Housepeepers

Still breathing....

2011-11-16T15:03:00.001-05:00

Yes, I am alive in case any of you were wondering. We have been busy cleaning out 20 years of "stuff" from our house. I have to say that I am not one to keep a lot of things that I am not using. I have been known to give things away and then want them back later, but I can assure you that Hubbie has never, ever done that. He has sentimental attachments to all kinds of things, so getting him to participate in the purge has not been all that easy, but he is coming along.

The end of September we went out the the Silicon Valley to visit our youngest son who is now working at Facebook. We stayed in Los Gatos which is a beautiful town and so pedestrian friendly. We walked each day before breakfast and after dinner. We spent a couple of days doing things with my son and his girlfriend and a couple of days toodling around on our own. So far the only pictures that have surfaced ( other than old cars etc) are ones from Carmel and the 17 Mile Drive. Carmel has to be the ultimate housepeeping location.

Click for larger images and to see details otherwise missed :)

Without further ado:


I took a picture of this house the first time I was in Carmel in 2000. Still has that adorable stenciling.

I would love to go back and stay for a few days and get up each morning and wander the lanes and courtyards of Carmel. Maybe stay with Clint at his Mission Ranch or the in-town Hotel that is owned by Doris Day...wonder if Gig Young is there..... OK, you have to be a certain age to understand that reference.

Later,
Janet

United Way

2011-10-11T20:09:00.002-04:00

Time for a United Way Bake Sale at Bob's office. Even though it was in the mid 70s today I am baking fall goodies: Banana Bread and Trader Joe's Apple Bread. The sale will take place at morning break and I think if I slice the bread they can sell it by the slice and make some serious money. Sure smells good as it wafts upstairs to my "office". Right now the Apple bread is winning the aroma contest.

Chalk Paint

2011-09-15T20:14:00.001-04:00

I am going to an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint workshop tomorrow in Bristol Rhode Island. Am I the very last one to get in on this trend??? It's about an hour away and it is not a formal workshop, but I have been told that all the colors and waxes will be available to try and lots of info will be bandied about..much chatting etc. My friend Martha and I will make the trek, play with paint and then wander about the lovely seaside town and probably eat a delicious lunch. It is supposed to be sunny and only in the 60s so it sounds like a perfect day. So, what are your plans for tomorrow?

THE AFTERMATH

2011-09-07T15:14:00.000-04:00

Seems we had a visit from Irene a week and a half ago. Much hype pre-storm and as you are all aware I did buy candles, lovely autumn scented candles and I went to the library and stocked up on books. You can NEVER have too many books to read during a storm. She ( Irene) blew in Sunday morning and just when I was feeling really smug (about noon) and about to post a smug update on facebook, the power went out. It didn't flicker and return as it had done several times that morning...no siree, it went out, dead, gone. It came back on Wednesday night at exactly 5:54 PM. That was a long time to read with candles and flashlights:) Fortunately the weather turned clear and crisp after the storm so I was able to cook my slowly defrosting supply of meats on the grill and cook veggies in foil on the grill. Then, even after the power returned we had no internet, phone or cable (all provided by Comcast) until late Thursday afternoon.

But, the good news is that we had no damage, just a lawn full of leaves, sticks, small branches etc. Oh, and a couple of small dings on the hatch of Bob's SUV. He is a fanatic about his vehicles, so guess where we are going on a "date night" tonight. That's right... to the Ding Dr. to get the dings sucked right out, then a free oil change at the Honda dealer to be followed by dinner at Boston Market. I do so love their mashed potatoes and their chicken, yum! Life doesn't get much more exciting than this folks;)

Later,
Janet

Lemons....Lemonade ?

2011-08-26T09:43:00.001-04:00

You know that old saw about lemons and lemonade, right? Here is my new take. When life hands you potential hurricanes ( Irene) and tells you to be prepared, go to Yankee Candles.

I mean really, why would I go and buy some boring old utility candles when I had a coupon for substantial savings these autumnal beauties. Our house may be dark ( although hopefully not) but it certainly will smell like an orchard on a fall day. And nope, nobody paid me to show you this candle, it is all my own doing.

Later,
Janet

Yum

2011-07-07T15:07:00.000-04:00

It's been hot here recently and I have had a lot going on. This quick and delicious meal has been on my "go to" list lately. Really, I could eat a pound of shrimp and several mangoes worth of salsa prepared this way.

OK, I stole the picture because I can never remember to take a picture of my food before I devour it, plus it is really hard to photograph food. Here is what I do:

I lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 olive ( or other ) oil
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
juice of one lemon
1 large clove garlic, minced
sprinkle of red chile flakes

Combine all the above in a zip lock bag. Marinate in the fridge for no longer than 45 minutes ( unless you want shrimp ceviche, but that's a whole other story !)

Thread onto metal skewers ( or soaked wooden ones) and grill over a medium hot flame for about 2-3 minutes per side.

Another purloined photo, but honestly my salsa looked just like this.

2 mangoes, diced
1 small jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped.
1/8- 1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
juice of one lime

Combine and refrigerate for flavors to meld and soften. This is so delicious I can just eat it out of the bowl and I DID ;)

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Later,
Janet

Stonington Connecticut

2011-05-08T11:06:00.000-04:00

Stonington is a charming coastal village with a history that dates back to the Revolutionary War. I have dubbed it "Nantucket without the Ferry Ride". Come along and enjoy a sunny spring day.

Perhaps my favorite, but so many gorgeous ones to chose from!

There seems to be a lot of Greek Revival architecture in town, many homes with more subtle ode to Grecian style than this example.

