Freeform Friday

Sunset Meadows

Since you got to hear me rant about our freezing cold, snowbound wicked winter, it's only right that I tell you this.

The last week of spring has been amazing. Spring has been a bit wishy-washy, not wanting to give up winter, more gray days than I'd like, and a fair bit of rain, so the fact that is has showed it's true colors this past week has been quite welcome. I am enjoying it with a grateful heart.

Last night we sat out and watched the sunset. It was a beautiful end, to a beautiful day with that pretty, spring light streaming across the lawn and sunset meadows. 

I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.


Freeform Friday

Now that the World Cup is in full force, I thought an ode to Brazil would be appropriate. You'll probably all remember this version that launched the career of Astrud Gilberto. Well, at least if you're as old as I am. Her vocals are amazing. Click here if you're reading via email. 






Then of course, there is Ms. Warwick. Click here if you're reading via email.






This version I found by chance and I'm glad I did. These kids knock it out of the park. Click here if you're reading via email.




This weekend will be full. Tonight, if the breeze dies down, more than likely a campfire outback to enjoy more of this beautiful weather. Tomorrow is my niece Cait's baby shower. She's got a month to go and we'll be welcoming Miss Olivia.  Sunday I hope to work in the garden and the yard. It would be nice if the pool was ready to go by then, but we will see.  Don't miss the USA v Portugal on in Sunday night World Cup action at 6pm est. It's a big one! Of course, they all are. It's the World Cup.

Got anything planned for the weekend?

Whatever you do, make it a good one.

Ciao for now,

Inspired Design: Sunset Hues

 

Quite A Show Last Night

 

Sunset Meadows was ablaze in gold yesterday as the sun went down. It was a beautiful sight for over an hour. I took inspiration from it for today's post.

 

Have you noticed that gold is coming back into favor as a design element? While it's always classic, I've been seeing things like gold faucets that are surprising me, considering the popularity of chrome.

 

It adds a wonderful richness to just about anything.

 

 

sources:  top/golden eames rocker via okay art and vintage gold mirror via The Paris Apartment;  bottom/gold table decor via 100 layer cake
and golden wings via the handmade home

 

Oh, that chair. Too cool for school. 

 

If you love the wings like I do, my blogging pal Amy at Maison Decor has been carrying wood wings in her shop, and considering how handy she is with Annie Sloan paint and gilding wax, I'm sure she'd love to paint some gold.

 

And now, today's inspiration.

 

Sunset Meadows

Let's put it this way, as I said, last night's sunset went on and on and on. Which meant, I had to keep going back outside with the camera. 

 

As you know by now if you've been around here for any amount of time, sunsets are one of my favorite things. Nothing I like more than sitting in my Adirondack watching the show outside my door. 

 

Amazing.

 

So, have you noticed gold trending again? Was it something unexpected? Do tell.

 

Make it a great day in your corner of the world and I'll do the here. Should be good to go as long as I can keep the balls in the air...........

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset Meadows

After The Nor'Easter

We got more snow yesterday than they expected.  A heavy, wet 12 inches. This is when I really, really, really love our neighbor Tom and his tractor.

So, there we were in the midst of a pretty strong Nor'easter, which not only took the homes I mentioned yesterday, down on Plum Island, it also swept the sweetest little fish shack cottages. The cottage have been at the top of North Hampton Beach forever. And they're at the beginning of my favorite beach route walk and also where I used to walk with my Grampy. Seeing them pushed right off their foundations was sad.  What a mess.

Then, lo and behold, after all the storm action, it started to warm up. A lot.  By then end of the day it was nearly 50 degrees.

And then...................Sunset Meadows.

Make you Saturday great.

Ciao for now,



Snapshots

Juxtaposition

I brought my geraniums in this year. I often do. Number 1: I love geraniums. Number 2: It makes me happy when they bloom despite the season. A touch of Summer in the midst of Winter.

I love the light and shadows playing off the geraniums too.

Proof of Winter despite blooming geraniums? This morning's snow.



It's over now. Just enough to coat everything in light fluffy, cotton-like white......the trees in the back yard, the holly, the lilac bush outside the bedroom window, all dressed up in Winter white.

Sunset

We unexpectedly ventured out last night. My parent's invited us to go out to dinner at The 401 Tavern and who are we to say no.  On the way to their house the sun was setting and there was the most gorgeous cloud formation.....just like a spread-winged eagle. Try as I might, I just couldn't capture it for all the trees in the way. 

None-the-less, I ended up with moody and mysterious sunset pictures.

 

This is the only picture that you can see the eagle cloud at all.....well, the wings at least, the head and tail are behind the trees in the middle. Can you see the wings streaking up from the trees?

Of course, the car was moving too, but I wish I could have gotten a better picture. It really was something.

In other news, we did catch a bit of the hockey game. My Bs gave it away in the 3rd. Such a bummer. Can't complain too much though, the season has been underway for about 3 weeks and it's only our second lost. Can't win them all. Onto Sunday in Winnipeg.

