tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50150277617419816342024-03-16T14:53:07.005-04:00New England as I see itAnneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-12309066417563391992013-02-16T11:02:00.002-05:002013-02-16T11:02:54.375-05:00Cape Cod Nautical<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the snow is falling outside my window this Saturday morning, I'm browsing trough some old Cape Cod pics from last summer and dream away.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don't recall where they are all from.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCIEDB2xT84/UR-aNYO8KuI/AAAAAAAADXo/8RhpvHqaPu0/s1600/IMG_6987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iCIEDB2xT84/UR-aNYO8KuI/AAAAAAAADXo/8RhpvHqaPu0/s320/IMG_6987.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This sail cloth duffel bag shop is from Main Street, Chatham though. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Eye candy!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love the classic Cape Cod houses with their characteristic weathered shingles and white trim. I could live very happily in one of those houses above, with all my blue and white striped shirts, neatly folded in a walk in closet and an assortment of <a href="http://pinterest.com/anneliec/nautical/" target="_blank">Sperry</a> boat shoes by the door.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQnZdI23jp8/UR-aZcOXEZI/AAAAAAAADX8/0h1FlMFEZks/s1600/IMG_6997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQnZdI23jp8/UR-aZcOXEZI/AAAAAAAADX8/0h1FlMFEZks/s320/IMG_6997.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm n</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ot sure what it is about the sea, beach towns, marinas and nautical </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">images and patterns that captures me.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Q9C_eEAbw0/UR-abR-BOfI/AAAAAAAADYE/8eVuFtB4eus/s1600/IMG_7007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Q9C_eEAbw0/UR-abR-BOfI/AAAAAAAADYE/8eVuFtB4eus/s320/IMG_7007.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I find red white and blue, especially in striped form, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to be just stunning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You should know how many blue and white striped shirts I have in my closet. I can't get enough.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think the stripes magically take me to a happy place - the ocean.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEU262ONrXg/UR-ah2v_zTI/AAAAAAAADYM/PwJUy5GwoP8/s1600/IMG_7010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEU262ONrXg/UR-ah2v_zTI/AAAAAAAADYM/PwJUy5GwoP8/s320/IMG_7010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Old ships in the marina with names that makes your imagination wander... I find them captivating...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They pull me in.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Double Trouble </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't you wonder how?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am a nautical goddess! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(No, not me, silly, her, Artemis.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Old and rusty with a simple (seemingly random) number just enhances the beauty of the ship. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I wouldn't like to have a rusty boat myself (if I had one), but I could look at somebody else's boat and think it's a "beaut".</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An old weathered and worn pulley in all it's charm.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Would love to put it on my wall.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am dreaming away to the approaching summer and to the coast.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I can almost hear the waves and the seagulls on the beach and feel the warmth of the sun that is about to set.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is a place that makes me happy.</span></div>
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Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com147tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-77770961840449837112012-11-04T11:02:00.001-05:002012-11-04T11:07:29.247-05:00LeeksCame across some gorgeous native leeks today. Looks like potato leek soup will be served soon. Unplanned, but these beauties are hard to resist. In to the grocery cart they went. <br />
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What's your favorite leek recipe?<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6FIEO6h4pPo/UJaReYmH8EI/AAAAAAAADVI/ZQC3WkUqJZs/s640/blogger-image--1343620318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6FIEO6h4pPo/UJaReYmH8EI/AAAAAAAADVI/ZQC3WkUqJZs/s640/blogger-image--1343620318.jpg" /></a></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com10Idylwilde Farm Inc 366 Central Street, Acton42.483692 -71.47764tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-86798009784008927962012-10-16T13:41:00.000-04:002012-10-16T13:41:44.057-04:00A Bit of Old England in New England<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While out walking my dog this morning at <a href="http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/wma/northeast_maps.htm">Delaney</a>, I stumbled upon a FOX HUNT.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZnsiU0qBCo/UH2Q5lH5aHI/AAAAAAAADT0/efSyUWlofhE/s1600/IMG_8063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZnsiU0qBCo/UH2Q5lH5aHI/AAAAAAAADT0/efSyUWlofhE/s640/IMG_8063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was the <a href="http://oldnorthbridgehounds.org/">Old North Bridge Hounds</a> out of Concord, MA,</div>
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hunting in our Stow forests on this gorgeous fall day.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSAn1FL5PJ8/UH2Q-hFuvFI/AAAAAAAADT8/YoxKozHDqYM/s1600/IMG_8064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSAn1FL5PJ8/UH2Q-hFuvFI/AAAAAAAADT8/YoxKozHDqYM/s640/IMG_8064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although they call it hunting, there are no actual animals being chased.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKZMIf_BOek/UH2RKGdMU2I/AAAAAAAADUE/05TAETGdGXg/s1600/IMG_8066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gKZMIf_BOek/UH2RKGdMU2I/AAAAAAAADUE/05TAETGdGXg/s640/IMG_8066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Two legged "foxes" lay a scent trail for the hounds to sniff and follow.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OWQukNXp_I/UH2ROOA6zMI/AAAAAAAADUM/ZhiF7hc6-os/s1600/IMG_8071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OWQukNXp_I/UH2ROOA6zMI/AAAAAAAADUM/ZhiF7hc6-os/s640/IMG_8071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were 9 beautiful HOUNDS leading the hunt.</div>
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Sooooo eager to go, you should have heard them.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V43VciUUC8E/UH2RVarwQmI/AAAAAAAADUY/yLV9L5x8cJY/s1600/IMG_8082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V43VciUUC8E/UH2RVarwQmI/AAAAAAAADUY/yLV9L5x8cJY/s640/IMG_8082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the "tail"end of the fox hunt, on their way back to their temporary camp.</div>
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Horses and hounds are taken care of and the Fox Hunt ends with tailgating.</div>
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These people were the friendlies bunch I've ever run into.</div>
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I was offered tailgating "tea" and Bloody Mary's and they shared stories with me.</div>
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Makes me wanna join the fun.</div>
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Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-22470711772936903102012-10-14T21:55:00.001-04:002012-10-14T22:00:45.890-04:00Blogger AppTesting the Blogger app and blogging with iphone. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--5qLwgOXADc/UHtuTC8omAI/AAAAAAAADTk/GevAVuezn1Q/s640/blogger-image--1054592964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--5qLwgOXADc/UHtuTC8omAI/AAAAAAAADTk/GevAVuezn1Q/s640/blogger-image--1054592964.jpg" /></a></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-78174148576495878782012-07-02T07:47:00.017-04:002012-07-02T10:55:54.464-04:00Lavender Wands<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">Gosh!!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Just couldn't stand my "Merry Christmas" wish anymore, so I just went ahead and skipped about six MONTHS(!!!) forward to some lovely <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#6633ff;">LAVENDER</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cI1fGm4CAU/T_GRPUrbplI/AAAAAAAADS0/8NM0iAE2zrY/s1600/IMG_6204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--cI1fGm4CAU/T_GRPUrbplI/AAAAAAAADS0/8NM0iAE2zrY/s400/IMG_6204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760545090818516562" /></a>My friend Cara invited me over to show me how to make lavender wands.<br /></span><table> <tbody><tr><td><br /><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0e81hsK4cCY/T_GQWdByroI/AAAAAAAADSo/zJ_IWJWebYw/s400/IMG_6238.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760544113807240834" /><br /><p></p></td> <td><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hNswpYUHBEU/T_GQPbFdisI/AAAAAAAADSc/BmIt_Yo4xRw/s400/IMG_6181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760543993026677442" /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">You cut enough for a small bouquet, we used 13 flowers.</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">An uneven number is key for weaving the band through the stems.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Also, pick them while buds are still unopened, and about 20" should be enough.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><table> <tbody><tr><td><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Pt-jwXh8r0/T_GPXlC4_FI/AAAAAAAADSQ/IJkgPnvpDTs/s400/IMG_6182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760543033627573330" /><br /><p></p></td> <td><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6vCNnPouZms/T_GPXVaD_sI/AAAAAAAADSE/OuMdA0XrZF8/s400/IMG_6184.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760543029429796546" /><br /><p></p></td></tr> </tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Cut about a yard of thin ribbon, line up the bottom buds, and tie a double knot just below.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">(Remove any little stray buds or leaves on the stems before you start.) </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Turn bouquet upside-down and start folding down the stems just at the ribbon point.<br /><br /><br /></span><table><tbody><tr><td><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNAUMjT47aM/T_GM-XdsLpI/AAAAAAAADRg/DK-PZBXjk3M/s400/IMG_6185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760540401461898898" /><br /><p></p></td> <td><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QzrEEyrX044/T_GM93aT8aI/AAAAAAAADRU/jEpp396B3i0/s400/IMG_6186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760540392857792930" /><br /><p></p></td></tr> </tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Pull out the ribbon and start weaving through the stems. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">It doesn't matter if you weave clockwise or counter clockwise.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Experienced Cara weaved looser than me which created a bit more of a bulbous wand.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVNuA_C1gxs/T_GMnVPRCHI/AAAAAAAADRI/SFp8ayQKOtk/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eVNuA_C1gxs/T_GMnVPRCHI/AAAAAAAADRI/SFp8ayQKOtk/s400/IMG_6188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760540005727537266" /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:100%;">Weave,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBzXyY1CmvM/T_GMm5kRleI/AAAAAAAADQ8/1bQvAFF-IlI/s1600/IMG_6187.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBzXyY1CmvM/T_GMm5kRleI/AAAAAAAADQ8/1bQvAFF-IlI/s400/IMG_6187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760539998299461090" /></a><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:100%;">and weave,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo56GGwOeOM/T_GMmdBlx-I/AAAAAAAADQw/u4CTIsy8V4U/s1600/IMG_6193.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo56GGwOeOM/T_GMmdBlx-I/AAAAAAAADQw/u4CTIsy8V4U/s400/IMG_6193.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760539990637791202" /></a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">and weave until you reach the last lavender buds trapped inside.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLGVfrbrx9Y/T_GMJ4Qa_JI/AAAAAAAADQk/AqfyZLvdgS8/s1600/IMG_6195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLGVfrbrx9Y/T_GMJ4Qa_JI/AAAAAAAADQk/AqfyZLvdgS8/s400/IMG_6195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760539499731549330" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:100%;">Bring the ribbon around and up under, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqFqaokNaXY/T_GMAtJmJiI/AAAAAAAADQY/_feSBJiJNlw/s1600/IMG_6198.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqFqaokNaXY/T_GMAtJmJiI/AAAAAAAADQY/_feSBJiJNlw/s400/IMG_6198.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760539342131308066" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:100%;">then wrap around to desired length.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttZk9ElWl8k/T_GKycFnBKI/AAAAAAAADQA/lbA6D7VlKC4/s1600/IMG_6209.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttZk9ElWl8k/T_GKycFnBKI/AAAAAAAADQA/lbA6D7VlKC4/s400/IMG_6209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760537997521388706" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:100%;">Finish off with a bow tie and trim the stems.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeBTgXlw5TM/T_GKx-G5AOI/AAAAAAAADP0/4uN_f7G5nb8/s1600/IMG_6204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XeBTgXlw5TM/T_GKx-G5AOI/AAAAAAAADP0/4uN_f7G5nb8/s400/IMG_6204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760537989473698018" /></a>There!!!</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">A lavender wand to put in your unmentionables drawer, in the napkin ring at the dinner table (NOT interchangeably!!!), or just about anywhere you want something pretty and home made that smells fantastic.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Thank you Cara for showing me how to do these!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-79211583292638956002011-12-25T15:53:00.000-05:002011-12-25T15:54:26.353-05:00Merry Christmas!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u99l3y7I2ew/TveNaJ_gchI/AAAAAAAADN0/Na4HLG300Jw/s1600/IMG_3464-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u99l3y7I2ew/TveNaJ_gchI/AAAAAAAADN0/Na4HLG300Jw/s400/IMG_3464-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690172134704312850" /></a>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-76751472546057785302011-12-11T08:02:00.016-05:002011-12-11T17:14:56.952-05:00Finding Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">Last weekend I found the Christmas spirit that I was missing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is how I found it.