I have a couple more pictures, but I will save them for another day.

Happy Mother's Day,

Janet

Grey Towers

2011-05-01T19:51:00.000-04:00

Bob was contacted to use his photos of Grey Towers ( Milford PA) for this blog. Check it out!

priceypads.com/30444/grey-towers-mansion-tours/

Today we went to Stonington Borough Connecticut, a gorgeous historical town on the water. Photos to come when Bob has processed them.

Later,
Janet

A BIG THANK YOU

2011-04-22T16:05:00.001-04:00

My parents are so pleased with so many cards. I want to thank all of you who took time from your busy lives to make a couple of 93 year olds so happy. You are just the best :)

Do you love this artsy fartsy shot Bob took at Grey Towers in PA?

Janet

Please

2011-04-09T11:11:00.001-04:00

Well it has become clear that I either need to "pea or get off the pot", as the expression goes. Posting every few weeks is really not acceptable ( to me or you, I would imagine). Despite having a wonderful life, I seem to have little that I feel like posting about. So, I will do some soul searching re: my blog.

In the meantime I have a favor to ask. This Thursday, 4/14, is my parents' 71st Wedding Anniversary. Can you even fathom being married for 71 years? I am trying to put together a "card shower" of sorts to make the occasion as memorable as possible. They are both 93, very hard of hearing and they really don't like to go out to eat or anything like that. We will be going up that weekend with some nice homemade food to share.

Would any of you be willing to send a card to them? You could sign it "a friend of Janet" or something. If you would like to do this the address is as follows:

address removed, please comment if you would like the address and I will e-mail it to you!

Thanks so much!

Janet

Cuties

2011-03-15T10:28:00.000-04:00

How cute are these? $15 bucks at Target........run, don't walk :)

and yes, that is a teensy, tiny tan line left on my foot!

Later,
Janet

It's a Jungle Out There :)

2011-03-09T09:22:00.000-05:00

In Roatan, that is. In Roatan we booked a private tour with a driver. Sounds pretty darn posh, non? Well for $40. pp you can have a driver for the day take you anywhere you choose, wait for you while you swim, eat etc. We had a great driver who made sure we saw most of the island and took us to the Botanical Garden, the Monkey Farm and a pretty seaside place for a really reasonable lunch of local snapper. It is HOT in the jungle, even in February and muggy? Oh yeah! Of course I chose the Botanical Garden because of Bob's love of photos of flowers. It never occurred to me that in the jungle the botanical garden would be, well...in the jungle. Not many flowers as the sunlight doesn't really penetrate the canopy of trees and vines...I had my eye out for Tarzan...that many vines. So here are some of the Roatan pics including me with Cappuchin monkey and a parrot. Please note that I really need some new sunglasses that are big enough to cover part of my moon face :)

Look carefully...see the tiny lizard

Bob's favorite photo subject...a hibscus


We said Bob liked to take pictures of lighthouses...this , however is a restaurant made to look "like a lighthouse. Beautiful view from the highest point of the island.


Fruit Loops, anyone?


I took this one while eating!

Next time you see House Hunters International visiting Roatan think of me, OK?

Costa Maya

2011-02-25T14:40:00.000-05:00

Sorry to leave you hanging...I haven't quite got the mojo to do a real post. Here are some of the photos from Costa Maya. We took a tour to the Chaccoben Mayan Ruins about an hour ( on a slow road) from Costa Maya. Costa Maya is one of those places that didn't even have electricity until 9 years ago when a cruise port was carved out of the land. There is a faux village type shopping area and not much else. We had a wonderful guide on the bus who explained a lot about the Mayans and the Mayan lands; she really made the trip go by in a flash. Very poor countryside, but the ruins, which were uncovered in the mid to late 90s were fascinating.

See the black "spots" inside the hollow tree trunk? Tarantulas...eek!

The "faux" village beach area

Local cemetery

The lunar temple

The solar temple

A teensy tiny orchid. Apparently orchid flowering season had finished.

Did I mention it is hot in the jungle? But, no whining since it was snowing back home!!

Next up...Roatan and Janet with Cappuchin monkey??

Janet

Sunshine

2011-02-15T16:51:00.000-05:00

So gather round and listen to the story. We booked our Caribbean Cruise ( Costa Maya, Roatan and Cozumel) aboard the NCL Mega ship Epic over a year ago. The excuse was that it was to celebrate my 60th Birthday and also our 20th Anniversary (which isn't until September). We have never had a winter vacation and we thought it was about time to try one ;)

In November I decided that since the cruise left from Miami on Saturday we should plan to leave here a couple of days early and enjoy Florida for 2 days. Just in case of weather, you know. And since we were going to spend 2 days we should leave on a 6:40 flight so that we would actually have 2 days to enjoy. Most of you know I have never been to Florida and have avoided it like the plague due to some silly story I read in the 4th grade. So, since we were flying into Fort Lauderdale I found a cute little Inn in Hollywood Beach right on the beach for Thursday and Friday.

We haven't had a bad winter here in years. Enter the big, bad winter of 2011. First there was the Christmas weekend blizzard followed closely by mega snow (and sometimes ice) storms twice a week. I am not much of a worrier, but the closer the trip got the closer I followed the weather. Sure enough a storm was predicted from Tuesday (2/1) AM to last thru the wee hours of the 3rd. The day we were to leave, one of the days that was supposed to be expendable. I was no longer viewing those two days as mere cyphers filling a void, but as valid vacation in the sun days. Southwest offered a one time chance to rebook due to so much storminess. I hemmed, I hawed, I chewed my nails and finally I took the plunge and rebooked for Friday AM, early...very early. I figured it was better to be on a confirmed flight than on standby from a canceled flight.

