Beach roses & Ben

  I’m trying to figure out how to steal a few beach roses from the State Park Beach we are lucky enough to have just down the road a piece.  How much trouble would you get in if you were caught in the act?.. hmm…

   I took Ben for a walk yesterday as the clouds starting rolling in due to Tropical Storm Andrea way down in Florida.

 If I could bottle that smell  of Rosa Rugosa, a species of rose native to Asia,  I would send you all a little…it’s the most heavenly scent if you’re not familiar with it.  As we walked down the sandy lane, the smell lifted and swirled with the sea breeze and  I thought.. even a troubled soul would feel tranquility here.

The roses come in several shades from white to deep fuchsia..
and I noticed they were vibrant and abundant this year.
Hurricane Sandy sandblasted them  and
I figured they were decimated.. but it turns out they were rejuvenated.
Nature has its ways and means, you know.
Unfortunately for us, dogs aren’t allowed on the beach from May through September.
We took a peek anyway…
…sat on this beautiful piece of driftwood..wish I could lug it home
to my seaside real estate garden.
…and I thought of how I could do the stealing… of just one plant or two.
Ben took a drink at the dog spicket ( I just love that.)
There is a spicket for people and dogs on a road to  Gay Head (Aquinnah)
on Marthas Vineyard .. a warm extension to people passing by.
This gesture always warms my heart when I see it in a public place.  
Ben is now five years old… mid-middle age for a Great Dane.
Due to their size, their life span is relatively short.
Eight years is old for a Dane.
This makes me very sad.
I see him beginning to slow down and I rue the day…..
not even going there.
This is my buddy right here…
If I could give every person the comfort and companionship of a good dog,
the world would be a better place for sure.
Let’s go home, Ben. We’ve got some leftover steak in the fridge
and it has your name on it.  
 

Complaints Department

  For those of you who are also FB friends of mine, this will be redundant.  What I’ve posted below is nothing new, it’s a sad and growing trend just about everywhere.  What inspired me to write it yesterday was a post a friend had put up on her own FB page.  And you know, my intention is not to single her out, or to imply that she doesn’t have the right to feel the way she does or express herself in whatever way she sees fit. 

   But it was an example of what is growing too large in our society….a constant drone of complaining about everything and anything.  In this case,  while attending her daughters annual physical, she was extremely annoyed that her daughter’s physician wanted to speak with her child alone for a few minutes without mom in the room to ask a few questions that she might not feel comfortable talking about with Mom present.  The child  is 11 years old.  My friend believes that’s too young for that kind of privacy and she should be privy to all of the conversation.  She is also annoyed at what she feels is a shoving down the throat of the importance of vaccinations, which she isn’t all that comfortable with.  The concern is understandable.  That’s a choice she should make.

 Here’s my point though.  I have no doubt the Dr. was trying to do her job. She was giving the child the opportunity to ask any questions he/she might have that he/she  is uncomfortable asking in front of mom.  Our kids grow up way too fast nowadays, and to think they aren’t exposed to frightening , confusing or puberty related issues at the tender age of 11 is just naive, sad but true.  What is the harm in letting the Dr. give the child that opportunity to talk?  Especially if there are issues at home that he/she might be dealing with?   There is no abuse at my friend’s home, to be clear.      Also, vaccines do save lives.  And some don’t believe in them.  It’s her choice, but the Dr. has the job of conveying the information and the importance if she believes it to be true.  Otherwise, she wouldn’t be doing her job.

  MANY of her friends disagreed with me on this, and I was surprised at what I call the hyperventilating that went on in that thread.  But I stand by what I put on my own status.  And here it is…

You know what’s disheartening? We have become one big complaining society. Too many rules, not enough rules. Too many regulations, not enough regulations. Too much interaction, not enough interaction. Too much interference, not enough interference. Where are they… Tell them to stay away.  –

 
Stop complaining and realize most people are doing the best they can with what they’ve got. Work together, ask the questions, hear the answers… Drop the attitude. Live life with a positive outlook regardless of what is pissing you off at the moment. Chances are we are all part of the problem at one point or another…so find tolerance and you will find PEACE. I’m going to do this… Are you with me?

  By the way, it’s always OK if you disagree with me here, all I ask is that you are respectful when leaving your comments.  Open, respectful conversation is always good.

– Just sayin.

