*Maynard Greenhouse

Relishing

2012-01-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

These hydrangeas had been in my kitchen since late Summer

….or maybe it was Fall?

Now that I think of it I may have picked the last of the good ones

right before my niece came to visit last October.

I wanted to brighten up the house with a few blossoms from my own garden.

They had given me pleasure for a long time but now they

had faded too much from being in the sunlight in front on my

kitchen window

and it was time to let them go.

The water was still in the bottle all murky and full of sediment.

As I dumped out the water and was about to throw them in the trash I noticed green shoots

and roots had developed.

It’s not uncommon for that to happen and we root hydrangeas all the time….

just not this way.

So I will keep them a little longer….

It made me realize that seemingly imperfect things are often what can give us the most pleasure.

I just noticed that when I wrote my watermark on the last photo I

typed my name wrong.

grren instead of green.

Opps

I guess I will relish in my imperfection!

Joining Texture Tuesday

with Kim Klassen

I wasn't going to post these photos after I really looked them
over.....just too washed out, kinda blah and I think I took them on a cloudy day.

Then I remembered the point I was trying to make.....
it's OK to be imperfect.

so there you go.....
smile

At Last……and a Winner

2012-01-21T19:46:00.000-05:00

You know when you find someone really talented,

……and you just love everything they make?

You just can’t decide what you want to buy?

Well Tanya is that talented someone.

Tanya is bead woman extraordinaire. I am in awe of her work.

Who wouldn’t be?

A few months ago she was getting ready for a show in her area.

She had the tin types picked out for the necklaces

but they weren’t completed yet.

Before they were made and brought to the show she

asked me which one I had my eye on.

It was a hard decision but I zeroed in on one.

I wanted her to invoice me but Tanya said we would

talk about that later.

Well you guessed it …..

she gifted it to me.

Isn’t that so sweet and generous of her.

I tell ya the love out there in blogland is BIG!!!

It came enclosed in a beautiful black box with her gorgeous card.

Even her cards are exquisite…….lovely 19th century ladies spending time together

working on their needlepoint.

Enjoying each others company……

just like we do virtually now.

She added one of her friend Heather’s beads made with a unique

firing technique that brings out different colors.

I wish I could have you see it in person.

Embellished with antique buttons and beads.

I wore it a lot during the Christmas season in the shop and I got so

many compliments on it.

They all wanted to know more about it.

Tanya just added some lovely pieces to her Etsy shop recently

HERE

If I were you I would run right over.

Now in the same spirit of giving.

The winner of the Jeanne d”Arc Living Magazine

Lynn of Cottage and Creek

I want to thank everyone who entered. I know many of you had trouble leaving comments ( me too)

so I appreciate your efforts to get through.

Happy weekend to you all,

I play this song for you

Etta James

Rest in Peace

we’ll miss you.

That’s the Yeast of it!

2012-01-18T22:43:00.003-05:00

I’m really enjoying having this Giveaway that you can still enter.

It’s been great to hear from my blog friends and to meet some new ones

There have been some new bloggers that I hope to share with you in the future

I found a great easy bread recipe in

Lisa’s blog from La Dolce Villa

She called the post the Fear of Yeast!

I found that amusing because I find too that people DO fear making bread with yeast

and you don’t need to.

(get it?…… knead too…haha)

I know that was bad.

We have made so many different kinds of breads and followed a ton of recipes but most of them

have been super simple and fast.

This one is much like one we have made before except that it allows you

to keep the dough in the fridge for 2 weeks.

We love bread so it won’t be in the fridge for 2 weeks

I hadn’t taken these photos thinking I was going to show them here just wanted to remember my first bread of 2012.

I would have styled it better :-)

We baked them on my parents old pizza pan.

A pizza restaurant was the first business they owned after we moved from France.

Did they know the pizza business or even speak much English?

No but that didn’t matter.

They worked hard and

like my father used to like to say

The only words I need to know is Pizza, Grinder and Money.

My dad was a tough Frenchmen.

Well, they never made a lot of money but we got by.

I covered this bread with sesame seeds.

Love them!!!

This was the kind we used to make ….

big huh? I think this one was the no-knead bread that we saw on Martha Stewart.

I like everything about making bread.

The simplicity, the easy access of ingredients, the fact that people have been eating

it for centuries.

It’s a staple in every household.

The best part is I know what’s in it…..

and no preservatives.

Just yeast, water, flour and salt.