The storm ended early...how very nervy....late Wednesday afternoon. I vowed I would not check the Southwest website on Thursday AM, after all all the planes must be "sleeping" somewhere where the weather had not been crazy. Certainly none would be hanging around in Providence. Guess what? My original flight left right on time Thursday morning while I slept ;(.

Everything was packed and ready Thursday night with just a list of those last minute items...toothbrushes, hairbrush, curling iron, makeup...you know that stuff, right. Alarm clock set for 4:00, right Bob? We went to bed, I woke up at 2:37 and tossed for a while. I heard the clock downstairs strike 2:45 and then 3:00. Then nothing. Perhaps I had dozed off?? I looked at the clock...WTH it was 5:10. We were out of the house in 12 minutes...no shower, no makeup and NO COFFEE. We got to the airport with 26 minutes til flight time and then there was a very long check in line. Then they told us our luggage probably wouldn't make it on our flight ( if we made it on our flight). I mumbled something about a Nudist Cruise. But, we made it and our luggage made it and the Inn was just a half block from the most glorious beach and broadwalk( as opposed to boardwalk) that I ever could have imagined. And the cruise was glorious and now we are back to filthy, crusty snow and eating inside. But ahh, it was glorious while it lasted and I can tell you....Florida has not seen the last of me :-)

These are pictures from Florida, minus the muscle cars etc. I will post pictures from Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel when Bob has them processed and available.

Later,
Janet

RECALCULATING.....

2011-01-31T16:42:00.002-05:00

Vacation plans ....( said just like the obnoxious woman that lives in the GPS)

ANXIOUS

2011-01-26T15:20:00.000-05:00

Never have I packed for a trip so early; I am usually a throw it in a bag at the last minute kind of girl and contrary to the illustration above I travel light. Any of you who know me will attest to the fact that I am not exactly a fashion maven...blame it on being raised in Vermont by very sensible parents ;).

Never have I been so anxious to get out of Dodge in the winter and NEVER have I been so paranoid about the weather interfering with a vacation.

Fingers and toes crossed that this weather pattern changes before the end of next week...that means all of you with digits crossed, OK?

Later,
Janet

Giggling Gals

2011-01-13T16:41:00.000-05:00

I'm getting ready for the Giggling Gals to celebrate my birthday tomorrow night. I made the Beef Bourgignon early and will add the sauteed mushrooms and reheat tomorrow night. There will crusty garlic bread, roasted veggies and a Toll House Pie a la mode for dessert. I really wish you could all show up. I would love to meet all of you and have a good gigglefest ;) Remember that old TV show "This is Your Life" where old grade school teachers and neighbors would appear? I'm thinking that would be fun. I would also like a genie to show up and clean my house..as much as I love the cooking, I hate the cleaning!!

Later,

Janet

This, that and the other thing...

2011-01-06T10:52:00.000-05:00

Seems to be the time of year for reflecting...maybe not the kitties on the bed, but reflecting about the holiday season and the year(s) ahead. You see, today is my fourth anniversary of quitting smoking ( that syntax sounds poor, but I don't know how else to put it). Yes, I was one of those, the people who have become the pariahs of our society. I was one of those people who swore I would never quit, I really enjoyed smoking. It was calming, it was self-medicating my ADD and it was a part of who I was. Then it became a social no-no, making it impossible to enjoy a lot of things because smoking was not allowed, and I felt shunned even though no one ever uttered a word about wanting me to quit. I think my obsessive need to fit in is what finally did it. Now, four years later, I am so happy to have that monkey off my back.

I am also thinking about the holiday season. My youngest son was home from California for 3 days. Due to circumstances beyond my control it is really the only time I get to see him and of course it is the busiest time of year. I am frazzled at the holidays because, like many of you, I try to do too much. I make all the same food year after year, I host the Christmas Eve dinner for 14 adults and of course I make the homemade donuts for Christmas morning. The last few years I have struggled with the donuts, maybe because I only make them once a year now. This year I got my donut mojo back...they were delicious. Because they are so delicious and even better the next day they have to be made no sooner than the night of the 23rd and hidden...well hidden. I leave a few out for the boys to sample on Christmas Eve day and then hide the rest so that they will available for coffee on Christmas morn. This year I really stumped them, I am so proud! They were so perplexed and it made me laugh just to think about how persistent they were and of course, how very clever I was!! And I never gave it up, even after they were all gone, so maybe, just maybe I can use the same spot next year!! It's the little things, don't you know.

The next big reflection is the upcoming birthday. On one side I know that some people don't get to have a 60th birthday and I feel lucky that I am physically and mentally healthy ( although some would challenge that notion), but 6-0 is such a big number. Where did all those years go? You look back and think that you are maybe 40 and then realize that you are 60, 6-0. I feel like maybe all this introspection is a 3/4 life crisis. I never got a chance to have a midlife crisis. Like most women, I was just too darned busy raising kids, working, adjusting to a new marriage and blending a family and all the other things we women do and do and do. So, there you have it..I will be 60 and I just don't know what to do with it or where to integrate it into my thoughts and dreams.

