, roller skating, scooters, etc.)
  • It will move around – shells can be displaced and end up in the lawn and nearby gardens.

Truthfully, I like the idea of having a seashell driveway, but these are things to think about.  I don’t know how the cost compares to concrete or asphalt, but it’s another option if you need a driveway in the south.  If you live near Jupiter, Florida give Brier’s Bobcat a call with your questions.

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Fairy Gardens With a Tropical Theme

fairy garden

The Wee Folk Play in a Mushroom Garden

A popular decorating idea is to create small garden landscapes for the woodland fairies.  I am going to say right here that I don’t believe in little fairies, but I find the concept fun.  As someone who played in a homemade, three-story doll house growing up, I do like to pretend.

Living near the ocean or in a tropical climate means that your fairies get to have gardens with unique features, such as sand and seashells. Continue reading

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My WordPress Blog: A 2011 Review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.  And that is just another reason to love WP!

Check out the stats …  And thanks to my readers for making 2011 a great year!

(Then go find your reveiw.) Continue reading

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The Beautiful Queen (Emperor) Helmet Shell

queen helmet

Image by sarah sosiak via Flickr

The Helmet seashells can be Kings or Queens, but surprisingly, the Queen Helmet (photo at Flickr) is larger. It’s scientific name is Cassis madagascariensis, which includes the word “madagascar”, the name given over 100 years ago when it was thought (incorrectly) that the shell was found on the island of Madagascar.

It is not easy to find a Queen Helmet, which is also known as an Emperor Helmet, as the populations are low, but it lives in shallow sandy water and on coral reefs to 30 feet deep.  In Florida, it is most often found on the eastern coastline from mid-state to throughout the Florida Keys, but it may also be found from the North Carolina coast to the West Indies.  (In Florida, the King Helmet can only be found in the Keys, and it is more brown colored and usually smaller.) They like to eat sea urchins and sand dollars.

The shell can be 12-14 inches long and has a wide opening that looks like a big, crazy grin with teeth no less! Not real teeth, but markings resembling teeth.  The shell is stocky and heavy and light colored except for the opening (aperture) which is caramel tan.  The spire (pointed part) is flattened, which gives it its chunky appearance.

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A Bouquet Made From Seashells

Seashell bouquet and boutonniere

Bouquet and Boutonniere

While researching tropical bouquets for my Sandpiper Wedding site, I came across a most beautiful craft idea for brides to carry. I’d seen bouquets with starfish and seashells added among the flowers for a beach wedding theme, but had never seen an entire bouquet of seashells! And they are quite lovely. I found a few people at Etsy who made them, and then found this one site – Romantic Flowers – by Kimberly Aurora, and its full of beautiful seashell bouquets.

This bridal bouquet (pictured) is so pretty with the starfish and sundial shells, and it includes a little boutonniere to match. (Kimberly kindly gave me permission to use her photo).

Just another example of what crafty and talented people are doing with seashells! I’m impressed.

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