</div><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="5px"><tbody><tr><td><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcBmfZa0IZE/TuS02qpC78I/AAAAAAAADNM/473r_T43Uxc/s1600/IMG_3085.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcBmfZa0IZE/TuS02qpC78I/AAAAAAAADNM/473r_T43Uxc/s400/IMG_3085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684867480900792258" /></a></td><td><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtsVD_Rtw84/TuS02UPCmZI/AAAAAAAADNA/wIMT7t0Wfk4/s1600/IMG_3094.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtsVD_Rtw84/TuS02UPCmZI/AAAAAAAADNA/wIMT7t0Wfk4/s400/IMG_3094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684867474886138258" /></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Saturday morning, </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">we went to Bolton Spring Farm to pick out our Christmas tree.</span></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RV6FUYdNe8c/TuS0kt9q72I/AAAAAAAADM0/NvQpKGnomlM/s1600/IMG_3103.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RV6FUYdNe8c/TuS0kt9q72I/AAAAAAAADM0/NvQpKGnomlM/s400/IMG_3103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684867172554960738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While my three men were picking through the options,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(this is a very important decision, you know) </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I had a cup of hot apple cider in the sun.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wow, I realize that you can actually see my eyes behind </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">these shades. I need to get a new pair to hide behind.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TuC40hwlRvc/TuSzqnUFWVI/AAAAAAAADMo/P4Q9zXQAAxA/s1600/IMG_3096.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TuC40hwlRvc/TuSzqnUFWVI/AAAAAAAADMo/P4Q9zXQAAxA/s400/IMG_3096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684866174337505618" /></a><br /><table><tbody></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I also checked out the roping.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Beautiful!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I want it all, to wrap around everything inside and outside the house. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It smells and looks sooo good.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But I don't think we're getting any this year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Didn't stop me from taking deep breaths of their fresh pine:y scent though.</span></div><div><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="5px"><tbody><tr><td><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n1LY3fTxalM/TuSzF0D4XNI/AAAAAAAADMc/Zq1QKi4rKJQ/s1600/IMG_3224.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n1LY3fTxalM/TuSzF0D4XNI/AAAAAAAADMc/Zq1QKi4rKJQ/s400/IMG_3224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684865542104046802" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1U-vf7Z72VE/TuSzFqWKNNI/AAAAAAAADMQ/WUoKP1KKaZ0/s1600/IMG_3212.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1U-vf7Z72VE/TuSzFqWKNNI/AAAAAAAADMQ/WUoKP1KKaZ0/s400/IMG_3212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684865539496359122" /></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My men decided on a beautiful Fraser Fir tree, </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A lot shorter, and more appropriately sized this year.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We took it home, set it up, and turned on the Christmas music.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> We had more hot cider and some warm cider donuts, and started decorating.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Strange though, after the cider and donuts where gone,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">so where my little helpers?!?</span></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZvMfgVvzOI/TuSx_rZ3qlI/AAAAAAAADME/wjR1d4-z6as/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZvMfgVvzOI/TuSx_rZ3qlI/AAAAAAAADME/wjR1d4-z6as/s400/IMG_3071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684864337189513810" /></a><br /><table><tbody></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I added some Christmas on top of my grandfather's old silver tray.</span></div><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="5px"><tbody><tr><td><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGV0a04rrgU/TuSw0V2FGxI/AAAAAAAADL4/gY3g2zGNgA0/s1600/IMG_3254.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGV0a04rrgU/TuSw0V2FGxI/AAAAAAAADL4/gY3g2zGNgA0/s400/IMG_3254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684863042912066322" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ex1iBjjCGg/TuSwzt7dTJI/AAAAAAAADLs/VEJzX2fv0ow/s1600/IMG_3251.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ex1iBjjCGg/TuSwzt7dTJI/AAAAAAAADLs/VEJzX2fv0ow/s400/IMG_3251.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684863032197205138" /></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And added some more "tablescaping" and "mantelscaping".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Those are words I just recently learned.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For all of you also new to these words, they basically mean </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to tastefully accessorize and decorate tables and mantels.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm not showing more than what you see above </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">so that you may not judge me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hehe!</span></div><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="5px"><tbody><tr><td><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8fX3iI_8QQ/TuSvYFAn8fI/AAAAAAAADLU/J89PSKPcI9Q/s1600/IMG_3079.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8fX3iI_8QQ/TuSvYFAn8fI/AAAAAAAADLU/J89PSKPcI9Q/s400/IMG_3079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684861457844924914" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaBA_vKlv_0/TuSvYVkAByI/AAAAAAAADLg/GZ8ZIuNgrpU/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaBA_vKlv_0/TuSvYVkAByI/AAAAAAAADLg/GZ8ZIuNgrpU/s400/IMG_3229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684861462288271138" /></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oh, and I also decorated the wreath (doorscaping???) that my husband got, </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">with ribbon and owls so that when UPS and FedEx delivers boxes, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">they have something peaceful to look at </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">before they meet my Security and Customs representative.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My Boston Terror, Mr Sanders.</span></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILhcnk3d7rk/TuSu_rgTKJI/AAAAAAAADLI/iLzrXaS-038/s1600/IMG_3138.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILhcnk3d7rk/TuSu_rgTKJI/AAAAAAAADLI/iLzrXaS-038/s400/IMG_3138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684861038681598098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then I had to go in to Boston to help out at the annual </span><a href="http://sweaboston.org/yuletide_eng.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Swedish Yuletide</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On my way there, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I passed by Christmas Carolers singing beautifully on Newbury Street.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wow, now THAT gave a spirit boost.</span></div><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="5px"><tbody><tr><td><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpwMhLr2inY/TuStwX0NL8I/AAAAAAAADK8/kRe8PKiOcoI/s1600/IMG_3143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpwMhLr2inY/TuStwX0NL8I/AAAAAAAADK8/kRe8PKiOcoI/s400/IMG_3143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684859676186718146" /></a><br /></td><td><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90uKpKZ1Zqo/TuStv46g60I/AAAAAAAADKw/i21gzUZlIXM/s1600/IMG_3142.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90uKpKZ1Zqo/TuStv46g60I/AAAAAAAADKw/i21gzUZlIXM/s400/IMG_3142.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684859667891678018" /></a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I had a big Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and shopped a bit at Cartier.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Not really, I am on the chubby side, while my wallet isn't, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">so that was just in my imagination.</span></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s59UGcbor2A/TuSsrbDPRFI/AAAAAAAADKk/8lbcBYz2xX4/s1600/IMG_3160.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s59UGcbor2A/TuSsrbDPRFI/AAAAAAAADKk/8lbcBYz2xX4/s400/IMG_3160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684858491644101714" /></a><br /><table><tbody></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Outside the Prudential, I saw the biggest Christmas tree ornament EVER.</span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBR4ekiFLQU/TuSsXpC24nI/AAAAAAAADKY/9ig1pSLKCvg/s1600/IMG_3177.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBR4ekiFLQU/TuSsXpC24nI/AAAAAAAADKY/9ig1pSLKCvg/s400/IMG_3177.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684858151803216498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No pictures from the Yuletide, I was too busy working, </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but on the way home I walked through Boston Common and saw its Christmas tree.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So I'll show you that instead.</span></div><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="5px" cellspacing="5px"><tbody><tr><td><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94I-0bSsyEM/TuSrlMGEG5I/AAAAAAAADKM/RlK6aR1kOfA/s1600/IMG_3196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94I-0bSsyEM/TuSrlMGEG5I/AAAAAAAADKM/RlK6aR1kOfA/s400/IMG_3196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684857285038578578" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Su9M8stGxL4/TuSrkpxdNeI/AAAAAAAADKA/9FQ4NFMs9H0/s1600/IMG_3186.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Su9M8stGxL4/TuSrkpxdNeI/AAAAAAAADKA/9FQ4NFMs9H0/s400/IMG_3186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684857275825337826" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><table></table></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And lastly, I watched people skating on Frog Pond </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to the sound of Christmas tunes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">At the end of this day, I had found Christmas.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Good thing, cause it's really getting close now.</span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-88127251296061944922011-12-01T18:50:00.013-05:002011-12-01T20:13:57.207-05:00Down Rt. 117<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I woke up to a foggy Sunday morning,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">grabbed my camera and went for a short ride eastward, down Rt. 117 .</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPR-Z2W-cu4/TtgUs3SazjI/AAAAAAAADB4/5hnYdWZ2IGE/s1600/IMG_2926.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPR-Z2W-cu4/TtgUs3SazjI/AAAAAAAADB4/5hnYdWZ2IGE/s400/IMG_2926.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681313690915884594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lower Village Cemetery in Stow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DASPKQh4sCg/TtgUkKWjhSI/AAAAAAAADBs/YMmPDcsYMWs/s1600/IMG_3031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DASPKQh4sCg/TtgUkKWjhSI/AAAAAAAADBs/YMmPDcsYMWs/s400/IMG_3031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681313541414683938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">St. Bridget's Cemetary, Maynard</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiW5VHMeVTY/TtgUZ26rjeI/AAAAAAAADBg/FuDq0qxsAHE/s1600/IMG_3026.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiW5VHMeVTY/TtgUZ26rjeI/AAAAAAAADBg/FuDq0qxsAHE/s400/IMG_3026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681313364398804450" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e09iEZGr2fU/TtgUZtdyEpI/AAAAAAAADBU/k6hGX_2IZRk/s1600/IMG_3029.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e09iEZGr2fU/TtgUZtdyEpI/AAAAAAAADBU/k6hGX_2IZRk/s400/IMG_3029.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681313361861677714" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">St. Bridget's Cemetery, Maynard.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I love the stone wall and the dried leaves that bring out the brown tones in the stones.</span></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4vipLAb8DQ/TtgUG8C1_aI/AAAAAAAADBI/hNB49-8FD4E/s1600/IMG_2932.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4vipLAb8DQ/TtgUG8C1_aI/AAAAAAAADBI/hNB49-8FD4E/s400/IMG_2932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681313039357705634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Frost tipped grass.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDWuJHTCBic/TtgUGjtoZdI/AAAAAAAADA8/CgxmCS1K3Ic/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDWuJHTCBic/TtgUGjtoZdI/AAAAAAAADA8/CgxmCS1K3Ic/s400/IMG_2940.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681313032826283474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A flock of wild turkeys on a field next to the side of the road in Sudbury.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I wanted to get closer but wasn't brave enough.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0SzNNmep6I/TtgTwQAtgLI/AAAAAAAADAw/g3fUrLs2PSM/s1600/IMG_2943.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0SzNNmep6I/TtgTwQAtgLI/AAAAAAAADAw/g3fUrLs2PSM/s400/IMG_2943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681312649580478642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An old pickup truck in the field by the intersection of 117 and Sudbury Road. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For years I've been wanting to stop to take a picture.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqWbnFzZPqY/TtgTvwYckbI/AAAAAAAADAk/1CuFeeGfpdM/s1600/IMG_3020.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oqWbnFzZPqY/TtgTvwYckbI/AAAAAAAADAk/1CuFeeGfpdM/s400/IMG_3020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681312641090097586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lee's Bridge by Sudbury River.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2RgNHbfgKk/TtgfmbsCVQI/AAAAAAAADCE/Ze_59U9dOcU/s1600/IMG_3022.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i2RgNHbfgKk/TtgfmbsCVQI/AAAAAAAADCE/Ze_59U9dOcU/s400/IMG_3022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681325675055830274" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sudbury River</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5nzLCj9QdE/TtgTWQ41p7I/AAAAAAAADAY/nv_qZVi5GqY/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5nzLCj9QdE/TtgTWQ41p7I/AAAAAAAADAY/nv_qZVi5GqY/s400/IMG_3008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681312203139295154" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Private? road just after Lee's Bridge.