Tag: Once Upon A Tide

The One Without A Post Title…

 .. because sometimes it just doesn’t come to you. And this one’s a real rambler – Got coffee? 
    We had a wonderful Father’s Day down at the cottage.  My guy hardly ever takes a day off. His work ethic is why we have the nice things we have, but as I say often and more frequently lately…. what good is all that hard work/effort if you don’t get to enjoy it?    I’m happy to report the Mr. spent most of the day relaxing at the shore, a much needed reprieve and reward for the most dedicated and loving father I could have ever asked for for  my children. 
When we pull around that corner onto our cottage road, it’s like taking a deep cleansing breath.  
     Last week I painted the steps that go down into the water.  Throughout the summer they get coated with algae, etc. and become very slippery.  I scrubbed them with baking soda and that helped, but it had to be done regularly and it was just one more thing to do.  A neighbor a few cottages down used boat bottom paint with sand mixed in to paint his steps. The result is a sandpapery surface, non-slip.  So, I bought a gallon of the stuff – ($150!!??) and painted the steps – the blue is a bit outlandish – but there aren’t many choices in boat bottom paint colors.  It works like a charm. 
    Then.. on Sunday my son blew up the inflatable four person raft and I am proud to report I dropped my first anchor –  yes I did. I waded out there with anchor, chain, float thing and ropes, sunk it good in the muck… kicked another anchor in the process… ick…. (the cove is an anchor graveyard) … and we proceeded to pop the float as we pulled it over the cedar railing.  *sigh.  Stuck some tape on it…. and tested it out… 

    The tape held and I went back out there yesterday with a pool patch kit – hopefully that will be that. I’ll keep you posted. 
   As for my own father on Father’s Day – my sister came to visit and took him out to lunch, so I was relieved of duty and yes, that sounds as awful to me as it probably does to you.   I’ll stop by today with his gift, and bring him anything he needs.  It will always feel like a chore in some ways, and that’s not an easy truth for me to admit, but it is what it is.  He is not an evil person in any way – he’s just devoid of the type of normal emotions or actions or whatever it is I’m searching for  that one would want to have with a parent.  If you look up the term narcissist, that’ him in a nutshell.   Being a devoted daughter to a narcissist father is something I don’t describe well and it doesn’t come naturally,  in fact I’m still coming to terms with the feelings that accompany it but at least there is far less anger now.  That’s good for my own health, never mind his. 
   So, on Father’s Day I reveled in time spent with my guy and our children and my mom – whom has in some ways been both parents for my sister and I and grandparent to my children. 
 Let me just put some high praise here for her mean, clean, refreshing, rejuvenating summer elixir of a gin and tonic… 

     On the better health front… I continue the light weight training, walking, kayaking, and attempts at better food choices.  I say “attempts” because I still cheat with pizza or a cupcake but I’m getting better at it, dropping some weight and toning up.   Don’t ever give in just because you’re not perfect.  No one is perfect, no one gets it’s right 100 percent of the time.  FUCK PERFECT – am I clear?   I’m going to share with you a photo of my 61 year old friend, a personal trainer who is brutally honest in her own trials and tribulations and I think she gets it absolutely right on aging well and being kind to yourself – and NEVER GIVING UP. 
 Yep – this is  Joey at 61, pretty amazing – not claiming perfection, not a care free life – she’s had her share of  woes and  tended agining and ill parents , raised three kids and mended a sick  child and husband and worries about finances and health  and suffers injuries and and and… … 
  Her words on a recent FB post –    “Coming up on the end of my 61st year (for those not in the know, your birthday makes the end of a year not the beginning) meaning I’ll be 61 but in my 62nd year of life. I continue to persist in the fight against aging with the biggest tool in the box – strength training. Add a few short cardio bursts and a restorative class like stretch or yoga each week and you’ve done your best. Never give up!”  Another Joey gem –   “I think people get unhappy with progress and give up, but it’s a disservice to their future health and mobility, hence deterioration.  KEEP MOVING. 
     
  So yeah.. we can all find excuses.  And sometimes – especially with fibromyalgia pain! … it just doesn’t feel awesome to keep moving – but we must. Life and the effort we have to put into it is worth every extra step taken –  Just do it.  


