How Does Your Garden Grow

Better Late Than Never

We were very late in getting our garden planted this year. So we figured, whatever happens....happens.

I'm happy to report, some things are happening.

Tonight we will be enjoying some fresh beans from the garden.

Arent' they gorgeous?

The tomatoes are giving it their all. They just need a little more time for turning red. But if you're like Fried Green Tomatoes..........that we can do.

What I'm really excited about are these...........

acorn squash

and butternut

I'm not sure we've ever really had success with winter squash. I'm happy to report that there are multiple squash on all the plants. So cool.

Gray day here today. Seems to have been a little rain overnight which we can use.  I'm off to run errands then back to my desk to work on multiple projects.  No rest for the weary.

Tomorrow, the annual labor day cookout at Tom and Joan's across the street. I think I'll make my cheesey spinach dip because it was such a hit with Tom last weekend at fellow neighborhoodlum Gerry's birthday party.  It's easy peasy and there is never anything left. I'll have to get some pics so I can share the recipe with you. You'll love it.

Other than that, just enjoying the last weekend of August.

Enjoy the day.

Ciao for now,

Above Us

Only Sky


Although there has been a slight cool tinge to the air, recent days have been glorious.  Today is no different. 

Blue skies as far as the eye can see.

I hope it's as lovely in your corner of the world.

Carpe diem!

Ciao for now,

Saturday Fly By, You'll See Why

So Far

So far I've watched Gene Hackman and Mikhail Baryshnikov in Company Business. Love them both. Good spy movie.

Worked on finishing a logo design, available as a premade.

[caution: shameless self promotion.....remember I also offer custom logo designs that are one of a kind for you and you only, as well as business card design]

Chatted with my supervisor. 

 Stepped outside and check out my pokeweed berries....the bluebirds will love them come September.

Take in my pink phlox.

Smelled the roses.

And looked up.

It's glorious out.

No more computer for me today.

Heading out to the back 40 to do some weeding. Vegetable garden, flower garden, either or. Then pool time.

Oh how I love a bright sunshiny summer day.

Later, lobster bisque around the campfire.  Doesn't that sound just awful?

What's happening in your corner of the world?

Ciao for now,

Summer In Spite of The Rain

Pinning The Summer Season

When the weather goes south on you (like today's downpours) during the summer season, what's a girl to do.

Why dream of the things of summer, of course and pinterest is the perfect place for doing that.

Here's some of my pins that say summer to me.

Surfboard via style files. I have never surfed. If I could try without anybody watching, that'd be great. I'm not big on learning how to do things in front of other people. So silly, but that's the way it is. But I sure wish I knew how.

Refrigerator pickles via a country farmhouse. Have I told you I'm pickle freak? Well, give me a garlic dill and I am one happy girl.  These are a must try when I get some cukes from the neighbors or the farmers market.

Swimming ladies via flip schulke. Now I don't wear a pretty flower cap like some of these ladies, but I am often doing pool exercises. Only wish they looked like they were making a difference.  You didn't think I just floated around in the pool all the time, did you?



A postcard from Italy via 79ideas. Hell, a post card from any beach anywhere (though Italy would be especially nice). Kick off those flip flops and dive in!

A bourbon root beer vanilla float via sulia. Um, can't say I'm a bourbon girl, but this concoction almost has me convinced to give it a try.

Strawberry sour cream ice cream via Katie at the Kitchen Door. Have I told you I'm an ice cream freak? Well, give me a bowl and I'm one happy girl. Sound familiar? It's my favorite dessert hands down.  It's probably why the pool exercises aren't making any great strides thus far.




Freeform Friday

You should have guessed, right? Click here if you're reading via email.





It's a rainy Friday here, but yesterday wasn't as bad as they thought. The neighborhoodlums invaded last night for some wine and beer in the screen tent. Thank goodness for the screen tent, another favorite thing of summer. We wouldn't be able to sit out and enjoy the evening without it.

Gar is holding out hope that the rain lets up for a campfire, but I'm not so sure.

Whatever happens, it's Friday. It's summer. And that's a good thing in my book.


Make it a great one!

Ciao for now,

10 Things I Love About Summer

In No Particular Order

1.  Fresh vegetables from the garden. 

2. Geraniums on my back stoop.

 3. Flip flops and shorts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Our pool. It's where I most often want to be. I'm a water baby. A fish in water. If I get in, I find it hard to get out. 

5. Being out in the sunshine and fresh air.

6. The smell of the air after a summer rain shower.

7. Wildflowers.

 8. Grass between my toes.

9. The Beach (my brother got this shot on his morning ride up the coast on his Harley).

10.  Another gorgeous day (I say that in all honesty and in hopes that the weather gods hear me and get rid of the rain that supposed to be heading out way in time for the weekend).