Ok sometimes I get fancy and add….

Olive Oil.

Yum

So are you going to try it?

Now don’t forget go

Here and watch the video and the recipe that Lisa provided

and say hi while you’re there.

Then come back and enter the giveaway

HERE

I'm going home and having some warm bread that George was making tonight.

Jeanne d’Arc Living Giveaway

2012-01-14T09:00:00.008-05:00

It just occurred to me the other day that I need to do a giveaway to celebrate the New Year.

I know we’re already 1/2 way through the first month.

No matter…..

it’s the thought that counts right?

It's a little token to thank everyone that comes here to visit,

leaving comments of encouragement, emailing me so we can really get to know each other,

and to thank the lurkers….the kind people that don’t have blogs

but stop by to see what’s going on in our life.

I say “our” life because as much as George would rather I keep him out

of it……I just keep pulling him back in.

What can I say….he’s more interesting then me.

I know the kitties are for sure but they like the press....haha

The last couple of years I have been lucky enough to have met some of the people that read my blog.

When they say

“ I read your blog”

“Oh my gosh you do???”

that’s not really what I say…. just what I say in my head.

I don’t even know what I actually say, I’m usually so shocked.

Keeps me on my toes…..

and to tell you the truth scares me a little when I’m about to hit that

Publish button.

I guess we all do that on occasion.

Helps me to think I’m writing to a friend…..

and I am.

I knew I loved blogs before I had one of my own and thought it would be fun but never imagined

it would bring me such great friends.

Women who love all the same things I love too.

I'm so thankful for that.

OK back to the giveaway!

As you may have guessed the Giveaway is the current issue of

Jeanne d’Arc Living magazine.

All you need to do is leave a comment here and let me know what you

like about the Nordic French look of Jeanne d”Arc Living.

Spread the word by blogging it or leaving a link on your sidebar for a second chance.

No need to follow but if you’d like to then,

Welcome ,

and I will give you a third chance.

You don’t need to leave separate comments to tell me so,
just how many entries.

Giveaway is open to anyone.

For anyone that has already ordered this issue from me and wins I will send you issue #2.
Giveaway will end on Saturday Jan. 21st at noon eastern time.

Thank you for entering and good luck!

Hugs

Carole

1/21/12
Winner has been picked.
go Here and see the winner.

Icing on the cake

2012-01-08T22:04:00.002-05:00

You remember our get together from the last post…..

Well after a wonderful meal that Evi lovingly prepared for us out came the presents.

Shoot, I was going to show you the delicious food …..

but we were all so wrapped up in the excitement we just started eating.

I know, how could I?

but I did.

Trust me it was both beautiful and scrumptious.

I think I gained 5 lbs!

We toasted to our friendship just as the first presents were being unwrapped.

Pretty presentation don’t you think?

Laura loved her present so much she decided to wear it.

Wave to the folks!! She’s cute even with a grain sack over her head.

I think we’d had a lot of wine by then : )

You can go to Laura’s post HERE and view more photos.

We received surprise gifts from our friend Mary Pernula. You should have heard us all squealing.

You mean that sweet girl sent us all a gift knowing we were all getting together?

What a doll!

She wrote the nicest note that Paula read us. I wish I had photographed it.

I was so touched I almost cried.

got a little misty eyed

Mary made us all these adorable altered vintage bottle decorations….

different for each one of us.

This is one is mine!!!

I have it hanging in the living room by the window.

Every year now I will be able to enjoy it and think of you Mary.

I might turn the paper around and keep it up all year.

Thank you so much Mary!!! I love it.

When I was home the next day I went in the living room and played with my new gifts.

I will treasure these forever!

These lovely gifts are the icing on the cake of what is

most important of all ....our friendship.

I know you'd all agree.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Thank you for stopping by.

Evi's Wonderland

2012-01-04T19:16:00.003-05:00

You may have thought I have been sleeping the days away like Sleeping Beauty from reading my last post.

Yes I have been resting more ....and if I thought I could
look like Sleeping Beauty

I'd be sleeping right now:)

but I have to be realistic.

sleep can only do so much.

In between naps I was lucky enough to visit our friend

Evi and Ebie's for a great luncheon at their home.

To make it even better Laura (52 Flea) and Paula were there too along with Mr Flea and Bill(or should we call him Mr Paula?) just kidding Bill

Like you may have heard Laura and I mention before Evi's home is quintessential european elegance with boatloads of charm

at every turn.