</div></span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9r7-_6Bgrk/TtgTWBLGtTI/AAAAAAAADAM/BlxIJulLaxY/s1600/IMG_2980.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M9r7-_6Bgrk/TtgTWBLGtTI/AAAAAAAADAM/BlxIJulLaxY/s400/IMG_2980.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681312198920942898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Farmer's equipment at Drumlin Farm.</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">At this point I had to turn around and pick up some</span> bagels </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">for my family at home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The early morning was magical.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Even though I was on a major route, it was nice and quiet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I like how the fog adds a little mystique </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and how things in the distance appear colorless.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I wish it was foggy more often.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't know about you guys, but even as I found nature to be magical that morning, I have a difficult time finding Christmas spirit without the snow.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Today I made an effort to start making it feel like Christmas is approaching, at least inside the house. I guess I hadn't done much of that. It helped a bit. But I still want snow.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>What are you guys doing to get in the mood?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>Do you need snow?</i></span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-77795170171208248212011-11-24T14:28:00.010-05:002011-11-24T15:03:05.596-05:00Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The turkey is in the oven.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All the sides are prepared as far as they can be.</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h76pgvKIG70/Ts6bxp0H5xI/AAAAAAAADAA/_FCn2VsJcEo/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h76pgvKIG70/Ts6bxp0H5xI/AAAAAAAADAA/_FCn2VsJcEo/s400/IMG_2877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678647457501144850" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Keeping it simple this year (Demanding puppy on hands, remember?), </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">only the traditional must-haves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, sweet potato-marshmallow casserole, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">corn, cranberries, rolls and butter, apple cider and wine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Pecan pie and cherry pie with vanilla ice cream.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Did I forget anything?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oh, gosh, I'm making myself nervous. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Did I?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Doesn't seem like much this year.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3IMuWEvIcU/Ts6bVukeraI/AAAAAAAAC_0/9slwDsXx6nw/s1600/IMG_2865.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3IMuWEvIcU/Ts6bVukeraI/AAAAAAAAC_0/9slwDsXx6nw/s400/IMG_2865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678646977741368738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The table is set.</span> </div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYolNnrj0s8/Ts6bVbJ9RQI/AAAAAAAAC_o/1zEa5Kii8CA/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYolNnrj0s8/Ts6bVbJ9RQI/AAAAAAAAC_o/1zEa5Kii8CA/s400/IMG_2853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678646972529853698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We are thankful for most everything.</span></div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhKSKnCnNe8/Ts6bFOE8iXI/AAAAAAAAC_g/kJHI_f7zMio/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhKSKnCnNe8/Ts6bFOE8iXI/AAAAAAAAC_g/kJHI_f7zMio/s400/IMG_2282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678646694141266290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And, it's 5 o'clock somewhere</span>.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Which means...</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBXfLzfglb0/Ts6bE1BZAkI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/lzXmmvXEfy4/s1600/IMG_2881.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SBXfLzfglb0/Ts6bE1BZAkI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/lzXmmvXEfy4/s400/IMG_2881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678646687415468610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's about time for a much appropriate Cape Codder.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2 oz vodka</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4 oz cranberry juice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">splash of lime</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">lots of ice </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Finished it off with a slice of lime and cranberries on a rosemary sprig.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(My, those cranberries look more like kalamata olives, <i>but they are not</i>!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC6600;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Cheers and have a Happy Thanksgiving!</span></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-33469096738311419222011-11-17T15:01:00.006-05:002011-11-17T16:02:43.289-05:00Apple Country<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Things have quieted down here in apple country.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzPTSBvTXxk/TsKPp9yhIwI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/CGeTCMaUgzM/s1600/IMG_2746.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzPTSBvTXxk/TsKPp9yhIwI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/CGeTCMaUgzM/s400/IMG_2746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256431564104450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The apple picking season has come to an end.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The lines of cars rolling in on weekend mornings are no longer here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The crowds of visiting apple pickers, that add a bit of </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">temporary caos during apple season,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">are done picking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fyp4V38CMAU/TsKPFB5AGuI/AAAAAAAAC-E/ZMQOBTN93aA/s1600/ba1c6717-fa11-4f25-a9b8-fc763c83efbawallpaper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fyp4V38CMAU/TsKPFB5AGuI/AAAAAAAAC-E/ZMQOBTN93aA/s400/ba1c6717-fa11-4f25-a9b8-fc763c83efbawallpaper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675255797009881826" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So when I went for a walk</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(with permission) on the beautiful hills of </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boltonspringfarm.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bolton Spring Farm</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, I was completely alone.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TG1XOartizQ/TsKQE_kK_TI/AAAAAAAAC-c/FEmMpq11DD0/s1600/IMG_2728.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TG1XOartizQ/TsKQE_kK_TI/AAAAAAAAC-c/FEmMpq11DD0/s400/IMG_2728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675256895897271602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The walk was very quiet and meditative,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">the air was filled with a sweet aroma.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An aroma of apples past its prime that intensified </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">each time I accidentally stepped on one.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFB0IHuac3I/TsFQhPyRv-I/AAAAAAAAC8Y/dLwj_6zjzU8/s1600/0429564a-3e5d-4b20-89a1-3a486e9f7a88wallpaper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RFB0IHuac3I/TsFQhPyRv-I/AAAAAAAAC8Y/dLwj_6zjzU8/s400/0429564a-3e5d-4b20-89a1-3a486e9f7a88wallpaper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674905537566851042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's a strange, deserted feeling walking alone in the orchard.</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Like the feeling you get when you go to the beach on a winter day.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's the contrast between the noisy and lively, and the quiet, almost sleepy,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">that appear so vividly.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1pvukVk5mg/TsKQ-lyC-SI/AAAAAAAAC-o/WeVsBlH0P9c/s1600/IMG_2757.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1pvukVk5mg/TsKQ-lyC-SI/AAAAAAAAC-o/WeVsBlH0P9c/s400/IMG_2757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675257885408557346" /></a></span></div></span></span></div></div></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I found the quiet and deserted orchard so beautiful, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the view from the top of the hill was amazing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I had such a nice, quiet and reflective walk.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlAots63zHY/TsFLR1EDW4I/AAAAAAAAC8M/0qWCzW9ZUgA/s1600/680b2e5c-37eb-422d-bedc-a485dfa6a835wallpaper.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YlAots63zHY/TsFLR1EDW4I/AAAAAAAAC8M/0qWCzW9ZUgA/s400/680b2e5c-37eb-422d-bedc-a485dfa6a835wallpaper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674899775137471362" /></a><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Although the PYO* has ended, </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">there is still plenty for sale at Bolton Spring's farm store.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* PYO = pick your own. Americans </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">looove</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> time saving abbreviations.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3osGys4OQtI/TsVV202TtUI/AAAAAAAAC-0/fpTK-pUMkyk/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3osGys4OQtI/TsVV202TtUI/AAAAAAAAC-0/fpTK-pUMkyk/s400/IMG_2826.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676037305758102850" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Last night I decided to use up some apples by roasting them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I made paninis with local </span><a href="http://www.slowrise.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nashoba Brooks Bakery's</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 7 Grain Bread.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I layered roasted apples, brie, walnuts and a little honey </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">between the slices of bread.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-Yum!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I served the paninis with French onion soup, made with local beer instead of wine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It tasted very fall:y.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Before I sign out, I also wanted to show, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">especially to the locals, what I found</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">right next to Bolton Spring Farm.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A 1.2 mile path that leads to a lime quarry.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrxElhYdd98/TsF-uXn-G9I/AAAAAAAAC9g/reYY7ztY9LM/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrxElhYdd98/TsF-uXn-G9I/AAAAAAAAC9g/reYY7ztY9LM/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RrxElhYdd98/TsF-uXn-G9I/AAAAAAAAC9g/reYY7ztY9LM/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674956340544281554" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I can't believe that I have driven past this sign for 10 years without noticing it.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That is now on my list of things we can do on a weekend with our family.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I wonder what the quarry looks like...</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Last, but not least...</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecc-o9gJcG4/TsVW3vgHL4I/AAAAAAAAC_A/uOBW7ykmAoY/s1600/IMG_2674.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecc-o9gJcG4/TsVW3vgHL4I/AAAAAAAAC_A/uOBW7ykmAoY/s400/IMG_2674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676038421014327170" /></a></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A picture of our puppy Sanders.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As most of you guessed, he is a Boston Terrier.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Right now, our household is upside down</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> while we are trying to figure out how not to let <i>this</i> little life, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">run <i>our</i> lives.</span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-73120970554576372352011-11-11T20:37:00.008-05:002011-11-11T21:30:40.152-05:00Mostly Maple<div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Maple must be one of the most photographed trees in the fall.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It goes through such beautiful change.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A display of color ranging from light greens to yellows, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">oranges and the deepest of reds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7eY0h2J_pk/Tr3OhTSEd6I/AAAAAAAAC6s/9_O2loAKKy0/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7eY0h2J_pk/Tr3OhTSEd6I/AAAAAAAAC6s/9_O2loAKKy0/s400/IMG_2323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673918177063761826" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This fall, here in New England, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">we got to see the trees fully dressed with green leaves</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">-and covered in snow. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>At the same time!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Their branches were not strong enough </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">to hold the weight of the heavy snow that their grand leaves caught.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As you can see from the left picture below, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">the Maples turned to "weeping" Maples.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqWz6z2TUFc/Tr3PXf2N_mI/AAAAAAAAC7c/PgpczKMc2x4/s1600/IMG_2526.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqWz6z2TUFc/Tr3PXf2N_mI/AAAAAAAAC7c/PgpczKMc2x4/s400/IMG_2526.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673919108149542498" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaTq3ncCHJg/Tr3PW4V0lrI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/H1zfpXe29wU/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaTq3ncCHJg/Tr3PW4V0lrI/AAAAAAAAC7Q/H1zfpXe29wU/s400/IMG_2688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673919097544677042" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Many deciduous trees lost branches in the October snow storm. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some trees even split in half.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(100s of thousands lost their power due to trees falling on to power lines.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We have a Norwegian Maple in our front yard </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">that my husband planted about five years ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Several times during the snow storm, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">we went outside to shake the branches off.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our work paid off.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am happy to say that the Maple didn't loose a single limb.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And neither did our beautiful birch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Phew!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHhf79cZ8cI/Tr3PHwGM5OI/AAAAAAAAC64/Thv1wIcGgRk/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHhf79cZ8cI/Tr3PHwGM5OI/AAAAAAAAC64/Thv1wIcGgRk/s400/IMG_2457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673918837633639650" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOTosJ-HRHc/Tr3P3B-sQKI/AAAAAAAAC8A/W7sYmG3CERk/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOTosJ-HRHc/Tr3P3B-sQKI/AAAAAAAAC8A/W7sYmG3CERk/s400/IMG_2073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673919649887830178" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Also during that crazy October weather weekend, </div><div style="text-align: center;">my husband left the house early one morning </div><div style="text-align: center;">and came back with a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">puppy.</span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My question to you is... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Can you guess what kind of puppy dog we now are happy (and tired) owners to?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">One hint, the bread has a New England city as part of its name.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><u><br /></u></span></div></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-35998206776886429932011-10-31T21:15:00.009-04:002011-10-31T22:30:21.588-04:00Happy Halloween?<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">Happy Halloween Everybody!</span></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPce8WE-w3M/Tq9L6g0L4EI/AAAAAAAAC58/FtqoXuDHBtc/s1600/IMG_2554.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPce8WE-w3M/Tq9L6g0L4EI/AAAAAAAAC58/FtqoXuDHBtc/s400/IMG_2554.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669833924496056386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Finally, Halloween!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The kids have been so excited and the waiting has been long.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's the same thing every year, you think you've got it down.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsxF7zUju64/Tq9Lb2xPFmI/AAAAAAAAC5w/hQFzCDBr0N8/s1600/IMG_2551.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsxF7zUju64/Tq9Lb2xPFmI/AAAAAAAAC5w/hQFzCDBr0N8/s400/IMG_2551.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669833397813319266" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_NLCiGAwyg/Tq9LbnrZs1I/AAAAAAAAC5k/_n0GUHVoGWY/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_NLCiGAwyg/Tq9LbnrZs1I/AAAAAAAAC5k/_n0GUHVoGWY/s400/IMG_2562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669833393762317138" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You decorate your yard, buy your pumpkins, and carve your pumpkins. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiKMh89kZOw/Tq9LNlgJppI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/ymU5NJUTtA0/s1600/IMG_2549.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiKMh89kZOw/Tq9LNlgJppI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/ymU5NJUTtA0/s400/IMG_2549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669833152660088466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You watch scary movies.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> And you go from store to store to find the perfect(?) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Halloween costumes and scary masks.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_PjfrW4j094/Tq9LNOC5v6I/AAAAAAAAC5M/048QdIJFISI/s1600/IMG_2481.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_PjfrW4j094/Tq9LNOC5v6I/AAAAAAAAC5M/048QdIJFISI/s400/IMG_2481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669833146363396002" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You load up on Halloween candy to make sure yo don't run out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You make scary treats, mostly sweet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iwjVeji3Mw/Tq9KyLStBxI/AAAAAAAAC5E/-S2sd92hKR0/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iwjVeji3Mw/Tq9KyLStBxI/AAAAAAAAC5E/-S2sd92hKR0/s400/IMG_2318.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669832681767896850" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You decorate the house, inside and out with all that scary stuff.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">That's what you do.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And we had done all that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We were sooooo ready.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And then...(the sound of a record being scratched)</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmdP6w-M_UQ/Tq9KY1G81CI/AAAAAAAAC4o/AsMb8B4F2WY/s1600/IMG_2530.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EmdP6w-M_UQ/Tq9KY1G81CI/AAAAAAAAC4o/AsMb8B4F2WY/s400/IMG_2530.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669832246316291106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This happens.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A major snow storm (IN OCTOBER!!!). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The storm brought down lots of trees and power lines in our little town.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> And most other areas in New England too, for that matter. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I heard reports of snow totals up to 32 inches (not here). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They cancelled school today, and tomorrow too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It felt more like Merry Christmas than Happy Halloween with all the snow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then today, on Halloween,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">we get a phone call from the town saying that Halloween is cancelled.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You said what???</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You cancelled Halloween?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You can do that?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Not me, not us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Our street never lost power.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The boys and I went "trick or treating" anyways </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and did end up having ourselves a very Happy Halloween.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-54442047679385385102011-10-24T07:14:00.009-04:002011-10-24T19:15:54.784-04:00My Yard Turned Graveyard<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I leave the house for one hour.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYqfOFMnMVU/TqVKMQlfQSI/AAAAAAAAC1w/6_0ARGwHxBc/s400/IMG_2313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667017280586727714" /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And this is what I come back to.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_bPoCYu8xQ/TqVKMD9VqiI/AAAAAAAAC1k/5uVGM0vPPoY/s1600/IMG_2308.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_bPoCYu8xQ/TqVKMD9VqiI/AAAAAAAAC1k/5uVGM0vPPoY/s400/IMG_2308.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667017277197101602" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">My yard turned graveyard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBwvqXXzn4Q/TqVJuI0dyzI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/0BcQetudiLo/s1600/IMG_2314.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fBwvqXXzn4Q/TqVJuI0dyzI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/0BcQetudiLo/s400/IMG_2314.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667016763105987378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Charming turned alarming,</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">spooky</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">bone chillin</span>g.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tc9nXg1-6W8/TqVJIkUonFI/AAAAAAAAC1M/2g7gktP8b2o/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tc9nXg1-6W8/TqVJIkUonFI/AAAAAAAAC1M/2g7gktP8b2o/s400/IMG_2315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667016117653642322" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qkNVXDrjI/TqVJG8iaZaI/AAAAAAAAC1E/rNSTxuyKNxw/s1600/IMG_2309.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9qkNVXDrjI/TqVJG8iaZaI/AAAAAAAAC1E/rNSTxuyKNxw/s400/IMG_2309.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667016089794143650" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Eerie stones and bones everywhere. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is today one week until Halloween night.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A night both scary and sweet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My boys can't wait to "Trick or Treat".</span></div><div><br /></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-48989463741419484812011-10-22T07:05:00.013-04:002011-10-22T08:30:37.729-04:00Indian Corn and Chrysanthemum<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Did you decorate for fall yet? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Or, are you discouraged by previously failed craft attempts?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(I often am.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why not try one of these Indian corn decorating ideas?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Believe me, it doesn't get easier than this.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_q2FGBYxDo/TqKpJeALesI/AAAAAAAAC0k/msbd0GHsMCk/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_q2FGBYxDo/TqKpJeALesI/AAAAAAAAC0k/msbd0GHsMCk/s400/IMG_2282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666277261323238082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't remember where I saw this idea for a corn banner. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But all you need to do is:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> tear the husks off, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">screw an eye hook in to the corn, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and hot glue some husks around a piece of rope and hang the corn on it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I did it in less than an hour.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcuUt_WlIC0/TqKo-y1FY3I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/KAdfEF7OnHA/s1600/550_CTG509267.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcuUt_WlIC0/TqKo-y1FY3I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/KAdfEF7OnHA/s400/550_CTG509267.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666277077935285106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/halloween/outdoor-decorations/pretty-front-entry-decorating-ideas-for-fall/#page=9">Picture and idea from Better Homes and Gardens</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I love this fork! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> I'm gonna keep my eye out for a vintage farmer's fork next year </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">so that I can make this one next fall. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You just take some corn and use wire to attach it to the prongs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Quick and easy but it has an extremely high nice factor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWhLFZ5A_2E/TqKo-0hpNpI/AAAAAAAAC0M/AjjFAbR03dc/s1600/p_CTG512513.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 360px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uWhLFZ5A_2E/TqKo-0hpNpI/AAAAAAAAC0M/AjjFAbR03dc/s400/p_CTG512513.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666277078390617746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/thanksgiving/indoor-decorating/holiday-decorating-projects/#page=1">Picture and idea from Better Homes and Gardens</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I've come across several pictures of corn tied around candles. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> The link above has directions on how to make your own.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQr_t6ajnVg/TqKozsmJuTI/AAAAAAAAC0A/xeJpq05yHFY/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQr_t6ajnVg/TqKozsmJuTI/AAAAAAAAC0A/xeJpq05yHFY/s400/IMG_2304.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666276887283480882" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A friend told me about a farm down the road (</span><a href="http://www.applefieldfarm.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Applefield Farm</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) that sells dried corn that you pop on the cob in the micro wave. I thought that would be something fun to do with the kids.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Unfortunately, after buying, I realized that I have to let it dry for another month before it's ready to pop. I've become very Americanized in the 15 years that I've lived here and now prefer instant gratification. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hmpf! I now have to wait, and then wait some more, before I can show and tell you about this popping.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">At the speed I've been cranking out blog posts lately, it'll probably be just about Thanksgiving then. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Stay tuned, but don't hold your breath on that one.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZY2bZCiTr4/TqKnUBhuIBI/AAAAAAAACz0/dMnnxqtq038/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZY2bZCiTr4/TqKnUBhuIBI/AAAAAAAACz0/dMnnxqtq038/s400/IMG_2259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666275243634597906" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">I'll end with a few pictures of my Chrysanthe-mummified garden. </span></div><br /><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drLTEwPgBMc/TqKmzjMBiwI/AAAAAAAACzc/XFtw5h41pAY/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drLTEwPgBMc/TqKmzjMBiwI/AAAAAAAACzc/XFtw5h41pAY/s400/IMG_2205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666274685734718210" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgpqXdLlzcw/TqKmz_V9F3I/AAAAAAAACzk/NrxlTQtYkyA/s1600/IMG_2196.