Take A Walk, or Maybe Two, or Three With Us

Open Air

The weather cooperated this week, walk-wise anyways (not poolwise). It was perfect walking temps. This all meant happy ends to the days for me and the hound. Unfortunately, Gman wasn't getting home early enough to enjoy the walks with us. That didn't stop Lucan and I from heading across to the field.

The sky was blue most days, found some raspberries (which I proceeded to eat... you didn't think I was leaving that surprise fall treat there, did you?), there were still flowers in many colors, the trees were barely starting to turn, whispy clouds made their way across the sky, and fall berries beckoned the new season.

Hoping we might get one in later today, if it's not raining. Kind of a rainy gray day here. I have to say though, I like waking up to rain on a Saturday morning. Not all the time of course, but once in awhile. 

Last night we enjoyed a campfire with the neighborhoodlums at Tom and Joans.  Thinking we'll grill a burger later and if the weather cooperates, we'll have a campfire out back tonight.

Off to take care of Saturday errands which included dropping off a check for our space reservation for our first craft fair (Saturday, October 20th from 10-4pm at Stratham Municipal Center in case you're in the area), which supports the town library and is being organized by a fellow etsy shop owner, Lori from BeJewelled NH. Lori and I might finally get to meet each other face to face. I haven't done a craft fair in years. It should be interesting doing one with Gar where we both sell our wares.  Since it raises money for the library, I offered to design a poster for the fair that will hopefully get people's attention. I want people to see all the wonderful handcrafted work available from local artisans.  

Speaking of artisans.....there is only about a week left to enter the Muse September giveaway for $180+ in handmade and vintage prizes. Have you seen what these talented folks have given you a chance to win? Man, oh man I'd really love to enter, but it just wouldn't be right.

I hope you're enjoying the weekend whether you have a long to-do list or are taking it easy.

Ciao for now,



Dreaming of France FREE Printable, Preview and a Walk

Bonjour France

I've been inundated with images of french country interiors the last few days. Perhaps someone is trying to tell me something? I'm not sure what it is, but since I have France on my mind, here's a FREE printable note card for you......Letters from France:

It includes some vintage images (one from the Graphics Fairy) and a couple of my own illustrations.

It's designed two cards to an 8.5 x 11 page. Click on image below, save to computer or copy and paste into document. Print and cut down the middle and fold in half. Stick in envelope. Easy as all that.  When is the last time you wrote a note to a loved one and actually mailed it? Getting email just isn't the same.

What's in Store

I'm busy adding merchandise to the store, and here's just a taste. 

A very cool antique piano music roll. Beethoven.

From 1900 no less.



 And some very pretty handiwork.

Someone took their time embroidering this lovely table runner. So sweet.

Stop by Bates Mercantile Co. to see what else we have in store, like the little vintage dish. 

More Fresh Air

Lucan and I got over to the field for a walk last night. It's really a great way to de-stress at the end of the day, get a little exercise, and of course some fresh air.

It started with bubbles of light.

Nose to the grindstone. Nix that. Nose to the grass. 

Love old wood. Any kind. Even this fence post. So much character.

More dandelions. Weeds or not, they're so delicate.

Not giving up the stick. No way. No how.



 A pop of color. Berry style.

A view of the barn, from the far end of the field.

One last look.



Sunset Meadows

By the time we got back across the street, the sunset was changing to this.

A final goodbye to Summer. Though I love Fall, it makes me kind of sad.

Enjoy this Thursday in your little corner of the world and I'll do the same, despite the rain. I have wellies after all.  Thanks for being here.



Field Study

Take A Walk With Us

I promised myself yesterday that I'd eek some time out at the end of the day to move, in some way. I kept my promise and made the dog happy at the same time. Off we went, across the street to the field.  We usually keep him on his leash until we get to the top of the hill to see if there are any critters before we let him lose.

There was.

One lone deer.

At least that was all I could see. I'm sure there were more just beyond the edge of the woods.

The deer checked us out. I checked out the deer. The hound remained pretty clueless about the whole thing.  The deer finally bounced into the forest.

I kept Lucan (who happens to be nudging me right now at my desk- must have known I was talking about him) on the leash last night, just in case there were more deer at the far end. It's that time of year. Plus, it's not unusual to run into turkeys. We were very thankful one day when we got to the top of the hill with him on the leash, and down below was one biggo porcupine. Phew. Crisis averted.  Top that off with the fact that the coyotes have been quite vocal lately. Better safe than sorry.

It's a beautiful field and woods, owned by a man down the street. He wanted to conserve the open space and the town bought into it a couple of years ago. We thankfully the benefits of having the field 20 steps from our door. So does the farmer across town who leases the field for farming feed for his dairy cows.

At the top of the field, just across the street from our house is an old family cemetery plot. The Wiggins, one of Stratham's founding families. Poor Abigail was only 14 when she died.  At least her and her relatives have a pretty view of the sunsets.

Sunset Meadows

Sunset on our way out of the field last night.

And, sunrise this morning.

Gar said, you really should open your eyes and take a look out the window at this one. I did more than that, I stumbled to my desk and got my camera.

I was glad I did.

Giveaway

Don't forget to enter our current giveaway- you only have a few more days. So, why not do it now? Wouldn't it be nice to have the Hello Chevrons note cards from Bates Mercantile Co. to write a note on and make some one's day? It's pretty easy to enter. You could win a set for yourself and a set to give as a gift!

Hope it's sunnier in your little corner of the world. Pretty damp and raw here today.Tomorrow is supposed to be looking up.

See you on the flip side. Thanks for being here.