      Have a good week, all – sharing a NOT GOOD FOR YOU pie recipe, because hey I already told you I ain’t shooting for perfection and what says Summer is Coming 💦🍈 better than a Lemonade Pie, I ask you…. 
*not my picture or recipe – recipe link below… 
         Lemonade Pie


Have a good week, all –  




Goose Rocks and Cottage Gardens

  My son walked into the kitchen a few afternoons ago and asked if I’d like to go kayaking at the cove.     Are ya kidding? Let’s go! ….  I think if your grown children enjoy spending time with you now and again, you’ve done something right in life, just sayin.

Inside Joshua Cove… 



  It was a gloriously warm spring evening and we paddled out to a small island of rocks that sits about a 15 minute paddle beyond the mouth of our cove in Long Island Sound.  The water was like glass as we made our way – the sun shining down, warming our shoulders – gulls overhead chattering away and the soft clank of a distant buoy joined the birds conversation.  I only know this last part because the boy described it to his hearing impaired mother – he is a kind one. 💕
Heading out to Goose Rocks … or Goose Island as it’s officially called… 



       As we approached the cluster of rocks I wondered how we’d climb aboard  but my son assured me there is a very convenient landing consisting of millions of shells that have washed ashore.  Indeed there was… 
    For such a beautiful night, there were very few boaters out in the water. It was if we had the Sound to ourselves for a brief while.  M had an eagle eye, collecting a large assortment of sea glass and shards of pottery.  They say when you find pottery pieces, it’s possible they are from cottages lost to storms along the coast. 

 Mermaid scale? 
 The beginning of the Thimble Islands out in the distance… 
    After sea glass hunting and some deep breathing and  admiration for the beauty around us, we paddled back to shore, worn yet rejuvenated.  Kayaking in the salt air and water does that to you – tires you out and refreshes you at the same time. 
    Added to the beauty of the sea are the cottage gardens and wildflowers along the little roads – The island is full of spring blooms …..
     

  
 Because we of the 140 or so cottages share this 300 acre “island” with a herd of cows, they occasionally escape their pasture and come calling…  perhaps the grass is greener on the salty side? 
   
*thank you to those who acknowledged their view on the previous post.  Politics (and religion!) are not easy topics to discuss and it doesn’t always feel safe to express opinions.   While I’ve been trying to avoid the subject for the most part, it doesn’t always feel right to just say or do nothing.  There is great power in communication.   And.. there’s great power in the vote.  Get out and vote at every opportunity – just that. 
Have a good weekend, all –  

Sea Dogs

   Last year when Sally first arrived on transport from Georgia, she was a tiny little thing and nervous to boot – understandable given her journey from dumped shelter puppy to rescue to transport to my open arms. 
Her rescue angel – Dana 
This was the morning she was put on transport in Georgia
to come live with us, her forever family in CT
On the other end, 24 hours later – in New Haven, CT
where there were many tears of joy…
These ladies are amazing – they work for Grateful Doggies Transport
and drive through the night, stopping to check on and water 
and walk their charges – as they drop them off 
at various stops along the East Coast Corridor
to the waiting arms of their forever homes. 
   We started bringing Sally down to the shore right away because we wanted her to feel comfortable there too.  The first few visits were a big deal for her and she was frightened of the water.  She’s still nervous on the car ride down, but she has adjusted really well, at a year old now, to our “other” home.  I take both Frasier and Sally with me more often than not, while Ben and Bailey stay home.  Ben, our Dane,  is just too darn big at 186 pounds, and little Bailey is older and nervous in new environments so we let them guard the house while we are at the cottage.  M and I don’t yet stay overnight at Stella because I’ve got horses, dogs and chickens to tuck in at night and feed in the morning.  Mom stays for weeks at a time and some day we will live there during the summer – when the farm has less demands of our time.
Sally inspects the oyster beds at low tide.
These are submerged at high tide, and we have to be careful where we step
(water shoes a must) when we swim or go clamming.   
    Sally still thinks swimming is a terrible idea and prefers to hunt among the rocks along shore, but Frasier is a real Salty Dog – he loves the water, lays right down in it to cool off,  and occasionally comes for a kayak ride with me. 
      Speaking of boats –  Ruby and I took our first glide through cove waters on Saturday, an absolutely glorious day here in Connecticut… and it felt so good to have the sun on my face, the cool water at my fingertips.  We hugged the shore because the winds were beginning to pick up and there was some chop, a prequel to yesterday’s rains. 
   A little about “Ruby” –  I’ve tried some kayaks over the years, some fancy models, some cheapos  too – and by far, the best as far as tracking and stability and just plain ease of use and fun is my Necky Manitou Sport – I think I’ve had her for about 8-10 years now.  She’s a little heavy compared to some other models you can buy – but when you get a lighter version, you have less stability. For me it’s not worth the sacrifice to have a lighter “haul” to get her into the water.  If you are in the market for a recreational  kayak of your own and you’re not going to do any crazy whitewater or BIG ocean wave stuff – I highly recommend this kayak.  I’ve done rivers, lakes, cove and shore paddling and I just love it for it’s sturdy ride. 
** I’m not getting paid to say this – I just like it that much and feel confident to recommend it if you’re looking for a kayak of your own.  Here’s a LINK if you want to learn more. 
  An update on the baby robins on the cottage porch –   I stepped out onto said porch  to sweep the floor and the babies got startled and flew away (sorta).  I sure hope they were ready – they looked iffy.  Ugh!.. I wish I had thought of that before opening the door! 
  Meanwhile, back at the ranch… the Chipping Sparrow babies in the shrub next to the sliders are getting bigger too… to get an idea of how tiny these guys are – that piece of pale blue ribbon is thin curling ribbon their parents found somewhere – and the shrub is a boxwood, those green leaves are very small too. 
    It’s a beautiful thing, isn’t it?   
  
  Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all –  the skies are supposed to clear, we’re heading back down to Stella – perhaps for another spin around the cove and definitely to mow the lawn, which has been overfertilized by the Mr. and has been growing like Bob Ross’s hair in that old chia pet commercial.   You know the one I’m talking about, don’t ya. 
To our Veterans everywhere – deceased, retired and still serving…

This one requires a cup of coffee ..

  No really – lots to cover, go get one.  And a donut – trust me on this.  side note: I just found out the Redneck Donut Truck  (actual name) up the road a piece is packing up after today to move back to their homeland four towns over – this is terrible news, and it’s very good news, depending on whether you talk to my mind or my “matter” .  Their canoli donut was thebestpieceofdonut I have ever had, ever. 
Anyway… 
 First let me say, if you were in on the religion conversation post, thank you so much for your thought provoking and respectful answers – I so enjoyed reading your take on the subject. And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.

   I’m not a dyed in the wool Royal Watcher  although I’ve read the headlines over the years, seen the stories, watched news coverage of the weddings, the funerals, the scandals even.  I watched along with everyone else  in horror as Diana’s world unraveled and ended really badly and far too soon.  Who doesn’t admire how those two boys have persevered in the glare of the royal spotlight over the years, carrying out their born duties with some grace and class, and fun! Harry underlined here.   Harry is my favorite and he and his bride were humanitarians before they met each other – imagine the dynamic team they will be.  Watching the royal wedding today, you’d have to be dead not to notice the radiance and genuine smiles shared between he and Meghan M. I loved her choice of simple yet elegant gown and veil,   and the personal and refreshing twists they bestowed on the wedding ceremony itself. Truly they are a breath of fresh air, bringing the Royal Family into a more modern light.  Surprisingly I had tears in my eyes as I watched this morning,  and I’m no sap.  
   So… this guy showed up on our side porch the other day…   a gift from a dear friend just because, a fellow blogger who shares my birthday!   It was evident right away that Henry was  not made for farm life,  so I brought him down to Stella by the Sea to see if that environment suited him better. 
   Aaaah, MUCH better.
  While we’re here, let me show you the new furniture reveal.  The couch and chair  are of rugged material a summer cottage demands, in soothing shore colors that say Relax! Summer!  The Mr. and I moved furniture around yesterday because last year it felt like we just jammed stuff in there in our big rush to enjoy our first “cottage life” season.  So the little space felt.. rushed.  
 The table and chairs are now centered in the room, not pressed against the windows… 

The rug that was in that floor space all by itself is now in the kitchen work area…

  My  $100.  “Edith” chair now in the “living room” area instead of squished in a corner of the bedroom where it got no use.  (the table and chairs used to be in that back corner to the left of the Mr. )  We do have to relocate the little chandelier now that there’s no table under it.

The new recliner and couch with a sturdy whitewashed bench type table for putting feet up or resting drinks, etc. on. 

