newfane flea market and sunday ride

Last Sunday was the perfect day for a visit to the Newfane Flea Market.

Those of you who know me, probably think this is a strange outing for me. I admit, I don’t think I’ve ever been to a flea market before. My natural tendency is to get rid of things. But then, I’ve been seeing so many great flea market redo's lately.
So, I guess I’m a flea market novice.

And - on the way to the flea market...

The gentleman driving this vehicle was kind enough to wave us by – but we were in no hurry. Besides, how could we take a picture if we just sped on by?

Have I mentioned, lately, how much I love Vermont?

Anyway – as a flea market novice, I really didn’t know what to expect. But this was pretty much as I imagined. We poked around for an hour or two. I really don’t know how to negotiate – are you supposed to negotiate at flea markets? I saw lots of interesting things – I guess I was a little too engrossed in the whole experience to remember to take pictures.

So – what did I buy?

Okay – don’t laugh – as I’ve mentioned, I really don’t know what I’m doing
Anyway…..
I’ve seen lots of painted glass on Pinterest lately.

Like this from Martha Stewart

 

Martha Stewart Crafts



And this



wipkits.blogspot



And I’m thinking this looks like a whole lot of fun. Sooooo, any normal person might have bottles tucked in the back of a cupboard somewhere – and I’m sure I did, too, at some point – but, well, I guess I got rid of them.

I’m not sure what color I’ll paint them, or where I’m going to put them. For now, they’re sitting on my kitchen window sill.

So – the whole flea market experience?
Yep, I’ll go back again.

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shady gardens

After living in a series of new construction homes, eight years ago we moved into our current home - Circa 1930 (ish). I have always loved the character of older homes - or so I thought.This one has been a bit of a challenge learning experience. While Greg will speak of wiring that looks as though it was installed by Ben Franklin himself, one of my biggest dissapointments has been complete lack of flower gardens.

Huh?

How can a home survive 80 years without flowers?

I'm working to rectify this situation. My yard is VERY shady. See that massive tree trunk?

I am in awe of this majestic oak. Sometimes I just gaze up at it.

I call this garden my "Survival of the Fittest" garden. Plants need a strong will to survive all of the shade.

My Columbine are pretty happy this year.

And my Siberian Irises are starting to bloom.

There is a shady strip of land between our driveway and our next door neighbor's. When we first moved in, it was a weedy wasteland. One hot summer day as we weeded the area, I said to him - "just you wait and see, in a few years we won't need to do this anymore. It will be so lush!"

He laughed and kept on weeding.

We've spent the past few years dividing and sharing hostas, lily of the valley and irises.

It's getting there.

What are your gardening challenges?

I am joining

Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Jami at An Oregon Cottage for Tuesday Garden Party

Sherry at No Minimalist Here for Open House Party

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green mountain cycling

We're gearing up for another season of cycling and I’ve been going through photos of previous cycling trips. Greg loves cycling for the sake of cycling (you know - how far and how fast can I go?). I’m more of a touring cyclist – for me, the journey is the destination.

Last year, we took a week-long cycling trip through the Northern half of Vermont with Adventure Cycling Association – 375 miles (or so). This trip roughly follows their Green Mountains loop.

Adventure Cycling Green Mountains Loop



 Our friends think we’re nuts, but this is our favorite type of vacation.

Warning – there are lots of photos in this post. I guess I should also warn you that I lost my camera on this trip, so most of these were taken with an iphone - quality isn’t outstanding.

Here are a few of the many reasons that we came to love Vermont.

The “country store” is alive and well in rural Vermont.

The suburban Bostonian in us loved the "ammunition" sign.

I brake frequently for maple creemees (yummmm!)

thank you ladies!

And you know how I love farms!!

lots of rivers to cross, too

and bridges (no covered ones on this trip – but I’ll do a whole post on that one of these days)

This is probably the world’s cutest post office

Lunch break on a town common

And - just so you don’t think it was all fun and games -
we cycled through lots of rain

And less than ideal road conditions

But no complaining here – it’s still better than spending the day sitting in the office!!

What these pictures don't show is the camaraderie and friendships that develop. (I'm not really sure what the protocol is for including pictures of people, so I'll err on the side of caution)

We’re hoping to do lots of cycling around the back roads of Vermont this summer (you should probably take that as another warning)

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projects, projects, and more projects!!!