Couldn't you just die over that trim? I don't know what it says

but I love it.

The wonderful bird cups you see there, Evi and her girlfriend Debbie just bought the same set.

Paula checking out Evi's newest creation. The angel wings turned out great but it seems that it was harder to put

together then she'd hoped. It was worth all the effort (easy for me to say)

Totally adored this wreath. She told us she's had it for years. Spruced it up with

a few silver sprigs.....

and a paper sculpture she bought from me years ago.

This is an original Nicol Sayre that Evi bought years ago when

Nicol was just starting out.

Did I mention that Evi is an amazing dollmaker?

OMG yes.

I didn't show a lot of her work on this post but you can check out

more dolls in Laura's post HERE

and in her blog shop HERE

Of course I admired this topiary that was made from a false cypress.

False cypress as in "not really a cypress"....but it is a real plant.

A chamacyparis just in case you were wondering

The mantel dressed just the right amount.

She's so good at editing.

Oh btw I want to tell you to visit

Laura's post that will show you even more of Evi's house if

you haven't been there already.

It's a must see!

I photographed a lot more close ups.

....you know me I can't seem to do anything else:)

Like these!

Aren't they just the perfect touch. She's had them for years and that's why they have a little patina to them now.

Each chair adored with a wreath and stocking.

This is one of the dollhouses from when Evi was a child growing up in Germany.

I have more photos of it from a previous visit.

One of these days I'll show them.

Isn't it fantastic?

I took a lot of photos of ornaments but will only show you a few....

the cutest thing or what?

I know I know!!!!

We got a chuckle with this one with his runny icicle nose.

Feels like it could do that now.....it's been in the teens lately.

Bbbbrrrrrr!

but I'm inside so what am I complaining about?

Love the touches of red she mixes in with her neutral palette.

Is that the sweetest face? and take a look at those

adorable big feet.

Oh and this make-do. Such incredible detail. I just noticed the Humane Society member tag.

Now Evi I have one more reason to love you!

Now we come to this gorgeous enclosed porch.

You thought the inside was amazing and then this?

I popped out here a couple of times enjoying the sunshine and the view of the woodlands all around........

and this is where the wine was chilling.

haha

It was a beautiful sunny day and a wonderful way to spend time with friends.

I am so lucky to have these people in my life.

I will share our present exchange on the next post soon.

Hope your New Year is going well so far.

hugs

Carole

Christmas sleeping and Happy New Year

2011-12-29T20:47:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

It seems every year after the holidays I disappearance a little.

I don’t really know why it happens? Maybe it started on Christmas itself.

I slept more then I have in months.

We had no where to go so no pressure there…..so I just went with it.

I could have slept all day if it wasn’t for needing to eat.

I know you might think I was going into some kind of post Christmas depression

but I just needed

to SLEEP!!!!

ahhh love that feeling of drowsiness just between consciousness and dreamland.

I’d been waiting a long time to have a day like that.

I have days now to reflect on how the season went, what I need to do better, what I did well ( pat on back)

there is always a bigger list of things I need to do better.

It may seem like a long time before Christmas comes back around again but

for many of us in this business it starts back again in the next few weeks and for me in a month when I go back to NYC for the gift show. I had wanted to travel to the Atlanta show this year but decided against it. Maybe when I can talk someone into traveling with me.

any takers?

I hadn’t planned on babbling so much………

sorry

see what happens when I get cabin fever.

I’ve been working on plant orders that I missed doing in the Fall. I don’t know how I did that?

Yes I do,

I forgot!!!!

So now I’m paying the price of having to get them done now. It’s just after Christmas and thoughts and plans for Spring and

Christmas 2012 are on my mind.

It could be worse…..I love Spring, flowers, and Christmas so what am I complaining about?

I’m still not completely done decorating the house.

So if and when I am I’ll try to show more.

I noticed today that my lense is oh sooo dirty so I’m running to the store

after I post this to get some lense cleaner.

Probably should have taken a different angle of the tree without the chair in the way.

I love the way this tree came out with touches of blue.

It’s a nice change from what we usually do in this room….though there is not a stitch of blue in here.

I’ve had this seasons greeting swag from Sarah Lugg for years and decided to try it on the tree.

the seasons part is above : )

New Years Day is just around the corner.

I hope for you a wonderful New Year filled with joy

and promise of new beginnings.