     Let’s head outside… An Awesome quality about cottage life – small spaces are easy to clean – and mow!  Garden management is minimal.   My new perennials are happy and growing… they like all this rain we’ve been getting. 
 The robins on the back porch – initial there were four eggs in the nest. 
  Then it  looked like this just four  days ago…  and I thought there were only two… 
Now they look like this… and there are very definitely three.  Absolutely amazing, the speed of the development of birds from egg to fledgling. 
 I’ve also  put a few galvanized pots of flowers on the stone steps down to the water.
Believe it or not, this type of  super petunia is happy in that environment –
 wind of the water, rain and all. 

   And meanwhile, back at the ranch… we’ve got another cold, rainy day in store.  This is my current view out the kitchen sliders.  There is a little tiny nest in the shrub at bottom right… 
Inside that shrub is a perfect little nest with four tiny tiny eggs. 
This is momma or dad.  A song sparrow perhaps? 
Waiting anxiously for me to leave the area. 
  My rescue friends are holding an adoption event this weekend for shelter dogs in neighboring Durham, CT at the fairgrounds – 30 of the 60 dogs in attendance got homes in the first three hours, just amazing.  This is no easy feat – The dogs from down south are  most often  pulled from kill shelters or taken from abusive situation or strays that have been caught. Then they are  spayed, neutered and fully vetted and housed with fosters or with the rescues directly and evaluated for temperment and training.  Applications are taken and references are called and interviews conducted before any of the dogs are allowed to go home with their new families – It’s quite an operation, takes many many volunteers.  We’ve been doing this for about 9 years now, and it’s heartbreaking and extremely rewarding at the same time.  
   Yesterday I stopped in to drop off food for volunteers and help unload the dogs that had just arrived.  This little guy, whom my friend Lillian calls a squirrel, would have come home with me if I didn’t have four already.  He and his litter mates were so darn cute, hard to believe they were dumped.  Those ears!!… 
 

If you’re local and want more information, visit
www.homewardboundct.org
Whew! are you still with me?  We covered a lot of ground today – 
Time to spend a little quality time with the Mr. 
Got to stay in good standing in case I want to 
bring another “squirrel” home some day. 
Till soon, friends – 

Seaside Gardening

  Last year was *renovation year *for Stella – we had a lot of work to do, the smaller details had to wait.  Because the entire 300 acre parcel of land that these cottages sit on used to be home to many cows,  still is on a portion inland, the soil is rich.  Many of the cottages on island have little gardens, right now the daffodils planted along the little roads and in cottage gardens are in full bloom, some tulips too.  
 Stella’s street side… 
    This year I want to concentrate a little more on the  garden spots around our cottage.  The past few days have been in the 80’s –  wow! .. and that allowed me to get some serious gardening done.   I went to a nearby garden center and picked  up a flat of hot pink geraniums for the pots around the place.

Those two chubby toads came with the place..
I didn’t have it in me to kick them out. 
       On the street side,  I planted a few varieties of Iris  and purple balloon flower to blend with the Astilbe, hosta, hydrangea and something with a name I can’t remember but given to me by our dear friend, BJ, just down the road.  I also bought a bird bath which Momma Robin up in the porch has been using frequently.    She’s not happy we’ve returned. 
  There’s a perfectly good and quite charming birdhouse installed just 15 feet away in the large oak tree.  For whatever the reason, the birds ignore it completely, go figure. 
  
     Below is Stella’s waterfront, as seen from our neighbor’s yard. 
We’ve got a grub situation, so the Type A husband who likes the perfect
lawn is a bit frustrated with the patchy look. 
I say life’s too short to care about perfect lawn. 
He’s having none of it and is down there
this morning tackling the grubs.
May the force be with him. 

 In the firepit garden I have planted some Speedwell and 
Red Jewel to blend with the daisies I took from This Old House
and  Alium and native cranberry bushes. 
 Within a few years this should all fill in nicely, with something 
always in bloom throughout the summer. 
Sage and Lavender grow in a little patch on the other side
of the patio. 
I  also spent the last few days washing down surfaces,  mopping floors, 
running throw rugs and towels etc. through the washer, 
making beds and dusting furniture. 

