Sunday, July 8, 2018

Sweet Sounds Of Silence

 
The heat finally broke Friday afternoon
So I shut off the two ancient,rattling, air conditioners.

!
And Ahh sweet, sweet silence.

I was in heaven we went from 96 degrees and 87% humidity
to 70 degrees and dry as a bone!!

Because I have been hiding out I did not see that a couple of my tomatoes turned red. I had them this weekend and they were the best.

Friday we had sweet B over night and she wanted to do the sculpture walk in the next town. She just loved it. 
Star Dancers.

This was used as a coffee table near two outside chairs by the lake.

A cement chair that over looked the lake.

Black Sail boat and we all agreed that this was our favorite.
If we had lots of money we would want it at our house. 
It turned in the wind so pretty.

The pretty glass was reflecting the sunlight.
We saw a lot more of them them but did not get to each one.
maybe another time. But B loved it and thought we all should have sculptures in our yards.
***


I was helping a guy clean out books from one of his apartments.
I saw this it is in really bad shape but I took it apart and cleaned it up. It was from Fleishman's yeast. But it looks worn and wonderful on my porch.
***

Sat we went to a cookout at my brother in laws.
Just burgers and hot dogs but still lots of laughs.
This little one was ready for the pool or water fights what ever came first.
***

I got up early, slipped on my sneakers and headed out for a nice long walk. I have not walked in the heat. So it felt good in the early morning chill. I looked down and this rock was in the road. Just how I felt at peace and grateful.
***
I have some new followers thank you so much please leave me a 
comment so I can find you and your blog if you have one.
We are back in the heat Monday but only lasting a couple of days.
We are headed out for a garden walk next weekend with friends put on by the local garden club.
have a wonderful week!

Monday, July 2, 2018

Maine

We were invited to our sweet friends, to their home on the lake in Maine. 

To stay at their amazing property.

This is one of their guest cottages, who could refuse?

This is the other guest cottage sigh.. I wish I had gotten more pictures inside they are both filled with wonderful antiques, quilts and her needle point pillows and framed pieces. cozy and comfortable.

Again not enough pictures but this is the entrance to her cottage.

Her sweet cottage garden on the side of her house.
Then we were off to the families inn. They do not run it as an inn but they use it as a gathering place for family and friends. 

And their annual lobster and clam bake! That is a huge custom 
made tray over a fire.

45 minutes later oh boy! it is all cooked in sea weed!
So fresh and tastes like the ocean yummmm.

And lobsters as far as the eye can see soo good.
they were purchased right off the boat that morning. 

And yes they provided entertainment too. So fun and wonderful!
I feel very blessed to be included in that wonderful tradition.

Their inn sits right on the lake also. The kids and dogs swam until they were tired. A slight breeze was coming off the lake so it wasn't bad. I did get a chance to float around in the lake before we headed home.
****
The next day off to a little antiquing.

Is this not a cute idea? you could set plants on the stairs.

And yes I purchased that hanging shelf with the handmade hinges.
My friend bumped into the dealer on our way out of the store and she made me an offer I couldn't pass up. 
****
"It is hotter than the hinges of hell"as my mother would say.
I do not like it one bit! We are not set up for this weather as we do not get much of it. It has been 95 to 100 with humidity so thick you can't breath. I live in NH for a reason. It is not suppose to break until at least Sat. 
***
My daughter is camping nearby so they came for dinner tonight. We made a huge salad with all the fixings and roasted chicken from the deli at the grocery store perfect! we opened a bottle of wine it was heaven having them here.
****
Have a great week.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Summer!!!

The summer solstice happened this week.
Let summer begin.

I am trying to get up early to walk. I need
to take off a few more pounds. It has been harder than it has ever been. I was happy being a chubby grandmother but because of a little health blip I needed to lose some weight. 
So I walk and diet. 
*****

 
I found this hand thrown bowl for 1.00 it is dated 1958 I thought I would use it for my worms.

I am working on stair risers slow but sure.
I also have a stack of books calling my name I want to read.
There is just not enough hours in the day!

Because I have been trying to lose weight I haven't been cooking or baking much (so sad it makes me so happy to cook) So I did a batch of scones. Sat morning I had half a scone and half today.
I took a few to a friend So there is just enough for Husband.
I was also given a 1/2 of a gallon of very very ripe strawberries.
So I dug out the ice cream maker and made some strawberry ice cream. Which I like but I can stay away from that no problem
with the rest of the strawberries,I made some compound butter for my scones sooo yummy.

Today we drove to Vermont for lunch at king Arthur Flour.
I had a salad and husband had an  amazing sandwich on their amazing bread. I stopped for a coffee on the way out and husband grabbed a couple of goodies. We are having Sweet B overnight tomorrow night so we have something yummy for a treat.

Tomorrow is husband's birthday. 7 years ago we didn't think he had 6 months to live. A very long road but we are so grateful for each birthday and for this life we have!
****
Next weekend we are off to a friends house for a very large lake side clam and lobster bake. Yea for Summer!
***
Have a great week!

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Another Week....

We went to visit my daughter and son in law at the place they are camping in Maine. Miss B thought it was selfie time. 
(love that toothless grin, Her's not mine) 

Of course we celebrated father's day early.
We are playing uno with her while her parents cook lunch.
She is a card shark!