Thank you for making 2011 such a great year!

hugs

Carole

In the details

2011-12-19T19:14:00.002-05:00

I couldn't help myself.

I just love to take close ups.

I know many of you have told me that I don't take enough pictures of wider views of the shop.

Without even realizing it I was doing it again.

Just getting the little details.

In my defense I am still having focusing problems with my camera

so seeing things up close I seem to have better luck.

After the holidays I have to have it looked at.....

and I'm sure cleaned.

One of the sweetest little angels. So petite and the last one went

out the other day.

Now why didn't I save one?

I wish I had my own tree at home finished but alas I seem to be behind again

this year.

The plan is to finish one tonight.....

and to have some of that wonderful wine Adrienne gave us today.

Thank you Adrienne!

Oh and I also want to bake Christmas cookies....

And send Christmas cards..... I bought new ones this year...

does that count?

yeah, I didn't think so....

and go Caroling....

no not really I can't hold a tune.

But I like the whole idea of it....

and if I went I would want to dress in period clothing.

like those Byers Choice Carolers.

I want to sit around all day and make homemade Christmas decorations.....

like I used to have time for.

I want to do a lot during the Christmas season.

Just never enough time.

It seems to come so fast.

Christmas is only 6 days away.

and Santa will be here, so I have to be good...

for goodness sakes!!!!!

So I'll stop complaining and count my blessings....

of which you are one of.

Hugs to you my friends,

Linking up to my friend Kathleen's

White Wednesday at

Faded Charm

Day 12

2011-12-13T22:04:00.003-05:00

I have had the best past few days.

I've gotten to make so many new friends from this little

blog......some that came from as far as Massachusetts. I know compared to other states that could fit all of New England in only one section of their state that may not seem like much,

but to us "little staters" that's a big deal....well to me it is.

I so appreciate all the love you gave me.

Cindy was so cute......her hubby teases her that

she shouldn't call me a "friend" since we had never met each other....

and never spoken or written.

She'd been a ~~lurker~~ reader since I first started blogging.

I am so honored that you find me in anyway interesting enough to want to

call me a friend.

I think as bloggers we only think fellow bloggers read our blogs.

It's nice to know that we touch other people with our stories.

Yes we are most certainly friends!

I want to thank Laura too for doing such a great post on my little shop.

I know so many of you have wanted more photos. I guess I'm a little shy about that.

I can't really explain why? I'm working on it.

The last few days I've taken very few photos.....so these are just some random ones from this season.

At night I sometimes bring a work table to finish up projects. I do more in the morning if I have time. Then the big rush to clean everything up before we open.

Which reminds me I have couple of orders to finish before I leave tonight.

I was getting ready to leave last night and turning off the lights when this certain view of this glass ornaments hit my eye.

This smaller one could be viewed from this huge one in front of it.

It feels so special here at night.

A little bit magical just for me.

Like no one else gets to see it.

Is that selfish?

well not if I'm sharing it with you now.....right?

So many of you have asked about Bella. She's doing well though her and Charlotte still aren't buddies yet...probably never will be.

She's a hard one to take photos of but the other morning I found her loving up the deer with a broken antler. I think she was telling him that one of the elves would make him good as new soon.

Little Ronny and Cricket sleeping under the counter on my bags.

This is usually Crickets spot of choice but she's willing to share.

This might explain the cat hair on the bags.....oops.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

oh right forgot to mention....we're taking our Christmas trees home tonight.

yep our usual 2.

Can't wait!!!!!

Day 11

2011-12-07T20:23:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday, oh right it's Wednesday!

Does it show that I don't plan out what I'm going to write?

Are the days until Christmas flying for you too?

I can't believe it's the 7th already.

I haven't bought one present yet!

I thought I owed you all more then just one photo a day.

so here's a couple....

I want to thank you for suggesting Pandora for my

listening pleasure.

(I know Suzan you told me about it months ago)

Many of the songs and artists you suggested played automatically and I loved them.

I know we all have many things in common....

so I shouldn't be surprised.

It rained today all day so we goofed around a little playing songs....

.....so now I have to get back to work.

Did you know I'm part elf !

( now picture me dancing to Mariah Carey's

"All I want for Christmas" )

the greens will be flying tonight!

hugs

Carole

Day 10 music lovers wanted

2011-12-06T21:23:00.001-05:00

Fa la la la.......

I've been thinking about my comment about Christmas music yesterday.

I need a better selection of holiday music to listen to all day.

