Still Life: White

Petals

Last year we transplanted a big hydrangea from my Mother. We weren't sure if it would take, though by all accounts, it seemed to acclimate pretty darn well after the transplant.

We had to wait until this year to be sure and it's been looking pretty happy.

It's bloom time now and it has survived and thrived.

  

 

 

Weekend Roundup

It was a beautiful weekend. Ours included:

- Campfire with friends and neighbors Friday night and a new soup recipe getting the thumbs up.
- Swimming in the pool.
-Weeding my front walk way. I also sprayed it with a white vinegar and water solution to kill the ones I couldn't pull and deter new growth. I'm happy to report that it worked like a charm. The weeds I sprayed died overnight. Poof. Shriveled up, crispy, gone. 
- Laundry. When isn't that on the list? However, since we put ours on the line to dry, we try to take full advantage of the nice weather when it's here.
- Campfire Saturday night and fresh Hake from our friend Ralph, cooked over the campfire, with some fries.

Mmmm.

- Chilling with the neighborhoodlums. 

That's enough for one weekend, isn't it?

Sunset Meadows

Almost forgot........and enjoying this beautiful sunset.

Amazing.

Lots on the plate today. Some design tweaking. Bookwork. Oh, and laundry out to the line since it's so nice out.  What's happening where you are?

Ciao for now,

I Love Fresh Haddock & Freeform Friday

It's a Good Thing When Your Pal Is A Fisherman

As I've mentioned before, our friend Ralph (who has been my pal since 1st grade) is a fisherman. Cap' has been a fisherman since high high school.

He had his first charter trip of the season this week and the haddock stood no chance.

For us, this a good thing. When Ralph calls and says, "I have some fresh haddock ... do you want some?", naturally we say, "yes".

Easy Baked Haddock 

preheat oven to 350f

grease a pan

lay haddock filets in pan

sprinkle with breadcrumbs and whatever spices you'd like (I used Mrs. Dash, Basil and Garlic)

top with a couple of pats of butter

sprinkle capers over the top

Bake for 10 minutes. If it's a thicker filet it may need a little more. You'll be able to tell if you stick a fork in it and the haddock flakes away from the filet. You're good to go.

Easy peasy and so absolutely yummy. Oh how I love living on the Seacoast. Oh how I love having a fisherman friend how shares. Thank you Ralphie.

Freeform Friday

It's been a gorgeous week and today is not different. Though we're enjoying the sun, we need the rain and it looks like it's finally coming. We haven't even been able to have our much-loved campfires outback because there is red flag warnings in effect because the winter and spring have been so dry.  So, I'll enjoy the sun, but if for nothing else, am glad we'll be getting some rain. Hopefully it just doesn't go overboard.

Here's a little Creedence to start your weekend right and in honor of the sun and the predicted rain.  Click here if you're reading by email.





Have a fantastic Friday. I just got back from a work meeting, have lots on the list to check off, but still hope to quit just a little bit early to walk with G and the hound on the trails we found in the neighborhood this week.  What are your plans for the weekend?

Lobster Bake- Take 2

Busy weekend here. The Bates of Clontarf (part of our Dublin family- Gar's brother Fran, our ssister in law Fiona, nephew Conor, and niece Rachel), who are in NJ for the summer due to work, swung up on Friday for a quick visit. We just chilled- ate yummy cheese, swam in the pool, and talked. Perfect laid back family time.  Saturday before they headed off to visit Fiona's sister in Boston, we had lunch at the 401 Tavern.  We got to eat in the 'wine loft'. Wish the picture was better, but I love the way our friend Desi decorated this part of the 401- about 1,000 wine bottles across the ceiling and now creeping onto the wall. Very pretty.

Too bad Gar couldn't eek out a smile for the picture.

Yesterday afternoon, we were off to our friend's lobster bake. Since Ralph helps Gar out with ours on the 4th, Gar does the same for him.

Filling the baskets with seaweed, clams and lobsters.

Loading the baskets onto the bake.

Hot stuff coming off the bake.

Come and get 'em!

So, so good.

Hope you are having a good weekend too. Enjoy your Sunday.