That being said, my wonderful husband is taking me away on our first winter vacation ever to celebrate the big event. It's easy for him to celebrate because he is 3 years younger and I will forever be known as the Cougar in his eyes. So, we will be off on yes, a cruise to the Western Caribbean on the NCL Epic in February. First we will fly to Florida for my first ever time in the Sunshine State. I have always had a healthy distrust of Florida because of a book I read in the 4th grade about a family vacationing in Florida. The precarious situation with the drawbridge, perhaps an impending storm and the stay at a cinder block motel has made me wary. I have tried to find the book to re-read it and exorcise the demons, but alas no luck. I recently found the book "The Pink Motel" which was published at the right time, but alas was not THE book. If any of you children of the 50s remember such a book, please advise ;) But, I ramble..........
We will stay in Hollywood Beach for two nights before going on the cruise to Costa Maya, Roatan and Cozumel. All details are in order: tickets for Blue Man Group and Cirque de Soleil aboard the ship are reserved, dinner at Cagneys ( our favorite steak restaurant on NCL) is reserved for our last night at sea, tour to the ruins in Costa Maya and a private tour of Roatan featuring the botanical and butterfly gardens and lots of photo ops for Bob is a done deal. Now it is just the wait....and while I wait the "big day" will come and go without major fanfare I hope.

OK, enough reflecting. I need to get out of this computer chair and prepare to run to the airport to pick up my oldest son who has been in Raleigh visiting his Dad.

Later,
Janet

Happy New Year my friends

2011-01-03T12:15:00.002-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2010-12-18T19:14:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays from Hosta Cottage! I am pretty well set for the big holiday dinner on Christmas Eve, most food has been purchased, the gifts are all done and some are wrapped and I am ready to start some Christmas baking. Back in the days when all four boys were home, I would bake Christmas cookies every day and could be pretty much assured that they would be gone in time to make more the next day. Now, not so much! With just Bob and I to eat them I try to avoid baking until the last minute. Tomorrow I will make a variety of cookies for Bob to bring to people at work, then I will just veg for a couple of days before I really crank up the stove. Of course, I have to make the donuts ( sounds like that old Dunkin' Donuts commercial) and then hide them (first in the freezer) so that they will be available when my baby gets home on Christmas Eve from California and his brothers also descend upon the house trying to out eat each other....aah, merry times indeed. Usually they make me laugh so hard at some point that I know my face is all distorted and looks ridiculous and I can hardly catch my breath. Yep, that's my boys.

I will leave you with some pictures from the Providence Preservation House Tour on December 4th. Unfortunately they don't allow inside pix and so the memories of the homes fade quickly, but at least we have a few outside decorations to contemplate.

My favorite house inside and out!

This makes me laugh...perhaps they, like me, cannot stand to get rid of the bittersweet wreath:). I just incorporate my bittersweet into my greens in an urn on the front steps. No one says the berries in with the greens have to be red!!

Happy Holidays.....

Janet

SENIOR MOMENTS

2010-12-02T12:29:00.000-05:00

I guess we all have them ( well all of us a certain age)......senior moments, but mine are becoming more and more frequent. I changed my banner to this festive picture of the Church Street Marketplace (Burlington Vermont) and now I can't remember how to change the colors of my fonts. Help, please!

This, That and Thanksgiving Envy

2010-11-20T20:11:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a while since I have posted and I certainly think of you and want to post something, but nothing *that* significant has happened around here.

Yesterday were two important Birthdays: Mr. Housepeepers Official Photographer aka Bob

and Meg Ryan

This got me to thinking that I have loved Meg Ryan since her As the World Turns Day as Betsy Stewart Andropoulis and of course I love her as Annie in "Sleepless in Seattle" and Kathleen Kelly in "You've Got Mail". But whatever she had done a few years ago did not seem to be an improvement, but rather made her look very artificial. Bob, on the other hand, is aging wonderfully. No surgery for him and doesn't he look great??

We have a cruise planned for February to celebrate my 60th Birthday and the final payment is due. When I called my personal Cruise Consultant ( doen't that sound oh so stuck up?) at Norwegian Cruise Lines she informed me that the price had gone down over $500. Did that ever make my day. Plus by joining AARP, something we have put off for almost 10 years now, we saved another $50 and got an onboard credit. I am a happy, happy girl, well way past middle aged woman ;)

We will have 10 people for Thanksgiving, but the number has fluctuated a bit. I wanted my parents to come from Vermont. I was going to drive up and get them and then drive them back on Friday, but they decided it was too much and so will stay home. The fact that I don't want them driving 250 miles at their age just makes me realize just how old they are (93) and that I must face their mortality at some point. The Thanksgiving envy in the title comes from reading so many blogs and watching and hearing about your plans. I love Thanksgiving as much as the next person and I love how you all decorate and set such gorgeous tables and dress up and everyone looks like a Norman Rockwell portrait. Sometimes I wish we could celebrate that way, but in reality it is not who we are. We will be wearing casual clothes. The wonderful food is set up buffet style in the kitchen and then as many people as possible sit at the table and the rest sit wherever they can. This year I have a DIL who has to work at 4:00 and the timetable is further complicated by the Patriots playing at 12:30. More people will be in the LR watching the game than at the table, no doubt. We have some pretty serious Pats fans in the family. I will try not to be too annoyed, and I will try to see as much of the game as I can while cooking and getting everything ready...maybe a glass of wine will ease the pressure :)

Note to anyone local...I found a wonderful new shop called Vintage on the Common in Hopkinton MA. They just opened a couple of months ago and they have some really lovely things and great prices. I saw several things I liked if I had room, but settled for a new black and gold tole tray and a cute amber glass rooster candy jar. Total $25. I had to buy them because remember I had just saved over $500 on the cruise. That's the logic, right?