So I thought I'd ask YOU.

What do you like to listen too?

What gets your jingle bells jingling???

I'd love to know if you have a cd you particularly like.

I don't have an ipod, I don't burn cd's. no xm radio,

....I have no clue about that stuff....

I'm completely lost when it comes to things like that.

I feel lucky that I can turn a radio on or get a cd to play.

On another note.....going home earlier....

got caught up on things today!!!

yippy

Day 9?

2011-12-05T21:11:00.000-05:00

Ok it's becoming a blur now.

My one photo a day challenge to myself hasn't gone as well as I had planned....

but for those of you that know me or ones that have read my blog for the past couple of years

know that I get swapped with work this time of year.

I'm here late tonight too.

This photo was taken on one of those late nights.

I actually like working at night with only a few twinkle lights around my work area.

It's the one time I get to take a break from Christmas music.

Don't get me wrong I like it, but hey I need a break now and then:)

Ok better get back to work.

Oh one more thing....

Go see Laura's post on Paula's house all decorated for Christmas.

HERE

a true Winter Wonderland

Have a good night!

Day 8

2011-12-01T09:29:00.003-05:00

Well I was finally able to find my cable to upload my pics.

It was buried under a pile of papers. I even had George look for it there and he said nope it’s not here.

Good thing I rechecked!

I started a post last night but started dozing off so this is all I

managed to put together.

I’m running a little late this morning and

Laura and Paula are stopping in today so I want everything to look extra purrrrdy!

Have a great day!

Day 7 cable me up

2011-11-28T22:12:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Did you do a lot of shopping?

Our weekend was a good start to the holidays. It was nice to see some of our regular customers....some we see throughout the year, some only

during the Christmas season.

I wanted to download my photos tonight and when I went to find

my usb cable it was no where to be found.

I was already with my camera battery finally charged and now no cable.

I think it might have fallen in the garbage next to my computer and now it's been emptied.

I looked everywhere.

I checked online and they're not expensive but if I want it

to come before Christmas I need to pay more in shipping then

the cable costs.

I'll have to decide.

and who knows? it might show up.

Just like Bella did.

Ok well I have a few more things to do before I can go home.....

like get some JDL magazines ready to be shipped out tomorrow.

Have a good night!

Carole

Day 6 Wrapping it up!

2011-11-27T20:20:00.000-05:00

I had to wrap a last minute Birthday present for a friend.

I almost forgot:) George had to remind me.

I didn't think of taking a picture of the actually present....shoot!

but then again I'm supposed to show restraint with only one photo a post.

I had fun wrapping it....can you tell? I think I may have gone a bit overboard with

the embellishments......but that's the way I like getting presents.

There can be a rock in the box.....I don't care....it's all about the package and "fluff" for me.

I used baby blue ribbon edged with little pompoms.

You can't really see it now ......(with all the stuff)

but there's a shiny silver ribbon wrapped around it.

Looks like diamonds on a spools.....adore it.

My camera ran out of juice today and I forgot my charger at home so had to take this with my camera phone.

No editing...just SOOC.

I'm feeling lazy:)

I did take more pictures of the store today and used my tripod which I love using so I don't get so much jiggle.

The bad thing is my camera is still not auto focusing so we'll see how good a focuser I am.

Yeah I can't focus on anything these days,.....let alone a photo.

When I get my camera recharged I promise I'll post more photos of the shop and not just close ups. Lots of you have asked for more pics of the store. I might even break my one photo post rule???...

Thanks so much for all the great comments about

Bella.

She's adjusting well to being back home. Spending time in her usual spots around the shop.

I'll try to take a photo of her while she's on the ledge over looking the store.

I get such a kick out of seeing her up there during the day.

hugs,

Carole

Oh Joy! Day 5

2011-11-25T19:42:00.000-05:00

How is your weekend going so far?

Ours went smoothly.....

ok a little hectic at times but nothing I couldn't handle

and please.....

no pepper spray incident.

My goodness what is wrong with some people?

( sorry that just popped into my head )

we'll see if I end up deleted that comment..haha

Anyways I was going to wait to talk about this but with my Joy sign

I thought it was a good lead in.

After months of wondering what happened to her

My Bella came back home today.

Yes 4 months of her disappearance she just showed up.

A little less plump but looking fine.

George had her in his arms and it was like seeing a ghost.

That can't be her I thought? but it was.

Somehow she managed to survive .....somewhere.