Have a great weekend. Ours includes margaritas tonight. 

Who says you can't enjoy margaritas in the Winter?

Ciao for now,

Roasting Romas & A FREE Printable/Missoni Inspired

More Missoni Inspiration

Chevrons on my mind.....sounds like a song. They are on my mind, so I created another design with them.  This one is for you. And it's FREE. Cool, huh?

These gift tags are colorful, hip and a little bit retro. 

Any package would be honored to have them attached. At least, that's what I've heard. I think they'd be really cute on a package wrapped in white! But, that's just me. You do whatever you'd like. 

Talk about fun!

Here you go:

Click on picture above, save to computer or copy and paste. These gift tags are set up to be printed on an 8.5 x 11 paper. I also have an idea running around my head for note cards using one of these designs. Stay tuned for an update, as I'm hoping to have them in our store, Bates Mercantile Co., later today.

The Heavenly Smell of Romas Roasting

Finally, the Roma tomato post.....I'm a few days behind on this one. Sorry about that. If you have Roma tomatoes growing in your garden like we do, or can get your hands on some at farmers' market, you need to try this. You won't be sorry.  I had no idea I could roast and freeze my tomatoes until my friend Carey (aka Martha) told many years ago. I've been roasting them ever since, and there is nothing like being in the middle of the winter and being able to add garden tomatoes to a dish for some wonderful flavor.

Here's the scoop (and yes, I know I spelled caramelizing wrong above, but I'm too lazy to change it now):

* you need enough Romas to fill a cookie sheet- if they're big, you can cut in two

* I use a well seasoned cookie sheet- that is to say, one I've roasted a lot of veg on with olive oil. Or one you don't care about 'becoming' well seasoned.

*this is a slow cooking process, but one that doesn't need a ton of tending to

*Romas are the tomatoes of choice for this because they are a meaty tomato with not a lot of seeds. I do also throw some cherries in there too if i have them.

Preheat oven to 225 degrees F. Cut Romas in half if they're on the larger side. Leave them whole if they're on the smaller side.  Grease the pan with extra virgin olive oil. I give it a good glug over the sheet and then spread with a paper towel. Sprinkle pan with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Place tomatoes on cookie sheet and sprinkle with more sea salt and pepper.  Pop in oven and let them do their thing. Check about once every hour and turn. It takes several hours on low heat for them to first, caramelize, and then start looking more like a sun dried tomato. There's no golden rule here, do them until they are done how you like them. I'd say at least until they caramelized and start to brown on the edges.  They do stick a bit due to oil and the natural sugar in the tomato, just use a spatula to flip. I have a little metal one that works great. I like to finish them facing up so that they get a little dryer.  That's it. The flavor is out of this world.

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.  If you can stop yourself from eating them all right then and there, let them cool and you can pop them in a freezer bag. Make sure all the air is out, seal and throw it in the freezer. Take out in middle of Winter, and remember why you do all that work in your garden or why you like farmers' market so much. If you have a home office like I do, you can do them any day. If not, the weekend is a great time to do this when you're hanging around the house.

So delicious. Trust me.

Sunset Meadows

Gorgeous day yesterday. 84F. We won't see that much longer, supposed to drop tonight. May have to cover my tomatoes because some are still ripening. 

I caught the sunset before I hopped into the pool last night. I've got to get in while I can. It was out of this world......74F and glorious.

Back to the sunset.  Beautiful streams of light.

A big, bright.................

.........ball of fire.

Hot, but very cool.

Thursday already. How'd that happen? Make it a great one in your little corner of the world.

Peace out.



Hello Sunshine......Don't Miss The Latest Free Printable

The Sun Coming Up

That's the sun coming up through the woods out back.  Big, bright and yellow. The moon looked very similar going down over the field, about an half hour before. 

You have to love waking up and being greeted by the sun shining.

I know this picture isn't exactly what you'd call 'clear', but it still served as inspiration for today's free printable.

Sunshine and bubbles of light.......hello sunshine.

Make somebody's day a little brighter and say hello with this printable note card. They're sure to smile when they find it in their mailbox.  Wouldn't you?

Just click the picture and save image file to your computer or copy and paste.

The hello sunshine printable note card can be printed on 8.5x11 paper and has a light dotted line down the middle to make cutting easy.  It is designed to fit in a 4 3/8" x 5 3/4" envelope, which you can pick up at any office supply store.

While we're on the subject of the sun................

Sunset Meadows

Gar was heading across the street to thank neighbor Tom for all his help on his truck this weekend, and yelled back in, "looks like it's going to be a good sunset".
Glad he did or I might have missed it and that would have been a shame.

Another busy day ahead, though my meeting just got moved until tomorrow. So, that makes it a little less crazy.  What's your day looking like?

A quick 'thanks a bunch' for being here and commenting. I just love hearing from all of you. It makes my day.