Enough rambling, but I did want you to know that I am still around and thinking of all of you. When I count my blessings ( which I do often) I always think of the friendships I have made through blogging and am very grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Janet

BENNINGTON

2010-11-04T10:46:00.003-04:00

Less than 2 weeks ago we took a little getaway to Southern Vermont. Even though I was born in Vermont and have spent half my life there I usually just "run" ( I use the term very, very loosely here) back and forth to Burlington to catch up with my parents. Bob has never spent much time in Vermont, being a Native Bay Stater ( is that what you call people born and raised in Massachusetts??) so we are having fun exploring parts of the state that he has never seen. It gives him a chance to find covered bridges, diners and train stations to photograph. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and Mother Nature was kind enough to keep a lot of golden leaves on the maples. The day in Bennington was a day to remember weatherwise, scenerywise and of course companywise. Just a great day. Most are Bob's photos and I am sure you can tell the difference between his stunning photos and my "click while passing" shots. Enjoy some autumn in Vermont...it is the BEST!

$750K, seems a steal to me...and I love a Greek Revival style home...c.1830...bay window on left side...*sigh*...

All houses were in Old Bennington, a neighborhood surrounding the monument. All have very large lots that overlook Bennington or surrounding farmland.

A day to remember...thank you Bob :)

Later,
Janet

HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

2010-11-02T09:30:00.000-04:00

Did you order your copy of Holiday with Matthew Mead? I think I must have been the first to order it, no really, I ordered it the first day I heard about it...way back when (as we used to say...way back when) and now it is being mailed from the mailing place ( or whatever it is called). The plan is not to look at it until at least Thanksgiving week...why rush the season?? Will I give in to temptation once it arrives...only time will tell.

Later,
Janet

Women as Fall Foliage???

2010-10-14T16:37:00.001-04:00

Today I was pondering the foliage or lamenting the lack of color when the following thoughts popped into my otherwise vacant cranium.

The first fall colors that "pop" are the maples and birches, colorful, very colorful. Each tree more flamboyant than the last. They bombard your senses and loudly compete for your attention seemingly crying "pick me, pick me for I am the prettiest and the most vibrant". Soon they fade and the oaks come into their own. The russets, chestnut browns and maroons, each a beautiful color capable of stunning on it's own, but they don't try to dazzle you. Instead their quiet reserve and confidence creates a tapestry of the most gorgeous hues imaginable. This is as far as I got with my reverie, but it made me think of all my friends in their "middle" years and how beautiful we are individually and as a group...we are strong, we are invincible,..... we are Oak Trees???

Bet you never guessed I was this deep ;)

Later,
Janet

FABULOUS FIFI

2010-10-12T19:21:00.000-04:00

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=romantic+prairie+style&x=0&y=0

Fabulous Fifi O'Neill has just released the cover and title of her upcoming book to be released in April 2011. It can be ordered at the above link.

It looks like it will be gorgeous like all her work!

Later,
Janet

Alice's

2010-10-11T20:24:00.001-04:00

I am doing some research for an impending trip through the Berkshires to Southern Vermont. As I started thinking about the towns we would go through I thought of Stockbridge MA, home of Tanglewood, the very lovely Red Lion Inn, the Norman Rockwell Museum and of course the 60s counterculture Alice's Restaurant. Now I have that song running thru my head on an endless loop. "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant, exceptin Alice" and "Walk right in, it's around the back, just a half a mile from th railroad track". That's about all I remember, though I did know college friends who could sing the whole 18 minute naarative, but even those two lines going nonstop will keep me awake half the night if I don't.get.them.out.of.my.head. Ever happen to you?

Later,
Janet

New Bed Linens/ Old Bed Linens

2010-10-05T15:44:00.000-04:00

I have always been somewhat of a self-professed quilt wh0#e. I am always finding new quilts that I love, but alas I don't often act on my urges. Usually I just love them from afar and sometimes go and visit them in the store. Do you ever do that? Stalk things that you love until someone else buys them and you know they have found a loving home with someone as tasteful as yourself ;)

Sometime last year I fell out of love with my winter quilt ( of course I have a summer quilt too, I know you understand!). I still liked it, but I wanted something moodier, more bohemian, maybe something with more browns and subdued colors. Enter this fall's PB catalog. I spotted the Gianna scalloped quilt and just had to seek her out and see if she was as lovely in person as she was in the catalog. She didn't disappoint. So, since I had a 10% coupon from PB. com, which basically covers the shipping I sent my order for quilt and one decorative sham off into cyberspace. Yesterday she arrived and I am still tweaking. I got the off white chenille shams at Christmas Tree Shop for $2.49 each and like the textural contrast. At PB they had the bed made up with off white pick stitched shams, mine look similar for a lot less. I have a white duvet cover for the down comforter (that resides at the bottom of the bed in colder months) which I hope to dye a camel color or dark Khaki. Maybe a brown throw for the off white slipcovered chair. I'm lovin' it!

Now, I would like to sell my old "Providence" pattern quilt which is currently available at PB. I have the full/queen quilt and two Euro shams. They are used but in very good condition. I have listed them on Craigs List for $95 for the set, but thought one of my readers might be interested as well. Here is the pic from PB.

I have decided to take the "blogging without obligation" pledge and when I have something to say that might be of interest to anyone, I will post. How's that for a compromise?