The stories she could tell if only she could talk.

Well needless to say we are doing the happy dance.

I think I bored all my customers with my Bella story today....

thank goodness most of them are cat people so they

were happy for us. Many shared their stories of their babies that came back to them after they thought all hope was lost.

So that's my story for the day.

An early Christmas present.....it's all I need

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and thanks for praying for Bella.......I think it really helped!

Hugs,

Carole

Being Thankful

2011-11-24T12:54:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

We are working today finishing up last minute details.

It's become tradition for us.

Which doesn't bother me anymore.

Really!

We're lucky to be able to be together....though

G on his set of duties, me on another

...he's at least in yelling distance.

It's a gorgeous warm sunny day. I'm in a short sleeve shirt working outside decorating wreaths. I'm in heaven!

(ok just looked at the weather channel and it says it's 48 degrees???

that can't be right?) feels like 70.

It's warm enough to have a picnic( I think).....which we might have!

I'm so thankful for so much.....too many to mention

but one I need to say is that I

am so thankful for my blogging friends that give me

love and support. You make me laugh and make me cry as I read your heartfelt stories.

It truly is a wondrous thing what goes on here on this computer.

A whole new world that has opened up.

If you had said to me that I would make such wonderful friends with the most amazing talented and intelligent women through blogging I would have never believed it...

but here you are!

I am so blessed.

Thank you on this wonderful

Thanksgiving Day,

Hugs,

Carole

Coming home Day 4

2011-11-22T22:00:00.001-05:00

I think these are some of the prettiest and cutest glass ornaments.

Like delicate little doilies made from glass.

You may not be able to tell but they are only about an inch wide.

They are handpainted in Austria.

They fit perfectly in this small wire basket.

Not as cute with a few missing. Well they must have missed each other

because they are back.

The lady who bought them said they didn't work like she'd hoped.

I thought it was funny after my little fence story....

It is good to let go but sometimes it's nice when they come back home too.

( I know I broke my rule of only 1 photo)

Forgive me?

Joining Kathleen at
Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Hugs,

Carole

What, you want to buy those? day 3

2011-11-21T18:05:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah I forget sometimes that it's there to sell.

Silly me only bought 6 of those fences.

I took this picture the night before we opened. I was so tired and really wanted to go straight to bed so I told myself I would only

be 5 minutes.

Well my camera was being temperamental...it's been off and on not wanting to auto focus so after hearing it make that sick noise for too long I finally tried

manual focus, hence the sub par photo.

As you can see I do some cutesy too.

I sold 3 fences this afternoon so before they are all gone I thought I'd show them. I have the others somewhere else.

Out of all the things in here I don't know why I'm so taken by these.

I know many of you have booths and shops.....are there things that you feel a little sad when they go?

I also had a great big angel in the middle of where some of my glass ornaments hang from. That went on the first day.

I was happy but a little sad......it looked so good there surrounded by all the clear and sparkly bobbles.

I know I'm crazy!

ok George is wondering why I'm not making up cedar

bundles:) and on the computer instead!

thank you for all the great comments.

I decided to put up a new header....one you may have seen in a post before.

I actually have very few good snow scene photos....( except pumpkins with snow on them from our last storm)

I'll have to work on that this season.

Ok a bundling I go.........

Flocked tree day 2

2011-11-20T18:32:00.001-05:00

As I was taking pictures this morning. I realized that I never turned this tree on yesterday.

I knew something was "off" no pun intended.

I just couldn't figure it out. I kept saying it looks so dark. Not that this tree is that big....it sits on the opposite wall from my counter.

I usually light little things with remote control switches which I love. No more bending over or croutching underneath things to bring the place to life....

well except for this little tree.

I think she's worth it.

or he???

On another note my friend Sharon shared with me

that my header was coming off the page.

I never knew that and immediately changed it.

It looked normal to me it but I had noticed that when I used the town libraries computer headers they would be cut quite dramatically.

It sounds weird but I don't remember if mine was one of them?

Do you see headers chopped off on other blogs???

I need a new header soon....

I think fields of flowers need to go.

would you like to see a snow scene?

Too early?

(I think so too)

Day 1

2011-11-19T20:29:00.000-05:00

I've been sitting here trying to come up with the first line to write.

Well I guess I just did:)

Not what I had intended but it's a start.

Every year at Christmas time I struggle with putting up posts so I decided a few months ago that I would post one photo a day.