   We’re still waiting for the new couch and recliner to be delivered – 

     And the refrigerator is stocked with water, gatorade, coke, dove ice cream bars, hotdogs, hamburgers,  cheddar, condiments and beer,  just the bare necessities to get the season started.  We also have enough toilet paper and paper towels for the next generation of inhabitants.  Notice a globe missing from the  light in the ceiling.  Yep, sometimes, you think you’re doing a good thing, and then you drop the globe in the sink just to add some excitement.  Fingers crossed they still make replacement globes for what I call the spider light.

Sharing a few summer recipes I am going to serve 
on Stella’s deck this summer
 – found them on pinterest 
(not my photos or recipes!) 
 We’re all trying to make healthier food choices – 
these fit the bill and are refreshing on hot summer days. 
Summer Corn Avocado Black Bean Dip 
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Watermelon Spa Smoothie
Found on Pinterest


Ingredients

    • 1 cup chopped watermelon
    • ½ cup chopped peeled cucumber
    • 6 ice cubes
    • Squeeze of lime juice
    • 2 teaspoons agave nectar (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon mint leaves for garnish

Directions

  • 1Combine watermelon, cucumber, ice cubes, lime juice and agave (if using) in a blender. Puree until smooth. Garnish with mint, if desired.

Glorious Day!

    Glorious morning turned to a glorious day! – even the chickens were excited when I turned them out for a few hours while doing barn chores.  Bugs everywhere ! – a chickens dream come true. 
    It feels so darn good to  MOW THE LAWN again!  I wasn’t sure mother nature was ever gonna let that happen , like.. ever.. again!  I don’t mow the lawn here at the farm – it’s acres worth so I leave that up to the menfolk.  But Stella – well, her little postage stamp grass plot is totally doable – even with a manual push mower – you remember those, don’t ya?  I get a lot of satisfaction out of that little chore, believe it or not.  
    Once the water is turned on for the season (any day now) we’ll spend more time down there giving her a thorough Spring Cleaning and some repair work to the cement dock/launch pad. 
  I did this again too – 
I actually felt guilty sitting down at waters edge for no more than 15 minutes, knowing I had chores waiting for me here at home – how silly is that?  Truly – we all need to grant ourselves permission to stop and smell the roses – for more than 15 seconds. The recharge is necessary for our well being, our sanity.  Why all the effort if we can’t relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor?  Does it sound like I’m trying to convince myself here? Yep and yep again.  
I discovered there are now FOUR eggs in the porch nest at the cottage – and they are Robin eggs, not a catbird.  Momma Robin was there today very annoyed with the racket I was making. 
Meanwhile, back at the farm – this picture taken just minutes ago of the Purple Finch babies in the nest behind the lantern porch outside my office door.  Can you believe the difference in just a few days?  Birds are amazing for so many reasons. 
   Do you like to cook?  I  ordered this cookbook on Amazon, have already made three recipes out of it, and it is my favorite already.  This is gooood home cooking from scratch but not too complicated.. absolutely delicious, fresh food.  I am not paid to say anything on my blog, no ads here, just honest recommendation when I find something I love. 
  So far, the Parker House Rolls (so damned good they oughta be illegal – you know, that buttery, crusty, salty combination of a good roll that melts in your mouth – so good it’s bad! ) , Beef Chili and Chicken Cacciatore are divine! Delish!  Picky Husband approved!  And there is everything in this book, from apps to soups to salads, dinners, desserts and even drinks…

Some moon shots I took the other night – still learning some of the more technical settings that would require manual reading – bleh, not a strong suit of mine,  map reading, ditto – thank the lord for Nav in the car.  …. .
   Today – My husband just returning home from a long day of work, and this is what I saw  –   
   Apparently sometimes those last 30 steps to the house are just too much…. 

    So go… sit for a spell – somewhere that brings you peace of mind.  Someplace that lets you breathe deep and exhale slowly. Thank the powers that be and your own power – for all that is good. Don’t forget to record the moment and  take a selfie without worry of no-makeup and unbrushed hair and wrinkles and fat rolls  .. and.. and.  Because we’re just so damned lucky to be alive and relatively well.  That’s the cake –  The rest is icing. 
     

Till soon – 
  

Cottage Days

 Yesterday was glorious – the sun shown bright and it’s warmth on our skin was a much needed reprieve from what has been a very long, cold winter into spring.   
  M and I went down to Stella and cleaned out the rest of the little perennial beds and raked the lawn yesterday.  What’s truly awesome about a little place like this is, it takes very little time to winterize, and open her up for the season.  Little accents like fresh annuals in the pots, now refurbished with new soil, and a few more perennials to fill out the beds will come around Mother’s Day – the usual ‘safe date’ for spring planting in New England.  Come Mother’s Day, the garden centers around here are bustling with people itching to get out in the garden and add some color to the ‘scape. 
The forsythia is finally blooming, daylilies making their way up…. 