Later,
Janet

COUNTRY LIVING FAIR

2010-09-29T10:28:00.001-04:00

Those of you going to the Country Living Fair in Atlanta are in for a big treat. The fair in Columbus was spectacular. The weather was sunny and warm and Sue from Rabbit Run Cottage was just so much fun. There were almost 200 vendors of everything from high end folk art to food and fresh squeezed lemonade. It was a bit overwhelming to a person with ADD, but I think I managed to see most of it. Some booths were so crowded that there were lines to get in and some had lines to get in and then lines to pay for your purchases. Sue took lots of photos so hopefully they will be posted on her blog for you to see. I cannot compete with the gorgeous photos that she takes! She and her family were so gracious, I am so glad I was nervy enough to invite myself. I was never uncomfortable for even a minute from the time she met me at the baggage claim at the airport...we just started talking and never stopped until she dropped me back off at the airport 4 days later!

I know that I haven't been very good about posting lately. I have been feeling very guilty about it and worry that I am letting my friends in Blogland down. I think of all of you often, but just don't seem to feel in the mood to post about what is going on, or not going on, in my life. I hope you understand. I think I may take a break (after 3 years) for a bit and try to get my mojo back. I hope you all understand.

Later,
Janet

CHEERY

2010-09-07T15:50:00.001-04:00

If Daisies are the "friendliest flowers" per Kathleen Kelly in "You've Got Mail", don't you think it is just possible that Sunflowers are the "cheeriest flowers" ?

Me too....

EMILY

2010-08-30T08:57:00.001-04:00

OK, so I watched a couple of episodes of Design Star this season, maybe the last 3 and was delighted when Emily won. She is quirky and enthusiastic and a stylist by profession. Last night I watched her special "Secrets from a Stylist" and I liked it. I really, really liked it. Did any of you watch...what did you think? I honestly think it was the first thing on HGTV that has intrigued me in years, now it remains to be seen if it will ever emerge as a weekly show.

Stay tuned ( as they say in TVland).

Janet

Bloggers Beware

2010-08-27T08:12:00.001-04:00

First off....where did the last week go? We went to Vermont for the weekend, it started raining Saturday afternoon and it didn't stop until this morning. Too bad about that area rug my son washed for me and hung on the deck. It may be dry in time for Christmas. Come to think of it, where did the entire summer go? It was so hot and humid here for so long that all I did was whine about it and now it is over...insert more whining.

Here is where the Bloggers Beware part comes in. I have been trying to meet Susie Q @ Rabbit Run Cottage since I started blogging almost 3 years ago. Each time we come close to agreeing on time and place something comes up to stop us, so gutsy me invited myself to the Country Living Fair in Ohio in late September. Sue is being a very good sport about having some weirdo show up at her house for the weekend. She is actually being super welcoming and I so appreciate it. I can't wait to meet her and her family. So remember, be careful who you are nice to, they just might show up.

Off to bed with a new library book.

Janet

PS. How will I fit all those gourds in my carry on??

Moved...

2010-08-18T20:18:00.000-04:00

The new cabinet got moved downstairs to the dining room where it looks much better. Now filled with assorted dishes it looks right at home in the Bistro du Soleil.

I sure wish I could design beautiful vignettes like so many of you can and I certainly wish I could take some artsy pictures to show off my rooms. Tweaking, it's all about tweaking, right? Maybe a decorating/photography course should be in my future.

Later,
Janet

Newburyport Window Boxes

2010-08-16T07:19:00.002-04:00

Just a couple of windowboxes I shot on State Street while in Newburyport a few days ago. Love the combination of colors and textures.

Later,
Janet

Yard sale bargain

2010-08-14T11:44:00.000-04:00

I am not a big yard sale maven, believing that I have enough "stuff" already and really feeling that I need to pare down to prepare for my "Golden Years" which seem to be approaching rather quickly. Last Saturday we were on the way to a cookout at our son's house when we spotted a lovely scrubbed pine armoire at a yard sale in our neighborhood. Hubbie wanted to stop and look at it and I explained I had absolutely no place for such a piece as much as I loved it ( and had no idea it was only $75.), but he insisted we stop. While I was able to resist the armoire...I really DO NOT have any space for it, Hubbie wanted this piece for the upstairs hall for book overflow. I know it is just the top to a hutch and the original idea was to put some short Edwardian style legs on it to make it less awkward. However, what you don't see in the picture is the bathroom light switch which is just above the top of the cabinet, so no legs. It will remain an amputee. Now, I am thinking maybe I should swap it out for the glass doored oak "bookcase" that is in my dining room. That one is the same height, but a bit shallower. It is pretty heavy, so I think I have only one chance to move it, if you know what I mean. Even that one chance involves getting a son over here to help. Maybe I need to go to Lowe's and see if they even have the legs I need and how tall they are...so I ponder. Ever do that?

Later,
Janet

Ready to dry

2010-08-12T07:38:00.000-04:00

The hydrangeas have been lovely this year and they about the only thing that has not succumbed to this humid, hot summer. But alas, they are changing color and getting leathery, signs that it is time to bring them in to dry for the autumn season. I cut them and put them in just an inch or so of water and when the water evaporates, they are perfectly dried. Then I add them to baskets or vases r whatever to enjoy in their new incarnation. Do you have hydrangeas? Do you dry them? What do you do with them when dry? I need some new ideas.

Later,
Janet

Later

Apricots

2010-08-10T11:35:00.000-04:00

The local apricots have been so very delicious this year...sweet, run down your chin juicy with just a hint of fuzz on the skin. I cannot get enough of them. Better hurry though as I think the season is just about over. I think I need to make an apricot turnover with some puff pastry and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, want to share?

Later,
Janet

HAVE YOU HEARD??

2010-08-08T19:23:00.003-04:00

The HGTV Dream Home 2011 is being built in Vermont. That's right ....Stowe Vermont, home to Mount Mansfield, skiing, summer fun, autumn leaf peeping and the Von Trapp Family Lodge. Also close to the Ben and Jerry factory and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. I really think a native Vermonter should win this one, so why not me?? Check out the link to the announcement and Stowe.

