It's All About The WHIMSY!

Today's To Do

Today's to do list begins with conducting a walking tour of Historic Wickford. This is the final adventure of the year with the third graders I've had the pleasure to guide as they learn about their community from it's founding.  We will end the morning exploring a historic cemetery-always the best part!

 

 

Then home to plant these beauties in the veggie garden.

 

 

Isn't this the most creative seed potato packaging?  Looks like a little present, certified organic from Maine.

 

 

I am experimenting with grow bags this year.  It's always fun to try something new.  With these you can grow root veggies above ground for an easier harvest.  Should also make for longer carrots..with less effort.  I will record this with interest.  In theory a grand idea, fewer speared potatoes at harvest. 

 

And then I will drink iced tea and stare at this beauty!

 

Happy Friday!

Mother Nature at work in the garden

How can you not LOVE spring

when the magic begins anew with a burst of color and texture.

Amazing!!

 

 

 

 

Spectacular!!

Now go outside and PLAY!

Winter morning

IPhone Photo

There has been no snow to speak of in a winter marked by relatively mild temperatures...but this morning's sunrise brought

magical ice crystals in the Sun Room...

actual air temperature  ~ 0.  

BRRRR!

Wednesday musings...

Halloween decorations are gradually being scattered throughout the house...

I LOVE this little face!

This guy is pretty cute too!

A Witches Hut at my favorite garden center.  Can you see her? She's lurking inside. ...creepy but wonderful.

I picked the last of the carrots yesterday afternoon, the garden is officially put to "bed" for the season...Yes these are red carrots!

These are yummy Liberty apples from the Farmers Market. They really are the colors of Fall: red, orange, yellow.. 

Just like this beautiful tree in the Church yard...see- red, orange, yellow. Full disclosure- I took this photo last year..

I live in a small coastal community in New England where we are usually blessd with spectacular color each Autumn...

But guess what?  

None, Zip, NADA!  A combination of hurricane damage and wet weather has greatly dampened the season...here's what my wooded yard looked like yesterday..

Greens and browns...just a hint of red and honestly that might be cardinals sitting in the tree! A large number of trees have already lost all their leaves from salt damage...

I am heading to Maine for a few days, here's hoping for

reds, oranges, and yellows there.

It's Thursday and I'm Thankful!

Candlelight for dinner on Sunday night as Hurricane Irene wound down.

I am thankful that the power is back on!  It's been a long week for many.  We were without for three days, many here won't have power until next week. Oh the joy of a hot shower! No pictures of that, sorry. We had to toss the entire contents of our refrigerator/freezer but have learned that our insurance will cover it!  A happy surprise.

I am thankful that the damage was not as bad as it could have been.  Many lost trees and houses were damaged however the storm surge did not cause extensive damage and no lives were lost.  We spent a day cleaning up debris but lost no major trees.  A few images of damage around the village.

Remember all those silly people who left their boats in the water? 

A few creative storm barriers on the shops in Wickford...

I am thankful for a house full of storm guests who cooked on the grill, helped wash dishes, played games and were otherwise cheerful companions!

Hiking headlamps sure came in handy!

And after the worst passed we went to check on damage..

Still a bit windy!

I am thankful that the National Guard came to direct traffic..not a single traffic light working statewide for days..

And thankful that my daughter FINALLY found a pair of rainboots!!

Awesome Hunters in pink! 

Of interest to me was I really didn't miss the landline phone, cable or internet...being unplugged, not so bad.  

I AM thankful for my IPhone which allowed me to stay in touch with family and friends but really, TV? Not!

 I notice it's hardly been on since the power returned...

Seems to be the new motto here.

   It's September 2st, only 2 more months left in Hurricane Season!

Sometimes a picture says it all....

It's been an interesting few days...

power, internet, cable and phone are finally back on..

Not too worry I have stories and life lessons to share but for the moment all is well and returning to normal...we all need a good night's sleep!

A visitor named Irene

 

Mother Nature is paying a visit ...

The village of Wickford is preparing for a storm surge of 4-8 feet

and whatever winds Irene throws at us.

 We are well provisioned and will ride it out at home...  

I wonder, will the cove look this pretty on Monday morning?  Or will it be littered with these?

silly people who are not removing their boats!

Some have taped their windows, others using plywood..

I will update on the other side!  If you too are in the path of Hurricane Irene I wish you safe passage.

Whatever will be will be....

Hurricane Irene will be a weekend guest here...

Did I mention that I live in a small coastal village in southern New England?

Stacks and stacks of water..

Watching and making preparations...

freezing in the event of a long term power outage..

candles, loads of candles...

batteries, flashlights, etc..

lanterns...

And of course the camera!

"I do hope the trees don't get tired and lay down..."

The boys of summer...Part 2

 
A few more adventures with the boys of summer!

Dell's Lemonade at Mystic Aquarium, a local treat!

The first, ever, taste of lobster!  They loved it!  A little uncertain about watching the whole steaming them in a big pot..but they gave in after the first one went in.

The daily afternoon swim to cool off.

Isn't this a beauty?  Experienced the bird house in Mystic, AMAZING!

Spent evenings in the studio making masterpieces!

Aunty M's busy creating!

Some serious talent here!

Farmers Market goodies..Aunt Icey and Robbie..

the bread never made it back to the house..

Traditional front porch farewell photo...

I've been advised that next year's Auntie Camp has been increased to two weeks...Awesome!

Love these boys!!

The boys of summer...Part 1

Meet the boys...Robbie and Pat,  my nephews from the Midwest who came for a week of adventures by the sea.  In what is now officially known as "Aunt Camp" we rambled far and wide in the tiniest state of the Union.

Day one adventures included a trip to Newport and a chance to play on the lawn of the Breakers Mansion.  They loved the tour!  And the Gift Shop!

Scrambling on the rocks at Beavertail State Park along the Atlantic coast, investigation tide pools...

We managed to stay "mostly" dry...

Posing at the Beavertail lighthouse with My Sistie Ugler Mary, Pat's Mom. She was "assistant camp councelor" for the beginning of the week.  

And of course some retail therapy in the Village of Wickford!

Love the paper hats at Different Drummer!  Stay tuned for day 2!