CAPE ANN DIARIES

ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE

2011-01-09T18:43:00.010-05:00

Tabletop pic courtesy of Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar of www.EddieRoss.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Now that the temps have plunged into the teens it's time to look back at days not that long ago when they were in the nineties!

In August when we were down in Katonah packing up the house, my blog friends Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar came calling with a bottle of wine! Robert and I were so tired, hot and sweaty from our week of cleaning, packing and sorting and I wish we'd been able to host them with the panache that they well deserve. They'll have to come to Gloucester for that!

We'd spent days sorting thru what was still left in the house and we'd spent our nites sleeping on the floor. (Much to the bemusement of the pups!)

The upstairs den was all stuff for Bill to sell at his tag sale, our fabulous 60 year-old handmade down-stuffed gloriously upholstered living room couch was broken into pieces and the last of it was out in the front yard providing much needed seating trailer-trash style, downstairs we had some furniture set aside for auctioneers, outdoors we had a pile of garden tools laid out by the woodpile, along with other goodies destined for Gloucester, and in my childhood bedroom I'd set aside a pile for Eddie and Jaithan to go thru! Somehow I just knew they'd appreciate some of our treasures. And I know that my Dad would have loved the idea of them finding new homes with this creative duo! And he'd get an even bigger kick seeing glorious photos of our family treasures on blogs and in magazines!

Out in the driveway we had a big blue dump-truck which made daily trips to the dump filled with musty old stuff we'd tossed out of the attic. We had a fabulous few hours with Eddie and Jaithan indoors and indeed they found some fun treasures amongst the pile we'd set aside. And then we hit the driveway! I really wish i'd had enough stamina to get pics of Eddie as he dumpster dove; fishing out vintage shelter mags we were just too lazy to save and find good homes for! One man's trash is certainly another man's treasure!

I was delighted to see Eddie's end-of-year retrospective. htt p://www.eddieross.com/eddie_ross/2011/01/a-look-back-part-2.html Scroll all the way down to the bottom for a pic of their golden New Year's table! What fun to see our ornately banded plates featured! And i think there are more pics to come! I cannot wait!

SANTA SIGHTINGS

2010-12-05T19:02:00.008-05:00

Christmas is 20 days away but we've already had two Santa sightings! Yesterday in Rockport. Today in Gloucester! All we needed was snow!

The dude in the Bearskin Neck window above was holding up a sign that said "moron". Scrooge! Bah humbag to you old man!Waiting for Santa's arrival by boat with a three year old (almost...her bday is on Xmas Day!) is very exciting!

The sun shone bright as soon as Santa's boat pulled up to Motif #1. Check him out at the stern.

Big fat Santa had to climb a ladder to get ashore!

And he traveled to Dock Square in a vintage firetruck....in a parade led by little scouts.

THE PROPOSAL was filmed in Rockport...but it was filling in for Sitka Alaska!

Lots of people, lots of cocoa as we all waited for the lighting of the tree in Dock Square.

What fun to be with BBB, EB, CW and JB---and singing carols while awaiting the lighting of the spectacular Dock Square tree!Santa left Dock Square in Rockport right before the tree was lit-but today he resurfaced a few miles down the road and JoJo got to meet him at Cape Ann Animal Aid's little fundraiser at the new Ace Hardware in Gloucester Crossing! She loves everyone-but she didn't love Santa! (i just realized i have not blogged about JoJo yet-eegads-i've got some catching up to do so i can introduce our new pup! We adopted her on Labor Day!)

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A TRIATHLON aka GIRLS OVER FORTY RULE!

2010-08-08T13:21:00.011-04:00

Big smiles before the race!

Our running Mayor!
Cousin AJ in blue and yellow shined bright all day!!
EB's fan club!
AJ's biggest fan!
My two heros!
AJ reaches the finish line in style!

I've always wanted to congratulate our Mayor, Carolyn Kirk, on a job well done and today i finally got the opportunity to tell her i'm her biggest fan.

Men in Plaid!

Don't worry...i didn't compete! I'm a gym rat these days but there's no way i could do a triathlon...bum knee or not. But I am in awe of my cousin and my friend who competed with style, grace and courage. I'm in awe of our fabulous mayor, Carolyn Kirk, who competed in the running portion. In fact, I'm in awe of everyone who competed...teenagers, old folks, military men and women and everyone else. But let's not forget that i'm especially proud of AJ and EB! They rocked it in the Women > 40 division! You go girls!!! It was a bit tough to drag our lazy bodies out of bed at such an early hour on a Sunday to go downtown and watch but we're really glad we did. Glosta...you did a darn good job putting on a good show! Kudos to all. I love it here all the time...but on days like this I'm especially proud to be a Glosta Girl!

MEMORIES

2010-07-22T20:45:00.006-04:00

Today, Evie, the matriarch of our family passed away. She wasn't our grandmother. But she was. She had no children. But she had us. And we had her...in our lives forever. Until today. She will be missed immensely by me and my cousins, my Mom and her sibs, and by so many others. She was inspiration to each and every one of us. She was glamorous. She was a career woman. She had a fabulous sense of humor and loved to travel the world. She loved her extended family...and we loved her. She loved Welsh Rarebit and the Ritz Bar. She loved bright colors and fitness. She loved Boston. She took me to meet Julia Child the year I moved to Boston from LA. We could all count on Evie to tell us stories about our family way back when. There's no one left who knows those stories first hand. But tonite she's with Walter after so many years apart and there's certainly a big smile on her face.

As I looked thru pix to find the last one I ever took of Evie (actually RK took it--a bit over a year ago--before i lost all my weight) i also came across a nice pic of Robert with his beloved Dad and sister Kathy taken at a family reunion several years ago. And then I came across a photo of our dear friend John who passed away late last year. These photos help keep our memories alive. I have zillions of pix of Evie which show her in her usual glamorous state, but alas, they're not digital and I don't have a scanner. Someday i'll figure out a way to post those pix. She deserves better than this pic in a wheelchair and velour suit.

RIP dear Evie, John, Kathy and Ed. We love you. XO

OUR VIRGINIA FAMILY

2010-07-12T11:19:00.002-04:00

The face of our Virginia family has changed alot in less than a year and half. In the Spring of 2009 we lost Robert's sister Kathy and last week we lost his father at age 89-1/2. The exact same age as my Dad when he passed away in 2006. Like my Dad, Ed served his country proudly in WWII, and until the month of his death he never left the home Robert, Steve and Kathy grew up in. He was a wonderful man and we will miss him.

We've just returned from VA, and on Saturday nite before we left we all gathered to have dinner in Richmond. There are two empty spots at the table now...but we all hold Kathy and Ed close in our hearts.

An interesting side note...it's not often that I'm one of the shortest in a large group!