When I win we will have a giant decorating/cooking/eating party in the heart of the Green Mountains...wanna come? And yes, I am sure there will be a big write up in the Stowe Reporter ( an inside joke!!)

Later,
Janet

Return to BowerBird

2010-08-04T10:13:00.001-04:00

This is BowerBird a very cute shop in Peterborough New Hampshire. I first visited here with my friend Mary from A Breath of Fresh Air in the beginning of July. I was a bit rushed for time, but wanted to come back. While planning our trip to Southern Vermont I decided that we would take the long way and stop in Peterborough for a lunch/ antique stop. We actually ate in Nashua because we were starving due to a late start. But I insisted that I get to Bowerbird and Bob took pictures around town while I browsed and took my own pictures for you! I didn't buy anything because I am pretty frugal and I don't need more stuff, even pretty stuff! Enjoy the pretty vignettes.

Why does Blogger have a new photo adding feature? I was just getting used to the old one...progress, maybe I am just too old for it??

Later,
Janet

You Choose...

2010-07-28T22:44:00.000-04:00


This one in Ludlow Vermont or


this one in Chester Vermont??

Both are charming and the yellow one houses an Antiques business specializing in Ironstone and it is for sale!! I love the color combination. Thinking I should paint my front door sage. What do you think??

Later,
Janet

BUSY BUSY

2010-07-28T10:15:00.001-04:00

We are just back from a Sunday thru Tuesday getaway to South Central Vermont. Now it's back to laundry, errands and trying to get some household chores done. So sad; I hate for our lovely time away to end *sigh*

Later,
Janet

Doors of Boston

2010-07-23T15:59:00.002-04:00

Some beautiful doors in Boston.. ...enjoy and have a great summer weekend.

That's it for today ladies. I have spent the last two days cleaning my shed out (we don't have a garage) so that the exterminator can spray it for Carpenter Ants. Well, one hot muggy day to empty it and sweep it out and most of today putting it back together in a more organized fashion...at least for now ;)

Later,
Janet

2010-07-22T21:06:00.001-04:00

I know this has been around several times before, but a refresher on something this serious needs to be repeated.

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

I will continue to forward this every time it comes around, some things are too important not to share!

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters.... S. T. R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital -
(at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this....

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)

(i.e. It is sunny out today.)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue... If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I have done my part.
Will you?

Random Pics in Boston

2010-07-20T14:31:00.004-04:00

By now I was so hot and "glistening" and thirsty and I needed a bathroom. Bob waited patiently for about a million tourists to leave Cheers because he honestly believed that the Housepeeper Contingent really, really wanted to see the Cheers sign. I believe that this is when I started whining. We had walked an hour and a half to this point and I really didn't have it in me to walk that far back to the car. Bob has no idea where he is in Boston, but since I lived there in *gasp* 1976 it is up to me to find our way around. Fortunately I found a way to get us back to the car in 20 minutes and we only had to walk halfway up Beacon Hill ( although it seemed longer and farther).

Hope you enjoyed the random views of Boston. More to come in the next couple of days.

Later,
Janet

Julia's Favorite

2010-07-18T19:42:00.002-04:00

Bob had an Eye Dr appointment in the big city last Monday. We intentionally scheduled it so that we would have time to walk about the city while his dilated eyes returned to normal and therefore he could drive home. Don't even ask about the last appointment!! Despite a huge thunderstorm while he was being seen, the skies cleared afterwards and although it was hot, very hot and about as muggy as possible we spent several hours walking around the city to take pictures of fun things just for you. Really, just for YOU my friends and followers. I am going to make use of the photos for 2 or 3 blog posts because basically I am hot and lazy this summer.

Walking down Charles street near Mass General Hospital I spied this sign and said, "ooh, ooh, that was Julia's favorite grocery store". Bob is constantly amazed that I know such esoteric things! Apparently Julia ( you know, Childs...my idol) frequented the Savenor's Market in Cambridge which burned down in 1992 and rebuilt in 2005. In the interim she used this market. I admit that I didn't go in, but after reading glowing reviews I will next time I am in Boston. I do love a gourmet grocery store to explore and it sounds like Savenor's with its Yak meat and Rattlesnake would be lots of fun.

Looks like they stock Barefoot Contessa mixes...don't those coconut cupcakes look great? Real Vermont maple syrup, the only kind of syrup worthy of eating in estimation.

Look, she's right there in the window. Since I didn't go inside I walked a couple of doors down and spied a tray of Blondies aka Congo Bars in the window here.

I just had to have one which I carried very carefully in my purse until we got home a few hours later. We split it for a snack Monday night and it was delicioso!!

Later,

Janet

Pretty plates

2010-07-16T21:00:00.002-04:00

all in a row...how long has it been since the kitchen was painted? And they weren't all hung before the paint job! And they were going backwards so they all had to be moved each time a new one joined the party, probably why 8 (gasp) hadn't been hung! This time I decided to run them from the doorway to the living room along the wall into the kitchen and the math is all figured out for the next one in September. I get one each year for our anniversary. I read on someone's blog a while back that Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates were so banal, that everyones' grandmothers used to have them. Well guess what? I had wanted to collect them for many years and now I do...so there! Just another one of my dreams that Bob made come true.