And you? What are some of your favorite things about summer?

Have a great Wednesday and enjoy the day.

Ciao for now,

A Summer Reminder & From The Desk of Pamela J. Bates

Time

There is never enough. At least in my humble opinion. There's never enough to get done what needs to be done. Not enough to do all we want to do or try all we want to try or go where we want to go or see who we want to see. Not even close to enough to enjoy all the good moments and just relish in them. It's always rushing by and gone before you realize you missed something altogether.

So a gentle reminder in the midst of summer.

Work At Hand

I'm in the midst of several logo/branding projects. I've been working with small business people for 19 years and I truly enjoy helping them create a presence for their business so they can grow. 

Sometimes, when I'm in the midst of a design project I need a break just to clear my head. So I can see things from a fresh perspective. Sometimes I take a walk out back and see what is bloom (check) and sometimes I design something completely different from what I'm working on (check).

To that end, I've added a couple more premade logo designs to the shop. Premade logos are a budget friendly option that is customized with a businesses name. Now, I would much rather work with a client one on one, getting to know about them and their business and where they see it going in the future. Creating a logo that is designed just for them, and really speaks to who they and their business are, is very rewarding.  However, for those entrepreneurs who still want a professionally designed logo but have budget constraints, premade logos are a great route to go.

Now in the shop, premade logos with a little geometry and a nod to Shark Week.

available via Bates Mercantile Co.

 

also available via Bates Mercantile Co.

The sun is shining again here today. It's just been glorious this past week. I admit, some days have had a fallish feel, but they've been sunny, dry and bright.  We enjoyed sitting in the back yard at the end of the day yesterday talking to the neighbors. Today is a bit hotter and I will most definitely be in the pool........yes, the same pool I just saved two cicadas from (eeeewww.....more because I didn't want them in my pool).  

Luckily, the smell of the 'moo juice' the farmer spread this weekend is finally disipating. Now, I usually kind of like the smell of cow manure when it's spread (I know, I'm weird), but this new liquid manure (yes, liquid) has been pretty overwhelming. Obviously, it's more concentrated. Ugh.  They litterally came with about 10 tanker truck loads of the stuff which shot out the back, and sprayed the field over and over again this weekend. 

Yup, it was so nice working the garden weeding for the first time all summer. Hear the sarcasm? 

{The above comments do not in any way detract from my ode to farmers post of last week. It's just that the 'fertilizer' was really, really, really smelly. Thank you for your attention to this matter. That is all.}

Cow poop or not, the day is too beautiful not to enjoy! And I am very grateful that it's not as smelling quite as strong or bad. Much to be happy about.

Ciao for now,

Feed Your Soul: Safe Harbor

A Little Piece of Our Coast

Our coastline is short  at a mere 19 miles, but it's beautiful none the less. One of my go to spots is Rye Harbor. It's a small harbor filled with working fishing vessels and pleasure boats.

We took a ride up the coast with our visitors on their last day here last Friday andrechardged our souls. They loved the harbor as much as I do. We stopped for awhile, the kids threw stones, we tried to teach them how to skip stones (I'm way out of practice and only got two skips, our brother in law Theo was doing good until Gar won the contest with 7 or 8 skips), the kids walked out a bit on the jetty, and of course we took pictures. It is a pretty harbor after all.

It's funny, but when that was the only heart rock I came across at Rye Harbor. Fort Foster is apparently the jackpot spot.

Sometimes it doesn't take much or long to feed your soul. Just a quick break, in the perfect place.

Have you fed your soul lately?

Have a great day. It's a great day to have.

Ciao for now,

Take A Walk With Us

Along The Field

Yesterday was a perfectly perfect Summer day. The humidity has finally left (for now). The sun was shining. It wasn't too hot, but hot enough to get into the pool. There was a lovely breeze. The kind of day we've been waiting for and it was quite distracting while working. I just wanted to be out in it. I didn't cave. I stuck it out at the desk until the end of the day when I enjoy some serious pooltime followed by a jaunt along the field with Lucan.

Now, knowing us, we would have gone into the field, but that has been near impossible. Farmer Stuart has been late on his mowing and his hay crop was taller than me. So, we just mosied along side and that was enough for us.

Same shot, different focus.

It was just what I needed at the end of the day.


Oh yeah.............and this...................

Sunset Meadows

So lovely.

So glad I got a shot of the tall field grass, because Farmer Stuarts ears must have been ringing. He just came and mowed it all down.

We've got another humdinger of a day on our hands again here. I will relish it when I am done at my desk. Ah, Summer.

Make it a great Wednesday in your corner of the world, and I'll do the same here.

Ciao for now,