THE PERFECT DAY FOR A TRIP TO GOOSE COVE

2010-05-17T11:38:00.005-04:00

All weekend long the weather was perfect. On the Today Show this morning Matt called it "Chamber of Commerce weather"...all over the Mid-Atlantic! We were up early and had a great frittata breakfast at The Willow Rest (my new favorite go-to for everthing to do with food...and it's so close to us!). On the way home we headed to Goose Cove to pick up a few things for our windowboxes. A full-Subaru and empty bank account-later we left with more dahlias than we needed, gorgeous white geraniums, a single foxglove, peach-tinted verbena, vinca, 2 pineapple sage plants, coneflowers and more... and a great antique toolbox planted with all sorts of edibles. Needless to say, the rest of the morning was spent planting and watering. Pix taken with iphone so they don't do justice to the floral wonderland that is Goose Cove!

THE HOUSEGUESTS FROM NEW YORK CITY

2010-05-16T20:25:00.010-04:00

It's hard to believe that LDE is looking at colleges. Eek. How time flies. Another good thing about living on Cape Ann is that we're on the college search route for friends and family! We had a very nice visit from the group from 29th Street as they went on the Boston circuit. We celebrated TFD's new hairdo and good health. We celebrated ME's birthday. We celebrated cousins! We had a nice dinner out at the new and improved Cala's with PGA and LDA. And most important...we laughed and smiled alot.

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, BUNNIES, CHICKS, AND A BABY...AND BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

2010-05-16T20:03:00.015-04:00

After a late afternoon visit to the knee doc at Mass General for my post-surgery check-up we took a lovely Good Friday stroll thru Beacon Hill and the Boston Public Gardens. On the way home we stopped in to say hi to Baby A and the rest of the family! I picked up several of these itty bitty boxes of truffles at the glorious Beacon Hill Chocolates. One for Asa's mom, one for us, one for my mom and one for my Auntie. What a spectacular Spring day.

AN IPSWICH BAY EASTER IN THE SUN

2010-05-16T19:38:00.008-04:00

What a lovely Easter sunday! (I'm obviously blogging a bit backwards in order to play catch up.) What a perfect day to spend on the porch on Rowley Shore. Too bad we had to eat inside. Family (a relatively small crowd this year), good friends, laughter, delicious food & wine....and sunshine. I think the mercury hit 80! It doesn't get much better than that. And it's not often you get to wear summer clothes on Easter...without a sweater or overcoat. My contribution to the feast was the pistachio lime angel food cake from April's Bon Appetit. A little too sweet for my taste, especially as i went a bit overboard and decorated it with peeps, jelly beans, and beautiful chocolate truffles from Beacon Hill Chocolates.

PLAYING TOURIST IN THE NORTH END

2010-05-16T18:42:00.013-04:00

Okay...full disclosure...i've lived outside of Boston for a long long time. I worked in Boston's North End for over five years. Until a sunny Sunday in April, I never set foot into the Old North Church. That's probably not a big deal for most people...but it's kind of embarrassing for me. My great-grandfather Reverend William Herbert Dewart was rector at the Old North Church for many years (1914-26) and the church has long been an important part of my family's spiritual life.

We took my mom into Boston to see Stars on Ice...and decided to spend a few hours beforehand playing tourist in the North End...Copp Hill, Old North Church, Hanover Street, Cafe Florentine, and Mike's Pastry, What a lovely little stay-cation..with a little bit of heritage, history and religion thrown in. Not to mention a delicious lunch followed by treats and world-class figure skaters at the end of the day! And we couldn't have chosen a more beautiful day right at the peek of forsythia and magnolias!

(pardon the order of the photos...i just cannot figure out how to get them in sequence!)

A BEAUTIFUL DAY, A BEAUTIFUL MOTHER, A BEAUTIFUL SPOT, A BEAUTIFUL BRUNCH

2010-05-16T18:19:00.014-04:00

Last Sunday...what a beautiful Mother's Day! What a beautiful Mother I have! Can you believe she'll be 80 in just a few months? What a beautiful spot...Misselwood (on the Endicott campus)... for a beautiful Mother's Day brunch. Beautiful spring flowers; peonies and lilacs on our table. Pansies on some of the others. And after omelets and other healthy fare...we treated ourselves to these beautiful chocolate covered strawberries (huge ones!) and cream puff swans!

TURNING RK ONTO TODD FARM

2010-05-16T17:46:00.005-04:00

Now living in the garden behind the pool...as his life on the table was spooking us out when we let the dogs out at nite!
Now RK has six or seven guitars. That's okay...everyone's got to collect something.

fancy guitars.
This one came home with us.

The one that got away (above!). I love this guy so!

Oh how Mar would have loved this guy...but the $5K price tag deterred us!
My loot...most of it.
Sunshine, coffee, my man, my pups...at the flea=a great Sunday!

Aha...i finally figured out a way to drag Robert out of bed at dawn on Sunday morning to go to Todd Farm. Guitars!

We had a very successful trip to Todd Farm early Sunday morning a few weeks ago; i fell in love with a very expensive, very big rooster but happily settled for his little brother. He's now standing in the garden behind the pool (which hopefully we'll open this week!) RK fell in love with some really beautiful expensive guitars...but found one for a lot less, that played just as beautifully. For the pups...some British pup art... a fabulous terrier drawing. A very colorful Mary Had a Little Lamb print for me. I scored some fun fabrics including a very vibrant, very old indian print bedspread that will be perfect for beach picnics and a few yards of Schumacher. I am in love with my little red-striped european linen covered lavender pillow, which I do believe has cured me of insomnia! All that and a silver ladle, some bath salts and soaps, a vintage pear platter for my every growing collection of things-pear, some lovely vintage lace and rick rack that will come to Squam with me next month--and best of all a morning all together in the sun! Not on our list of purchases...the $5000 rebar moose that Mar would have flipped over (she's the only one on earth that might even like it), nor the funky hi-rise bicyclette!

COTTAGES & CASTLES

2010-05-16T16:02:00.012-04:00

It's been months and months since i've posted. If i ever get the time, i'll do some retro-posting featuring a lovely Lanesville Easter, some recent completed craft projects (i've been jamming!) and more. But til then...here's a look at back at yesterday.

It was girls day out. Along with Mom and the Aunties I covered alot of ground in Rockport on the Cottages & Castles house tour...most of it by foot. It's been a spectacular weekend....blue sky, puffy white clouds and brilliant sunshine! We saw some great houses (indoors and out)...and on the walk from house to house along South Street, Marmion Way and beyond we saw a few other gems from the sidewalk!

I don't think I'd ever want strangers traipsing thru my house...but i must admit that I love attending house tours. (Next month is Gloucester's home & garden tour in support of the Sargent House...always a fabulous day too!) I always come away inspired...inspired to keep a cleaner/neater house. Inspired to make our garden even better. Inspired by color and style! Inspired to de-clutter. Yesterday a hanging embroidered quilt in one house inspired me to try something similar when i got to Squam Art Workshops and try my hand at embroidery for the very first time. We saw a fabulous little potting shed/room with a snug little hut for a pup. I am inspired to go hunting for fabulous fabric. And someday i want a little art studio/music room for our backyard.

We were able to walk thru new houses, old houses, big huge waterfront houses, and an old barn that used to be an art studio (complete with an amazing big huge stained glass window) but which is now a lovely little home for a family of three. One house had a fabulous game room complete with its own indoor hot tub and tiled beach!

