Still Life: The Color Of Hope

Springs Eternal

Everybody around here is getting pretty antsy for some spring like temperatures. We'd like a little more than just one day sandwiched in between never ending polar vortex stretches. It's been a long cold, snowy winter. Which we can usually handle when there are hopeful signs that spring will get here eventually. 

When I went to the store yesterday to get my ingredients for my St. Patrick's Day Shepperd's Pie, I spied what is a true harbinger of spring.  

Daffodils, in all their yellow glory.

We are far from daffodils in bloom here.  So, to be able to grab a bunch to brighten up your home gives you a tiny taste of spring, and confidence that it surely will arrive in the not so distant future (even if today's 26 degrees doesn't support the fact that it supposed to arrive this week!).

 In Ireland at this time of year, the daffodils are everywhere.

They're blooming in the parks..................

 
.............in the fields...............

..............in the middle of the highways............

.....in the middle of the 'roundabouts'.

Everywhere you look.................mass plantings of daffodils. As if a flower fairy sprinkled magic daffodil dust over everything.

It's a beautiful sight.

At least I can have a reminder of that beauty in my home for a the small price of $3.00.  A steal for a little hint of spring to brighten up these last days of winter that just won't seem to release their grip.

I forgot to tell you yesterday, our pal Lucan turned 14! He celebrated St. Patrick's Day and his birthday in grand style.

 

The neighborhoodlums came over for a little St. Patrick's Day cheer and Shepperd's Pie.  A good time had by one and all.

Busy with a ton of design work at the moment.  Doing my best to juggle like I've been on tour with the circus before.

What's happening in your world?

Ciao for now,

 

Does Your Dog Do This?

Morning Ritual

Since Lucan can't scratch his own back, it's not like I don't understand.  I do.

That's not to say, that it still doesn't give me a laugh every day.

There. Now doesn't that feel better?



Beautiful day here.

We went for our morning walk. Sun shining and warming up the day.

Clear blue skies.

Chartreuse leaves. Yellow leaves. A few orange and red thrown in for good measure.

The smell of fall in the air. The fading flowers. The apples. The pears. The dew on leaves that have fallen.

The sound of one leaf, maybe two, drifting to the earth to rest.

Dappled sunlight spread on the path before us, greeting the new day.



I hope yours started as nicely.

Ciao for now,

Take A Walk With Us

 

Around The Bates Estate

 

The weekend was busy. Well, busy enough. In a good way. The week ahead looks to be more of the same.  There was a lovely glow as the sun went down last night. This morning the sky was pink to the East, and the sun is still out for now. There is rain heading our way, which we could do without since we got a good bit the other day. In fact a really good bit. The sump pump is still running.  Better than not running if you needs to be, know what I mean?

 

But before the next rain..........a stroll. Take a break and come along.

 

 

 

 

If you have a second, check out this lovely feature on Bates Mercantile Co. over on Eyelah. And while you're there, wish her happy birthday! Happy Birthday Aylah!!!

Happy Monday. Make it a great day in your corner of the world and I'll do the same in mine.

Ciao for now,

101 Ways To Wear White

It's Snowing Again

Houston, we have a problem.

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring here which is all well and good, except for one little detail. Winter isn't ready to give up the ghost. The promise of snowdrops is still just that, a promise. They may be blooming, but we wouldn't know because just when the snow was starting to melt from the last 3-round-punch of snow storms, all is covered anew.

It's snowing at a good clip and I'd say we have close to a foot already and supposed to continue throughout the day. It's looking like we might get more than they predicted.

I'm not mad. I mean, sure I'm ready for Spring weather, but before long we'll be in the midst of Summer heat longing for cool days.

For now, I'll just enjoy it.  The fire is cranking and I'm working at the desk and I have a nice view of the snowfall from inside our snug little cottage. Things could be worse.

