Christina and Rich

Christina and Rich

May 3, 2008

In May our family had the honor of attending my niece, Christina, and her fiance' Rich's wedding. Due to the fact she and Rich live in Connecticut we had only met Rich once before, but they both seem so very happy and we are thrilled for them!

Since many people couldn't make the 2-3 hour drive to Connecticut, Christina opted to also have an intimate party of about 40 people at my mothers this past Saturday afternoon for local friends and family. Although the weather was not as cooperative as we had hoped, overall the party was tasteful and lovely. I hope they enjoyed it as well!

The cake was handmade by my mother

Elise and Andria being silly

The fountain us kids gave to my parents for their 50th Wedding Anniversary a few years ago sits just outside the front door.

There were plenty of flowers and yummy food to go around!

Jon and Brent grilling up burgers and chicken for the guests, though I'm not sure they were as thrilled as they looked about being assigned with the job.

The woman who played the piano did a wonderful job!

I wish I had more pictures to post, but most of them came out dark due to my camera setting's being off. Christina I hope you like the ones I posted : )

Phineas

I always think I should takemore pictures of Phin at play, but when he is lying there, so peaceful, with his incredibly beautiful blue eyes just barely showing . . . that's when I think he looks the best.

Phineas really knows how to relax in style! Or he may just be trying to tell me that he needs a larger cat bed to stretch out in ...

(Both of these pictures look incredible when you enlarge them!)

Soul Dog

It may have been 3 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. One of my favorite memories ever with Lily is also one of my favorites with Barb and Bentley. It was the first time I had ever taken Lily to Jenness Beach (or any beach) in Rye and the sky was the most gorgeous of colors! Colors seldom seen, ever. The night was slightly cool, but balmy, and the tide was as far out as it would go making the beach seem much larger than normal. There were also very few people at the beach that night, though I'm not sure why because it was so gorgeous.

Barb is being zoomed!

I had never let Lily off leash before but she and Bentley were having so much fun I had to give it a try. Although it still makes me a bit nervous ever time I do it, you can see how happy the two of them were to just run like the dogs they are up and down the beach. It's always nice to see the complete and satisfied exhaustion on Lily's face that night in the shower and when we climb into bed. Here's to making a lot more beach memories!
Lily and Bentley's happiness was obvious by the way they carried themselves and the looks on their faces. I think they knew it was a perfect night too!

Fireworks in your mouth!

Summer Shortcake (click for recipe)

Now THIS looks like something I would love to try for the 4th of July! Locally grown Strawberries have just came into season, and blueberries are almost ready to pick. Just delicious after Grilled Chicken, Corn on the Cob, and Boston Baked Beans!

I may not be crazy about Martha Stewart, but who ever does all the work behind the scenes sure does come up with some good stuff!

A Pug Kind of Day

There's nothing like a day at the pool to cool a fella down and work on a tan!

Elise and Winston

Later on . . . more relaxation with mom on the swing.

Phew! All that rocking really knocks a guy out!

Now I'm revved up and ready to take on the world! Okay, maybe not the world, but look out Lily, here I come! (As you can see, she and I had a good staring contest before the running started. I like to tease her.)

Phillips Exeter

Founded in 1638, Exeter is such a lovely old town with rich history and historic old homes and businesses. It is also home to one of the oldest and most prestigious prep schools in the country, Phillips Exeter Acadamy, founded 1781.

Being from the area we take the school for granted as we pass by it constantly, but the fact is it's a beautiful place worth just walking around to see the architecture of the buildings and the quaint gardens. So the other night that's exactly what Elise and I did. Hard to believe we live so close but have never walked any of the campus! Our time was limited to less than an hour but we tried to make the most of it. One of the first things we noticed was this HUGE old tree!

You would think after driving by this spot so many times we would have noticed how large this tree really is, but it sits among other trees on an enormous lawn so it's impact is somewhat diminished. Once we walked up to it though . . . we were just astonished!

Several of the trees in the area were marked as to what variety they were but unfortunately this one was not. At some point I'll have Brent come with me to see if he can figure out the variety. And maybe after he sees these pictures he'll know. As I looked at it I couldn't help but think it appeared as though 2 trees had grown together.

