Rose is bitten by the photography bug

A new 4-H photography club we were planning on attending in the park this afternoon, was unfortunately canceled due to rain.

"Resting in the Blue Rockers"

Since Rose is engaged with her camera quite a bit these days, I thought it would be fun to share some of her recent photos of our weekend at the beach.



This girl has fun shooting various angles and subjects. She named this photo,"Polka-dots Blowing in the Breeze."

Future instruction can only improve a rapidly growing interest.

Thumbs up to her long-armed self images too!

Mortar and Pestle

While scrounging around in my kitchen cupboards the other day, I found an unexpected treasure, my mortar and pestle. It was like finding a twinkle in the night sky....

It crushed the dried oregano hanging in my pantry so beautifully, before it was tossed into the red beans and rice....

I felt as if I was kissed. The most fascinating part, the little lip on its porcelain edge.

Sea Magic

The grand finale of saying goodbye to our bathing suits and our beach towels before they are packed up until next year; we are leaving bright and early (the car is already packed) to stay in the little cottage by the sea this weekend.

Already I am hearing the gusty calls of the gulls and sensing the lively sea breezes brushing my hair with it's rigorous breath.

I will behold September sunrises and delight in our mist- damp suits dancing in the wind, as a morning's cup of coffee is being savored while sitting in a blue rocker on the porch. It's divine magic to me, and I find myself being hushed in the ocean's clamor and aroused in the sea's quiet.

Here's to a happy weekend to all!

These are past photos from May's trip.

Hot Pepper Jelly

Tucked amongst the large cookbooks in the antique pine cupboard in my kitchen is a unassuming little cookbook. It was purchased when I was still considered a "young" homemaker. Many of the recipes have been tried at one time in years past. I have revisited the charm and treasure of this little cookbook this weekend. And the added splotches and splatters of wear from its use only give it extra definition.

A bumper crop of green peppers from our county friend was crying out to be made into a something extra good.

A blue ribbon vote has been given by all the tasters whom have tried it. Just pull out some crackers and cream cheese and top it with a smear of this jelly and watch it disappear. I am considering making another batch today. Maybe there are those who would appreciate receiving a little jar of this jelly at Christmas time, I am thinking.

But first I must finalize prep for tonight's dinner guest. Witt is bringing home the girl who, and I quote, " Mama, I believe she is the one".

The end of my day looked like this

Keep in mind my previous posts about outside dining and this post will line up beautifully. What gave this particular one extra bounce was a picnic at Witt's place.

Simple, simple supper that boxed up with no trouble. Quiche, salad, and sliced cucumbers in vinegar. For an appetizer we spread a cracker with cream cheese and topped it with pepper jelly.
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*Target* carries the most amazing Italian sodas. We buy them and they are stored on the pantry shelf to reappear as the golden slipper for special times, such as an evening picnic. We have tried several different flavors, but tonight it was lemon.

We reclined on a blue blanket that mimicked the earlier blueness of the beautiful skies we have lived under this week. My trusty vintage picnic basket provided a tad of ambiance.

We took the time to visit the rose garden and to smell the sweet scent of the roses.

And we picked some apples atop the high branches of one of the several trees. These trees were heavily pruned this year, therefore, the apple crop was miniscule compared to last year's abundance. These shall make a nice Sunday dessert.

What simple gifts lead to the peaceful ending of a day.

Late Summer Memory

These late summer evenings are downright seductive, therefore, we bear with the mosquitoes to be outside as much as possible. Charlotte did her part by setting the dining table.


Thankfully, spaghetti sauce was made yesterday morning and set in the crock pot to simmer as we went about our afternoon activities. Charlotte's ballet lesson was at 5:00, and upon arriving home to the smell of red sauce cooking the remainder of the dinner preparations were much easier.

As the sun set, a coolness settled over us and my husband suggested a fire. The girls hurriedly managed their baths, donned their pjs, and returned with a wire clothes hanger and a bag of marshmallows.

I love memories that linger. This morning's greeting of the fireside seatings made me happy.

back home

Jumping for joy to be back home from the Green Mountain State.

So many photos I could share, but it might be like sitting down to a slide projector presentation of someone's family vacation. Just suffice it to say the main place of our travels took us to an enchanted land of beauty, and out of this world verdancy.

School has officially opened in my home and we are getting acclimated to new schedules. It's rather lined up as a Jekyll and Hyde existence right now. Great excitement of newness, yet a tugging of what we are leaving behind in the flavors of summer.

Many miles to go

Two things I am thankful for at the present.

Cars with:
1) DVD players and
2) CD players

Nine hundred miles of road travel loom ahead of us as we venture to our destination. Movies on DVD and books on CD will help to occupy some of the time tremendously.

I expect to return Saturday week. I look forward to catching up with you when I return.

A going away dinner

Alan leaves for college tomorrow, heading to a small private school in the eastern part of our state. Alan is quiet and reserved in a line of loquacious siblings. We shall miss his quiet presence.

He requested lasagna, salad, garlic bread and strawberry cobbler, topped with vanilla ice cream naturally. With good thoughts of him I prepared the requested meal, so happy to be doing something that speaks of love. Charlotte conveys her version of love quite well. Every once in a while she looks at him and with the emotional intensity that only a six year old can unabashedly state, "I will miss you Alan."
My mother's heartstrings are taut.

These photos are courtesy of Rose, taken on her new camera.

There is a silly addendum to this post, so keep looking....

Oh My!

It is obvious that we were still sitting around the dining room table while Rose, Charlotte and Mr. Putter were pursuing other things. Please excuse the loud talking in the background. And do know we run those dirty dishes through a hot wash cycle in the dishwasher! I thought you might get a kick out of a not so pretty, yet entertaining moment here in my home. Kids and dogs....you've gotta love them!

Girls' Bathroom Muse

Seeing: Bunnies here, bunnies there, bunnies on the wallpaper border edged around the ceiling on buttery yellow walls.

Hearing: Gallons of clear lukewarm water pouring from the chrome faucet. Particular sounds may trigger certain sensations or memories. When I hear bathroom faucets running, a calm settles into a level of my unconsciousness, creating soothing impressions of approaching bedtime, an end to a full day.

Smelling: Herbal Essence shampoo, "Pink coral flower with an infusion of nectarine". Not being a connoisseur of shampoo fragrances, I will gladly take their word that the sweet smells attacking my nostrils are what they state on the bottle.

Touching: A pale pink terrycloth towel, within arm's reach

Tasting: Mint toothpaste oozing from the tube. Yes, they have had training on how to close a toothpaste tube, I am thinking maybe a refresher course would be helpful.

Squeaky clean!