Easter Monday

Easter at Di & Al's

Great day yesterday, hope yours was too. The hound and I took a very peaceful walk at the Phillips Exeter trails in the morning (more on that tomorrow).  Then midday, Gar and headed over to Di and Al's for the annual Easter celebration. 

Memere and Sylivie came down from Canada (4 hours), and the Robinson gang from Jefferson (3 hours), nephew Joe home from college (2 hours) and all of us local yokels made for a full house.

The weather didn't quite cooperate, but there wasn't any rain. It was a bit chilly though.  It didn't stop the kids from playing outside and Garrett teaching Cayden a new football touchdown dance. Nephew Pat pulled his niece Sophia around and around and around in the wagon. She went in circles most of the day. (Funny, how most of my nephews on this side of the Atlantic are now Uncles.)

A good day had by one and all....

My poor parents were taunted and taunted by the Red Sox, who ended up blowing it in the 11th. Ah well, at least it's only the beginning of the season. Our Yankees didn't fare much better.

As Gar and I drove home, I said 'Look at the pretty glow of the sunset.' It was a very muted yellow. That didn't last long.

Sunset Meadows

It was quite a long sunset last night, and it was the first time the sun had really shown its face all day. It was worth the wait. The two of us were on the couch and I said to Gar, looking at the color streaming in from the window, 'Did that sunset just completely change?'. He stretched his neck to look and said, WOW! Out I went with the camera again.  Wish you'd all been able to see this one. Truly spectacular.

Mellow yellow..............

Sun going down.............

All of a sudden, sky on fire.........

I stood there in awe, snapping away...........

This one reminds me of the scene with Scarlett in Gone With the Wind...."As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when it's all over, I'll never be hungry again. No, nor any of my folk. If I have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again."

What an beautiful end to Easter. Quite a show.

Peace out,

Little Christmas, It's a Wrap and A Designer to Know

Christmas Eve Eve, Now Forever Known as Little Christmas

OK, not in the truest sense of the 'religious' meaning, but in the meaning that has to do with the celebration we have with our friends the Harringtons (Thomas and Terese).  You see, we used to have our Christmas gift giving extravaganza on Christmas Eve Eve. Then a few years back, it just wasn't happening so we moved it to January.  Why stress ourselves out? Why not start a new tradition.  So, being the first weekend after the New Year now, our celebration fell right on Little Christmas this year. How perfect.

This year sister Di and brother in law Al swung by too. It's a pretty relaxed night that involves (well half the time anyways) wearing your pj's if you want and eating pizza. What girl doesn't love hosting a pizza night? Hello, Mama Lenas? Can I place an order to be delivered? Why yes you can, thank you very much.

I enjoyed a blueberry Cosmo (made with Stonewall Kitchen Blueberry cocktail syrup- yum).

I also enjoyed opening all my gifts. So did the Harringtons.

This hat was screaming Thomas when I found it. The Harringtons head to Jamaica in March and I know Thomas will be styling this baby and working it to the max.

We also gave him something for before he leaves.

Terese loved the color of her new planter. Gorgeous turquoise. Again, reminded me of their Jamaica trip.

In addition to enjoying the presents and the company, we all had a good laugh watching the 'Honey Badger Don't Care' video on YouTube.  Cracks me up, because honestly, it really does seem like 'the honey badger don't care.

We also enjoyed the pizza (shroom and onion, one of our regular orders).............

....and the salad that Di brought. (Yay Di, thanks for leaving the leftovers that I wrestled you into leaving. I needed a salad fix.)

Oh no, it's over so quickly. Friends saying goodbye and,......

.....apparently solving all the world's problems.

I think that's the end of the Christmas gift giving and receiving. OK, so we milked it out. Why the heck not?

If You Haven't Heard of Sania Pell, Let Me Introduce You

My blogging/etsy friend Cari-Jane from Hybrid Handmade introduced me to Sania Pell via Pinterest.  I am so happy she did. I've featured design by Sania on Mercantile Muse before and I probably will over and over again.  I love her  use of neutral color with pops of brightness, her mix of styles, her combination of old and new, her clean yet warm aesthetic.  I could go on.  Here's some pictures from her website, which you really should visit.

Add to that her homey-craftiness, her flair for styling a photo, and I think she's downright brilliant.

Moonset Meadows

As I got up from my desk this morning to turn the tea kettle off, I spied this and grabbed my coat and camera. I wish I'd seen it sooner. It was so fleeting. The moon saying 'until we meet again'.

The people that travel our road to work and the kids on the school buses must think I'm a nut. I'm always out there, regardless of weather, in my pajamas taking pictures. That's what happens when you see something that pretty in the morning.

Have a Tuesday to remember. We are sure to as we're off to the Bruins game tonight. I do love my Bs. Fingers crossed for a win.

Ta ta for now,

New Year's Day South of the Border

A Turkey Dinner? Yes please.

Gar and I used to go to Canada to celebrate New Year's. Just over the VT border in East Herreford, to our brother-in-law Al's family's place.  New Year's Day was just as big at Aimee and Louie's house. The first year we went, Gar looked like he was going to explode. Literally.

