Here Fishy, Fishy

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."
~e.e. Cummings

My Chad-o and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather today. The cool temperatures, sunny skies and warm sun provided the perfect ingredients for a day of stream stompin' and picture takin'. Chad-o teased the trout and I used my camera to harass every aspect of nature.

We started out walking through fields and along streams. Praise God I decided to wear tennis shoes rather than my flippies. That would have been a disaster.

And, you know how it is... You're out in the middle of nowhere and stumble upon two fairly decent turquoise chairs. Instantly, I flashed back to the movie, "Grumpy Old Men." Can you just picture those two geezers sitting on these lovely seats?

Mission accomplished.

*Don't worry- we released all the little trouts back to thier homes.

...'mornin

"By getting up early in the morning one also gets more time at his disposal for work as compared to late-risers. Scholars and thinkers get up early in the morning and contemplate."

~Rig Veda

Hello. I woke up early today and I just fell in love with the morning dew. You know the kind...gently placed little dew droplets and stringy spiderwebs.

Any day now, these day lilies will unfold and proudly showcase their yellow blooms. I think summer is finally tip-toeing through the garden...

Oh- and the craziest thing happened. Or, perhaps I've been spending too much quality time in my herb garden. But, this afternoon, as I was planting some baby basil sprouts, I turned my head, and much to my amazement, my eyes landed on a deer. Yep-- a deer!

I can honestly say that in all my years of living in the 'hood, I've never seen a deer wander through my neighbor's lawn.

Maybe the lesson for the day is to expect the unexpected.

Sounds good to me- I'm up for some adventure (wink*).

Vine Ripe Tomtaoes Coming Soon

"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity."

~Lindley Karstens

I've been dreaming of these nifty cherry tomato plants, and my sweet mama and papa surprised me with two cuties today. Much to my delight they were perched on the back deck when I returned home from work this afternoon.

Aren't I lucky? My pardres are so nice. Gracias, Jossie and Ace.

Now I can eagerly await my first harvest, when I will whip up this delicious recipe for roasted cherry tomatoes.

Can you say, "Yum!?!"

*line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper

*slice tomatoes in half, scooping out seeds, and place cut-side up on pan (or leave them whole)

*lightly drizzle with olive oil

*sprinkle with kosher salt, black pepper, fresh rosemary, some basil, and 2 cloves of garlic

*bake at 225 F for aprox. six to seven hours or until caramelized and dehydrated-looking

It's Raining, It's Pouring

"The world is my country,

all mankind are my brethern,

and to do good is my religion."

~Thomas Paine

Did you ever notice how the sky emits a strange glow right before a thunderstorm?

I've always found a stormy light rather intriguing and went out to use the ethereal glow to capture some Nikon moments. I had the pleasure of dodging the droplets and cracks of lightening as I attempted to catch a glimpse of this gently emerging rhododendron flower. As a kid, I despised these flowering shrubs due to their intense love affair with huge, fuzzy, loudly buzzing bumble-bees. Thankfully, I'm past that now :)

Sneak Peek

"Don't let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way. Be unique. Be what you feel."

~Melissa Etheridge

This is the beginning of the transformation. The original plan has been scratched.

Why? It became the norm. I just can't take that.

And, since poppy orange doesn't match in the least little bit, it shall be my accent color. I'm way obsessed with it.

My plan: to replicate nature, but give it a modern, contemporary twist...

PS- This jewelry box was previously faux oak. Can't you just picture it? (eewww) Being that oak makes me ill, I decided to perform cosmetic surgery with the help of some amazing Martha Stewart paint.

Sparks Were a Flyin'

"I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another in a lovely constellation, where we will sparkle in the heavens forever."

~Amy Tan

campfires are special

campfires and summer 2005

campfires remind me of my the first time I was truly happy

campfires bring back long nights, under starry skies

campfires are memories of the best conversations

campfires are simple

campfires mark the beginning

of how two people fell in love

So Pretty, Must Have

"When ideas float in our mind without any reflection or regard of the understanding, it is that which the French call revery, our language has scarce a name for it."