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgpqXdLlzcw/TqKmz_V9F3I/AAAAAAAACzk/NrxlTQtYkyA/s400/IMG_2196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666274693292562290" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Mums, mums, and more mums...</span></div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7yneKS5Eps/TqKmSx5GIrI/AAAAAAAACzE/YX4gbAEzLpc/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7yneKS5Eps/TqKmSx5GIrI/AAAAAAAACzE/YX4gbAEzLpc/s400/IMG_2082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666274122746176178" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t89n47Hl3AY/TqKmTG04cqI/AAAAAAAACzM/CEZc7d7g1Ho/s1600/IMG_2104.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t89n47Hl3AY/TqKmTG04cqI/AAAAAAAACzM/CEZc7d7g1Ho/s400/IMG_2104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666274128365646498" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Thank you for stopping by!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I appreciate each and everyone of you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;">Have a great fall weekend!</span></span></div><div><br /></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-18272150048012597612011-10-02T17:52:00.004-04:002011-10-02T19:50:55.516-04:00Topsfield Fair<div><a href="http://www.topsfieldfair.org/index.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Topsfield Fair</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is a New England tradition that has been running annually since 1818, with an exception for a few years of interruption during the Civil War and WWII.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Friday the 30th, at 1PM, it opened its gates for the 186th time, and I was there with my boys.</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyXmsvpsyrg/TohVXj9U1TI/AAAAAAAACyE/5VSF5U4TXtY/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyXmsvpsyrg/TohVXj9U1TI/AAAAAAAACyE/5VSF5U4TXtY/s400/IMG_1776.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658866795068839218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Opening Friday is a great time to go if you're ever visiting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Too early in the day to speak of any crowds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">No lines or obstructions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They didn't even charge us the $10 for parking.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nice, because it cost $30 for the three of us to enter the fair.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yikes!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We started out with our favorite part of the fair... the animals.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOhf-Dfcfok/TohUxXPBPAI/AAAAAAAACx8/Z1Rbb-j8O4E/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aOhf-Dfcfok/TohUxXPBPAI/AAAAAAAACx8/Z1Rbb-j8O4E/s400/IMG_1888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658866138818362370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Some hairy sheep.</span></div><div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABGrc3XhiqU/TohUVPi8YlI/AAAAAAAACx0/RFuSactrptU/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABGrc3XhiqU/TohUVPi8YlI/AAAAAAAACx0/RFuSactrptU/s400/IMG_1805.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658865655718109778" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtsOFvx88hI/TohUVIgAc6I/AAAAAAAACxs/ygyNXBn-R-M/s1600/IMG_1804.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XtsOFvx88hI/TohUVIgAc6I/AAAAAAAACxs/ygyNXBn-R-M/s400/IMG_1804.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658865653826745250" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And some naked sheep.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We watched sheep being sheared both the old fashion way with sheers, </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and with electric clipper shears.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZj3z1loD6U/TohTYVIti0I/AAAAAAAACxc/XA5jFkQmjho/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZj3z1loD6U/TohTYVIti0I/AAAAAAAACxc/XA5jFkQmjho/s400/IMG_1791.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658864609246677826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here's a cow with cute curly bangs.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Or, is it a toupee?</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuiybBMZDJY/TohTYDveFDI/AAAAAAAACxU/MIh7Eg5IDfo/s1600/IMG_1891.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuiybBMZDJY/TohTYDveFDI/AAAAAAAACxU/MIh7Eg5IDfo/s400/IMG_1891.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658864604577403954" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An alpaca with a cute nose.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWg5KPHQp38/TohSf1PM7vI/AAAAAAAACxM/Ws-WhP4-J4c/s1600/IMG_1852.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DWg5KPHQp38/TohSf1PM7vI/AAAAAAAACxM/Ws-WhP4-J4c/s400/IMG_1852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658863638611291890" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A beautiful draft horse enjoying some green grass </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">outside the Fruit and Vegetable Exhibit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The horse looks so muscular and strong, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and I like their hairy hooves.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My son said it looks like they have boots on.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yeah, maybe, like those furry boots people have in the Alps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Moving on...</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNdovWRLWoE/TohSWf6VHGI/AAAAAAAACxE/NIHw7VOtjPk/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sNdovWRLWoE/TohSWf6VHGI/AAAAAAAACxE/NIHw7VOtjPk/s400/IMG_1873.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658863478267780194" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To the inside of the Fruit and Vegetable Exhibit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Above is the "Best Home Garden Display".</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qTjd9HLcz0/TohR8vmRA3I/AAAAAAAACw8/BBvxnAmhWWo/s1600/IMG_1868.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qTjd9HLcz0/TohR8vmRA3I/AAAAAAAACw8/BBvxnAmhWWo/s400/IMG_1868.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658863035801994098" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Wowsers! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Those are some large pumpkins!</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lynjPZAjY1E/TohR8Y7Ck2I/AAAAAAAACw0/05RgVhdxKk0/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lynjPZAjY1E/TohR8Y7Ck2I/AAAAAAAACw0/05RgVhdxKk0/s400/IMG_1872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658863029715112802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Very nice "Ribbon Worthy" produce.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But, what's in the bucket?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That's not sage, is it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Moving on to flowers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My favorite part of the Flower Exhibit was the Dahlia displays.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Below is one of several.</span></div><div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDo_BD2SqAE/TohROxj_BpI/AAAAAAAACws/bpu3qG5oK0A/s1600/IMG_1928.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UDo_BD2SqAE/TohROxj_BpI/AAAAAAAACws/bpu3qG5oK0A/s400/IMG_1928.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658862246055315090" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymHU6eyT9mU/TohROr2L0NI/AAAAAAAACwk/Ptj1aIo1Cpc/s1600/IMG_1921.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymHU6eyT9mU/TohROr2L0NI/AAAAAAAACwk/Ptj1aIo1Cpc/s400/IMG_1921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658862244521038034" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The blue glass bottles looked especially nice with the orange toned Dahlias.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nice to see the wide range of size, petals, and colors displayed like this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The boys and I also spent a little bit of time in the </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Beekeeping house.</span></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbi4SM15ALo/TohPx56mOZI/AAAAAAAACwc/QwAxbkoyf5g/s1600/IMG_1777.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vbi4SM15ALo/TohPx56mOZI/AAAAAAAACwc/QwAxbkoyf5g/s400/IMG_1777.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658860650569808274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Look at the range of color in the honey jars!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">From light, almost citrusy yellow colored honey, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to a very dark, amber color.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I wish I could have sampled them.</span></div><div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJQMEQ45Obk/TohPO6PFNdI/AAAAAAAACwU/pFi1L16jN0Y/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sJQMEQ45Obk/TohPO6PFNdI/AAAAAAAACwU/pFi1L16jN0Y/s400/IMG_1779.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658860049360303570" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVyACInmglE/TohPOw6-nAI/AAAAAAAACwM/bhI1uB5WqUU/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SVyACInmglE/TohPOw6-nAI/AAAAAAAACwM/bhI1uB5WqUU/s400/IMG_1778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658860046860065794" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My son got to make his own beeswax candle (for a $1).</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And if you'd rather buy them, you could have done that too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-JZsNTVOME/TohO9_WXESI/AAAAAAAACwE/e_QUkDe_EAk/s1600/IMG_1865.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j-JZsNTVOME/TohO9_WXESI/AAAAAAAACwE/e_QUkDe_EAk/s400/IMG_1865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658859758675235106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here is the duck race.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Volunteers from the crowd get to race mallard ducks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Kind of fun, but over before you know it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Besides, they were from New Mexico where duck racing,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">according to the announcer, is very common.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I guess there was a pig race too, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">but we missed that one.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbeZBrWScH4/TohO9nsquqI/AAAAAAAACv8/YucKa_urJ9k/s1600/IMG_1853.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbeZBrWScH4/TohO9nsquqI/AAAAAAAACv8/YucKa_urJ9k/s400/IMG_1853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658859752326347426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hand carved Welcome signs, anyone?</span></div></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iwoHS7zfRIM/TohOmBr_59I/AAAAAAAACv0/a1vFERs_ew0/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iwoHS7zfRIM/TohOmBr_59I/AAAAAAAACv0/a1vFERs_ew0/s400/IMG_1845.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658859346986002386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Or how about a cowboy hat?</span></div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzc5un7wTc0/TohOl7pNUEI/AAAAAAAACvs/1vTA7wAdMx4/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tzc5un7wTc0/TohOl7pNUEI/AAAAAAAACvs/1vTA7wAdMx4/s400/IMG_1844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658859345363685442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With a pair of cowboy boots?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Not particularly New England:ish, more Texan, I'd say.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here's a part of the fair that we covered quickly, the carnival.</span></div><div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUKl7AvZy48/TohN0ftUUoI/AAAAAAAACvc/jVP5UELS6pg/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lUKl7AvZy48/TohN0ftUUoI/AAAAAAAACvc/jVP5UELS6pg/s400/IMG_1919.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658858496051139202" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsPvSDq7xI0/TohN0mRTpOI/AAAAAAAACvk/Gl04ajrauGU/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsPvSDq7xI0/TohN0mRTpOI/AAAAAAAACvk/Gl04ajrauGU/s400/IMG_1912.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658858497812702434" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">It was actually a bit of a turn off walking through this part.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The workers at the attractions don't spare any tricks to lure your children in.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was close to picking a fight (well, perhaps more of an argument) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">with a worker</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">about their sneaky methods at the balloon and dart stand. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But, I figured it wasn't worth it, and we left.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Ts7fXoIdM/TohNY_Q6J2I/AAAAAAAACvU/c7IEgV8nIRM/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9Ts7fXoIdM/TohNY_Q6J2I/AAAAAAAACvU/c7IEgV8nIRM/s400/IMG_1915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658858023485581154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The boys did try a couple of the games.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But the games are over quickly, cost a lot,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the prices are so tacky,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> that they soon wanted to leave this area.</span></div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDs7ssWxebw/TohNY0_Fk5I/AAAAAAAACvM/ljUyRT6O7A8/s1600/IMG_1913.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDs7ssWxebw/TohNY0_Fk5I/AAAAAAAACvM/ljUyRT6O7A8/s400/IMG_1913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658858020726477714" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There's no mistaking that food is a big part of any fair or carnival. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Topsfield is no exception.</span></div><div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvEa3aoIn0o/TohKG9D2X7I/AAAAAAAACu8/MxD5Fuk9tVQ/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvEa3aoIn0o/TohKG9D2X7I/AAAAAAAACu8/MxD5Fuk9tVQ/s400/IMG_1786.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658854415121407922" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STbDw5KpQ5M/TohKHDY1MxI/AAAAAAAACvE/hsKMrwnbRXk/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-STbDw5KpQ5M/TohKHDY1MxI/AAAAAAAACvE/hsKMrwnbRXk/s400/IMG_1892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658854416820024082" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All kinds of food options line the paths to every exhibit, </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the smell of fried foods lie like a heavy blanket across the fair ground.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Okay while you're hungry, but then it becomes almost nauseating.