After Elise and I took a few pictures of each other, she happened to look up and notice a squirrel tail hanging over one of the branches about 20 ft. up. I managed to snap a picture when suddenly the squirrel turned around quickly to look at me with his beady eyes as if to say, "What do you want?" We had a good laugh about how cute he was, and then he was gone.

Please be sure to click on any of the pictures to enlarge them for a better view.

<-- There really IS a squirrel tail up there!

We took many more pictures which I'll be sure to share in the near future.

Morning Wake Up Call!

A wonderful little song bird, the House Wren. At just under 5" they are quite small, but their voice is large as life! The past several years we've been fortunate enought to have a pair nest in my next door neighbors bird house and produce at least one or two broods per Spring/Summer. Hopefully they will continue to return in coming years as I just love listening to them. This morning they were singing in stereo . . . one on each side of the yard, though you can't hear it in the video.

Even with all the traffic driving by you can still hear the birds beautiful song!

Fathers Day and Mothers Day

Me with my Mom and Dad

I love this picture :)

Toe Rub

Phin was enjoying a wonderful little toe massage . . . until Lily came along.

Happy Fathers Day!

To a wonderful Dad.

Happy Fathers Day, Brent!

It Smells Like Summer

More than likely this will be the last of my posts regarding the Peonies and Wisteria. Time is passing quickly and the blooms have peaked, but I've enjoyed and appreciated every moment of their beauty for it passes all too quickly. For the ants too I imagine.


Did you know there are over 600 varieties of Peonies? Neither did I!!! After seeing some of the gorgeous colors and variations I can't help but wish a few of the unique ones were mine. It might be time to seek out what is available in the local area. Sometimes even Walmart carries some nice varieties at low prices. The one annoying thought is how long it takes the plants to become full sized. Who wants to wait? Not me. Patience in not a great virtue of mine. But I think it's the only way there is. After all, look at what time has produced.

The next colorful flowers to come into bloom near the arbor will 2 Blue Hydrangea's I planted years ago, although I find myself very disappointed in the limited amount of blooms they produce each summer. I've tried using Big Bloom fertilizer, as well as an acidic mix to help them turn the gorgeous blue color they are when I bought them from the Nursery. Nothing seems to help. Maybe this year will be different. Of course I say that every year.

Blue Phin

9 weeks

11 months

While I'm on a 'blue' subject, here is my adorable little . . . well he used to be little . . . 11 month old Phineas. Last September as my older daughter and I drove past the local SPCA I decided to stop in . . . just to look! In the past I had always been able to restrain myself as far as looking but not leaping.

One glance at Phin though and it was pretty much all over. There's just no way to resist the charm of his blue eyes and adorable disposition. When he first came home Cybil and Luna would have nothing to do with him, so his only resource for love was either us, or the the dogs.

To this day he still prefers hanging out with Lily and Winston rather than Luna, but they tend to be somewhat sceptical of a cat that wants to snuggle. There will be plenty more pictures of Phin to come. He is so easy to photograph.

You Know You're A Mom When . . .

If you are up at 5:30 am, with Blueberry muffins in the oven by 5:45, then chances are you are a mom. Or you could be Martha Stewart, but more than likely you're a mom. If you enlarge the lower picture you can see what time I took the picture. *yawn* And why? Because there is nothing else in the house to eat and I don't want the girls to go to school hungry. Then I would feel like the Bad Mom Of The Year Award would be all mine until they come home and fill up on junk food, and the guilt starts all over again.

By 6:50 am both girls have left school for the last Friday of this school year. Next Thursday, the 19th, will be the final day. Today I plan on squeezing in a little shopping time at the mall just for me, then it's off to the grocery store to try to avert some of the guilt.

And so the day begins.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Blueberry Muffins 

1 3/4 cups Flour

1/2 cup Sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder

1/4-1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

Dash of Salt

A couple Tablespoons Wheat Germ (optional, but it's good for you!)

Mix all dry, then add:

1/4 cup Shortening (I use 3 large spoonfuls)

Mix again with a fork.

Then add:

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup Milk

1 cup Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, or a combination of berries

Mix until all ingredients are moist, then spoon into a sprayed or greased muffin tin. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Makes 10-12 muffins.

