I Was Right

All About Sunday

No. It wasn't a day of rest. At least not round these parts. We did go to my parents to pick up the newly removed hydrangea. I had to laugh because when we got there, my mother was on a cleaning frenzy on the porch and had my father pulling chairs out so she could Spring clean behind them.

When we got home from my parent's we picked a spot for the hydrangea, Gar dug a biggo hole and we planted that puppy.

"No Gar, a little bit this way please," said I. Well, simply because it's a woman's prerogative to do that when DH is moving furniture or getting a large tree situated in a hole for final planting.

Then, just to bug him a little more.....camera in the face. Couldn't resist expecially since he couldn't let go of the hydrangea yet to make me get away with the camera.

It took awhile to get it planted between the picking the spot, the digging, the situating......

....the covering of the roots, the standing back and admiring that the hydrangea looks good to go. Like it's always been there.

While we were in yard mode, we continued and started to clean out the flower garden that surrounds the pool patio.   We figured we'd do that instead of taking the trail walk we had planned on. It came down to one of the other.

We also did a wash and hung that out to dry- it was a perfect drying day with the breeze/wind. 

When we were done we prepped dinner. Pork roast with garlic ramps and beautiful sliced yellow beets.

Then we were back out to the line to fold the laundry.

I only mention all of this to point out that I proved my own theory about Sunday Rest Day. 

Sunday Rest Day is illusive. 

Sunset Meadows

I did find 10 minutes to sit in the adirondack and just enjoy the golden sun. Glorious.  Then it turned into this. It was a long, slow sunset and we thoroughly enjoyed the the day was long and full.

Hope your day is off to a fantastic start (or end depending on where you are).

Suddenly Sunday

Day of Rest?

I don't know if our Sunday can ever be considered a day of rest. We may take it a little easier, but usually we're still checking things off the to-do list. Today, we're off to my parent's house to pick up a big hydrangea my mother didn't want anymore. Then we'll have to come home and plant it. After that, we may plant our kale and spinach seeds. We don't usually plant seedlings until Memorial Day weekend (because around these parts there is always chance for frost), but I think planting the spinach and kale seeds should probably be ok. I did have kale that overwintered last year, so if it can handle snow, I would think it could handle some chilly nights. Fingers crossed.

How does Sunday get here so fast? I love Sunday but I wish there was one more day in between Saturday and Sunday.

Luckily, we did fit in a good bit yesterday including our trail walk.  Lucan was a pretty happy hound.

Last night, we had our farmers market dinner.....grilled lamb burgers on top of fresh greens with roasted garlic ramps and red potatoes on the side. Delicious.

Wish I'd remember to top it off with the pickled red onions when I had better lighting for the picture.

They really gave it that extra yummy factor.

Sunset Meadows

We also got to enjoy the sunset in our adirondack chairs last night. It was a lovely sunset as usual and even lucan sat there watching the sun go down last night.

However, Thursday night's was quite spectacular. It had such a pretty glow.

This may be one of my favorites.

Any big plans for the day?  In addition to what I mentioned above, we'll also be trying to get a trail walk in towards the end of the day.  Everytime we hit the trail, both of us say, 'I love these trails'. We are so happy to have finally found them.

Have a great Sunday,

To Market, To Market

Jiggity, Jig

Today was the last indoor farmer's market of the 'winter' season. As always, so much wonderful food from which to choose.  We had our list and we did pretty good sticking to it, though we did buy a couple of extras.

Our take included:

alderwood smoked salmon

2 lbs of ground lamb

one duck confit (they only had one left or we would have gotten 2)

duck pastrami (to make up for the lack of second confit)

Bolognese with veal, pork and bacon

Cheddar Stout stuffed ravioli

We met friends including my bookclub/champagne ladies pal Kath Gallant , as her restaruant Blue Moon Evolution was sponsoring this week's market.  We met some new people too, including Michelle Splaine from Valicenti Oganico who makes a fantastic variety of ravioli, pasta, and sauces too. Michelle and her partner Dave are both trained chefs who began their business in a garage and have now bought a lovely farm in Hollis, NH. You can read more about their pasta making operation and their farm on their website and their facebook page.  Lots of great pictures too.