</span></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx45tnDeQaI/TohJxLlOY_I/AAAAAAAACu0/NUB5pE_DjA8/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx45tnDeQaI/TohJxLlOY_I/AAAAAAAACu0/NUB5pE_DjA8/s400/IMG_1803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658854041062368242" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Although dogs are prohibited from entering the fair, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">there was some fun and fancy food to purchase and bring home to your pooch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Does a dog really care though, what the food looks like?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I think this dog food mostly entertain the owner.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FpvbXV6uyA/TohJw8VHfQI/AAAAAAAACus/kEEA3aLue9o/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5FpvbXV6uyA/TohJw8VHfQI/AAAAAAAACus/kEEA3aLue9o/s400/IMG_1840.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658854036968275202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I seriously don't know how these bmx guys fit in to the agricultural theme.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDuJEHtwh_Q/TohFv2A234I/AAAAAAAACuk/0rskrbf1Cvs/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDuJEHtwh_Q/TohFv2A234I/AAAAAAAACuk/0rskrbf1Cvs/s400/IMG_1816.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658849620046307202" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">they were AWESOME!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We really enjoyed their performance.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Their tricks were high flying and fantastic.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't think I was the only mom</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">that gasped and held my breath a few times.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Last,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">but NOT least...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Big Pumpkin Weigh Off</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqRCsSXsQ_0/TohFvi8uuzI/AAAAAAAACuc/LEmdiRJt1xs/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqRCsSXsQ_0/TohFvi8uuzI/AAAAAAAACuc/LEmdiRJt1xs/s400/IMG_1908.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658849614928722738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This, my friends, this...</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is what I came for.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This trip wouldn't have been complete</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If I hadn't gotten to see these fantastic, giant pumpkins.</span></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36RTAtW6D7Y/TohFvQSzV6I/AAAAAAAACuU/beq6cOFVgPY/s1600/IMG_1896.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-36RTAtW6D7Y/TohFvQSzV6I/AAAAAAAACuU/beq6cOFVgPY/s400/IMG_1896.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658849609921025954" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">This year's winning pumpkin, announced last night, weighed 1,668.5 lbs, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and was grown by Mr. DeNigris and Mr. Moore of Gloucester.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Congratulations to the two of you!</div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All in all, a fairly fun visit. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But, I think, to enjoy it more next time, I need to let go of my romanticized images of what an agricultural fair should be like. In my mind I see an agricultural fair the way it might have been about 50 years ago. Less commercialized, more genuine, and more... agricultural.</span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-74819537800521273642011-09-22T13:35:00.005-04:002011-09-22T14:17:13.013-04:00A Lunch in Concord and an Owl<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Had lunch with my girl friend S in Concord (MA), yesterday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We went to <b><a href="http://www.mainstreetsmarketandcafe.com/">Main Street Market and Café</a></b>.</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lihPMohjypQ/TntfF9Vc61I/AAAAAAAACuI/rsPvVMk2eg0/s1600/IMG_1686.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lihPMohjypQ/TntfF9Vc61I/AAAAAAAACuI/rsPvVMk2eg0/s400/IMG_1686.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655218313062312786" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I like this place, very casual and the food is good. But you gotta hit it at the right time, it can get very crowded at lunch time.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I like their beef chili with butternut squash. It's a tad spicy and very filling, and it comes with a side of cornbread.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Their muffins are good too if you're going for coffee. My favorite is the pistachio muffin. Moist, nutty, light green and yummy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But I have any of that yesterday. I like to try new things, so I went for the Avocado BLT Panini.</span></div><div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3qxBBCEzJw/TntfFu1xpqI/AAAAAAAACuA/AK8DKppQxzY/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3qxBBCEzJw/TntfFu1xpqI/AAAAAAAACuA/AK8DKppQxzY/s400/IMG_1692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655218309171357346" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The panini was pretty good. One complaint though, they had reversed the crust on the sandwich, so that the glossy bread crust was facing the filling, and the inside of the bread was on the outside. Kind of a fun idea, but with slippery avocado and tomato and no cheese to glue it to the crust, not so fun when it all falls out on the plate.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I meant to take a picture of my panini, to show you, but when I remembered, my plate looked like a big mess. You probably appreciate me <i>not</i> sharing.<br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Instead, I'll show you something pretty from our shopping.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of my all time favorite shops, Nesting, is right around the corner and upstairs from the café. I had to drag my girlfriend with me. (I've written about Nesting </span><b><a href="http://natureasis.blogspot.com/2010/03/nesting-cute-little-shop-in-concord.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">here</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><b><a href="http://natureasis.blogspot.com/2010/11/it-is-season.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">here</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yesterday's shopping splurge ($12) was on a Scrabble tile pendant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The motif is an owl.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">LOVE IT!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApUVsW05cDQ/Tntd7sRBOWI/AAAAAAAACt4/Ei60yNRkokU/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApUVsW05cDQ/Tntd7sRBOWI/AAAAAAAACt4/Ei60yNRkokU/s400/IMG_1733.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655217037169998178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On the front is the owl...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Turn it over,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiSudGIdlf4/Tntd7BkkWVI/AAAAAAAACtw/E_gz5NRRUf0/s1600/IMG_1729.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hiSudGIdlf4/Tntd7BkkWVI/AAAAAAAACtw/E_gz5NRRUf0/s400/IMG_1729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655217025709267282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And it's a scrabble tile piece.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">G!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Worth 2 points.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'll keep that in mind if I ever need a G.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Soooo, you want one too like the cool kid?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Well, if you're too far away from Concord, I know 2 options.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You can either make one yourself. Look </span><b><a href="http://www.tilependant.com/diy.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">here</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Or,</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you're like me (can do things very well in your mind, but when you try, things never come out the way you planned), you buy them. I've seen a few sellers on </span><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Etsy</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My friend S and I also had time to visit The Famous Concord Shop ("a hardware shop for the kitchen") and The Cottage, with fun but pricey interior decorations. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Those store visits were fruitless in terms of shopping, but not in terms of inspiration.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All in all, it was a very nice afternoon.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-7436469682551596472011-09-19T16:52:00.002-04:002011-09-19T17:27:28.778-04:00New and (P)improved<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I pimped my blog!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What started as an adjustment of the commentary box, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ended up being a full makeover.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As I feel, it was a long overdue change.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I renamed my blog to "</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">New England</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> as I see it".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTlbg0VNXog/Tner365JfdI/AAAAAAAACr0/L2-j1e1Khlk/s1600/100_1689.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTlbg0VNXog/Tner365JfdI/AAAAAAAACr0/L2-j1e1Khlk/s400/100_1689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654176834377055698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As I often carry around my camera, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I find myself with a lot of pictures that I want to share with you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That is why I just had to expand my blogging to include <b>more</b> than just nature.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>More</i> of beautiful New England,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>more</i> of my life,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and <i>more</i> of how I, as a Swede, see New England.</span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-23992130871150597932011-09-04T22:46:00.012-04:002011-09-08T15:26:44.462-04:00A Vermont Swimming Hole<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"A </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">swimming hole</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is a place in a river, stream, creek, spring, or similar natural body of water, which is large enough and deep enough for a person to swim in. Common usage usually refers to fresh, moving water and thus not to oceans or lakes." (Wikipedia)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JuZnXppzQTM/TmQ5aXnHhyI/AAAAAAAACps/OrJCwOWbjQ8/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JuZnXppzQTM/TmQ5aXnHhyI/AAAAAAAACps/OrJCwOWbjQ8/s400/IMG_1335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648702957806913314" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Didn't quite understand what this was when my neighbor talked about them. I sort of had a picture in my mind, but after a resent visit to Stow, Vermont, I now have a perfectly clear picture of what a </span><a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=swimming+hole&hl=en&biw=1335&bih=832&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3cBoTvXSIoLEgQeEtam4DA&sqi=2&ved=0CEwQsAQ"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">swimming hole</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is.</span><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvr9lZHThgM/TmQ5aPueOPI/AAAAAAAACpk/ExfWLVS37ZU/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mvr9lZHThgM/TmQ5aPueOPI/AAAAAAAACpk/ExfWLVS37ZU/s400/IMG_1377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648702955690277106" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's like going to the beach for people that don't have a beach. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's a place to cool off.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Or, maybe "show off". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Many swimming holes are located in a mountainous and rocky area with wicked cold running water. A natural place for adventurers like hikers, climbers, white water rafters...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A place for people who live for the thrill of jumping off a cliff into unknown waters,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">or find it very refreshing to take a swim in bone chilling waters.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There are even swimming holes for skinny dipping, how's that for showing off your adventurous side? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Au naturel! Oh la la...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And then there are those like me, who come along for the scenery. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Walking cautiously. Carefully planning each step on my way to the swimming hole. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Not willing put my camera down to jump from a rock, or submerge myself into frigid mountain water.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Without a hot sandy beach to lay down on afterwards, I feel a little out of place.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnQSSscjD4A/TmQ4ydKDf7I/AAAAAAAACpc/0WKyUlrB87s/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnQSSscjD4A/TmQ4ydKDf7I/AAAAAAAACpc/0WKyUlrB87s/s400/IMG_1379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648702272100859826" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spWQBtdKnCk/TmQ4elQ8JwI/AAAAAAAACpU/-PV33efUVf8/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spWQBtdKnCk/TmQ4elQ8JwI/AAAAAAAACpU/-PV33efUVf8/s400/IMG_1353.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648701930679838466" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But, it is beautiful, the scenery. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Very rugged and untouched.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The rocks that have been shaped and smoothed by water are amazing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The clarity of the water makes it look so pure and I get thirsty.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Look at the color of the water in the top picture, it has this fantastic teal color.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I need to go back and see more swimming holes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Can you imagine this one in the spring time?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With all the water rushing down the mountain from the melting snow?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I think it might be a powerful experience.