Cottage & Castles is an annual fundraiser for The Rockport Chamber Music Festival. This summer (next month!) is the opening of their fabulous new world class music hall that will surely put Cape Ann on the music map...if it isn't already! Even with the new music hall, Rockport is quintessential small-town America... american flags, lemonade stands, cute little puppies, front porches, windowboxes...and working lobstermen!

Hey...i cannot forget the flowers and trees...tulips, wisteria, golden chaintree...and then some. Blooms everwhere. Oh how i adore Spring!

STONED HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY

2010-02-03T22:38:00.009-05:00

Three quick pix from the grounds of the Newport Beach biz hotel i stayed at during my recent rainy visit to SoCal. It's The Real Housewives of Orange County season on TV so i couldn't help think of those oh-so-trashy women when i saw this little grove of fabulous artsy stoned ladies on the hotel grounds! Who knew you'd ever come across crafty objets like this on the grounds of a Hyatt!?

When i think of Orange County i don't think about crafts, art and style. But i must admit i also fell for the spectacular lighting at delicious Javier's. You can't really see their fabulousness from the pic...but check out those oh so cool metal fire towers out front!

And the twinkly cut tin lanterns in the entry way were spectacular.

All pix in tonite's three post taken with my iPhone...thus the fuzzy resolution!

DROUGHT BUSTING

2010-02-03T21:43:00.015-05:00

G had me and L in stitches while we watched the Golden Globes!

Check out how the water runs from the top of the hill down to the lower gardens!

And look at those rain clouds behind us!

Water seemed to be a common theme wherever I went!

A few weeks ago I spent a long weekend in Los Angeles. Since returning home, i've gotten several notes from friends pleading for my return...soon. It seems that I'm the cure for drought. Bring me to SoCal and it will rain. HARD. A true deluge! And ohmigod was I chilly. Somehow snowy New England is alot warmer than rainy SoCal. I even had to go out and buy a raincoat and umbrella...two things RK told me I wouldn't need to bring...even tho' we had read the weather report. We just didn't believe it!

I had a fabulous time visiting old haunts, and old friends. It was a great little trip down memory lane. Another girls' weekend (other than G!). I rented a Prius so I could ecologically cover alot of ground in just a few days. (Always rent your "dream car" when you can...kinda like a test drive!)

I stayed in L and Gs' adorable little guest house surrounded by orange trees. What fun it was to see them and LAUGH LAUGH LAUGH.

I hit the Farmer's Market for dinner at Monsieur Marcel (Croque Monsieur, a grilled artichoke and creme brulee ooh la la!) with Ms. C. After dinner we did some shopping at the Grove and at the Taschen Store ( check out LDA taken by Daddy on the pages of their brand new LA book) and played tourist in front of the dancing waters.

I loved my first visit to the new (since we lived in LA) Getty Center's amazing gardens with L (we got their JUST before the rains began!). Does it look a bit like an insane asylum!?

I brought a bunch of lovely girlfriends from my various "lives" together for a leisurely Sunday lunch at El Cholo (carnitas...ymmm!) and spent Monday morning and a Chin Chin lunch (chinese chicken salad!) with D and TR on Beverly Drive. And Monday afternoon snug in the Westside Pavillion for a matinee of A Single Man with L. What a treat! Just the thing for a holiday Monday. I ended my visit with a yummy Persian feast (almond and orange peel rice and a chicken kabob and all sorts of salads and relishes...mmmm!) with L & G at Javan on the Westside.

After my little vacation weekend in LA I traveled down to Newport Beach for four days of biz and never ending rain. I've never ever ever ever seen such rain. But check out the snow peaked hills behind LAX on Saturday morning as i was leaving. That would have been a glorious site to see from Beverly Hills or Hollywood!

INNER STRENGTH

2010-02-03T20:55:00.007-05:00

I am in awe of my cousin TFD. She is soooo brave. She is a loving daughter, a great sister, an amazing mom, a fabulous wife... and a wonderful cousin!

T has an inner strength that has enabled her to keep a smile on her face as she's battled that rotten C. She is on the road to recovery after six months of hell. The new year has brought an end to icky treatments. The fog is clearing and as Spring flowers will soon start to peep thru...so will her hair. She's had to put her writing project on the back burner for bit but she's taken up knitting.

I love staying with T, M and L in their NYC home. I love our late nites and early mornings lying on the bed chatting. I love the fabulous lattes that Michel serves up. I love the kitties. I love the artwork.

They were such gracious hosts when i descended upon their NYC home last week for two days....even hosting a little family "do" so I could see Uncle D and Cousin R too! How fab is that?! Two days of biz with a little dinner party in between. And two nights spent snug in my bed with the Empire State Building shining down on me.

COUNTING THE DAYS

2010-01-06T13:30:00.005-05:00

Here it is...January 6th. I have a clean slate of vacation days and personal days. They're already burning a hole in my pocket. How will I "spend" them this year?!

We have our annual August weekend on the Cape already booked. It's TFD's big birthday year and she's talking Paris. It's LDA's even bigger birthday year and she's talking all sorts of things. YITF is talking about a bamboo sisterhood trip to Tuscany. We've got to do work in NY to get the house ready for sale. But most of all i want to go to Squam Art Workshops...three or four of the five!

Last year i went in June and September. That's all that was offered. This year the Amazing Elizabeth has planned five different sessions; four in NH, and one in Nags Head (one of our all time favorite destinations!) She's concocted a bounty of creativity and even some time for reading and yoga.

Thank goodness we have no pixies or i'd want to go to all five sessions which would render us broke and without any time off to attend to family obligations etc!

I can't wait to see old friends. I can't wait to meet new ones. I can't wait to turn several of my good friends onto this great opportunity.

So now I've got to balance my checkbook...and get out my calendar. The first thing i need to mark on my calendar! I've got to get my registrations postmarked by then (or is it postmarked the day before to arrive then? Gotta check that out!)

I truly wish there could be a January SAW! Snowshoeing, knitting, cocoa...

WINTER WHITE

2010-01-03T16:36:00.011-05:00

OUR FOOD, FUN AND FAMILY-FILLED 2009 HOLIDAY

2010-01-03T14:40:00.020-05:00

This year our Christmas celebration spanned several days--our holiday celebration spanned several weeks. RK was in VA for the first Kent family Christmas after beloved Kathy's untimely death. (Our backyard holly planted in honor of Kathy is abloom with berries beneath a blanket of snow.) LDA and I celebrated quietly at home. Xmas Eve we partied with our Medford family in celebration of Baby A's first Christmas. We brought Phoebe (thinking she'd be a good party girl) which probably wasn't such a smart idea after all.

Breakfast and presents at home with just me and LDA on Christmas day--special moments of a holiday music and movie filled weekend -- a very special peaceful mother/daughter time.

Christmas dinner on Rowley Shore featuring a fabulous boeuf, bouche and presents by the fire! Just four of us this year.

RK arrived home from VA after midnite on Saturday (aka Sunday morning!)--quietly sneaking into a sleeping house Santa-style! We all woke up early and had our annual Christmas strata with eggnog, stockings and even more gifts.