I think I forgot to tell you, Lucan turned 14 on St. Patrick's Day. He loves the snow.  Sometimes. Wink. Wink. This morning it was pretty deep which made it a little challenging for him to get around, but he made do.

"Who are you calling 14?"

Enjoy the day. No matter how old you are and no matter what the weather is like. Because today, is a good day to have.

Ciao for now,

PS- can you believe there are still some oak and ash leaves clinging to trees after the wild and wooly Winter we've had? Talk about not letting go.......

Beauty And The Beast

Noses & Roses

Have I told you lately that I love..........Saturday? Gotcha. Didn't I?

I love the slow, don't have to do anything pace that Saturday brings. Well, some of the time.

Today is one of those Saturdays.

The hound is busy doing what he does best. Napping.

Dang I love his nose. In fact sometimes I call him Nose. And Meem (don't ask because I will not be able to give you any reason for this).  And Cotton Ears (that one I can explain...because sometimes he has to stick cotton in his ears to prevent ear drum damage from my bad singing........no, no, no....not really........his ears just feel like cotton).

Those of you with pets will confirm (please. pretty please?) that it is completely normal to have at least 50 nicknames for your pals, half of which make no sense at all.

Anyways, like I said, he's busy sleeping. Well, he was. I swear.

Lucan only opened his eyes for a nano second just to try and prove me wrong, then he went back to napping.

On the opposite side of the room, twenty feet away from the beast.........beauty.

Cue the music......."He still brings me flowers..........evermore".

Yeah, I know those aren't really the words. Just humor me, OK?

Did I tell you that due to the constant noodging and nudging of Ms. Cari-Jane Hakes of Hybrid Handmade fame (sorry Mrs. Mojito, I couldn't resist), I signed up for The Sketchbook Project this week? Yup. It's true.  I signed up. The part about the noodgery isn't exactly true, but kinda sorta.

You see, my pal Cari-Jane has participated in The Sketchbook Project before and blogged about it. Then my other etsy pal, Ashleigh from Bleu Oiseau Photography facebooked that she had signed up as well and was pulling her sketchbook together. Then Cari-Jane blogged that she had yet again signed up for this year's Sketchbook Project. So, you see, there was no way I could not take all of that as I sign that I too should participate. Follow? Sure, it might be a stretch just like any 6 degrees of separation, but my three-degrees-to-sign-up ensured that I did. Sign up that is.

If you haven't heard about The Sketchbook Project it is very cool, or like, oh my god, totally tubular if you were a Valley Girl in the 80s.  People from all over the world participate, it is not juried. It's all inclusive.  Sketchbooks are sent out, people fill them up and send them back, then they (the sketchbooks, not the people) go on tour, and finally return to their new permanent home at The Brooklyn Art Library. Click here for a little video about it, if you're reading by email.



The Sketchbook Project, London 2012 from You and I Films on Vimeo.

I can not wait to get my sketchbook. I've got all sorts of ideas running through my head.

Not that that is anything new.

Last night the neighborhoodlums had an impromptu campfire. Cold? Who cares when there is a campfire involved. I layered up.......tank top, t shirt, flannel shirt, fleece vest, warm sweat shirt jacket, two pairs of gloves, winter boots, Bruins hat, scarf and I was good to go. It was toasty warm by the fire.

What's happening in your corner of the world?

It's cold, but not freezing today. There is snow melting off the roof. However, it is wicked windy. Later, some Italian Chicken Soup from the freezer that I will add some dumplings too. At least that's the plan.

Have a good one.

Ciao for now,

It's Been A Long Time...Take A Walk With Us

Put One Foot In Front Of The Other

Hey gang, as I mentioned yesterday, there was a storm heading our way.  We totally lucked out. After we battened down the hatches, we still had time before it hit to head over to the field for a good stretch of the legs.  Needless to say, Lucan was thrilled.  It's been such a hot summer, meaning we didn't get too many of our walks in, so I was thrilled too.

Gar was lead-man through the field and into the woods.

And yes, we did beat the storm.