When I say Michelle had a long list of pastas to choose from, I mean it. It didn't take long to make a decision once Gar saw the Cheddar Stout. It was a done deal.

The other goodie bag held:

brocolli rabe
kale
garlic ramps/greens
mixed 'naked' greens
yukon gold potatoes
red bliss potatoes
white lace cheese
arugula & pistachio pesto
dark amber maple syrup
maple pecans (OH MY.........heavenly)

All we could smell the whole way home was the garlic ramps which we're going to grill up tonight with lamb burgers. It is sure to be divine.

We passed one of my favorite pastures on Frying Pan Lane. Usually there's a couple of horses right up at the fence, but today they were all towards the back including a wee little pony. 

That's how our Saturday has begun. Now Gar is going to see if he can fix the lawn mower, while I do bookwork. Doesn't that sound fun?  Later, a trail walk followed by margaritas, which sounds infinitely better.  What's on the books for you?

Get out and enjoy your Saturday,

Pluggin' Our Pal & Freeform Friday

via jennymccabe

Friend & Family

That's Jenny. She's part of our family. She's my bil and sil's niece, one of my Dublin sisters, and our friend.  Jenny came to visit us before she had even met us (little did she know what she was getting herself into). Her arrival was not what you would call 'pretty'. Right JenJen?  Jenny was traveling on her own all the way across the pond, to relative strangers.  As if that wasn't enough, they lost her luggage. Not the way you want to start off.  All that aside, Gar, I and Jenny have all been fast friends ever since.

via jennymccabe, liliforberg & alimurphy

Jenny is quite the talented gal. Lovely voice. What this means is we have a professional singer available to pipe up at just about every family function when we're home. She not only sang at Gar's brother Niall and our sister-in-law Caragh's wedding, she has graced more than 500 weddings in Ireland with her beautiful voice. 

Here we are at Niall and Caragh's wedding.

If she's not singing at a wedding, you'll find Jenny onstage in a theatrical performance. She has received critical acclaim from the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera and won both Best Supporting Woman and Best Actress from the Irish Musical Society. 

Jenny moved on from performing in the amateur circles, and began supporting and performing with the likes of Josh Groban and Andrea Boccelli. She has also sung on famous stages like the Point Theatre,the Olympia Theatre and the Cork Opera house as well on television programs.

In addition to singing, Jenny is quite the hoofer. Give this girl a pair of tap shoes and she's good to go.  As you can see, between the singing, acting and dancing she is a triple threat and yes, quite the busy gal. 

via jennymccabe

To us though, she's still just JenJen.

You can find Jenny on facebook and on her own website, jennymccabe.com. 

Freeform Friday

First, a wedding selection from Jenny McCabe. A song from one of my all time favorite albums. Click here if you're reading by email.

And, something a little more 'raunchy'.....one of my favorite performances by Jenny in Jekyll and Hyde, Bring On The Men. Sorry the video quality isn't as good as it could be.  Click here if you're reading by email.

You'll find Jenny's own youtube channel here. 

Thanks for reading this edition of Friends and Family- wink wink.

Enjoy your Friday. We were hoping to have a campfire out back tonight since we got a little more rain. However, the wind is whipping, so don't think that's going to happen. We'll probably end up youtubing- our own little Friday night tradition. Gar djs while I sing and dance around the living room. Have I told you I LOVE youtube?

peace out,

ah.....Spring

via shadetree photography

In Bloom

I've another jam-packed day today. So I'm afraid the link up party will have to wait until next Thursday. 

However, I have a treat for your eyes. Spring is here and Mother's Day is on the horizon, and what mother doesn't like flowers?

If you're searching for the right gift for mom, check out these ideas I just included in my latest etsy treasury (if you're reading by email and can't see the treasury below, click here).