~John Locke

Ok, so I found this picture today while doing some browsing on-line. I've decided I really need these dainty little candles and the whimsy they would bring. Also, this set the stage for my new color scheme... Stay tuned for the unveiling of my latest painting project.

A Dirt Diggin' Kind of Day

"Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic and meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which a man gives his heart."

~Karel Capel

The weatherman called for a day of rains. Weatherchannel.com reported severe thunderstorms. I saw sunny skies.

Unable to resist the gardening temptation, or to heed the warnings of my trusty meteorologist, I hopped in Jaxie (my car), and high-tailed it to the nearest greenhouse.

How is one ever to make a choice? Of course, I was armed with a mental list of necessary items, but found it extremely difficult to stick to it. I knew I wanted to go with a purple and orange theme, and that flowers I purchased needed to enjoy a full day of flaming hot sun. Sounds easy enough, huh? ..umm....yea...not so much....

So, after packing Jaxie full of blooming wonder, I made a quick, yet necessary stop at the Donut Connection. Why not partake in my favorite java while doing one of my favorite things? It seemed like the recipe for a perfect day: coffee and plants.

And, it was. I managed to plant all of the flower pots, make my very own hanging basket, and start my herb garden. Ahh, yes...the sweetness of digging in the dirt.

mmm... Cilantro, mint, rosemary, lavender, and banana peppers...

I'm already getting excited for a summer of sun tea, made with the above fresh mint.

Always a fan of relaxation and sunshine, Charlie T. enjoyed an afternoon of watching her mama plant. As you can imagine, she offered fabulous gardening advice and even gave me a few pointers. She's such a smartie.

And, in case you are wondering, she consistently drags that golden pillow to the nearest sun spot, where she will attempt to 'lay out', and tan her fur. As you can see, it's coming along quite nicely.

Lilacs, Lilacs!

"Go down to Kew in lilac-time, in lilac-time, in lilac-time;

Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London).

And you shall wander hand in hand with love in summer's wonderland;

Go down to Kew in lilac-time (it isn't far from London)."

~Alfred Noyes, The Barrel Organ

If you haven't already noticed, the lilacs are blooming! On Sunday afternoon, as Charlie T. and I walked through the neighborhood, the fragrant smell of these flowers wafted through the air and danced in the breeze. Had my allergies not been fighting me, I'm sure I'd have enjoyed such an olfactory treat even more.

Anyway, seeing and smelling the hundreds of lilac bushes in my little town got me thinking. You see, my favorite color is purple.

So, as I contemplated purple, I started to wonder what it meant. I realized that researching the color's symbolic meaning might reveal aspects of my personality I didn't want to address. However, my curiosity got the best of me, and I quickly found myself typing 'color psychology' into Google.

My results were rather interesting. May I suggest that you take a few minutes and do some research of your own. You might be surprised to find out what your favorite color can reveal about you...

Celebrate Your Mama!

"You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around... and why his parents will always wave back."

~William D. Tammeus

Mamas are good. Mamas are necessary. Mamas make life better.

Thank you, Jossie, for being the best. I really did luck out!

Good Stuff- My Day in Pictures

"may the road

rise to meet you,

may the wind

always be at your back,

may the sun

shine warm upon your face,

may the rains

fall softly upon your fields..."

~Irish Blessing

I thought I'd give you a glimpse of my nifty little knitting project. Since it's so dull and dreary outside, I'm turning to colorful yarn to lift my spirits.

Of course, a delectable dish of strawberry shortcake made the day a bit sweeter.

And, there's something so gosh-darn cheerful about a bouquet of daisies.

Despite more rain, it was a pretty nice day. I'm off to beddie-bye...night, y'all.

My Quiet Place

"I would not exchange my leisure hours for all the wealth in the world."

~Comte de Mirabeau

I thought I'd share with you my quiet place; the place where I read and write and think.

My desk holds many memories; and for someone as nostalgic as me, that's highly important. Oh if my little desk could talk... I bet it could tell you some insane stories.

Today, however, is catalogue day! Me, Little Peep, a cup of peppermint tea, and the newest installment of one of our favorite catalogues, have decided to spend some quality time together. Off we go to the quiet place and drift into the land of wonder. The sound of rain pitter-patters on the roof, but we are content in our cozy, peaceful retreat.