We've been busy - graduations, Mother's Day, yard work, birthdays - yep, it's Spring - and here in New England that means that it's also time to start shedding all those heavy layers. Maybe that's why I'm also having this overwhelming desire to shed all my possessions. Okay, maybe not all of them - but seriously, where did all this STUFF come from?

I have been in a Spring Cleaning frenzy - and honestly - it feels fan-tab-ulous!

I think I might have a book obsession

I can keep these - right?

Okay - the textbooks can go!

I'm really liking my less cluttered home - except - now I'm noticing all the things that I've been putting off…. Sigh...

 I mean yipee! - Projects!!

I'm going to be busy for a while...

I use this desk for sewing - and since I don't sew very often, it works just fine. It's in pretty good shape, but I'm dying to experiment with chalk paint. This looks like a good victim -

and then there is this mirror. It was a wedding present many years ago. I really like it (and it's certainly useful), but the gold is dated and really doesn't go in this room. I'm thinking this might fun to play with -

and then I thought I was taking a picture of one project - but the reflection in the mirror reveals two more -

a bedframe that should be refinished and prints that need frames -

and then there's this wicker chair that has been sitting in our garage. It's a little worn, but with some paint and a new cushion, it will be perfect for one of the guestrooms at Away.

And then -

my fireplace mantel needs a serious update and I have a cedar chest that needs refinishing and I want to change the color of just about every room in my house and my living room needs new window treatments and I need to plant my window boxes and I need to add a few more perennials to my flower beds and I'm still working on the bathroom at Away and......

I need a nap -

and then I'll get busy

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breakfasts away

Of the far- too-numerous-to-count things I love about weekends away, breakfast is near the top of my list. Of course we could have breakfast at home…

But, well – we don’t. I guess I can’t explain it.

Anyway -

mornings away tend to be relaxed. A quiet cup of coffee while gazing at the mountains usually starts the day. Then I get hungry inspired, and head to the kitchen.

Waffles are a favorite in our house, and I love making them. I don't have a special recipe that I always use, but I like buttermilk waffles the best. I add a couple tablespoons of sugar (maple if I have it) and a teaspoon of vanilla - they're best just slightly sweet.

And - I admit it - sometimes I use a mix (gasp!). My favorite mix is one that I pick up at the Dorset Union Store in Dorset, Vermont. It's a pancake mix - just add a couple extra tablespoons of melted butter - yummm!

I really don’t do tablescapes – although I love looking at them. In my house, we’re lucky to have the table set before we sit down.

I’m loving this centerpiece. I saw it over at  Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Tuesday Party. Susan was kind enough to share the link for where it can be purchased. 

(This weekly blog party is worth checking out if you are tablescape challenged, as I am.)

I think this wire basket adds the perfect rustic touch for my table. Flowers are slowly blooming in Vermont. These are the last of my daffodils - having them on my table makes me smile!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

I am joining:

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

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farm fascination

I am fascinated with farms – I've probably mentioned this before. Farms, farmhouses, farm life, farm animals.

Maybe the feeling is mutual...

Okay – maybe not.

Later, we had the pleasure of visiting Taylor Farm in Londonderry, Vermont. Word in the village is that they make an award winning gouda cheese.

We were warmly greeted by the welcoming committee

(don't you just love that blue chair!?)

After sampling (and purchasing) the maple smoked gouda - which is indeed outstanding! -

we took a few minutes to feed our hosts

(I'm thinking the propietors understand this whole farm fascination thing)

For suburbanites like us - this was a whole lot of fun!

I will be joining

Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

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making me smile this week

It’s been a drizzly, dreary week here in Boston – and I’m really not a drizzly, dreary sort of gal. Just give me some sunshine, and I’m likely to smile. That said – it’s Friday, so in spite of the drizzle, I’m smiling right now. Here are a few other things that made me smile this week.

The week started off with sunshine in Vermont and I'm loving this big, bright, beautiful tree.

My bleeding hearts are still blooming  :-)

I'm also loving my fringed bleeding heart. The bright pink blooms, right next to my kitchen entrance, stick around for most of the summer.

The cupcake truck made a visit to my office building – now that ALWAYS makes me smile. I chose this one specifically for it's pink frosting - the perfect antidote for a gray day.

 Strawberry margarita – definitely smiling!

What is making you smile this week?

For more cheery pink, hop on over to How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday
and some awesome Spring cheer at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

Thanks for dropping in!