This year our tree was in the corner of the kitchen. I think it was our best tree ever! Our little (faux) RAA tree was in the living room alongside our little "peace" mantle featuring our tree collection.

Wonderful gifts for all. Gifts of Jacques Torres and Chocolate Springs chocolates. Homemade jams, jellies and vinaigres. Mine was a truly Lilly Christmas with my "In the Slim" dress, duffle and cosmetic bag. Wouldn't Daddy have loved all this!? Lots of bling. A pink cashmere treat. Scrappy-like Tervis Tumblers. Lots to read. Sweet smelling lotions and potions. Music and more.

RK's was all about the vintage-like record player (which we certainly put to good use a few nites ago on New Year's Eve), good reads, and more! And for LDA...lots of warm and fluffy gifts! As always the pups and kit kats were in the holiday spirit too.

At noontime we moved over to Wolf Hill for a yummy family brunch, wonderful presents and the Patriot's game.

And Christmas weekend ended late that afternoon with a visit from PGA and CCA followed by chowder and more at The Causeway.

Although I had to go to work the week between Christmas and New Year's the holiday spirit endured. Tuesday nite the entire Thin Book Club minus one dined at The Franklin. It was a really chilly nite...absolutely frigid temps and brutal winds. Yummy food and great company. A nice new tradition.

We had a White Christmas tho' it was pretty warm and mushy. Since Christmas we've gotten an entire new delivery of white stuff! It's been snowing for days and days. We had a snowy New Year's Eve with JJ, BD and SD. Dinner at Horizon then back to our house for board games, champagne and Daddy's record collection on the new record player. Tons of fun with good friends.

Lots of food, lots of laughs, lots of gifts...and lots of family and friends. All wonderful! Just what a holiday should be! The 2010 work year starts tomorrow. It's a snowy Sunday and I'm still in my PJs at 3:15 pm. It's still snowing...over a foot by now. RK did the shoveling while i took down the tree and put away almost all signs of the holiday. I must admit that as much as i love bringing out a lifetime's worth of fabulous holiday decor...i love putting clearing it all away to start the year freshly anew!

RK's watching football as I blog. I've been doing laundry for hours and the end still isn't in sight. I haven't cracked open a book, nor have I knit a stitch since Wednesday or so. So much for good intentions. We haven't even started to write our Christmas cards. Eegads. It's the first time we've ever not-mailed them before Xmas. Thank you notes need to be written first--kind of out of sequence but so be it. I'm not going to sweat the small stuff.

Last nite's pot roast needs to be reheated. It's time to stop eating chocolate and comfort foods and it's time to face my resolutions for 2010! More on them later! Just suffice it to say that tomorrow's a pretty important anniversary!

ANOTHER TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

2010-01-03T14:02:00.005-05:00

En route back to Cape Ann from Bedford after RPCC's birthday blow-out we stretched our legs a bit by walking around a very empty MPS campus. It was a gorgeous warm November day and everything looked beautiful. Lots has changed since 1976 but much stays the same.

FRIENDS FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS

2010-01-03T10:27:00.012-05:00

It's Sunday of New Year's weekend. Snow is falling for the millionth day in a row. My to-do list is a mile long (help RK shovel, take down tree, write thank you notes, tons of laundry and so on). But instead i'm going to play blog catch up.

This is a look back to an amazing glitzy and glittery evening during Thanksgiving weekend...a smashing start to our holiday season.

Who: The fabric of my life. Fifty plus years of friendship. Multi-generational BFFs all. Husbands and wives. Mothers and daughters. Sons. Brothers. Cousins. Aunts. Uncles. Neighbors and the best of friends--most united by BRS and by Mt. Holly, Holly Branch and Old Cross River Roads. We came from MA, NH, VA, RI, CT and beyond for a NY evening on our former home turf. So much history. So many memories. And now we have a new one.

Where: The BG&TC

What: Mandatory bow ties for the guys. Faux (and i bet a few real) baubles for the gals

Why: In celebration of RPCC's 80th Birthday

When: Saturday nite

01 02 2010...HAPPY SNOWY PALINDROME DAY!

2010-01-02T19:12:00.013-05:00

The snow kept coming down.

The snowshoes were calling out to us.

Stage Fort Park beckoned.

The pups (and us) needed some exercise.

The Jacques Pepin pot roast was bubbling away in the oven--to be served by candlelight at dusk.

The kitties were comfy indoors.

Six rented DVDs awaited us.

Dismantling the Xmas trees could wait another day.

The perfect holiday weekend Saturday a deux.

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

2010-01-02T13:54:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade!

Keep Calm and Carry On shall be my #1 resolution for the new year. #2 is to drop another two dress sizes. A year ago i resolved to lose 70 pounds. I'm a mere ten pounds-ish away. I'll get there soon.

I have lost lots and lots of inches and let's just say that there are a lot of old blue jeans in the Goodwill pile! I've treated myself to almost an entire new wardrobe. It feels good! It's been a long while since i've followed thru on a resolution. So please wish me luck with my two resoultions as I embark on this new decade!

The little painting in this shot is just one of my many "ornaments" from the annual Black Friday Rockport Art Association sale. They are all beautiful and all unique and so much fun to revisit every holiday season. I have a 50/50 mix of holiday themed vs year-round so many stay out throughout the year.

The angel topper atop our little faux tree is from my parent's collection. She must be over fifty by now...and she still looks beautiful. It's a great treat to unwrap my vintage ornaments every holiday season. What memories!

Today, January 2nd...i'm lovingly wrapping them back up. It's time to put Xmas behind us...and start the new year fresh. A good project for a snowy day!

IN CELEBRATION OF MPS FRIENDSHIPS aka CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK aka ALL ABOUT DEB

2009-12-28T20:32:00.023-05:00

New York City, the weekend of December 11th 2009, --featuring Deb, Lucy, Jean and me--and other wonderful gals from MPS '76 (and '75!)

What a special weekend of friendship. Back in the Spring we planned this NYC f pre-holiday girls weekend. In from Indiana, Maryland, Maine and Massachusetts--we gathered to honor Deb's fortitude and to remember her beloved Jon. We traveled by train, plane and bus (pre-snowstorm!) to gather for 2-1/2 days of heavy duty conversing, touristing and partying with old friends. It was a weekend of rememberance. We've known each other for more than thirty years but can count on one hand the times we've seen each other since 1976--so lot's to catch up on. We covered it all.

It was a very busy weekend of laughter complete with a complimentary cheese platter, a birthday toast and a yummy cake from the Cupcake Cafe. We were bedecked with daisies and moose (you'd have to have been there to understand why!)