Why is it so much fun to turn the pages and dream of owning all these amazing trinkets and unique goodies?

A Much Awaited Day

"You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

~Max Ehrmann

Dear Friends,

In a few short hours Angie and Dan will finally meet their precious little girl, Chloe. Chloe, you see, has spent the first months of her young life in China, where she has resided with a kind and gracious foster family. Over the next few days, her life, as well as Angie's and Dan's , will undergo a dramatic change. Although this union will bring many smiles and tears of joy, it will no doubt bring confusion and stress to the little girl.

Please, keep them in your thoughts and prayers as you go through your day. Pray for a peaceful and serene transition, and give thanks for wonder of adoption.

Take a peek at their blog. I promise, you'll enjoy it!

Happy May Day

"May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through."
~ Irish Blessing

To: You
From: Me
...here is a pretty Quince blossom to say, "Thanks for stopping by."

Chives!

My Chive babies wanted to meet you. Hello.

A Stormy Spring Evening

"Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things- with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope."
~ Corazon Aquino

We're inside now, Charlie T. and I, and we're fully enjoying this evening storm. Won't you join us as we sip raspberry sangria tea, read magazines, and listen to the plip-plop of the raindrops?

As the storm approached, Little Peep and I took a stroll through the lawn. We noticed some of the bushes, shrubs, and trees beginning to show some signs of life. Ever the adventurous ones, we took off with the camera, in full hopes of capturing these blooming delights before their warm springtime shower.

We came across this little guy. How he managed to settle in along the sidewalk, we have no idea. But, we're glad he did. Even if he's the only one, he's pretty sweet and a welcome addition to the habitat on Dott Avenue. Against the stormy sky, he almost looks as if he's glowing. Or, perhaps he's just happy to share a pad with us.

As if begging for a drink, the Sand Cherries turned up their tiny faces, smiling at the sky and showing their lovely delicate petals. It's amazing how beautiful they are if one takes the time to truly study their intricate features. Sand Cherries- it's good to see you again.

Although these pollen packers make me sneeze, they also cause me to travel down memory lane. You see, a few years ago when Chad-o and I were just friends, he was contemplating cutting down this delightful maple tree. Being that I'm a huge fan of vegetation, I did my best to persuade him against it. Realizing that my highly-honed debate skills were failing to produce the necessary results, I went into Rachel Carson mode. I climbed the tree and stayed there. I named the tree. I called him Terrance. Thankfully, all my antics worked. To this day, Terrance goes by no other name, provides me with peaceful shade, and houses my little friend the tail-less squirrel. (It's honestly true!)

And, it also appears as if Miss Crab Apple is making her annual appearance. How adorable are her delicate pink blossoms?

A Slice of Heaven

"It is always the simple that produces the marvelous."

~ Amelia Barr

Twas a beautiful day for a ride, and the perfect day to pay a visit to my favorite place.

Tucked away at the junction of the Youghiogheny River, the Casselman River, and Laurel Hill Creek is the tiny, quiet town of Confluence. It's beyond special to me for many reasons, and as soon as I cross the "whistle bridge," as we so affectionately named it many moons ago, I am filled with a sense of peace and calm. Someday, I just might live there.

Today, was the seasonal opening of my favorite restaurant, The River's Edge Cafe. If a more serene place exists, I'd love to see it. Do yourself a favor and take a weekend jaunt to this historic town. I promise that you will be greeted with beautifully crafted homes (some in need of much love), welcoming bed and breakfasts, down to earth people, natural, old-fashioned landscaping, and the best sweet potato fries you'll ever eat.

If you're extra kind, and bring along your own loaf of stale bread, it's quite possible you'll make friends with one of the many delightful duckies that patrol the river. They quickly befriend those toting any type of carbohydrate treat.

The sweet joys of simple days with my favorite people.

Much Love,
C

The Chamomile Grows

"Plants cry their gratitude for the sun in green joy."

~Astrid Alauda

Imagine my excitement when my eyes saw these tiny green sprouts today. You see, they were just planted on Saturday. Obviously, my thumb gets greener by the minute.