I thought....

I should be able to accomplish that at least.

Do you know how hard it is to pick only

1 photo???

What had seemed to be so easy is turning out much harder

then I thought.

We'll give this a try and see how it goes.

Day 1 for now.

Do you have your Christmas decorations up already???

I still haven't put away all of my Halloween decorations at home:)

That's bad huh?

Maybe after this weekend I'll tackle it.

Hugs

Devotion

2011-11-13T12:03:00.002-05:00

One of the last Sunday mornings I’ll get to stay home after we reopen next weekend.

I was so happy to get to watch one of my favorite shows.

The Sunday Morning Show.

oh and to make carrot soup for lunch.

I was so touched by the love and devotion of these two animals.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did….

bittersweet as it is.

(Hey Erin, btw this sanctuary is in your back yard south of Nashville)

Hope your Sunday is a good one.

Carole

Mystic Seaport

2011-11-06T22:12:00.001-05:00

I knew right away when my niece said she was coming for a visit that I wanted to take her to

Mystic, Ct.

One of my favorite towns.

Though we go to Mystic often or at least as much as we can,

it had been around 18 yrs ago since we went to the Seaport.

The day had started off being overcast but it seemed soon after we arrived the sun came out

which made picture taking a lot more fun.

I took a lot but don’t worry I won’t show you all of them : )

but there’s still a lot of them

I always wonder who the lucky people are who get to live across the water.

Of course when you come here and can’t help but wonder

what it would have been like to live in this village back then when it was a Whaling community.

We of course learned about what went into getting the oil from the whales.

I won’t be getting into all that….

kind of yucky business though it was necessary back then.

Just glad we don’t have to do it now.

Have you ever watched Whale Wars on Animal Planet ???

Check out their videos if you have time.

Ok back to the pretty stuff……

This was mid October and the leaves were already off so many trees. It has not been the usual

Fall colors we look forward to seeing. The hurricane/ tropical storm did a number on so many.

Coming here off peak made for a peaceful day.

No crowds!

Not all the buildings were here originally…..many were saved from all over New England.

I was loving this building with the overflowing window boxes.

They were getting a change out with mums and ornamental kale.

Talked to the maintenance man and I learned that they have their own greenhouses, and though

I was a little curious as to where they were, I didn’t ask.

This is the Buckingham Hall house that was moved from Old Saybrook back when the

Baldwin Bridge was built in the 50’s.

I love the kitchen.

I much prefer unfitted cabinets.

And love the huge fireplace.

Imagine making all your meals from here? Probably they had a summer kitchen so the house didn’t

get so hot during the summer months.

The Pharmacy was one of my favorite buildings full of old apothecary bottles with strange and interesting

ways to cure your ailment.

It was wonderful stepping back in time for a few hours.

Life was hard back then and it makes me thankful that we have it pretty easy now.

I wonder if in only 100 yrs from now they’ll look back at how we lived and

think…..

How did they do it???

Happy Halloween

2011-10-30T22:12:00.004-04:00

We were invited to my friend Ginny and Joe’s Halloween party last night.

We go every year.

The snow storm didn’t stop us either.

We don’t live that far so it’s wasn’t a big deal.

Anyways I had seen Martha Stewart on the Today Show making

these cupcakes.

I never got the actual recipe but it didn’t really need one.

Pretty simple I thought.

Chocolate cupcakes with caramelized sugar to look like glass with

red jelly or jam to look like blood.

Cool right?

Ok I cheated and used a box cake.

I rarely do that but to be even more lazy I made George go to the store and buy it : )

I did though make the marshmallow frosting

or 7 minute frosting …

which I’ve talked about before in a previous post but I’m too lazy to find the link.

But I will give you the recipe.

7 minute Frosting

Ingredients
2 egg whites
6 tablespoons cold water
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In a stainless steel bowl, combine the egg whites, cold water, sugar, and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler. Whisk until smooth. Place over boiling water and whisk constantly or beat with a hand mixer until the frosting is stiff and holds peaks, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Let cool, whisking often.

SO SO EASY

You’ll be licking the bowl

and if you’re like me eating the leftovers for breakfast too.

George had to stop me.

“What is wrong with you?”

(Coming from the man who’s been making himself french toast every morning for a week)

Here they are with their little glass pieces on top.

I could lie to you and tell you this part was easy but it wasn’t.

They were supposed to come out clear and not opaque……

I tried 4 times at least.