Lots of walking--and not a lot of sleep. A little bit of shopping. Glorious holiday sights and sounds. We hit alot of the landmarks! A quick cabbage soup lunch at the Stage Deli. Exotic samosas, naan, curries and more (with lots of wine!) while serenaded by a sitar at Raj Mahal on the Lower East Side. Jean arranged a spectacular three-room suite for us at the Sheraton. We ended our first day with late night cocktails at the (revolving) View atop the Marriott Marquis. We even witnessed a very romantic on-bended-knee marriage proposal on the ice in front of the twinkly Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. We loved Saks' "dancing" starlight facade. We were entertained by glorious store windows on Fifth--especially the jewel-enhanced laser-cut paper decorations at Tiffany and the Fantastic Mr. Fox themed windows of the Bergdorf Goodman's Mens Store It was a very chilly walk thru Central Park but we loved it. We made a brief stop in Strawberry Fields just days after the 29th anniversary of John Lennon's death, and we strolled down my old turf, Columbus Avenue.

We were very lucky to have reservations for brunch at the over-the-top Crystal Room at Tavern on the Green just weeks before its historic last call. And what a treat it was to be hosted by Liz for an elegant Saturday evening at her palatial Upper Westside apartment with Doreen, Hatsy, Jamie and Lisa in attendance. Margaret called. Lili sent a gift.

Wow!

...note to self--in 2010 i must learn how to post photos in chron order--and with captions below.

Notes from the Tavern on the Green website that describe the opulence we were lucky to see;

Described as a "gorgeous and glorious wonderland," Tavern on the Green has six spectacular dining rooms and three exquisite gardens. With its "rustic baroque" decor, Tavern is full of whimsical ornamentation in a woodsy setting. Tavern also makes use of light - in mirrors and crystal, sunlight and moonlight pouring through huge windows, and flickering light from candles and chandeliers.
Tavern on the Green has a total of 45 chandeliers, made from more than 15,000 pieces of crystal. The 16 stained glass chandeliers in the corridors, Chestnut and Rafters rooms were designed by Warner LeRoy and made under his supervision in various workshops.
There are 14 sandblasted and etched mirrors, designed by Warner LeRoy and made by the famous Sheft Brothers of Bronx, New York.
Warner LeRoy also designed the 38 carved puntice mirrors that capture the light throughout the restaurant. Also known as "bulls eye" mirrors, they were popular in England in the 17th Century.
There are 24 copper and gold-leaf weathervanes made in 1976 by hammering from original 18th Century molds. The molds have since been lost, making these weathervanes quite rare.
The brass and copper wall sconces were made using the lost "wax method", cast and molded in a wax and dipped. The wooden wall sconces were designed by LeRoy and hand-carved.

NEW BEGINNINGS

2009-12-28T20:05:00.007-05:00

Time to celebrate! Today is TFD's last round of chemo. It's been a tough six months for my beloved cousin. She is my hero. She's so strong and such an inspiration to all of us as she's never missed a beat in her life as a wonderful mother, daughter, wife, sister, cousin, friend, landlord and author.

Months ago when her she first described the intense course of treatment that lay ahead of her, we talked about the fact that she'd have it all behind her as 2010 dawned. And that's going to happen! May 2010 be a year of new beginnings; health-wise, book-wise and now knitting-wise too!

(pix taken mid-December in NYC)

WHITE CHRISTMAS

2009-12-24T09:47:00.002-05:00

One of the perks about living in New England...the chances of having a white Christmas are pretty good. No guarantees tho!

We had a beautiful snowfall last Sunday and most of it's still around. Personally, i'd opt for more so we could have fresh snow for Christmas, but i'll take what we've got!

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

AN ADDICTION TO CASHMERE

2009-12-21T22:50:00.004-05:00

It's true. I'm an addict. Not the hard stuff...merely cashmere. I'm in love with it...in any form--sweaters, gloves, hats, cowls and big cozy scarves. You just can't be in a funk if you're wearing cashmere.

I'm also addicted to knitting. Knitting with cashmere...my god...that's bliss! Why knit with anything else?! (urgh..price...that's why!)

Here's my latest completed project; a Lobster Pot Cashmere neck-warmer in a really pretty not too red-red. The only bummer...it's not for me. It's for RK's mom Jeanne and it has already been wrapped up and sent off in a box to VA. (Thank goodness i have a similar one in lavender that I wore today!) I'm now making another one just like Jeanne's for my own mom (shhhh!) in the very same color.

I need a solid block of knitting time between now and Friday and that's going to be hard to find.

I might just have to spend lunch tomorrow at Yarns in the Farms. "Eat. Sleep. Knit."--a motto I subscribe too!

"IN THE SLIM"

2009-12-21T21:41:00.007-05:00

My father loved "works of art." They didn't have to be masterpieces...anything fun, funky, well designed or homemade was a true work of art in his mind. He adored his friend Lilly, and he adored the "look" that she made so popular. He photographed her and her fashions many times. There's one iconic photo (note to self... find a copy.) of Lilly-clad women in Palm Beach. And I'm sure if I pore thru my scrapbooks there's a few pix of me and my mom in our Lillys. Altho' i loved my shifts, my bell bottomed pink & green print pants circa 1973 or 74 were my absolute faves!

Lilly Pulitzer fabrics are truly works of art! And now there's a print inspired by my father's iconic photo. Wow...would he be over the moon! Check out the woman on the raft in the "In the Slim" print swatch shown on the Lilly Pulitzer website.

She might have been inspired by this Christmas-y pic of my mom on a raft...taken by my dad circa 1955 in Los Angeles (note the Hollywood sign in the background.) (image copyright Getty Images, now appearing in the Taschen LOS ANGELES coffee-table book)

This weekend my mother and went to the Newbury Street In the Pink shop where we were thrilled to see very summery shifts, totes, duffles and more in this oh-so-colorful "In the Slim" fabric. Memories of matching mother-daughter shifts circa 1965 flashed before my eyes!

Palm Beach comes to Cape Ann! What better way to celebrate my newly discovered "in the slim" waistline than to find an "In the Slim" shift under the Xmas tree!? Doubly significant!

In the Pink's Jessica could not have been cuter, nor more helpful! (Another note to self...always stay away from the big box stores. Shop little boutiques where true customer service still shines.) What fun we all had together trying on clothes, taking pictures...and thinking of Spring!

Oh how I wish they sold this pretty fabric by the yard!

From the Lilly website...

I mean, really. Are we THAT GOOD??!??!?!? No, we just know where our roots are. Inspired by the most amazing and revered photographer of the Lilly Pulitzer/Palm Beach era, we have taken iconic moments in time and translated them into a delightful toile. This print is a milestone. Whenever we look at this print we think… YES. Love it. Very close to perfect.…

IRIS APFEL: RARE BIRD OF FASHION

2009-12-07T10:48:00.001-05:00

What a fabulous afternoon we had in Salem on sleety icky Saturday at the Peabody Essex Museum. We treated ourselves to a docent-led tour of Iris Apfel's fashions! Wow! She has style! Before we went thru the exhibit we spied her in the fabulous PEM gift shop with Michael Vollbracht! Check out her Minnie Mouse appliqued pants! I don't think I could pull that off. I was able to take one pic inside the exhibit before the guard smacked me down! I guess you'll just have to go see these "irreverent" fashions for yourself! The exhibit is there til February.

