Weekend Review and Take a Walk With Us

Another One Gone

Boy do the weekends fly. Well, the weeks have been too for that matter.  We hung close to home.  Friday I cooked up some homemade chicken fingers, then we got our YouTube groove on, and did a little living room dancing.

Saturday I worked at my desk and was happily interrupted by the transatlantic Skypers from our niece's birthday party in Dublin.  They were having a grand time. Missy Moo (Leah) is now three and she was looking like she'd been enjoying the party. 

I love this 'Are you looking at me' picture of her and gar. She was just a wee lass then. 

And our niece Micha celebrated sweet 16 yesterday (on left, pictured with our nieces Caroline and Rachel). Where does the time go?  Beautiful girls.

Other than that, Gar did his best Dick Van Dyke impersonation as he swept the chimney. He also cut and grooved the reclaimed wood desktop calendar holders that will be going in the shop just as soon as I finish the calendar design that will go with them. I know. I'm behind the 8-ball, but I did work on it yesterday.

Then I decided it was time to get away from the computer. Can you relate?

Take A Walk With Us

It was ridiculously warm yesterday.  Got a few loads of laundry hung out and dried. It was balmy, even.

Lucan and I took off for the field, which welcomed us with the prettiest sparkling grass.

The barn got cheeky again and gave us another wink.

We went into the woods a ways yesterday.  When we came out and were walking along the tree line, I heard something. Not sure what. It was either a deer leaping off, or Sasquatch threw a rock at us that bounced.

Off To Texas

The packages are off to Texas today, where our newest customer is now the proud owner of a wonderful hobnail milk glass vase and the sweetest ironstone bowl. This is how I wrap up purchases, with simple brown Kraft paper and ribbon.  It's actually linen ribbon yarn, which is available at Bates Mercantile Co. (well not the natural color, as I saved all that for our packaging....but magenta, mango and light grape).  I usually take a moment to decorate the outside of the package things are shipped in too. It's nice to get pretty, happy mail instead of just bills. Right?

Sunset Meadows

As the hound and I started back to the house from the field yesterday, the sun bid adieu.

So, how was your weekend? Was it full. Did you get time to slow down or was it pedal to the metal?

Happy Monday. Make it count.

catch you on the rebound,

About me, follow and recap.

Fall Shop Spotlight & Giveaway

Hi guys.  I'm very excited to be in the 'spotlight' today over at Life By The Book and would like to thank Kristen for the feature. The spotlight features a 'little more about me' and a Giveaway of a Bates Mercantile Co. printable of your choice, so check it out right here if you want to be entered to win.  While you're at it, stop by Kristen's etsy shop ByTheBook Paper and see the neat stuff she makes, like these:

I think I'm being followed

A lovely collection of things from Mercantile Muse followers. So awesome.

1.the cutest clothespin bag ever by hopeandjoyhome 

2. shabby chic key pennant/banner by madistreasures  3. shades of blue bracelet by meljoycreations 

4. triptict painting by paintbrushedboutique  5. vintage jar opener by touchevintage  6. vintage trunk by harrismarkshome  7. summer in parris tote bag by notwithoutannette  8. gold chain necklace by retrorevivalboutique  9.  pillow case dress by timeandagainshop 10. cork magnets by lizziejoedesigns 

11. hello tags by susanwilliamsdesigns

Sunday Recap

This is pretty much what my Sunday looked like.

Simple because it really needs to be done, I spent what was a pretty nice day in the basement.  It's one big ugly mess.  I didn't get very far. Because, as I mentioned, it's one big mess.  It's a work in progress, but at least the big basement clean up/out is underway. I'll post more pictures when the progress I've made is more apparent than it is right now.

Finally saw the neighbors at the end of the day. It was a quiet weekend in the neighborhood. We all ended up in Tom and Joan's driveway watching the sun go down. When I got back across the street I grabbed the camera.......

Sunset Meadows

......and captured these.

This sunset went on and on and on. 

This morning, there sun was making the dew on the grass sparkle.

I loved the way it highlighted each little droplet of dew.

I hope that you have a fantastic beginning to the week. Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are.

Ta ta for now.....

Time Is Fleeting

Not for very much longer.........

(that was just for any fellow Rocky Horror Picture Show Fans)

I think I've noticed a trend. I was looking at some of my favorite items on etsy. In case you don't know, etsy is an online marketplace for all things handmade and vintage, as well as supplies to make things. Well, what I've noticed is, I seem to have a thing for clocks. Mostly old.

 

I came across the first two just this morning.

copyright quirkyessentials

Love the rounded corners, and the start and stop clocks featured on the face.

Ooooo, rusty and old.



copyright sorrythankyou79

Anything aged speaks to me.

Look at this one.........very unique.

Copyright shoponalark

Can you believe this clock is made from paper? Really. It is.

Ah, a Zenith classic.

Copyright 4eyesandears

Apparently the King liked this clock too. Actually he hated getting up to an alarm clock.

I don't really know that, but it is typical rock star M.O.

Is this a clock or a hygrometer? Clock? Hygrometer?

Copyright Susantique

Well, once it was a hygrometer. Now it's a clock. Will have to look into what a hygrometer is unless one of you nice people can enlighten me.

Just love this one.

Copyright ElmPlace

It's been a favorite for quite awhile...........oh, and look, it's still available. Maybe it's time to go shopping.

The funniest thing about this newly discovered love of clocks is, I don't even wear a watch! 

Hurricane Watch

If you're in the line of Hurricane Irene, batten down the hatches and make sure you've got batteries, candles, and most importantly.....WATER. We will be, even though she could be weakened when she gets to us.  Tomorrow's agenda, remove anything and everything from the yard that could become a flying projectile, including taking our screen house down (which we'll probably put up again once the storm passes). Better to be prepared.

I received a recorded message on the phone this week. I'd normally hang up. But this was from Salvation Army, one of the organizations I normally support. I was sure glad I didn't hang up. They are opening a store tomorrow a few miles away and I hadn't heard or read anything about it. I may have to fight the crowds to see if their are any bargains calling my name.

Have a great Friday in your corner of the world. Please tell, what are you plans? Are they more exciting than ours?

Ciao for now

Pam

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.