Therefore, according to my calculations, chamomile seeds germinate in 3 short days. Amazing. I need to plant more, as they are quite kind to my gardening ego.

Along with the chamomile, I also planted seeds for basil, chives, thyme, and rosemary. From what I've read, it's more difficult to grow herbs from seed, but naturally, I have chosen the path of most resistance. Wish me luck.

Shamrock Plant

"Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into."

~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858

I bought this interesting plant as a gift for me on St. Patrick's Day. Nothing quite as classy as buying yourself a present, huh?

It just so happens that I'm completely and totally in love with my purple shamrock plant. It sits, quietly perched, on the kitchen counter and never utters a word when I sneak chocolate chips from the baking cupboard, or gummy bears from the candy drawer. She's a marvelous secret-keeper...

Every now and then, she yields the prettiest white flowers. The contrasting colors prove quite stunning and make me love her that much more.

Good night, dear shamrock plant. I heart you.

Baby Tree

"We can learn a lot from trees: they're always grounded, but never stop reaching heavenward."

~Everett Mamor

Check out this cutie little Maple Tree. Chad-o found it in the yard last week and brought it in to show me because the "helicopter" was still attached. He knows the child in me delights in these small wonders of nature. As luck would have it, by the time I got around to taking this photo, the crispy brown pod had detached. Nonetheless, I decided to give my baby tree a blog shout out. I'd like to see how big I can get it to grow. If I'm successful, perhaps I'll find a serene spot and give it a permanent home.

Things Are Bloomin, Bloomin

"The 'amen' of nature is always a flower."

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Come with me. Won't you join me on an early evening walk through my yard? We'll pretend we're gently sauntering along the garden path, while drinking fresh lemonade, or perhaps, homemade sangria.

Hooray for the forsythia! Finally, finally, finally, they are beginning to emerge. Don't you just love their yellow faces?

Not to be outdone by it's sunny neighbor, the white primrose decided to showcase some of it's lovely star-centered blooms.

And of course, there's the hosta, slowly poking through the damp soil.

Yes-sir-ree. The yard at 403 is a happening place, full of quiet activity.

Let the Sun Shine

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring."

~George Santayana, American Philosopher

Oh Spring, Oh Spring, where art thou? It would be really nice to see your sweet, warm face and feel the gentle breeze blow through the air. I'd love to start taking afternoon walks with the puppy, or enjoy an evening stroll with my honey pie.

But, alas, winter continues to hold my flippies and shorts and little seedlings hostage. How they would relish the opportunity to venture out of stuffy closets, tightly packed drawers, and makeshift greenhouses. Shine sun, shine- You can do it!

No, I'm not hopelessly in love with Spring. I'm just in the mood for a change of pace. Plus, these pussy willows are so looking forward to being firmly planted in a sunny outdoor location. Although peaceful and content on the shelf above my desk, they are excited for a more organic home. They are ready. They told me so today.

What do ya say, Mr. Golden? Will you come out and play? (pretty please, with a cherry on top)

Knitting, Coffee, and a Puppy

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

~Robert Brault

It's a dreary day and it also happens to be the last day of Easter vacation. Charlie T. and I decided it would be a perfect day for knitting. We've been cuddled up and knitting this curly whirly scarf for the past few hours.

I have a thing for scarves. Actually, I have an entire drawer in my dresser devoted to them. The drawer has become so full that my closet now has numerous ones draped over hangers or hiding out under winter coats.

I think it's still raining or drizzling or misting. Whatever it's doing outside doesn't really matter. We're quite cozy in here-- drinking coffee and knitting like grannies.

Yesterday, my mama and I enjoyed a day out. We visited some of our favorite haunts, but spent hours at Kathy's Kreations in Ligonier where we were enveloped into a world of yarns and wonder. Looking at the cute little puppy in the above photo, you'd never imagine that she'd sneak into my knitting bag and chew my bamboo needles. No. Not a chance. Not her. (wink*)

Imagine my happiness and surprise when I found a used bin of knitting needles in search of a new home! And, to make matters even better, they were only 50 cents a pair. Lucky me!