We were in the atrium as the museum was closing for the day and saw Iris and Michael and Mr. Apfel (sooo stylish too in his mid-90s!) packing up to venture out in the icky weather and i went up to them to introduce myself and ask if my father had ever photographed her. She sweetly responded that he had not. She asked me for my card tho! Don't know why! Michael Vollbract, however, said he has the books and has long been a fan! Kinda fun! I told him I had had a very cool plaid jumpsuit of his back in the early 90s! I wonder where that is now!

After our afternoon at the museum we had an early dinner at Bella Verona alongside the Hawthorne Hotel. I love this little Italian jewel just miles from our home. Salem was looking very festive for the holidays. Note to self...check out the Salem holiday house tour this weekend next year!

I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS...AND A VERY GOOD TURKEY

2009-11-29T20:12:00.017-05:00

It's Sunday nite...and tomorrow morning i'm back to work. I'm grateful for a job that I love. And i'm extremely grateful for fabulous friends and family...and for RK, my fabulous partner in life! We've had a truly special long weekend and it will take several posts in my diary to cover it all. I'll start at the beginning...

Wednesday was dedicated to prep work and a trip to Tender Crop Farm in Rowley to pick up our 17-pound turkey. Thursday was all about cooking and eating. We were 11 for the meal...plus 2 for dessert. Thanks to an extra (rental) table and (rental) chairs and a bit of furniture switcheroo we managed to seat everyone without being too packed in.

We cooked the bird (The Barefoot Contessa's Perfect Turkey complete with pan roasted root veggies and onions), the dressing (featuring Trupiano's sausage) and the cranberry relish. Plus RK made his famous corn pudding! We had perfect little cobbles from Alexandra's Bread and an apple pie from Tender Crop. Everyone brought something...wild mushrooms wrapped in collard greens, sweet potato fries, creamed onions, brussell sprouts, pumpkin pie, sweet potato mini-cakes with cream cheese frosting...and lots of vino. Lots of cousins...in various combinations/permutations, plus our great friend BBB, one from the next generation, one aunt, one uncle, & my mom. Great food, solid teamwork, lots of laughs...a good time was had by all (except for the pups who were banished to our bedroom!)

To cousin WM we wish a speedy recovery! Addison Gilbert's not the place one wants to be for the weekend.

IN MEMORY OF OUR FRIEND JOHN WHITE

2009-11-22T07:48:00.004-05:00

Two weeks ago our friend John White passed away. He was an honorary member of our extended family and we shared many a laugh, many a meal, many a holiday. John was a raconteur and I loved hearing his stories. He was a very talented architect and my grandparents' Rowley Shore house will forever bear his stamp. He was a kind kind man who loved his family, his glorious vintage cars, his town, his friends, his beautiful home and his cat. He loved Thai Choice in Gloucester too, and they loved him. John...we'll miss you! XO

VIVA SAN PIETRO! ST. PETER'S FIESTA 2009

2009-11-22T06:21:00.017-05:00

Catch up continues. I'm almost done with diary posts looking back at Summer '09. I think it all comes down to being blessed; blessed to live in such a wonderful part of the world, and blessed to have a year filled with events that keep us busy no matter what the season. Too much fun stuff to document and not enough time to get it all posted! And who wants to stay inside uploading pix and blogging on a glorious summer day? Plus it's a lot of fun to look back.

"Many have walked it... few have conquered it."

Gloucester's summer started out really cold and rainy. But even crappy weather could not keep the revelers down during Fiesta that last week in June. For almost a week Gloucester is the center of the world. It's a bigger holiday celebration than Christmas, New Years, Halloween and Easter all rolled up! For weeks our little city gets dressed up. The carnival sets up in St. Peter's Square right next to the grand stage. The aroma of cotton candy, grilled sausage and fried dough almost drowns out the usual fishy smell of "Gloucester-by-the-smell". Everyone turns out--some more dressed up than others! Confetti canons are set up along the parade routes. Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Mayor Carolyn Kirk, our visiting friend Dave and thousands of others hit the shores and streets of Gloucester for Seine Boat Races, The Greasy Pole, Sunday's services & procession, Ambie's famous sausages, Paul Ciamantaro's swan-song days at Cafe Sicilia , brewskis at Elliott's at the Blackburn and lots more. St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen is honored, and our fleet is blessed. The Portuguese and Italian communities (and others) come together in honor of San Pietro. Legacies are honored, records are broken, and wins are celebrated. There's no more spirited city in the world during this June weekend. In the front window of Bananas on Main Street, St. Peter was honored right alongside recently departed icons Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. By the end of Fiesta we are all totally pooped--and all we do is spectate! And totally stuffed from eating at least three nites of sausage and cannoli dinners! For weeks you can find bits of green, red and white confetti as little reminders of fiesta-past. I can't help but think of the Vegas slogan when i think of Fiesta..."What happens in Gloucester, stays in Gloucester!"

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NOVEMBER SATURDAY EVER...ON CAPE ANN...PLUS A NOTE ON SANDWICHES!

2009-11-21T21:20:00.007-05:00

What a beautiful day! Thanksgiving is less than a week from now, yet today we drove around Cape Ann with the sunroof open and sunglasses on! Today was the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce's annual Home for the Holidays House Tour. My mom and I went to each of the glorious Annisquam and Lanesville homes. We saw great views, fun decor, great art, and some very clever holiday decorations. I wonder if we could go a year without our Christmas ornaments? Could i get away with putting just little white candles and a golden garland on our tree? What a treat the whole day was! Mid-tour we met RK for a yummy BLT luncheon at the Willow Rest.

I think Gloucester has the best sandwiches on earth! In the past three weeks we've had sandwiches from The Lone Gull, Duckworth Beach & The Willow Rest and never in my life have I tasted a sandwich as good as any of these. Deeelish!

REMEMBERING SUMMERTIME ON A NOVEMBER INDIAN SUMMER DAY

2009-11-21T08:21:00.036-05:00

Again...working hard to catch up. I didn't post much over the Summer...so on this (actually rather pretty and warm) November day I'm going to look back pictorially at some of the highlights of our Summer 09--days and nites spent on Cape Ann, Cape Cod and in Stone Ridge. It was baby A's first summer. He took his first ocean swim at Plum Cove. We hit the Lobster Pool for lobsta and fried clams with each visitor from out of town...which means we went a lot...with Mar, Lynette & Grant, David and more! We adored our second summer of Farmer Dave's abundant CSA but we had our own crop of tomatoes too. We had cut flowers from our front and back yard gardens from April til just a few weeks ago. We opened our wallets at the Annisquam Sea Fair's plant, art and book tables. And that nite we ate lobster on the foot bridge with great friends. The Schooner Festival did not disappoint. And we had an amazing time in Wellfleet; oysters, scallops, lots of beach, the drive-in and more. We swam in the pond in Stone Ridge, our pool, at BBB's quarry and at the beach. We showered outdoors. We threw a tented pig-roast pool party for over fifty people on THE rainiest nite of July. Our skateboarding hero cousin Walker came East on his Crabcakes & Cheese Steaks tour. We danced and sang all nite to the tunes of Billy Joel and Elton John live at Gillette Stadium. The pups loved Cape Ann Animal Aid's Dog Day and Glen's obstacle course! We made clafoutis and frittatas for breakfasts at home, and enjoyed several breakfasts on the porch at Sailor Stans and Diva. It was a short summer. But it was a beautiful one.