Take a little time out to smell the flowers.....................




Have a great day. The sun is shining here, at least for now. We're going to do our best to sneak in a trail walk before the end of the day when the rain is supposed to roll in. 

Did I tell you that our lilacs are blooming FOUR weeks early? At least that is something to console me after my Bruins lost their bid to move on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by one sudden death goal. Talk about ripping a girl's heart out. 

all for now,

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Building Together

On one of our trail walks the other day, I started a rock cairn on a boulder. I only placed one rock and knew I'd add to it the next time I passed.  It didn't take that long to grow. Somebody else who passed added a small stone and then a flat stone, which looked precarious, but was in fact balancing wonderfully. This made me happy. I added another rock. Then others who came after me added more. It's like a little message to each other in the woods, that keeps growing each time I happen by. So cool.

Also happened upon this guy and his twin on the trails. A red spotted newt, no less.

I am really loving these trails.

What are you loving today?

Enjoy your Wednesday.

See you on the flip side,

What's Your Experience?

via batesmercantileco

To Craft Fair Or to Wholesale?

OK Sounding Board.....who has feedback on craft fairs and selling wholesale?  These two things are on my radar right now as craft fair season is on the horizon and I've been approached about selling some of my prints wholesale.

First, craft fairs. Years ago, when I sold my crafts, I did a few craft fairs. I'm still of the thought from my experiences then, that they are a lot of work for little return. However, this was a long time ago and I don't want my past experiences cloud my judgement for the present and future. Have you participated in craft fairs? Have they been juried? Has there been a difference in attendence and sales are juried and unjuried shows you've particpated in or gone to? 

Secondly, wholesale. This is something that has been on my mind for awhile. I'd like to wholesale some of my prints and now that I've been approached, I guess there is no time like the present to pull it all together. Have you sold your work wholesale? What kind of discount do you give a wholesale buyer? A straight across the board discount? A 'buy so many and you get ___% off discount'? How did you determine what kind of discount you could give to a wholesale account?

So many questions...............I'd love to hear what you have to say.

I'd also love more time to dedicate to some illustrations I have in the works.  I really need to make that happen.

Off and running...............have a fantastic Tuesday in your corner of the world and I'll work on the same in mine.

Ciao for now,

Inspired Design: Geometry and A MegaGiveaway

via the montgomery

The One Math I Didn't Hate

Yup. You guessed it. Though the signs weren't obvious, you figured out that I am not a big fan of math. However, thanks to my high school math teacher Mr. Bennet, who allowed me to take Geometry though I had not scored high enough in his algebra class, I found out I was good at some math. Pretty darn good in fact.  I'm sure I've mentioned some of this before, but here it goes again....you see, to enter Geometry in my high school you were supposed to average at least a C in algebra as a prerequisite. Unfortunately, though I stayed for extra help just about every day, and though my engineer father tried to tutor me, my head couldn't wrap itself around algebra. Luckily though, thanks to my begging and my teacher's ability to ignore the signs and give me a chance, me and Mr. Bennet found out that I rocked geometry. High Bs and As rocked. Not bad for a girl who passed algebra by the skin of her teeth. I think it was something about being able to 'prove' things instead of just accept that x+y=z.

Though I haven't had to do any geometric equations or proofs since high school, I do still have an appreciation for geometry, especially in design.

1. via Bark Decor

2. via ribbon squirrel

3. one of my own geometry inspired designs, 'Boomerang' via Bates Mercantile Co.

4. via modern switch

5. via the montgomery

6. via cutting edge stencils

7.via junglai

8. via dproject

9. via bold folds

It makes me happy to see a resurgence in geometric patterns and shapes, since they are a constant on my inspiration board and in my idea file. I'm guess I'm glad I'm not alone.