Imagine roast turkey dinner accompanied by just about everything including tourtière (Canadian meat pie), stuffing, tons of vegetables fresh frozen from the summer garden, homemade zucchini relish, beets, salads, potatoes- the list goes on. This was all followed by every sweet bar Memere (Aimee) could bake up, and you might as well throw some pies in there too. So when I say Gar looked like he would explode, I'm really not exaggerating.

Well, this year sister Di and brother in law Al held the Frechette family New Year's celebration. Luckily, we were invited.  The sky was beautiful blue with very wispy clouds on our way over. The beginning of a great day.

There was a little (OK, a lot) of everything at Di and Al's.  Food, family and fun.

There was holiday food including the roast turkey dinner, celebratory drinks like the shandy gaff that Celine (my bil's sister) brought and which I really enjoyed, football (thankfully the Pats woke up in the second half and took care of business), presents (like the redneck wine glass Celine received), and even a gift raffle thanks to my dear sistafriend Sylvie (bil Al's other sister and Celine's twin).  We scored big in the raffle, winning two of the four gifts up for grabs ...first gar's name was picked and then he picked me. Gotta love it.  Gotta love the biggo glass of jelly bellies I won too.)

There were four generations of Frechettes present when our great niece Sophia arrived with her Dad, Mikey. My niece and mommy Alaina had to stay home thanks to the dreaded bug that I apparently gave to half the family on Christmas Eve. Bummer.

It was a great day and a great way to start the year.  The holidays just seem to keep rolling this year.

How did you spend the day on New Year's?  Was it quiet or full of more celebration?

Have a wonderful Tuesday in your corner of the world. Some serious cold has arrived here, so I'm busy keeping the fire stocked.  Thanks to the G-man for loading up the wood basket for me. 

Those Who Gave All They Had To Give

Keeping Vigil On The Seacoast

That's the motto of our American Legion in Hampton, Post 35.  It's not just empty words.  This group of servicemen and women who have served their country is intent on honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Five years ago, the post erected the only monument in New Hampshire to honor the soldiers, sailors and Marines who have lost their lives in the War on Terrorism since 9/11.  The granite is engraved with the names of the fallen.  Each year Post 35 holds a service of remembrance at the memorial on 9/11. The families of these servicemen are present, and the newly engraved names of those lost during the previous year are unveiled. It is most definitely a sad occasion, but I believe a necessary one as well. Some have given their all in this fight, and it would be even sadder if we did not remember them.

Post Commander Fatello began last night by introducing our Governor, who has attended each of these memorials, as one of the 'most sincere and compassionate men he's ever met'. This compassion Commander Fatello speaks of is apparent, watching  Governor Lynch before the ceremony, shaking the hands of servicemen and women of all ages, and offering words of condolence to the families of the fallen.

Post 35 takes their role in honoring the fallen servicemen seriously and conducts itself as such.  White carnations are given out to the family members and a special area is designated for them directly in front of the memorial.  The 'Keepers of the Stone' (of which Uncle George is one) have cared for the stone so that it shines and a shroud is placed over the stone until the new names are revealed.  Then, when directed, the Keepers remove the shroud and stand and salute the families. A wreath is laid. Guest speakers say kind and thoughtful words that speak of the sacrifice of these servicemen. Then each name is read, and a bell tolls; a brief moment to reflect on each serviceman's greatest sacrifice. His life.

This year eight new names were added. That means that 57 men from New Hampshire have given their lives on behalf of their country, in the face of evil and in support of freedom since 9/11.  The reasons don't take away the impact of the loss to their families. 

Taps is played. Then in the distance, a piper plays Amazing Grace. 

The sun sets.

There is hope and prayer amongst the crowd, that no new names will ever have to be added to this stone.

To Di & Al's We Go

This year our neighborhoodlums Gerry and Sandee went to the service with us. They thought very highly of it.  We ran into my sister Di and brother in law Al along with their neighbors Kelly and Dan. It's a real small town kind of thing, with people seeing people they haven't seen for awhile, and catching up after it's over. 

The neighboorhoodlums of Stratham were invited to the Locke Road Commune Night at Di & Al's. So off we went.

There were lots of laughs, good food and nice company.  Sandee decided it was meant to be when Al brought out a bottle of Bogle, her favorite wine.  The rest of us decided it was meant to be when we tasted Di's crock pot pork in BBQ sauce and Al's smoother than smooth mashed potatoes. 

The men had a meeting of the minds and a crossing of the arms.

We all had a meeting of the minds with regard to Memere's peanut butter fudge that Dan and Kelly were kind enough to share. I could have eaten at all, but was able to control myself and stop at 1 piece and a 1/3. (Awesome fudge Memere!! We'd be more than happy to take some of the next batch off your hands.)

We enjoyed their neighborhood Commune Night and told them they'd all have to attend one of ours. 

Two things to note: I obviously never changed my camera setting after the services and the next time we attend Commune Night we'll know that we're attending ahead of time and bring something to share.