* For extra sweetness and a little bit of crispiness sprinkle sugar on top of each muffin before they bake. My mom always did and my girls like it too!

North Church

Portsmouth, NH

(click to enlarge)

For Annie Pants

Somehow I get the feeling Annabelle is smiling just for me. So I'm smiling right back at you pretty girl!

Why Pie?

Because it's June!

It's that brief time of year when both Rhubarb and Strawberries are available at the same time, and a slice of homemade pie tastes delicious! How I wish the moment would last a little longer, but like the flowers in the garden, all in bloom, the moment passes all to quickly. In the mean time, I'm savoring every day.

What A Beautiful Morning

My Garden

This morning, after breakfast (6:45 am), I just had to go out and take a few pictures of my garden. The Wisteria is at it's peak and the Peonies are just coming into bloom. If only the Wisteria smelled as good it looks! What the plant lacks in scent, it certainly makes up for in beauty.

Hard to believe it was only 4 years ago that we took down the old arbor, cut back the Wisteria, and let it lay on the ground through out the whole winter until we put up a new arbor in the Spring. As you can see, the Wisteria didn't suffer a bit. The plant requires regular maintenance because as any proud Wisteria owner knows, they tend to grow out of control in a very short period of time.

One Impressive Hosta!

Next to the arbor sits my enormous Hosta. I wish you could see how large it actually is because pictures don't do it justice. Last year it measured 8 feet across, but I think it might grow even larger this year. Each Spring my husband says we should move it because it takes over the walkway, and it's too big. But to me it is the focal point of the whole garden, and almost everyone who comes to visit comments on how impressive it actually is.

Unfortunately I didn't save the tag so I can't give you the variety. A friend of mine feels it is an Elephant Ear Hosta, but as I say, I'm just not sure. I just know it's one of my all time favorite plants.

Flying Into Spring!

Every year, around the 1st of May, I'm always amazed to see 1 or 2 little, teeny Ruby Throated Hummingbirds arrive at our feeder after a long and treacherous trip from South America. What a treat and delight to the eyes! Nothing says spring like the flutter of Hummingbird's wings!

Do you have a feeder? If so, make sure to clean it on a regular basis so as not to accumulate mold. When it's hot out, the feeder can start to form mold in as little as 3 days, making the birds sick. I clean mine with spray bleach and a bottle brush, and it seems to do the trick. The work is definitely worth the reward.

Like the Hummingbirds, the Baltimore Orioles show up around the 1st of May as well, depending upon the weather. This year they were about a week late because it was still rather cold, but once they arrive they are ready for a nice, juicy orange! The Orioles don't eat them for usually any longer than a couple weeks, but I can still hear them singing their gurgling song in the tree's so I know they must be nesting in the area.

This year, as with the past few years, we also have Grey Cat Birds nesting in the Burning bushes. So far we haven't seen any babies, but I'm expecting to anytime now. How I love the beauty of Spring!

A Southern Lady in New England

Nancy and Winston

On Friday, May 30th, my friend Nancy came all the way from Texas to visit little ole' me here in NH. Actually, she came from Boston, as she was attending a business conference, but none the less, in total she still had to travel quite a ways to get here. As you can see, she was instantly taken over by Winston who knew right away Nancy was a Pug connoissuer! He proceded to lick & love her on a regular basis, without so much as one little complaint from his recipient. I tried to warn Nancy, he has some nasty eating habits, but she didn't seem to mind.

Great Bay Discovery Center

The following morning, we took a brisk stroll along the boardwalk of Sandy Point, overlooking Great Bay which feeds into the ocean a couple miles away. The sky was overcast, and eventually it did rain, but that was after we arrived back home, and just before we left for the train station. Nancy has some wonderful photo's, a short video, and interesting info about Horseshoe Crabs you may view on Nancy's Blog.

A little further down on Nancy's page is the story of the great adventure her Pug Tag made just to see Winston!

Speaking of the train, here is the actual station I picked Nancy up at. It's just a cute little thing, and if you hesitate for a moment, you'll miss your train because they stop, hustle everyone off and on, and . . . whooosh! . . . off they go. It's over in less than 5 minutes! See you next year Nancy! I hope!