Gettin' In The Swing & Freeform Friday

Holiday Open House

Last night Exeter, the next town over and where I worked at the Chamber many moons ago, held Holiday Open House and Festival of Trees.  It's a night when the downtown is invaded by people who want to meet Santa who holds court in the gazebo in front of the old Town Hall building and Festival of Trees inside.  It's a mob scene, but a good kind of mob scene. Every one's there to get in the holiday spirit, the lights down Water Street are lit, stores show off their holiday window displays are open for shoppers, and there's lot of milling about. It's can be quite magical. A wonderful way to mark the season.

I headed over with my sister Dianne. Sister in law Kelly ventured with us at the last minute. It was full throttle hustle and bustle of the season-  lights, people, and cars....oh my.

Just as expected, it was a mob scene with tons of people lined up to see Santa.

Now, can you see what I mean?

We met my friend Carey (aka Martha of the infamous Champagne Ladies/Bookclub) and her daugther Laine....two of my best gals.

Then we went our merry ways.  Now Laine and Martha were smart and checked out Festival of Trees right away. The three of us however, got distracted.  Blame it on all the lovely things the shops had in them.

We popped into a store that was new to me, Reminisce, but that had been open since February. Obviously, I missed that.  As I told Kathy the owner, I'm sure to be back. Her shop was packed with a whole lot of wonderful.

Everywhere you turned, more fantastic things too oogle. Kathy had lots of local artists represented. Yay for local art! She also had lots of lovely vintage in the mix.

You see that nest on the wall, to the left of the pretty mirror?  It was painted by a local artist (whose name is escaping me unfortunately). Instead of trying to hide a crack in the wall, Kathy had this artist make the most of it by painting the very sweet bird's nest and eggs....there's a swallow on the other side of the mirror if you look close.

Reminisce was a feast for the eyes.

Di and Kel obviously found something they had to look at a little closer.

Vintage textiles, mixed media art, crystal, vintage fashion. What a lovely shop.

Lo and behold, while we were there, Martha and Laine made their way through the door and did a little shopping.

Since they didn't know I was taking this shot, I decided the next one I took, they would know about.

Two of my best gals.

Kathy the owner was busy greeting shoppers.  Genuinely welcoming everyone to her store and having earnest conversations about her products and the artists that are represented in Reminisce. Not quite the same kind of 'greeting' you get at Walmart.

Thanks to Kathy for the sweetest little handmade ginger bread men ever (I'll show you them in another post for sure---itty bitty, eency weency and oh so cute).

Then we were off and away down the street in and out of stores and before you knew it, it was time to head back up the street to my friend Kath's (aka soy goddess and another one of the Champagne Ladies) restuarant, Blue Moon Evolution. They were holding a booth for us, so we could sit and enjoy a cocktail and some fresh, local fare.

Problem with the timing was, we didn't have enough. We got so caught up in the shopping, that we never went in to see Festival of Trees. What a shame. It's always so beautiful.

However, luckily, Blue Moon made up for it.

Kath was doing duty as hostess.

Ah, sit down in a booth in one of my favorite spots and have a Rosalita served to me....yes please. We shared fish cakes, salad, a cheese board and the charcuterie board.  All of the meats on the charcuterie board are house made by Chef Ted McCormick. It's ever changing, as is the cheese board.

Last night I fell in love. I know, I know....I have Gar. Not to worry.

I fell in love with a new cheese. Bonne bouche. It might be my new all time favorite and it's made right in Vermont. Heavenly.  I told Kath she needs to bring some to Book Club/Champagne Ladies Christmas, which so happens to be tomorrow night at Pearl's (the last of our little group). 

We had a great night and it's always nice to give some holiday business to the locals. 

Have you attended any special events like Holiday Open House yet? What tradition do you have to get into the Christmas mood?

Freeform Friday

Talking about getting into the mood, I'm about to put on my first Christmas album of the year...live recording of Judy Garland's award winning Christmas Special. LOVE it. Love her with Liza, with Lorna, with Mel Torme and Jack Jones.  Enjoy.  Click here if you're reading by email.

Have a great day.

Ciao for now,

One Bright Smoothie

Energy In a Glass

My friend Kath, who is one of my bookclub/champagne ladies, owns a Blue Moon Evolution....cafe by day, restaurant by night. She's had the most wonderful Green Bliss Smoothie on the cafe menu for years. Yes, you saw and read right. GREEN Bliss Smoothie.

I made my own little take on it this morning.

First thing I did was go out to the garden and pick fresh kale. Yup. You read that right too. Kale. Just trust me on this, ok.  Here's a little bit about kale from WebMD.

"One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.  Kale’s health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration and excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K -- and sulphur-containing phytonutrients. Carotenoids and flavonoids are the specific types of antioxidants associated with many of the anti-cancer health benefits. Kale is also rich in the eye-health promoting lutein and zeaxanthin compounds." (Did you catch that part Dad?)


Suffice it to say, Kale is a powerhouse. It also makes a wicked good green bliss smoothie.

I used 4 Kale leaves (rip the leaf from the stem, as the stem can be a bit tough), 1 small (3.5 oz) vanilla and honey yogurt, 1 large banana, 1 cup orange juice and ice.

Blend and viola.

This is good stuff. It tastes fresh and clean. You can always add some honey if you need it sweeter, but I find between the yogurt, the fruit and the OJ it's sweet enough for me.  It made a good batch. Gar, bil Niall and I all had glasses.