And the hosta is returning, having multiplied some. 
We have a Catbird nest and so far, one egg on Stella’s porch… 
    I am so happy to see how very clear the water has been this year in our cove, therefore the Sound and out to the Atlantic.  The Save The Sound efforts of the last 20 or so years have been successful.  Any improvements in our environment are something huge to celebrate. 
 After this winter’s ice storms, we need to repair our cement “deck” down at the waterfront. The ice broke it up pretty good – those repairs will happen soon and a hand rail will be installed so swimming and kayak launching will be a little easier.   The water was so clean and the temps warm enough to tempt me to test the waters, so to speak. 
These were Happy Feet – 
for about 30 seconds. 
   We came home to find our son out in the garden, planting the artichokes he had begun from seed.  Kale already growing in two rows.  I joined him, soaked some Dragon tongue beans in water while I sowed two rows – and planted those seeds as well.    Are we a bit hasty?  I hope not.  As you can see, the leaves aren’t even out on the trees yet – just the red haze of buds that are a promise. 
This morning, rain again. 
Frasier, Sally and Bailey have the right idea, I think. 
 I’m going to try like hell to resist
the urge to bake something. 
Because the eating of it would come next. 
Will power of a flea, truth.

I’m also trying to ignore the urge to rant about
that egomaniac who can’t shut his own mouth
long enough to pay decent tribute to  Olympic athletes
without insulting them.
*hard to watch  …. 
 actually, my description for this entire 45 Presidency
can be described with those three little words.

Have a good day, All – thanks for stopping by. 

Little reprieves, a Seaside Stroll and a healthy recipe for Bikini Season (ha!)

  Still real chilly around here. 30 degrees on April 20th.  
   Ask me how much I love Friday mornings, when my daughter comes to the farm to do the barn chores and I get to lounge around a little before getting on with the day.  I’ve been taking care of horses for 34 years now.  For 34 years, no matter what the weather, twice daily, I have been up and out to the barn to feed and water and muck and rake and turn out …then to do it again in the evening.  That’s on top of raising a family, holding down whatever jobs I’ve had (worn several hats in that department) and hold down the family fort.

   There’s no doubting – animals (in particular, livestock)  are a huge commitment.  Eight years ago I added chickens to the mix and I absolutely love them.   I wouldn’t trade it, it’s a life I chose and worked for and defend now and then… but there are moments when I look forward to an easier life.  That won’t happen until my geriatric crew has all passed on, for I won’t give up on them up in their golden years . They’ve all been with me a long time, done their jobs, brought me much joy (ok maybe not on those really frigid mornings and evenings when my boots are soggy and fingers stinging cold before I’m halfway through. ) 

   Someday, we will move down to live at the summer cottage from June through September of our golden years, when we don’t have the herd up on the hill to tend to.  I might just bring a very small flock of chickens and of course, my dogs, with me. 
  For now, we’ll enjoy Stella as we currently do – with day trips and evening strolls and dinner on the deck and swimming and clamming and kayaking in the cove.   💗
   Despite the cold and snowy rainy weather, I’ve been taking the dogs for walks when it won’t soak me. Frasier and I went down to the cottage two days ago to explore a little beach we hadn’t known was open to all residents and get our exercise in.  Although it was yet another gray day, we saw signs that the Island is definitely beginning to wake up.  Our neighbor, just in from her own walk, had deposited mulch bags around her spring garden, and another was opening up windows, airing out her cottage. 

Garlic Mushroom Quinoa recipe HERE. 
Always looking for healthy meal choices,
this looks pretty good…  and bikini season
is just around the corner, don’t ya know.
Time to work off the donuts.. (ha!) 