Mini Kitchens

A person could spend hours and hours
looking for ideas on the internet.
I’m doing my best not to get too tangled up in the world of miniatures
as I fix up my fixer-upper dollhouse…
These are just a few pictures of kitchens others have put together…
Are you a fan of modern furniture?…
There’s stuff for that.
How about Shabby Chic?..
there’s stuff for that too…
You might remember a gorgeous mini sink I was coveting..
but the price tag was $75. or something like that.
Ain’t happening here.
See the sink in the pic above?
I found one just like it for $9. 
Do you like a rustic country kitchen?
There’s stuff for that too…
I just love this room above, someone put alot of time and thought
into putting that together. It looks real, doesn’t it? 
Then there is the clean country chic look…
Can you believe the details in this elaborate room??
I’m going for a simple country shabby look.
I have picked up a few pieces, none of which were crazy expensive and
some of which I’ve made myself.
Here’s a preview…
This is a photo of the Edgartown Light house on Marthas Vineyard.
(one of our favorite places on earth)
I shrunk the picture down in photoshop to 2 inches by 1 1/2 inches,
then printed it out… then  used a wide clear mailing tape
and covered the picture with that to give it a -glass over print- look.
The matte was made form a heavy piece of linen paper.
The photo would NOT cooperate this morning,
you’ll have to view it sideways, sorry.  
My sink, with a burlap dust ruffle I’m not sure I love. If I were a crafty seamstress I would have
done a better job, but once it’s in place with other things around it I think it will
be OK. 
The kitchen table and chairs with dish set I found on etsy.
I’m not a big fan of pink, but the dishes came with the table and chairs.
Hmmm.. how to work that into the kitchen scheme without making
it a pinkish room.
I’m thinking a rubbed out muted green for accents?
The living room walls have been a problem. Because this is an old old dollhouse,
there are dents and lumps and bumps in the walls from previous “stuff”
and no matter what paint I put on it, it looks bad.
Wallpaper is a pain in the *ss, to be blunt.
So I decided last night to barnboard that room too, and I painted it a
pickled white.  I think when all is said and done it will have the look I’m trying to achieve.
Toothpicks have been involved in my dollhouse redo – but I’m not telling where.
Honestly, you can look around the house and find things to use.
If you’ve ever thought about doing a project like this,
I highly recommend it.  It can be done on a shoe string budget and with
things you have laying around the house if you use your imagination.
Lots of bargains and supplies available online from elaborate to very cheap.
As you know, I found the dollhouse at a junk shop for $40.!
Time to get breakfast on the table… enough dollhouse drivel for today.
Have a good day, all – as always, thanks for stopping by.

Things Change

For the 25 years we’ve been married
Mike has always had a bike.
First it was a rice rocket. Yuck.
Then came the Harleys.. one after the other.
As a recreational rider,  he’d take the bike for a ride mostly during the summer,
and only every so often.  Sometimes with a friend or two,
sometimes with me on the back.
It made him feel a little free of all the responsibilities he carries with family and business.
I totally understand the need.
I used to enjoy tagging along on  a warm summer evening..
riding down by the water with the salt and wind in my hair
or winding down a country road where old barns still stand watch over green or plowed fields.
Something has changed though.
This year it doesn’t feel right.
We took a spin on Sunday night and the entire time,
I felt vulnerable.  Mike is a responsible rider and he’s got the experience
of all these years to keep us safe.
But you never know.  And I felt so exposed to that pavement and the other drivers.
Yes.. things change.  I just don’t think I’ll be riding behind him on that bike anymore.
Funny, last night he said this..
“You know, getting on the bike just isn’t so thrilling anymore.  I used to love it. Now it’s just
another form of transportation,  I might sell it”. 

*sigh of relief* 


 

Randomness in the Rain

 Good morning all – I’m doing what I’m good at.. procrastinating before diving into the housework that’s begging for my attention.  What better way than to purge the many thoughts I have whirling round in my head.

  Ready?…

  Rain is a beautiful thing when you’ve got a hundred or so plants in the ground that have just weathered a string of hot humid days.  My hose nozzle clutching hand is thankful.

Knock out roses – the rose for people who want minimal maintenance and maximum show.
It’s a beautiful thing.
*******
Going from pretty to ugly…
I see that J*ran Van der Sl**t is to be married in jail within the next two weeks.
Remember that creep?   Murdered not just one but two young women.
Serving 25 years in a peruvian prison for the proven murder of one.
The other case is still unsolved, but the circumstances are pretty clear.
He’s actually found a 28 year old woman willing to marry him.
What is wrong with this woman??.. 
Seriously.. is she F-ing nuts???
A bigger question is… why is this man allowed to marry?
Once again, the convicted heinous murderer gets to live a life
while his victim(s) lie dead in the ground.
My solution?  Put him and Jodi Ar*as in a cell together and let them have
their way with each other.  With luck, they’ll seduce each other to death,
as they’ve done with their previous victims.
*******
Cleo is sitting contently in her nest this morning..
had to wash those thoughts out of my head, bare with me…