Oh, did I tell you I had a helper?  I did.  The next wave of Dubliners arrived yesterday afternoon-- The Bates of Lucan (yup, the hound is named after the town that they live in, just outside the city).  My niece Leah helped rip the leaves of the stems for me.

I finally met my godson Harry face to face. Live. In person. Not via Skype!!! He would have helped too but he was too busy chillin' with Lucan and eating watermelon.

Get a load of the shirt we gave him - 'I get all the chicks'.  I just love peanuts. 

Gorgeous day here. Perfect for pooltime with the kiddos later.  First, some work on my desk though. What about you?

This post makes me think that I really, really need to make a 'recipe' page on the Muse. Put that one on the too do list.

Loved all your comments about Neil Armstrong yesterday. Off to reply now.

Have a fantastic day,

To The Moon and Back

via bluemoonevolution

It Really Wasn't That Long of a Trip

Hi guys. Hope this finds you all well. I'm a little late today with the Muse. If I can't get the settings right, you may not get this to tomorrow. I seem to have a hard time with that if I post after a certain time, but I'll do my best.

This morning I was off to a meeting at Blue Moon Evolution, my friend Kath's Cafe & Restaurant to discuss some marketing initiatives for the coming weeks.  Kath's place is all about local, organic, or shall we say, real food. It's always a treat to dine there and see what Chef Ted has on the menu. It also makes me happy to know that our meal has been sourced 'as locally and organically' as possible, and that quite often it's from our farmer-neighbors or fisherman-neighbors just up the road a bit.

I just thought I'd give you a brain break, with some pictures of the ever lovely and delicious Blue Moon.

The bookcase always has such pretty displays. Today the tulips made me smile.

The mason jars were sweet too.

We met before the place was hopping this morning. At night Blue Moon Evolution is transformed from cafe, to wonderful restaurant with a warm, nearly romantic atmosphere. It's beautiful during the day, but even more so at night.

The salad bar, the best around, is an abundance of color and goodness.

 

People drive miles and miles for the super green kale salad. Talk about a powerhouse.

 Quinoa salad anyone? An ancient grain you must try. My favorite is in the back, tofu salad. I love that stuff.  Who knew I'd ever love tofu salad?

What? You need some dessert? OK. I'm not even sure what these were called because I had to walk away. Fast.

Last but not least, 'Soy Goddess', aka Kath, my gal pal and the woman behind Blue Moon.

This woman makes things happen. It's a joy to be a part of and witness. Plus, she's a super friend which makes her A#1 in my book.

How's your day going? Mine has been busy, busy. Can you feel it? The buzz that is? Things are happening here. Good things. I'll be able to share a few with you soon.

carpe diem, 

PS- I also received my grand-niece's birthday present in the mail today which I purchased from an etsy friend. Can't say who or what as it might spoil the surprise. I will say this, it is so-darn-stinkin'-cute I can hardly stand it.

Close To Home

via greenestitches

Shop Local, Volume II. 

Hi gang. Here's my second installment of shop local for the holidays. As our days are dwindling before Christmas, and Hanuakah is sooner, it makes even more sense to by from those who live close to you.  If you can keep it handmade or vintage (the new green), it's all that much better.

So here's a selection of what's available in my part of the world. If you have a blog, I'll once again suggest you do a post like this in the next couple of days to prompt your followers to at least think of buying from merchants close to them.

Can I just say, I've always loved houndstooth. Classic. Never, ever goes out of style.

via greenestitches, nashua, new hampshire

Add a pop of red, and WOW~! You'll be styling. 

I jokingly call myself The Bird Lady of Stratham. Yes, I talk to the birds. Don't you?

The prettiest birdhouse around, are just up the road from me at Backyard Birds and Garden Frills in York, Maine. 

via backyardbirdsandgardenfrills, route1, york, maine

My sister-in-law and her Mom and Dad put their hearts into this shop and it shows.  They've got a lot more than birdhouse though, and one walk through the door will prove it.

via backyardbirdsandgardenfrills, route 1, york, maine

via backyardbirdsandgardenfrills, route 1, york, maine

Need to send a note?  How pretty is this?

via dsigns, franklin, new hampshire 

A perfectly pretty and ultilitarian spoon. I love a good wooden spoon.

via rjmwoodworks, new hampshire

How about a lovely, organic and locally sourced dinner?  This is the place.

bluemoonevolution, exeter, nh

Gift certificate? Yes, please. I do love being greeted by the hostest with the mostest, Ms. Alissa Gallant, and served a tastey Rosalita Margarita made with Blue Moon's own thyme infused simple syrup. The food? I don't have time to go there, but suffice it to say, delicious.

Ah, the sea. Luckily I'm not far. There are lots of people in my area who take their insiration from the shore.

via shatteredsmooth, haverhill, massachusetts

Considering I've lived on the coast my whole life (except when I was in NY for college), it's pretty sad that I've yet to go on a whale watch. Someday. 

via thejetty, boston, massachusetts

So, when you're trying to whittle down the rest of your list, think of the shops that are near you. They can probably even ship something to you if need be, and still get it to you in time for gift giving. 

A big thanks to everyone for linking up at our current shop link up. Wow. I am overwhelmed with the fine selection of handmade and vintage goods, and wonderful blogs.  Stay tuned tomorrow for 'picks from the party'. 

In the meantime, have a great day in your little corner of the world. 

Ciao,