Good To Be Back...

It has been a long time. I forgot my password and then we had connection issues, computer issues and the  usual 'life is just so busy'. There were many posts I wanted to add such as the Halloween snow storm.  After that storm we barely had any snow all winter.  Then there was the hurricane where one of my favorite maple trees lost a few large limbs that ended up very gracefully draped over my car. Missed opportunities for sharing.

But I am now back, my password is safely written down and the technical issues are resolved. I hope you are back with me too.

So, how are things with all of you? In the meantime I thought I would share my spring garden.

Friday Night Out ...

and worth every penny. It is a wonderful feeling to sit in a auditorium full of people that are all laughing at the same time. I enjoyed hearing everyone's laughter as much as I enjoyed hearing Sedaris reading excerpts from new stories.

 

A Day in New Hampshire ...

We have been in our home for 7 years and in all that time we rarely venture out to just explore our surroundings. On weekends we always have a destination and a tight time frame. So this weekend we decided to take time and explore New Hampshire.  We just 'followed our noses' and I am so glad we did. This whole area, Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire is very beautiful; horse and apple farms, pumpkins and mountain views. 

We found this beautiful lake just 20 minutes from home. The water was amazingly clear and reflective and with the leaves beginning their change, it held us captive.

Do you see the little fish in this picture?  Look in the upper left hand corner.

 The water was chilly but very comfy after a minute or so.

Then we stopped for a late lunch/early dinner - Parker's is a Sugar House, Restaurant and Gift Shop all in one. My kind of place ! and it has the very best homemade turkey dinners.

See you all later.

Hypertufa Planter ...

Has anyone tried making a hypertufa planter or trough? I just unmolded my first attempt and frankly I feel a bit proud. Mixing the cement, peat moss and perlite is a bit tiring but it was fun too.  I especially like the cost compared with buying something manufactured for retail sale. I'll also wait for warmer weather as playing with water in the fall is chilly.

On my 'To Do' list for the winter will be finding more items to use as molds. In the pictures below I used a plastic desk bin about 8' X 12' and 6 inches deep.  I love the way the mixture poked through the holes in the basket.

If you 've made something from hypertufa I'd love to see it. If you want to try it for yourself just google hypertufa to find many great resources.

Ch Ch Ch Changes ...

It is cold, 34 F ... oh wait, that was yesterday. Today it is close to 80 F.  Did anyone else feel that the summer just flew by.  Here are a few pictures of the action around here. 

Pastel Paintings...

I take a class in pastel painting with the lovely Joelle Feldman. You can learn more about her, view her wonderful work and see the work of some of my classmates here.

Over the next few weeks I will post some of the other paintings I have completed.  The one below is part of a series of spring flowers.

This is also a good time to finally join in Creative Every Day 2011.  Um - yup halfway through June and here is my first post in 2011.  :-)

An Orange Spring...

Summer is almost here. Our spring in the Northeast has been beautiful but rainy. Most of the plants love the extra water and when the sun comes out they really sparkle. Last year I planted alot of orange flowers and they really look great this year. Here are a few of my favorites along with two of the five orioles that spent the spring with us.