Of course Pepe had his coffee from his new mug this morning.
Just perfect!

Our little bathing beauty she is like a fish in the water.
We rented a paddle boat and mostly went around in circles just crazy.

We walked down to another part to fish and saw these. Not sure if it is where a fish laid eggs or a turtle because we saw a huge turtle!
I think snapping turtles lay theirs on land.

Today we went out to lunch and walked around a local antique shop. This shop is a bunch of junk really nothing wonderful but I always feel you find a gem now and then. This is a handmade box with tiger maple top and bottom and bird's eye maple sides.
It is signed and dated. 10.00 crazy price for this beautiful box.
Husband is going to use it on his bureau.

Then we found this sweet trencher hand carved it is small
about a foot long it is maple and you see bits of bird's eye maple on the bottom. 6.00. I oiled it and plan on using it in the kitchen.
***
I met the new fiber group mostly knitters and one needle felter. 
Very nice ladies but not sure it's my group but time will tell.
I did start my next 3 stair risers I haven't done anything with the first three yet.
***
We are going into the heat this week,not my favorite. 
We have had such beautiful weather I can't complain I guess.
It will pass.
The summer solstice is this Thur so dance by the moon and welcome summer! Last night before going to bed I noticed fireflies in our back yard. It Always makes me think of my childhood.
How I Love to see them.
Happy Summer!

Sunday, June 10, 2018

An Emotional Week

I found a beautiful new water fall. Ok new to me.
And I have driven by this spot quite a bit but because I had my window down on this day I heard the water.


My brother was here for 8 days. I haven't seen him in 2 years.
Always so happy to see him and of course because he lives in Mississippi he misses good old New England seafood. 
And you can see it was chilly while he was here we had a fire that he loved.(brother on the left husband on the right)

The lobsters that we purchased were so full I haven't had lobster that good in a while. So yummy!
When I had to say good-by to my brother it was really hard I never know when we will see each other again.

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I went thrifting
I found an ott light. I got it for 18.00 I didn't have a floor model
just a table top. So very good find for me.
I have also found a local fiber group I am joining this coming Wed.
They are in the next town and meet once a week. 
The lady I spoke to said there were a couple of rug hookers. 
There are knitters, spinners, and hand sewing. And that a bottle of wine may show up now and then! So I am looking forward to joining them. 



As most of you know I lost a very close friend last August.
Her children decided that they would bury her and their father who died 14 years ago (they were both cremated) together at their mother's family cemetery. I think it was a good idea they needed closure.


So this past Saturday, a beautiful warm June day 
a few close friends and family said a final good-bye to both of them. I asked her children to please keep in touch. they are very close to my daughter's age and I have known them for years.
But it is all very final and life must go on. My gardens are filled with plants from my friends gardens, they are living reminders of 
our friendship. She was my hooking buddy,I miss her so much.
****
It is motorcycle week here so we are staying close to home.
It is hard to move around and the restaurants are full. So we are tucked in the woods where it is quiet and will wait it out before we head out to restaurants and stores.
***
Have a great week!

Monday, June 4, 2018

Better Late Than Never

This rock showed up at our house. I had never seen it around the house before but 
 I like the sentiment. Maybe a hint from above?

If you click on this picture you can see 5 cormorants (birds) in this tree!
They are huge birds and to all be in this tree was amazing. 
My friend and I were by the lake when we saw this.

Sweet B had a dance recital this weekend it always reminds
me of the years of recitals that we had to attend for her mom. 
Second from the left in the glasses.

My sweet sweet girl how I love her.

A book of North American crafts came in the store I work in and this was in it!
look at that bed rug oooh how I would love to hook one!


What a project that would be! I will save it for retirement.

Never got out of the 40's here with rain which we need.
So a small fire was in order to chase the chill.

Yes I am still hooking seems like it has taken me a long time.
We are watching Acorn TV in the evenings which we love and I hook.
So that is what has been happening here. I have been gardening and cleaning things out. I am trying to walk most days and avoid the ticks.
Have a great Week

Monday, May 21, 2018

An Old Soul..

My Daughter and Son In Law sent us flowers for Mother's day and get well for husband. So beautiful!

Sweet B drew inside my mother's day card. It's a keeper!

Husband was well enough to take a trip to their house so we went for a walk in the woods. Sweet B found Lady Slippers (flowers)

 
She carefully took pictures of them and then made a video of all the pictures she took to music. She loves nature and animals, my mother would have been head over heals for her, I know I am!
She has such a wonderful soul. I can never get enough of her.

Between operations and just plain busy I hadn't gotten together with my friend for about a month. which is rare for us. So we headed to a local restaurant/bar for a drink and a look at the view. 
People come from far away to vacation here. We try to make full use of the area, we feel pretty blessed to live here.
( the white tent? they were getting ready for a wedding that weekend)

So I have decided winter is like childbirth. At the beginning you are excited for those first few flakes, 
Then deep into winter you want it over!!!!
By the time spring really comes your memories are vague of the cold and piles of snow and you're just happy spring is here. 

****
I saw this on the Old Tattered Flag site and loved it. So I am passing it on!
Have a great week.