*******
I have been served with a Jury Duty notice.
First of all, with the way I feel about our Justice system,
I wouldn’t be a good juror.
Besides that, I long ago submitted a doctors note that I am hearing impaired,
which excuses a person from jury duty because…you really can’t hear what’s going on. Kinda important.
So I called and asked what has changed, because I still don’t hear well.
“Has your hearing improved in this period of time, m’am?”
“um, no. It’s gotten worse as I age. That’s what happens with all hearing impaired people
but hey, if you people have found a solution, I’m all ears! Literally! “
long pause and hold on the other side of the line..
and then an “OK, you are excused once again. You can disregard the notice“.
*******
Jean Stapleton, who played Edith Bunker on that beloved obnoxious show
All in the Family, years ago, has died.  I loved her, I think everyone did.
 When I see those old reruns it always brings me back
 to those sleep overs at my grandmothers house when we’d watch them together. 
 Elsie and Al would light up with laughter
at the antics of Archie and Edith, Gloria and Meathead. 
Seeing them outright giddy was a magic I can’t describe.  
Simpler times, you know?
*******
My quarter horse friends all made it out of Oklahoma safely and are on their way home.
I feel so badly for the people who have lost loved ones or a home in that mess.
They are brave to continue to live there.
*******
As you know from yesterdays post I had a gluten feast yesterday and
I feel crappy today.. I call it the gluten hangover.  I am not a celiac, but there is no doubt
gluten and I have a rocky relationship.  To the naysayers who don’t believe in the gluten sensitive
theory  and think it’s just a diet fad, (my  ex-GP in particular), you are wrong, simple as that. 
 When I eat it, I feel crumby. When I don’t, I feel years younger,
very little arthritic pain, blood pressure stays at a good number, my stomach issues clear up,
my headaches go away.   I believe it’s because the wheat our ancestors thrived on is different
from the GMO (genentically modifed ) wheat of today. Our bodies are rebelling.
It’s time I listen to my body.  I’m done with gluten.
 *******
Laundry and vacuuming await…I should really just shut up and get moving here.
I’ll get no help from this lot….
As always, I appreciate that you take the time to stop by here and
especially when you join the conversation and  leave your thoughts on any particular subject.
I apologize for removing Anonymous comments once again,
too much ugly spam, and I do mean perverted ugly.
It’s a new day, all.  I hope you have a great one.

Opening Day – Coventry Regional Farmers Market

If you’re local and you’ve never been,
Yankee Magazine voted it the best Farmers Market in New England.
What a great way to spend a beautiful summer Sunday –
June through October, 11 – 2, Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry, CT
K and I went this morning,
and I will admit to you right here that I consumed two cider sugar donuts,
an iced mulled berry cider,
a crepe,  and on the way out? a slice of the coconut cake you will see in the photos below.
Disgusting, I know I know I know.
Sometimes, ya just gotta do what ya gotta do.
I did buy kale and strawberries to balance it out 🙂
You could hold these two adorables, one in each hand.
That’s how small they were.  I was tempted to tuck them in my market bag, yes I was.  

An adorable Alpaca face…

Dogs everywhere, but well controlled and polite.
When I see other Danes I realize just how very big Ben is compared to most.
We really did let a horse in the house when we brought him home.
This one is about 60 lbs.  lighter.
Kettle corn, enough  to feed a nation.
Lots of beautiful produce…
Some very colorful people…
Fiber artists…
Chickens!!!….
This is one beautiful rooster.. I think they said it was a phoenix.
Very friendly.
Plenty of vendors, lots of room for walking.
The Nathan Hale Homestead…
where this all takes place..
I got some of these…
..and ate a slice of this….
K had one of these…
molasses crinkles
Iced berry cider in a travel mason jar.  YUM…
There was some crepe consuming…
 ..and some bread buying.
 Finally, some old barn admiring on the ride home.
 It’s all good.

Worry

Many of the friends we showed with last weekend
are out in Oklahoma City for a big Quarter Horse Show
 with their horses right now…
last I heard they were accounted for in shelters, unable to leave
because of power outages and flash flooding.
In the news this morning I have not read reports of horse
or mass people casualties, hoping my Quarter Horse friends are safe,
and their horses too.  I guess soon enough they’ll find out the status
of their trailers and trucks as well.
To all you prayer warriors out there, send a few out to Oklahoma today, will you? 

They’re back!