The field across the street is our go-to place to walk for a few reasons: 

1. it's literally across the street. 
2. when you get to the top of the hill, it drops down and nobody knows you're there and the dog isn't distracted by what's going on in the road.
3. there is plenty of room for Lucan to run 
4. we nearly always score something special to bring home, yesterday it was the hawk feather. 
5. if you go up and down the hills, it's a pretty good workout (which I could really use at this point)
6. we often share the field with deer and turkeys. we hear coyotes at night, but thankfully haven't run into any during the day. i usually have a big stick just in case.
7. at the far end of the field, there is a trail of sorts that goes into the woods. it's a great place for quiet thinking and destressing. we've seen an owl and a porcupine in a tree in the woods. the owl did the entire headtwist while looking at us, and the porcupine stayed way up in the tree. good porcupine.
8. our town conserved this beautiful open land a few years ago and nothing can ever be built on it
9. it's the backdrop for sunset meadows

I feel very lucky to have numerous routes for walking and enjoying nature, including the field, the trails around the corner and at Phillips Exeter, and of course, the beach. Now, I do enjoy a walk in our neighborhood too, but I'd choose an off road walk over and on road walk any day.

What's your favorite place to walk?

By the way, as far as the storm goes it did get very windy and it lashed rain. No trees down in our yard but close....our neighbors Lauren and Jay lost one out back at the edge of the woods. They didn't even know it until Gar went over to offer his chainsaw.  Good thing the storm was a quick mover.

$180+ of Handmade and Vintage for You To Win

No kidding. 

When I say Mercantile Muse sponsors are awesome, I am not pulling the wool over your eyes. This month they've been kind enough to offer prizes totalling close to $200. Did you enter yet? Somebody has to win, but you can't win if you don't enter.

Since they're so damn cool and I think you'll really like them, you will find them in the righthand sidebar.  When you have a chance, you really should check out their shops. I think you'll be happy that you did.

Did you notice it's Wednesday already? Woohoo to that!

Ciao for now,

My Week In Pictures

Well, Some of It

Pooltime. As often as I could.

We travelled to say goodbye to our cousin-friend Gail. Sister Di had an Almond Joy (which Gail loved) in her honor. I know she's looking down from heaven saying....Almond Joy? Nice choice Di.

Our Rose of Sharon popped. Gorgeous.

So did the Kale. Yum.

The chard still has a ways to go, but it's looking good.

Lucan lounged. What else is new?

Enjoyed a campfire last night.

Woke to fog this morning.......

.....and a message from my egg.

The plan today is to get some stuff done at my desk. Then I'll be helping Gar organize his studio. If all goes well, that will be followed by a friend's birthday party, some pool-time and another campfire.

What's your plan for this Saturday?

If you are participating in the photo challenge, remember to get me your submission for the second theme- vast- tomorrow. The earlier in the day the better, so that I can include it in Monday's photo challenge post which I'll be preparing tomorrow.

Have you linked your shop or blog in the Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It Link Party yet? What are you waiting for? And for you non-shop owners and non-bloggers, take a look at all the great stuff getting linked up. I'm going to have a hard time picking what to feature onTuessday.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Ciao for now,

Saturday Snippets

A Beautiful Spring Day

The sun is shining and the skies are blue. It's making up for the beginning of the week and I can handle that.

Gar's off to pick up some cement mixes.  I just put the dishes in the washer and have more on the to do list. The usual Saturday stuff.

It's so nice we're already planning on a campfire out back tonight. It should be perfect.

The flowers are blooming all over the place and on a day like this, it's hard not the enjoy Spring.

My Mom's azalea was in full bloom last weekend when I stopped over on Mother's Day. Ridiculously beautiful.

Could it be any prettier?

On another note, this is how I found the hound the other day. I guess one pillow wasn't quite enough for Lucan.

It certainly is a dog's life.

I'm off and running. Enjoy your day.

Ciao for now,