MegaGiveaway on Diary of A Mod Housewife

Last week, I was contacted by one of my favorite etsy photographers (which is saying a lot because there are a lot of fantastic photographers on etsy), Elle Moss, who wondered if I'd like to take part in a Mother's Day giveaway on her blog Diary of a Mod Housewife (don't you love that blog title?).  She also had some very lovely things to say about my work. Caution: Aside..........Have you ever had that happen? You find out that someone whose work you admire, admires yours? Very cool. Well anyways, back to the giveaway....did I want to participate? H to the e to the double l yes.  So this totally awesome bombastic giveaway includes my Grow Love print!

When I tell you that you must check out Elle's giveaway, what I really mean is drop everything, get over to elle's because you will not believe the fabulous stuff she's collected for this Mother's Day Mega Giveaway.

Here's a preview.

     

          via elle moss                    via mandy bryant photography              via sparkles macaron

I want it all. 'Nuf said. Now, remember, that is just a sample. Wait 'til you see the rest.

Plus, it's wicked easy to enter. So, what the heck are you waiting for? Annie Lennox has said it before, but I'll say it again, 'Would I lie to you?' 

While you're there, tell Elle I sent you.

Enjoy your day,

Trail Mix- Take a Walk With Us

Why Did It Take So Long?

I knew there was a trail starting just around the block. I don't know why it took us so long (years) to investigate and discover this wonderful series of trails only 10 minute walk from the house. Now I'm in heaven.

We've walked the trails 3 days in a row, starting at the challenging end not everyone knows about which starts with a steep walk up to the top of the hill.  There is a development going in, so there is a paved road. Unfortunately they have cut down a lot of trees for the houses to go in, too many in my book. That said, there is a pretty view at the top now that you probably couldn't see before.

Lucan has been pretty happy about this discovery too.

This end of the trail starts out flat at the top of the hill and steeply winds its way down through the woods.

There are lots of twist and turns and ups and downs. It's a good workout this trail. It makes you use lots of different muscles.  We've only passed a couple of mountain bikers so far and their dogs. Oh, and then yesterday this pretty german shepard girl found Lucan in the woods and I thought she looked familiar and then we heard ..."Garrett and Pam, is that you?". It was one of neighbors from the little lane across the street from our house.

This made me laugh. Out in the middle of the woods and we still run into someone we know.

She says she walks the trails most everday with Cleo, but always drives to the park up the road and starts at the opposite end from us. She didn't know you could walk down our street a bit and begin at the other end. It made her happy to know she didn't have to drive to walk on the trails anymore.

I'll have to try and get some better shots that really show how steep the trail is in sections. This spot is actually so steep it winds down the side of the hill in tight Ss. 

Lucan has been doing pretty good considering he is 13.  He's a panting fool by the end, but once we get home he recovers pretty quickly. Now that he knows he might meet his new galpal Cleo again, I'm sure he'll be raring to go. Wish I'd gotten a picture of our neighbor Mira, and Cleo and Lucan romping through the woods, but I was too busy swatting black flies who were swarming us when we stopped to talk. Luckily they didn't bother us otherwise.

The nice thing is that the trail is really a series of trails and when you hook up with the right one it dumps you back to the neighborhood. Gar loves it, I love it and the dog loves it.

This is a horrible picture, but in my own defense I am out walking in the woods, not dressed up for a cocktail party.

To top things off,  once you get back to the neighboorhood, one of the neighbors has chickens and sells eggs. I brought my bag with me the other day and went home with 2 dozen free range fresh neighborhood eggs. This also makes me very happy.

Then it's just a short walk back to the house, so we don't need to mind for cars nearly as much as we used to on our 'pavement' walks.

One last shot. Yesterday, the neighborhood goat was out. He looking straight at me saying 'You lookin' at me? 'Cause if you're looking at me....'

Gar's off to the pharmacy. When he gets back, we're hitting the trail so we get a little time for us first. Then we'll come back and tackle the weekend to-do list.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

PS- fellow bloggers, what do you think of the new blogger set up? So far A-OK. Seems easy enough to use.