Last year we had barn swallows make a nest on our kitchen side porch.
It was great to see their progress,
but oooh the mess on the porch.
you’re welcome.
This year they returned and we tried to discourage them.
I knocked their beginnings of a nest down with a hose.
Several times.
After a week of this nonsense, it looked like we had gotten the message across.
No new nest material.
Until the husband spied some fluttering in the other corner of the porch.
This little beauty of a nest went up in just two days while we weren’t looking.
Notice the horse tail hair used in the nest.
No eggs yet, but I just can’t bring myself to knock this work down.. again.
Old nest site on the right…
New nest on the upper left corner behind the geranium.
Even though we have a barn up on the hill they could nest in,
for some reason they love this high traffic area best..
I think because it’s sheltered from the wind and rain
and they can swoop out over the fields easily
in search of bugs.
Their view this morning.
So… I introduce to you
Marc Anthony and Cleopatra.
(from here on, referred to as Marc and Cleo)
Hey, with determination and tenacity such as this, 
 they’re worthy of such names, don’t ya think?


Whats Growing in the Gardens of This Old House

  I saw a picture of a glass mushroom garden on FB a while back, and decided to put something similar together in a bland area of our perennial border.  So… I went to the junk antique places along the shoreline and found a bunch of old glass bowls and vases to construct my own “mushroom” garden.

Do you spy the oddity?
Come closer….
I crazy-glued the bowls to the upside-down vases and then “planted” them about an inch
into the soil.
This one is my favorite, I love the edge on this pretty bowl.
$5. at the thrift shop.
My husband thinks it’s tacky, but I love it.
A really easy, cheap, simple way to dress up any corner of your garden in a unique way.
Lets take a walk in the drizzle….
Now in it’s third year, the perennial borders around the backyard are really taking hold
and multiplying. This spring I added a rock border as an edge to clean it up some.
I’ve potted some plants at the door to the shed…
and the rose bushes and peonies around the little greenhouse are thriving.
Connie… should I be cutting these rose bushes back some or let them go wild?

I had to treat the peonies for ant infestation, for some reason ants love peonie buds.

The greenhouse is empty now that all seedlings have been planted outdoors…
Mike has given the tomato plants much more room to grow this year.
He’s learning as he “grows”… I am so very proud of the farmer he has become.
When I met this man, he wore pristine white sneakers and gold jewelry,
having grown up in the city of West Haven and then a preppy suburban town on the shore.
On our very first date, it was May 5th, 1987, I don’t know why I remember that…
I saw those perfectly clean white sneakers, his perfectly clean Z28 and that gold jewelry
and said to myself…
 uh  oh.
HOWEVER… as time rolled on…
 I like to think I countrified him.
 His love for growing things and enjoying and working the land
has made my love for him grow deeper.
Who woulda thunk it.
If he’s reading this, he’s looking a little incredulous right now
at my blatant display of  unabashed and public affection, right dear? 
In the background of the above picture are onions, lettuce, basil, parsley, oregano and garlic.
These are my Italian Ice tomatoes… they are white!
I’ll let you know how that goes.
Out in the big garden we’ve got tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumber,
and string beans, peas in the background.
We learned the hard way that raspberry bushes produce every other year.
So the pruning we were doing was ruining that years crop.
Considering four years ago we took this old house down and put her back up,
we’ve come a looong way, baby. The yard is starting to fill in again, and look lived in,
it’s a beautiful thing.
Starry night Viola I have near the birdbath… it’s one of my favorites.
The knockout roses around the foundation of the house are very robust this year.
I over-fertilized them last year and almost killed them.
We Learn as we Grow.
Hopefully we Grow as we Learn.  
Isn’t that the truth in all things life-related.
Bailey and Frasier agree.

Slate, barnboard and a cover-up job.

 I’ve managed to do a little work on my fixer upper dollhouse.
This is the kitchen, which I want to look old fashioned and
“country rugged.”
I smashed an old roof slate from our previous home into pieces and grouted them into place 
on the kitchen floor.   Then I bought a package of dollhouse clapboard and stained it
a weathered grey to look like the old barn board we have on the walls in This Old House.
 Then it was glued to the walls.  I discovered that glue makes
these very thin clapboard pieces curl.  Learning experience! – and tip –
use very little glue when you work with supplies from the dollhouse homedepot.
Not bad for an amateur, right?
I think my husband should hire me as a sub, keep it in the family, don’t you?
Because the windows are in really bad shape in this particular old dollhouse,
and the house is kinda tentative in its sturdyness and they don’t MAKE it anymore,
I can’t really replace them. So I found cute curtains to cover them up some
without giving the rooms a heavy look.
(this is why my husband will NEVER hire me as a sub 🙂 
Next project… maybe.. barn board painted white in the living room?
What do you think? wallpaper or just paint or whitewashed barnboard?
Inquiring minds want your opinion or suggestions.