THE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING BAMBOO SISTERHOOD'S ADIRONDACK KNITINI WEEKEND

2009-11-15T12:25:00.018-05:00

I know, i know...i start every blog post by saying how lax i am with my blog posts. I seem to be running two or three months behind on many posts! Here's where i was a month ago...Keene Valley NY at Yarns in the Farms' Bamboo Sisterhood Knitini weekend! A week prior I had torn my ACL stumbling down the bulkhead stairs so this was a fab way for me to stay off my feet! Everyone took such good care of me. For that I am extremely grateful! We laughed and chatted as we knit up a storm (I knit a pom-pom topped hat and made great progress on my now-finished Floofy Skirt) under the magnificent tutelege of Jill and Carolyn. Jan and Suzanne led us thru a handmade book class. I wish I had whittled a walking stick! Dori and Colleen were chefs extraordinaire (praline french toast, chili, whole wheat crusted cheesy vegetable pie, pesto bowties, chicken pot pie and tons more delish taste treats)! And oh what a magical house we stayed in. It had a million bedrooms, comfy sofas in front of a huge fireplace that burned throughout our long weekend getaway, unbeatable views and that perfect Adirondack look! We were so lucky to make this trip at the peak of Autumn--the leaves were spectacular, the air crisp but not too cold. We roasted marshmallows and made smores by the bonfire, we enjoyed a lunchtime trek across the valley (others hiked, i was driven) and we even did a bit of shopping at The Birch Store. I made lots of new friends, and was delighted to have my UVM roomate Mar as my roomate once again! I drove to and fro with Jan and 'twas a great New England roadtrip including visits to Middlebury both ways and some yummy breadpudding in Randolph. We were so lucky to be able to cross Lake Champlain via the Crown Point Bridge just about a week before it was shut down.

OUR VERMONT ROAD TRIP

2009-11-13T21:17:00.010-05:00

What a treat it is each year to have Veterans Day off. It's a shame to waste this bonus midweek holiday so this year we set our alarm for 4:30 am, then packed up the pups and headed North--destination Manchester VT!

We stopped for a delish sausage & cheese omelet with homemade bread breakfast at Mr. G's Diner in Ascutney VT and we arrived at the base of Bromley Mountain at about 10. Bromley (aka Bedford Mountain) is where i learned to ski. We spent many a mid-winter weekend and Spring vacation on these sunny slopes. It's been years since I was last there (but we're inspired to go back soon and ski...knee allowing) and it was the exact same (yet very different) (miniature golf, snowboarding and spots for all sorts of other fun & games). We stretched our legs and took the pups for a short walk up towards "the Lord's Prayer" bunny slope! I'm almost six weeks post-knee injury so little hikes like this are good for me!

We then headed off to a meeting and some retail therapy at the truly fabulous Northshire Bookstore on Manchester's Main Street. Northshire is the gold standard of independent bookstores! (Key purchases included a fabulous Michele Obama bag and The Veselka Cookbook! More on that in a future post...) Manchester has changed a lot (yet not at all) since my childhood. I've seen the beauty of Manchester in the sunny blue sky of summer time, in crystal white of winter and at the fiery golden peak of "leaf season". Altho' all the leaves have fallen and have already been raked up there's still a stark beauty to this classic New England town...if only the outlets weren't there. Armani, Escada, Kate Spade and Lily Pulitzer in Vermont? Eegads.

However, the gorgeous Equinox Inn and the big white houses and yellow court house on Main Street remain intact. There probably isn't a prettier Main Street in America. The pups loved our pond-side walk thru the Orvis meadow; cat-tails, trout filled ponds and a grey heron. Classic!

We hit Bob's Diner for a turkey/stuffing & cranberry sandwich (ymmmm) then headed home. As we hit North on 91 we were treated to a glorious pink sunset that pretty much summed up the beauty of our day. Robert fed the dogs their dinner in the parking lot at Simon Pearce while I made a quick stroll through their seconds department (celadon green plates...ooh la la!) It was a long but glorious day and a true luxury to be back in our own bed by 7:30 pm!

CRAFT THERAPY

2009-11-08T18:26:00.008-05:00

Five weeks ago yesterday i tore my ACL and Meniscus while walking down our granite bulkhead/cellar stairs during the delivery of our new Electrolux washer & dryer. When not at the office, it's been five weeks of mostly rest & relaxation--under doctor's orders!-- which means I've had lots of time for knitting and a bit of quilting. It's been a real treat to sit in my leather armchair by the fire knitting for hours on end! I haven't felt too guilty that I'm not doing yardwork, or laundry or housecleaning. It's laundry that got me into this knee-thing in the first place!

I've knocked off several hats; 2 chemo caps for cousin Tracey (one of which is modeled herewith by Phoebe), a striped birthday hat for cousin Carolyn, and a pom-pom topped hat for myself. I've finished the floofy skirt that I started when I was at SAW in September. And last Monday I took a lace class at Yarns in the Farms (this iphone photo taken Halloween evening just moments after completing the skirt! Yarns in the Farms was my first destination once I could drive again after 4 weeks of being chauffeured around by RK and friends) and by Wednesday nite I'd finished a glorious lavender cashmere neck-warmer. Part two of the class is tomorrow nite and I cannot wait to pick out another cashmere so I can make another one of these luscious cowls. I've got my eye on a pretty green yarn!

I also have a small sampler quilt in the works, and several other hat and scarf projects to finish within the next month. At the rate my knee is healing i'll have lots of opportunity to get these projects completed by the holidays!

AUTUMN IN NEW ENGLAND

2009-10-15T09:23:00.007-04:00

I've been remiss about blogging. I'm late late late on posting about my fabulous time at Squam Art Workshops last month. The blog entry is written i just have to insert millions of pix. I haven't blogged about missing a step on the basement stairs two Saturday's ago...resulting in a torn ACL or LCL or Miniscus...or a combination thereof (lots of doctors and PT sessions keeping me busy). I haven't blogged about my trip to Keene Valley in the Adirondacks this past weekend for Knitini 09 with the gals from Yarns in the Farms. I've been busy! I have been enjoying my favorite season the year...and fabulous Fall foliage!

And this weekend I'll continue to do so.

Saturday....The Massachusetts Poetry Festival in nearby Lowell. http://www.masspoetry.org/ My cousin Nicco is a featured poet and he's been instrumental in organizing the festival! Then in nearby Dracut we have an entire daylong party to drop in on at Farmer Dave's...topped off by a potluck dinner. Farmer Dave is the man responsible for our fabulous CSA. There will be hayrides, pumpkins, a maze and more. And hopefully no rain! Crutches don't work that well in the mud.

