Hello! Has it really been three weeks since my last post? Summer is such a brief, glorious season in New England, that I savor every blessed second of it. In recent days, we've gone to the beach and toured a grand, old estate (I will share more about that excursion on Firday); hosted six of our relatives for the Fourth of July weekend and had a hurricane party complete with a lobster and steak dinner, salt potatoes, sweet corn, and homemade blueberry cake; watched two seasons of Downton Abbey and started the third; visited flea markets and yarn shops; swam; observed insects, turtles, and birds; tended our flower and veggie patches; knit; and read lots of books. (I am
hooked on M.C. Beaton's
Agatha Raisin Mystery series, which is about a middle-aged business woman who has retired to the English Cotswolds and repeatedly finds herself at the center of a murder mystery. There are twenty-five books in all--in two and a half weeks I've gotten up to number seven!)
In other news, my garden is flourishing. It's been a good season for roses. I adore the pink tinged golden hue of my new grandiflora 'strike it rich'.
And, I've finished the 'surprise' knit I was working on! It's not socks or a hot water bottle cover or a backpack or market bag, although those were all good guesses. : ) I can't wait to show you what it really is during this week's knit along. I've also finished knitting 'Diana's Hat' from the Green Gables Knits book. It is a lovely, simple pattern that I plan to make again very soon. Photographs and post coming later this week.
Oh, yes, Elvis says, "Hi". : )
So, I thought when summer came it would be an easy thing to shed a few pounds, what with walking and swimming and running around, but I'm getting fatter! I can't stop myself from baking pies and cakes. Last week, I made a peach pie that was absolutely scrumptious warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Do you know what this is? It's a 1950's
'head vase'. My son found it for me at an open air flea market up in Rowley. I love it and hope it will be the first in a collection.
I'll be back on Wednesday with more to share. See you then!
Good to hear from you! It seems you have had plenty of wonderful reasons to keep you away. I look forward to reading more. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are really soaking in and enjoying a beautiful summer Susan. I love your garden, it is so very pretty. My garden is a mess, but then it usually is by the time July arrives.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a head vase, very cool.
Enjoy all those pies, yum.
Wow love that hammock. I don't think I've ever seen one so big. Oh and the dragonfly too. Like you I love them. Like Tracey my garden is looking very neglected, yours is beautiful and obviously been really well tended and cared for. Enjoy the rest of your lovely sunny summer days.
ReplyDeletedebx
that head vase reminds me of my dad's mom, she had a long shelf of planters filled with every indoor plant imaginable. (loved the jesus and mary ones the best!). I will be emailing you soon about the boston trip to be that hasn't been sorted as of yet. But do know if I can meet you I will :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great hammock! Downton Abbey is one of the few shows hubby and I watch together. We loved catching up on the first 3 seasons before we got into the 4th season.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouraging comment you left for me. I appreciate that very much.
Downton Abbey is one of my favorites, my husband likes it too, :-)
The books you mentioned sound like something I would definitely enjoy. I'll check our library for them.
Your garden is just beautiful!. It looks like such a relaxing place to sit and enjoy. When I went to visit my sister-in-law this summer, and she was showing me her garden, she had a statue of Mary on the patio that she was in the middle of painting...a beautiful blue gown, lovely flesh colored hands, and I looked down and she had painted her toenails! She said, "Well, of course, she is a woman ~ what woman doesn't like her toes painted!" My SIL is quite the character. :-)
Elvis is just adorable!! and pie!! I've been doing that too..eating too much pie. :-)
I'm looking forward to seeing what you've knitted. I like Slate Falls Press patterns; they're great.
Enjoy your day,
Blessings,
Anne
Oh, I've never had more peaches than I could eat, or I would make a peach pie - I'm sure yours was delicious. There's nothing, nothing like a peach! I have seen head planters for outdoors - you know, the ones with long, green "hair" flowing? But never a head vase - how common can they be? Glad you're enjoying summer so much. :)
ReplyDeleteSo nice to have you back! What a glorious summer you are having! Now I am more curious than ever about the mystery knit... and I have never seen a head vase before... charming.
ReplyDeleteOh where to start! The flowers - the visits to flea markets and yarn shops! The pie - yummmmoooo!
ReplyDeleteThe doggie. We once had a cat named Elvis.... The flower head vase! I've always wanted to collect those, but never see them anywhere around here. But I could always check online - oh yes I could!
The bug on the tree - THAT I can do without - LOL!
Linda in VA
Oh your wonderful hammock I would love to have one. Just lie there and look at the sky and feel peaceful!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you really enjoy your summer Susan. Love your dog Elwis he looks like alot of fun. How old is he?
Very cool head vase your son found, I love her face. And your pie looks delicious so enjoy the ones you make.