</span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-51014732176578897142011-08-28T06:44:00.005-04:002011-08-28T07:02:56.907-04:00Waiting for Irene<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Everyone is waiting for Irene. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">There has been so much coverage on the news that I am sick and tired of it. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And it hasn't even hit us yet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUIquB1JVdw/Tlmk8Dd_liI/AAAAAAAACoM/NjjyWJeADec/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUIquB1JVdw/Tlmk8Dd_liI/AAAAAAAACoM/NjjyWJeADec/s400/IMG_1491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645724959515842082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The rain started yesterday though.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We got some real heavy rain last night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Didn't even know rain could come down like that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It sounded like nails hammering in to our roof.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Fascinating.</span></div>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LPnTodyVWw/Tlobzv5QCCI/AAAAAAAACoc/gMa_QrKg_7g/s1600/IMG_1483.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LPnTodyVWw/Tlobzv5QCCI/AAAAAAAACoc/gMa_QrKg_7g/s400/IMG_1483.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645855658706208802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What I did know,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> was that my hydrangeas would not be looking good after this weekend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So I decided to bring a few in yesterday. </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't know why I haven't done that before. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I barely cut any off, and I still got enough for several vases. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The mopheads are so big that you just need a few, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">or just one, for big impact.</span></div>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4EgW_OAYtQ/Tlmi9YTTjHI/AAAAAAAACn0/dRoxusgYkHA/s1600/IMG_1433.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4EgW_OAYtQ/Tlmi9YTTjHI/AAAAAAAACn0/dRoxusgYkHA/s400/IMG_1433.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645722783264771186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Decided to get some mint, basil and rosemary too into a bouquet. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just incase I didn't feel like going outside in pouring rain to get herbs for cooking. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Or making a drink.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So, here comes thunder.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And the wind is picking up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I hope that our big pine trees stand tall and proud through this.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I hope that our house keeps the water out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I hope that we get to keep our electricity.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">that my East Coast friends stay safe!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I better go make some coffee now while we still have power.</span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-54659267609642117092011-08-25T09:21:00.007-04:002011-08-25T11:03:47.778-04:00Claiming the Blueberry<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">More on these blue berries...</span></div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vwpugKMaMs/TlOiUDhAftI/AAAAAAAACnM/ncS5ZihsWww/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2vwpugKMaMs/TlOiUDhAftI/AAAAAAAACnM/ncS5ZihsWww/s400/IMG_1195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644033223450197714" /></a>
<br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Many states here in the U.S. have particular foods that they claim as "their own". </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The blueberry is popular. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Three states here in the U.S. (Maine, New Jersey and North Carolina) claim the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">blueberry</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> as "their own" <i>State Fruit</i>. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For those of you who are wondering about our state fruit here in Massachusetts, it's the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">cranberry</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Further, Minnesota has a State Muffin.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And it is a... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Yep, you guessed it: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">blueberry muffin</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And nope, not all states have a state muffin. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To find out more, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">heck out this curious list of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_foods"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">state foods</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> if you have a moment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Moving on to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">America's</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> favorite muffin... </span></div><div><div>
<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58bERIz-wG8/TlOiUMMQUeI/AAAAAAAACnE/RPVql4QiOmg/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58bERIz-wG8/TlOiUMMQUeI/AAAAAAAACnE/RPVql4QiOmg/s400/IMG_1265.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644033225779073506" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The Blueberry Muffin! </span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; ">Above are "To Die for Blueberry Muffins" that I made.</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; ">And below is the recipe <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/to-die-for-blueberry-muffins/detail.aspx">allrecipes.com</a>. </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; ">(Psst, the website has a button for metric conversion.)</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ingredients for 8 muffins with crumb topping</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3/4 cup white sugar</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2 teaspoons baking powder</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/3 cup vegetable oil</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1 egg</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/3 cup milk</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1 cup fresh blueberries</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/2 cup white sugar</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/3 cup all-purpose flour</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1/4 cup butter, cubed</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Directions</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2 Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with the flour mixture. Fold in the blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3 Crumb topping: Mix 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix with fork and sprinkle over muffins before baking.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4 Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until done.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Notes from the pastry chef.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I made 12 smaller muffins instead of suggested 8, just because I wanted to use my new muffin tin and liners from IKEA.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And, I used less crumb topping because I dropped the bowl with the crumb topping mix on the floor. Oooops! Unfortunate, because the crumb topping makes the muffin top veeeery delish.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>
<br /></i></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujoENcpSFw0/TlOiTtkNeQI/AAAAAAAACm8/LBtJa9W49e8/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujoENcpSFw0/TlOiTtkNeQI/AAAAAAAACm8/LBtJa9W49e8/s400/IMG_1230.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644033217558051074" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And here is where I'll sit.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On a bench by the apple tree.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Eating my really yummy muffins.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Waiting for the apples to ripen.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></div></div></span></div></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-58037694496487975182011-08-19T07:51:00.009-04:002011-08-19T09:30:44.360-04:00Blueberry Picking at Honey Pot Hill<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yesterday morning I took the boys and their cousin to go <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>blueberry</b></span></span> picking at </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Honey Pot Hill.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A nice family run farm here in Stow.</span></div><div>
<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W0snuZIw7o/Tk5c9mXWMaI/AAAAAAAACmU/9p0qzpfE6yo/s1600/IMG_1235.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_W0snuZIw7o/Tk5c9mXWMaI/AAAAAAAACmU/9p0qzpfE6yo/s400/IMG_1235.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642549596482056610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is something we like to do at least once each summer</span>.</div><div>
<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UHs4-SbeKtQ/Tk5c9ZyybMI/AAAAAAAACmM/wpdf0U5xIq0/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UHs4-SbeKtQ/Tk5c9ZyybMI/AAAAAAAACmM/wpdf0U5xIq0/s400/IMG_1172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642549593107492034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Picking your own </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">blueberries</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is fun and the kids enjoy handpicked berries </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">so much </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">more </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">than the ones we buy from the grocery store</span>.</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHJPVbS3phM/Tk5cac1XWCI/AAAAAAAACl8/HY08eFQBT5k/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dHJPVbS3phM/Tk5cac1XWCI/AAAAAAAACl8/HY08eFQBT5k/s400/IMG_1174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642548992628185122" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-jj6OhuJhM/Tk5camkoZ_I/AAAAAAAACmE/j8khwWdHUTM/s1600/IMG_1178.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-jj6OhuJhM/Tk5camkoZ_I/AAAAAAAACmE/j8khwWdHUTM/s400/IMG_1178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642548995242354674" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here they are, the boys, on their way to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">blueberry</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> fields. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Each ready to fill their own pint size basket.</span></div></div><div>
<br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaLtPmBVKhA/Tk5bwMxVD5I/AAAAAAAACls/2UCxj8q3Wm8/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaLtPmBVKhA/Tk5bwMxVD5I/AAAAAAAACls/2UCxj8q3Wm8/s400/IMG_1223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642548266761785234" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YH4aWrBgNSU/Tk5bwVUyarI/AAAAAAAACl0/Z_xxaJWaklI/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YH4aWrBgNSU/Tk5bwVUyarI/AAAAAAAACl0/Z_xxaJWaklI/s400/IMG_1198.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642548269057993394" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We passed by row 7 and 8 to sample the sweetest berries </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(according to the sign by the entrance). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then settled to pick from row 1 and 2 that had the most ripe berries.</span></div>
<br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEdxx7RaW0c/Tk5a1dYkfCI/AAAAAAAAClk/xRMobt8P5sw/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEdxx7RaW0c/Tk5a1dYkfCI/AAAAAAAAClk/xRMobt8P5sw/s400/IMG_1199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642547257609059362" /></a></td><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KtV2KxMp9rw/Tk5a1VbITbI/AAAAAAAAClc/WmCeYmL9NMs/s1600/IMG_1205.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KtV2KxMp9rw/Tk5a1VbITbI/AAAAAAAAClc/WmCeYmL9NMs/s400/IMG_1205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642547255472311730" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The grayish coating protects the berry and is called <i>bloom</i>.</span></div>
<br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4hrOJP9aok/Tk5Zyb8MBNI/AAAAAAAAClU/3NyQ08qQAzc/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4hrOJP9aok/Tk5Zyb8MBNI/AAAAAAAAClU/3NyQ08qQAzc/s400/IMG_1201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642546106170344658" /></a></td><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2C0yp-ZmKs/Tk5ZJxiQJtI/AAAAAAAAClM/_-4jpDBXHWI/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2C0yp-ZmKs/Tk5ZJxiQJtI/AAAAAAAAClM/_-4jpDBXHWI/s400/IMG_1192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642545407592507090" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The patience to pick blueberries on a hot muggy summer morning for little boys </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">lasted just long enough to fill our baskets.</span></div>
<br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-dG9lyVpkg/Tk5ZJUFS8SI/AAAAAAAACk8/FuuttB-Lnw8/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-dG9lyVpkg/Tk5ZJUFS8SI/AAAAAAAACk8/FuuttB-Lnw8/s400/IMG_1254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642545399686426914" /></a></td><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44Fj-O61TWk/Tk5P_E_A0iI/AAAAAAAACkQ/Wn8ZZ6wPG68/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44Fj-O61TWk/Tk5P_E_A0iI/AAAAAAAACkQ/Wn8ZZ6wPG68/s400/IMG_1255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642535328230199842" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For lunch there was pepperoni pizza and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">blueberry</span> smoothies.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>Yum!</i></span>
<br />