And then on Sunday (again...please no rain!!)---I'm going flea-marketing with Eddie Ross at Todd Farm in Rowley. I adore Eddie and his partner Jaithan....and i adore Todd Farm. And i have a bit of birthday cash in my pocket so hopefully with Eddie's guidance i'll find some real treasures. I discovered Eddie on Bravo's Top Design...and I adore following his blog. And we are even working on a hush hush "project" together for next Spring. Are you familiar with http://www.eddieross.com/? Make sure to check it out!

LOOKING BACKWARDS TO SEPTEMBER WHILE LOOKING FORWARD TO JUNE

2009-10-03T11:47:00.029-04:00

(nb...i started this post on October 3rd and never finished it til today, November 15th...when i pretty much rewrote the entire thing) It's the middle of November. It's chilly and bleak. Today while surfing the radio dial I came across the 24/7 Christmas Carol station. It's been over two months since Patrick Swayze lost his life to pancreatic cancer. It's been more than two months since the greens and blues of Summer became the yellows, oranges and greys of Autumn. Just a bit more than two months ago the leaves were just starting to turn. Now they've almost all fallen from the trees. Just over two months ago I packed a bathing suit in my duffel bag (but never took the plunge). Today I wore a parka, wool scarf and boots to the beach. It's been more than two months since I tapped back into my creative soul during Squam Art Workshops' Fall edition.

This time around I was blessed to be one of the Golden Girl of Eldorado. No Sophia, Rose, Blanche or Dorothy amongst us. The 2009 cast featured me, Kirsty, Carol, Mary Beth, two Susans, Peg, Kelley, Barbara, Gretchen, and Jenny. We clicked that first nite by the glorious fire, and we never stopped talking, sharing or laughing. Two coffee pots, a tea kettle, chocolate, chips and lots of wine kept us going 'round the clock. We were painters, knitters, jewelry creators, photographers, writers and mixed-media masters. We came to Eldorado from CA, New England, Alberta, OK, MO, MD, and VA. http://jennydoh.typepad.com/crescendo/2009/09/knitting-with-a-twig.html

By day I tapped into my newly discovered creative soul. Nurtured by the fabulous Lisa Occhipinti, Sarah Ahern, Christine Mason Miller and Marisa Haedike (and of course the magnificent Elizabeth MacCrellish--Czarina of Squam) I was urged to think outside of the box; play with all sorts of new mediums; integrate paint, patterns, colors, found objects text & image; and create a book in a day! I learned the joy of keeping an art journal. I found new uses for ephemera and old photos. I spent the three days of workshops in my paint splattered apron, my hands covered with glue, listening to great music (the amazing Jonatha Brooke live by the bonfire our first nite, and some fun ipod mixes during class) and making wonderful new friends. It was bliss. Bliss 2 hours from home. (And did I mention the food?!)

I am in love with Squam Lake and all that surrounds it; woods and mountains everywhere. No cell service. There's a glorious sky from dawn thru sunset. Light that only a painter can capture...a camera can't come close. The air is scented with pine cones and a freshness no fabric softener could ever duplicate. No streetlights, no honking horns. Ice from an ice house and lovely luminarias in ice. Loons lulled us to sleep each night. I am in love with Rockwold-Deephaven camps. When we were more Rockywold-centered in June I couldn't imagine that Deephaven could be just as spectacular! How could i love any other cabin just as much as I did Satis?

The first Monday of January 2010 I will bounce out of bed bright and early to check the Squam Art Workshops website so that I can sign up for June and September. I'm already starting to ponder the type of classes i'll choose for June. Will i want to knit? Or sew? And what about September...do i dare leap headfirst into painting? I know that when i hit Rt. 93 headed North that first Wednesday in June I'll be really nervous. What if I don't know anyone? What if I'm not as talented as everyone else? I now know that those are foolish thoughts. No matter what happens I'll have an amazing adventure. I'll meet wonderful people. I'll find little bits of talent hidden deep within me. I'll have an absolute blast and I'll return home beaming. Damn...it's a long time between now and June.

{Affirmations courtesy of Marisa and Christine. Woodland creations courtesy of artisan elves. Fanciful fascinator (and everything else good) courtesy of the ladies who make SAW come together. Odes to PS courtesy of ??? Those same elves perhaps.}

LIVING UP TO HIS NAME

2009-09-28T17:32:00.007-04:00

Just look at this dog. Do you see sweet? Naughty? Curious?

When we adopted Scrappy from Jack Russell Rescue almost 8 years ago I wanted to name him Arthur but the saintly Dale Mountan prevailed! She told me that an Arthur had to be dignified...and that Scrappy was just that...scrappy...and could never live up to the name Arthur! She was right!

This weekend was just one more day on our long list of adventures with Scrappy. On Saturday during a walk on Niles Beach, unbeknownst to Robert, he ate a bone...but luckily he didn't swallow it. Nope..instead, somehow this bone became lodged in his mouth. He was in misery...scruffling his shnoz on the ground (scruffling means walking on your nose in dog lingo)...refusing to drink etc. Then we noticed blood on his face and on his paws. Robert held him while i tried to shine a flashlight in his mouth to see what i could find...to no avail.

Thank goodness Dr. French at Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital was open...our usual vet was not. They agreed to see us right away and swept us into our own exam room the minute we arrived carrying our pretty miserable pup. Two vet tech gals came right in...and moments later one of them pried his mouth open...saw what she was looking for and quickly grabbed it out! Four inches of bone...straight with a little hook-like-thingee at the end. Poor baby dog! Daring young vet tech! Our hero! We'll never know what kind of bone; fish? chicken? animal? Someone's picnic refuse (please don't litter our beaches people! Bring it in, carry it out!) or something more organic?

Scrappy was very good with the vet tech(s). He didn't growl or nip or battle her in any way. But...then Dr. French walked in to make sure he was AOK. Scrappy would not let the doctor near him....absolutely not! He'd had enough fun for one day.

All's well that ends well. And will he learn? Probably not! Will we watch more carefully while on our beach walks? You betcha! He's a full fledged Scrappy and we should never forget it!

A big thanks to Dr. French and the gals who support him at Cape Ann Veterinary Hospital! We love you!

WHO KNOWS WHAT THESE ARE FOR?

2009-09-20T20:55:00.006-04:00

The answer sometime later this week...along with many pictures of my awesome return trip to Squam Art Workshops. I'm just too pooped to post more than this right now. Off to bed...and then back to reality.

THE BEAUTY AND BOUNTY OF THE SUMMER GARDEN

2009-09-13T16:56:00.025-04:00

Tons of rain has meant spectacular gardens; at our house, in Stone Ridge, on Cape Cod and on the Sargent House Garden Tour. Farmer Dave's weekly CSA deliveries have been bountiful. We have eaten magnificent fruits & veggies (ours and Farmer Dave's) and our many vases have been put to good use all summer long with flowers from our own gardens.

A FAMILY-FILLED SUMMER--PART TWO

2009-09-12T22:30:00.024-04:00

And my family-filled summer was also filled with Aarons family! We were blessed to be part of Baby A's first Fourth of July, his first lobster dinner, his first weekend of crawling, his first visit to Plum Cove and his magical first ocean swim. How much fun it is to have these wonderful cousins in our life!