  Till soon, friends –  

Take Out

     Yesterday the Mr. and I met down at the cottage to clear out a few pieces of furniture we are replacing with new stuff that suits the little living space better.  If you can believe it, Mom and I had yet a second successful couch sit last week after I spied a couch for sale on FB at a really cool small home store on the Shoreline.   As soon as I saw the photo I knew I had to drag  accompany mom to the shop to  see if she felt the same about the piece. 
   She was a good sport once again, and together we purchased the small couch AND a recliner  especially for my guy, because we would indeed be removing his much loved but out-of-place wing back chairs we acquired when we bought and renovated This Old House, then transplanted to Stella as we threw furniture in there to get through the first year.  We found in a tiny space, those wing backs are just too tall and overbearing, and they weren’t very beachy.  The cheap couch we had bought for the same space inside Stella was just -blah-  not particularly comfortable either.  These pieces work well. The price was reasonable and the fabrics we chose are durable – (not what is shown in the photo) … we went with a hardy driftwood colored fabric for the couch and a pale sea green blue hardy fabric for the chair.  
  Stellas little “living room” before we removed the  old furniture… a mix-match of perfectly good furniture that just doesn’t belong here in this space.

     Stay tuned for the reveal. 

     After We moved the “stuff” out, I took some photos around the island (which is not really an island but that’s what it’s called)  and below is what I captured…

 A handsome duck

  A momma Osprey in her nest… 

Some graceful egrets fishing in the wetlands… 

These two chillin on a rock… 

and this fellow who hit the jackpot as far as Lunch is concerned..
a large fresh conch… 
He saw me about 50 feet away standing behind my tripod  and camera
  and decided  instead of dining at the restaurant, 
this lunch might best be treated as Take Out. 
I hope all is well in your world – 
and thank you for stopping by. 

What a difference a day makes

    We had a lovely weekend – light jacket or no jacket weather. The Mr. and I did some Spring clean up at the cottage, raking the little lawn, clearing out the remains of last year’s perennial foliage… 
and I am happy to report all the stuff we planted last year is making a comeback.  Our dear friend, BJ, gave me some perennials from her garden just down the lane and I see the daylilies have already doubled as they come through the soil now. 
   We’ve noticed just how clear the water is in the cove – a sign that the Sound reaching out into the Atlantic is in relative good health – 
My guys planted seeds for the garden, which reside in my living room until
the temps warm a bit…
 … and we had a lovely small Easter Gathering ’round my kitchen table, where I used up much of my extra Weight Watchers points for the week eating ham, scalloped potatoes, string beans, and that orange cake I did make.. and I’m here to tell you – the frosting was delicious!!… and the cake very dense. Tasty but a tad dry.  I’m wondering if because I used regular milk instead of butter milk (the store was out) that was the reason.  The recipe I shared makes for one layer – if you want a two layer cake, double the recipe.  We were a small group watching our weight, so I didn’t double it. 
  As for Weight Watchers – just five days in and I LOVE it.  The points system is so easy to use, and I’m finding the 0 points foods you can reach for when you get hungry and need a little snack make it very do-able.  I’m a grazer, so I need to be able to do that.  I have not stepped on a scale yet, I know there isn’t enough difference to satisfy what I want to see on the scale, but I already feel less bloated.  It helps that I really like fruits and vegetables.  The phone App is awesome.  I’m doing the very basic plan, I have a page online and an app on my phone – that’s what I use for the most part.   I’m not interested in going to meetings (and there are meetings down near our cottage) … I’m doing this primarily by myself.. with a little help from my friend, Hilary (Crazy as a Loom).  She’s given me some great tips. 
    Also this weekend, while my girl is visiting Florida with her BF and his family, I’ve been taking care of her beloved Rex… who is missing his beloved Mom, terribly.   Oh, the WOE in his little fluffy face every time he hears the key in the door, only to find me on the other side of it.  He’ll be happy to see his mom once again today when she arrives home.  
   So we’ve enjoyed the arrival of crocus in the last few days… and it was beginning to feel like the Spring that it actually is.   Isn’t she a beauty?   When the crocus arrive on the lawn, I say hello to Elizabeth, the woman who lived here for over 40 years until she died at the age of 90-something.  She planted these crocus, as well as  the ancient lilacs by the shed, the old pear tree in the horse paddock and all the pines and cedars on either side of This Old House. 
   This morning, however… we awoke to this… 
   As soon as I publish this post,  I’ll pull out my snow pants and jacket, hat, scarf, glove,  and boots and I’ll trudge up to the barn and over to the coop for morning feed rounds –   I knew I should wait to wash them all and store them away. But I didn’t… Murphy’s Law and all that. 
 Till soon, friends..