The last time I thought I had finally gotten it right.

Transparent just like Martha’s but they were too soft and stuck to the wax paper.

We’ll just call mine dirt glass: )

Maybe I should have looked for Martha’s recipe.

Then the jelly or (blood)

That was easy except I used Jam that I had made myself.

Don’t worry I tested it a few days before so I wouldn’t KILL anyone.

See cute and not too scary!

Now here comes the scary part.

Ready???

We were trying to stick our heads out so you wouldn’t see our “chins”

that’s why I look like a bobble head doll.

I was a Zombie Pirate woman and Ginny a Voodoo Woman.

I have to tell you that Ginny is actually very pretty and so that she doesn’t kill me ….

this what she normally looks like.

This was taken at Christmas time during another party.

She was showing off her scarf that she bought at the dollar store.

So funny.

She was so happy with herself.

Ok so off to watch

American Horror Story tonight.

Think it might have already started but they rerun it.

Have you been watching it???

Happy Halloween!

Edit:
OK big ninny that I am had the wrong show!
It was The Walking Dead that was on last night.
For those of you that hate zombie movies
( me included)
this one is really different.
It's really well written and character driven.
Hope you give it a chance.

Memories

2011-10-28T16:08:00.001-04:00

It had been about 25 years since my niece had been back in the US.

She was born here and her birth certificate will always say she's American,

which I believe she is very proud of.

There is no doubt she is very much French though.

Of course she is, they moved back to France when she was 4.

My sister, though fluent in 3 languages spoke

only French at home.

My niece speaks perfect English but with a cute French accent.

Speaks thoughtfully with purpose, unlike me that just

spouts off whatever happens to come through my head. I also speak fast,

though I am more aware of

how fast I can talk so I (after all these years) have slowed it down.

Now don’t get me riled up 'cause I’ll give you an earful: )

yes I can talk.

(George rolling his eyes)

or what he might say to someone:

Did she take a breath? or did you get a word in?…..haha

anyways, enough about my foibles.

We only spend a couple of hours together in NYC. Vanessa was off to visit

with a friend in Brooklyn for a couple of days....

I went shopping and exploring.

I'll share that later.

That was the last day we saw each other.

On the first day here

we visited old houses that we had lived in.

This was the home that I grew up in from 2nd grade until 8th. It was a house built in the early 1900’s. It seemed so big when I was a child but the porch makes it look much larger. The house had the usual creaky noises that old homes have, but I learned to get used to it.

I think I even liked it.

The rooms downstairs ran into each other so my niece enjoyed running from one to the other in a circle.

You know how it is when kids learn to run.

Round and round and round she went,

many times head first into something in her path.

Would make my sister crazy.

This was our next home. I remember I thought we had arrived when we moved here.

We had moved to a new development in town and all the cool kids lived here.

Now I look at this house and think

WHAT, you’re kidding right?

(I like the old house better now)

It is bigger then it looks since it has a basement walkout but it looks a little abandoned now.

It used to have pretty flowers in the front and a split rail fence.

Oh and it came with a new harvest gold Formica counter top. Well actually more pumpkin color.

Yeah!

This was the 70’s kids.

The house across the street had a pool.

( and my boyfriend of 3 yrs) yeah convenient.

....to his mothers chagrin.

She didn't like her son with the little french girl:)

Sorry I digress.....

My niece was part FISH and spent as much time at the pool as we would let her.

I remember her endlessly asking me to watch her as she dove from the diving board.

Tata regarde moi!!!!

I would of course….she was so cute and fearless.

(I never dove off the board....too chicken)

While in the area we decided to check out the high school that I attended.

Ok , again maybe more of a memory for me but watching a couple of minutes of American football would be one thing

on the list of things to check off.

I thought of explaining it to her but I only know the basics.

4 plays to get 10 yards ……right?

Animals don’t need translation,

they always understand a kind touch.

Being by the water is something she loves and something that gives her much inner peace so

I tried to oblige her as much as I could.

Plus I like it too.

One day we got a light take out lunch and sat by the docks.

It was a windy day but we didn’t mind. The sun was shining and time seemed to stand still.

Spending time with Vanessa was eye opening for me.

I realized that we had spent too many years apart and that I want/need to make up for all that lost time.

I know like with any relationship it needs to be nurtured

and I hope we will have many years ahead in each others lives...

.....and making more memories.

I'll share more of our visit soon,

Carole