<br /></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-44557066643667705702011-08-14T07:10:00.008-04:002011-08-14T08:09:50.191-04:00Daisy Love<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Back in April, I fell in love with a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><a href="http://natureasis.blogspot.com/2011/04/turn-ons-at-garden-center.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">pink daisy</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> at the garden center.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96RmZYHfEsw/TkezVlHyYVI/AAAAAAAACkI/Iulev0E8Z2Y/s1600/100_5852.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96RmZYHfEsw/TkezVlHyYVI/AAAAAAAACkI/Iulev0E8Z2Y/s400/100_5852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640674241628234066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oooo, so sweet, those white tipped soft pink petals.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Watch out!</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Incoming.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWwRTBUunSk/TketWkPDrqI/AAAAAAAACkA/Op0nLM-8Gjg/s1600/100_6169.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWwRTBUunSk/TketWkPDrqI/AAAAAAAACkA/Op0nLM-8Gjg/s400/100_6169.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640667661500395170" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A yellow little bird - that is nuts about Daisy's seeds.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Soft pink petals flying <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">everywhere</span></i>.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVd3drBKS44/TketWdQCmpI/AAAAAAAACj4/RWsoS2p43Es/s1600/100_6170.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVd3drBKS44/TketWdQCmpI/AAAAAAAACj4/RWsoS2p43Es/s400/100_6170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640667659625470610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hmpf!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><b>Note to bird lovers:</b> I really don't mind the total destruction of this flower, it made me laugh the way this bird was going at it.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>I truly enjoy birds feeding in my garden. I was just not aware of the Gerbera Daisy being attractive to birds for its seeds.</i></span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-71073394589048278832011-08-12T08:04:00.005-04:002011-08-12T08:33:41.269-04:00Kicks in Bloom<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>Hey, look at my new kicks!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I bought them in a grocery store (Yes, a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">grocery</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> store!) while vacationing in Sweden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_haIy5aJadY/TkUXvIHUYtI/AAAAAAAACjw/L-Gen3V_bqc/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_haIy5aJadY/TkUXvIHUYtI/AAAAAAAACjw/L-Gen3V_bqc/s400/IMG_1137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639940206750884562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am so childishly in love with these. I put them on and just feel happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I walk out on the porch and feel a nice late summer breeze.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I lie down on the couch and put my feet up.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Man, I dig these shoes. </span></div><div>
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQgW6_UP1XQ/TkUXuxtKceI/AAAAAAAACjo/QdHhYiO0mZg/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nQgW6_UP1XQ/TkUXuxtKceI/AAAAAAAACjo/QdHhYiO0mZg/s400/IMG_1127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639940200735601122" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I don't even care if I will use them a lot.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Just looking at them makes me feel all warm inside.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So cute with the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">pink</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> roses on the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">black</span></b> canvas. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So perfect for a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">garden girl</span></i></span> like me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>It is nice to be back.</i></span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-33870829639837989862011-07-06T08:55:00.013-04:002011-07-08T09:39:05.963-04:00I am not alone<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Do you ever have the feeling that you are not alone?</span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYHbrJLDF-o/Thb09ScibrI/AAAAAAAACjQ/TBv-3anaTvE/s1600/100_3607.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYHbrJLDF-o/Thb09ScibrI/AAAAAAAACjQ/TBv-3anaTvE/s400/100_3607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626954118206746290" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">That someone is watching you?</div></span><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsF9ptFnXOU/Thb09Kzi9iI/AAAAAAAACjI/r4iEcv3iMg4/s1600/100_6046.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OsF9ptFnXOU/Thb09Kzi9iI/AAAAAAAACjI/r4iEcv3iMg4/s400/100_6046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626954116155766306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I find that I am surrounded by little critters and creatures in my garden, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">and that my family and I are not the only residents on this property.</span></div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aXndR5u_ZVo/Thb08jIQQfI/AAAAAAAACjA/3JZnHCOW2fI/s1600/100_6099.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aXndR5u_ZVo/Thb08jIQQfI/AAAAAAAACjA/3JZnHCOW2fI/s400/100_6099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626954105505202674" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes their presence is not obvious, you have to really pay attention and see. </div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Can you spot the three birds on the tree above?</span></div><div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DHRJ8VSG38/Thb0Vx6ShCI/AAAAAAAACi4/649y0PO1cp4/s1600/100_3667.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DHRJ8VSG38/Thb0Vx6ShCI/AAAAAAAACi4/649y0PO1cp4/s400/100_3667.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626953439458264098" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXVKybGrxuM/Thb0Vk60qhI/AAAAAAAACiw/p_uePdHwv-o/s1600/100_3250.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXVKybGrxuM/Thb0Vk60qhI/AAAAAAAACiw/p_uePdHwv-o/s400/100_3250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626953435970841106" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Some creatures are fairly stationary and melt in to their surroundings in terms of shape and color. Others provide plenty of movement and and beauty and are impossible to miss.</span></div><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXNzFqjjZkQ/ThbvYZyE-9I/AAAAAAAACio/KfuPw7YILEo/s1600/100_2673.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXNzFqjjZkQ/ThbvYZyE-9I/AAAAAAAACio/KfuPw7YILEo/s400/100_2673.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626947986962840530" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cy5bDwVlMGk/ThbvYLFe86I/AAAAAAAACig/abunKmbbv7s/s1600/100_2382.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cy5bDwVlMGk/ThbvYLFe86I/AAAAAAAACig/abunKmbbv7s/s400/100_2382.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626947983017702306" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Others exhibit behavior that is bold, energetic and sometimes a bit loud and mischievous. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Their presence is most often not deterred by </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">my</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> presence.</span></div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrIAIQtoviE/ThbvX7dJngI/AAAAAAAACiY/7DYmNJOx9SA/s1600/100_6114.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CrIAIQtoviE/ThbvX7dJngI/AAAAAAAACiY/7DYmNJOx9SA/s400/100_6114.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626947978822000130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then there are those that melt my heart every time their feather light body swoop in and lands on a flower stem to have a snack. I want to thank them for choosing </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">my</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> garden and tell them to "go ahead, eat as much as you want".</span></div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJiTo7SxE2k/ThbvXnPmVuI/AAAAAAAACiQ/BwJgpMx64zI/s1600/100_6116.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJiTo7SxE2k/ThbvXnPmVuI/AAAAAAAACiQ/BwJgpMx64zI/s400/100_6116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626947973396453090" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">There is one that always puts a smile on my face because when it spots me, it freezes and thinks that if it doesn't move, I won't see it. But I do, I saw it first. And to this one I want to say "Go ahead, eat the clover but leave my flowers.".</div></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">And lastly, the mystery residents and visitors. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">Sometimes you see traces of activity, but you just don't know who or what.</span></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwe5SylCav5WfgjhMN1WOWccoiRojXvFbrhumtrmaAWTPzyZg4croy5KN0dOMq0T-lh-2eptKLgPl6DhdTGXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As I was gardening one day, I was stepping on some ground-cover to reach some weeds. As I stepped back, I noticed some movement. For a moment I got a bit worried wondering if I had possibly upset some kind of hornets nest in the ground and contemplated running inside. Then I saw how it moved and figured it might be some kind of tunneling animal, like a mouse or something. I have lots and lots of little entrances on my flower hill, probably close to one every square yard. And I imagine that I have an underground tunnel system more impressive than the London Subways.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Bu2DkzfWgc/ThbuqhxUv5I/AAAAAAAACiI/Su_p3jrcJJ4/s1600/100_6112.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Bu2DkzfWgc/ThbuqhxUv5I/AAAAAAAACiI/Su_p3jrcJJ4/s400/100_6112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626947198833180562" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I have long suspected chipmunks or voles, but never seen anyone enter or exit these tunnels until the other morning. And I caught it with my camera. I think this is an infant vole. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am afraid I might have a fairly large population of these. Fortunately, they have not been bothering my plants or their roots... yet.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Well, that was one mystery solved.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All these critters and creatures are part of what makes my garden alive and "homey" to me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Annelie</span></i><br /></span><br /></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5015027761741981634.post-86738354784449920382011-07-05T08:45:00.002-04:002011-07-05T09:57:55.876-04:00Miniature Poppies<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Waaaaay back in January, I wrote about </span><a href="http://natureasis.blogspot.com/2011/01/sowing-poppies-in-snow.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">sowing poppies in the snow</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Basically, you go out in the winter and scatter poppy seeds wherever you want them to grow, and that's what I did. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I scattered about 500 of seeds, and then... I waited. And waited. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From April and on, I've been looking close at every little green leaf that emerged from the dirt. Not being sure what I could pull as a weed, I let most things green remain until I was sure that it either was, or wasn't a weed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then, in late June, I noticed the teeniest little green stems, slightly fuzzy, with microscopical buds on them. MY POPPIES!</span><br /><br /><table border="1" width="150"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ED5sLxmaUJk/ThMHtAGhIlI/AAAAAAAACfM/ZXE5UgN6h9g/s1600/100_6119.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ED5sLxmaUJk/ThMHtAGhIlI/AAAAAAAACfM/ZXE5UgN6h9g/s400/100_6119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625848829218726482" /></a></td><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10H8l8GzxR4/ThMHsZ-kj5I/AAAAAAAACfE/LfDvfY8JjdE/s1600/100_6121.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10H8l8GzxR4/ThMHsZ-kj5I/AAAAAAAACfE/LfDvfY8JjdE/s400/100_6121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625848818984849298" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But what had happened? Why were they so small?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, one thing I'm guessing is that I scattered the seeds a tad late and they didn't get enough time. In March, as the last of the snow was melting, I realized that I better hurry. I ran out and scattered them on the melting droves of snow. So, more like spring sowing than winter sowing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Out of five distinct areas that I targeted, the seeds only sprouted in one of them. That one spot is a full sun spot and isn't occupied by other plants. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have to say, snow covered ground makes it a bit hard to know and remember exactly what's underneath and where to scatter the seeds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I used a few envelopes of mixed seed varieties. California Poppies did NOT work as one of my facebook friends had told me, but I had to try.</span></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVChwbTXkTo/ThMHrw1axlI/AAAAAAAACe8/rj1etzfKwYA/s1600/100_6122.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVChwbTXkTo/ThMHrw1axlI/AAAAAAAACe8/rj1etzfKwYA/s400/100_6122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625848807940605522" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is a size comparison. To the far right is a normal size seed pod from my Oriental Poppies. And, to the left of it, in the middle, is the seed pot from the biggest snow poppy (showed on top right), this one was about 1.5" across when blooming.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To the far left, the average size of my snow poppies. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Size: annoyingly small! Its blooming size is smaller than an American quarter.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now that I know where they take seed, I think I'll try it again this coming winter. It is by far the easiest and quickest way to sow seeds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Well, folks, that's all. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Hope you are enjoying your summer as I am. I wish I could slow it down, though. June just flew by, have no idea where it went. I'm feeling slightly stressed about that to be honest. The fear of a runaway summer entered my dreams the other night. I dreamed that I saw frost on my plants and someone told me that the fall was here. GASP!!!</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>So, take advantage of these beautiful summer days. Stop and smell the roses, eat some ice cream and make some trips to the ocean and dip your toes in the water before it's all too late.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Annelie</i></span></div>Anneliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15847120532617273114noreply@blogger.com11