Later,
Janet

PS. Please note how clean the light fixture is as well ;)

NEW COUNTRY HOME

2010-07-15T23:32:00.002-04:00

Have you spotted it on the newstands yet? I got mine at Borders yesterday, kind of pricey $12.99, but no ads, just beautiful country homes. I am savoring it, reading each word and excited that the Fall issue will be out in September...yeah I know..wishing my life away for a magazine ;)

Later,
Janet

Oceanfront Living

2010-07-11T19:41:00.002-04:00

Last Monday we went exploring in a part of Westerly Rhode Island known as Watch Hill. What an eye opener...I wandered around in the staggering heat oohing and aahing. We went to see a lighthouse and the only way to get to it was to walk thru a private enclave of homes. This is allowed...don't worry. We could meander the grounds of the lighthouse, but not go thru the gates as it is a Coast Guard facility. Check out these homes all facing the water....

I believe a woman with a sense of humor lives here!

Same house, different view

This one seemed very small ( and old) by comparison

In light of our recent unexpected expense, we kept trying to imagine how much these wooden shingle roofs with some many peaks, valleys, eyebrow windows and dormers would cost...a veritable roofers' dream!

Modest by comparison

You know I wanted to wander by there at night with my clippers ;)

Now for a couple of boats...what would a beach town be without boats, right?

How cool is that?

And of course...the lighthouse ( Watch Hill Light).

I want to thank everyone who stops by to read my blog. I put that live feed widget thingie on and I am amazed that so many people look at my blog and that you come from all over the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Later,
Janet

Have you seen.....

2010-07-09T19:09:00.001-04:00

Catalog Living? This site just cracks me up and makes me wonder why I didn't think of it first. Check it out, I know that no matter how stressed you are feeling you will laugh out loud.

Later,
Janet

ANOTHER PHOTO TRIP

2010-06-30T20:40:00.002-04:00

Now that Bob has become so enraptured with his old photography hobby it is soo very easy to coax him into day trips. Saturday we went to the South Shore towns of Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate and Duxbury. Very beautiful towns on the ocean with some exquisite old homes. Many of these homes date back to the early days of our country. Wouldn't I love to go back at dusk and "peep"?

I will definitely take this one...*sigh*

From the front

The original Talbots in Hingham

See the water in the background? Heart be still :)

The rest of the shots are of the Scituate Lighthouse and a lot of churches and steeples. Please feel free to visit Bob's photostream at Flickr to see them. He is Robtm2010. I know he would appreciate any comments you might have regarding his photos, his wonderful wife and her blog etc.

Tomorrow I am going to Peterborough, New Hamoshire to meet up with my blog friend Mary of A Breath of Fresh Air . She and her husband and granddaughter Jasmin are visiting from North Carolina. Last year we met here and this year we are going antique viewing in New Hampshire.

Happy Fourth of July weekend; let freedom ring across this great land of ours and remember to say a prayer for the men and women fighting to keep us free!

Janet

HGTV GREEN HOME

2010-06-25T09:55:00.002-04:00

Tuesday my Real Estate friends and I went to Plymouth to view the HGTV Green Home up close and personal. It is in a lovely community called The Pinehills which is unlike anything we have in this area. A large community , being built by 9 different builders, which features different "neighborhoods" with different styles and different price points ( none being affordable to the likes of me). There are models for each neighborhood which is something very unique for us New Englanders. Who, with a blog named Housepeepers, would not enjoy model homes??

I tried to take some pictures of the Green Home, which is in the neighborhood called Summerhouse Cottages, but they run a tour of 20 people thru at a time and quite honestly, it was congested. As you can see from the exterior photo, the home is not really large. Supposedly it has 2100 s.f., but it doesn't "live large", at least IMHO. This does NOT mean that I wouldn't like to win it !! I know you have seen professional photos of the home on TV, but these are just a smattering of shots and details I wanted to remember. And they have not been edited by Bob, just the photos just the way I took 'em!

Love the windows, the built in entertainment center and the fireplace.

The controversial wall decor ( at least in my office) was not tacky, but whimsical.

Fun mirror

Another fun mirror

MBR light fixtures next to bed, very funky

The tower/cupola sitting area. Cute, but not really very functional. It would be better if it was at the beach and you could see the ocean from here.

Next, we went next door to see a model home which we all agreed was our favorite of the day. It seemed to live much better and had a much more restrained, casual decor with antiques and modern juxtaposed. My favorite was the walk-in pantry.

See what I mean, calm and serene but not boring. I believe that is a Happy Cow that must have been imported from California to New England ;)

Heart be still!!

MBR had similar but different mirrors over the dual sinks

Apparently I have a *thing* for bathrooms!

So although this cottage (2200s.f.) was my favorite, being priced @ $680K put it way out of my league for a retirement home. Sigh....I will visit it again though and dream some more.

Now...for a quiz. Do any of you know what this plant is...the leaves are round and about 18" in diameter. It grows on stalks like rhubarb, but the leaves are fleshier and it would seem to thrive in mostly shade. I am thinking some sort of Gunnera or Brunerra. Would love a plant to give the Hostas a new friend in my front "garden".

Later,

Janet

BERMUDA HOUSES

2010-06-17T15:38:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the houses of Bermuda. The average price of a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in Bermuda is currently $1.4 and Americans are only allowed to buy houses from other Americans, not from Bermudians. I assume this is so Americans don't come to Bermuda and buy up huge tracts of land and build compounds. Who knows. I have been incredibly frustrated trying to load these pictures for you as I can't get them the size I want without making a mess of them. This is probably because they were all taken with a zoom. Whatever the reason they will be displayed in the only size that works. Sit back, imagine the smell of Oleander hanging heavy in the sultry air and enjoy. Let me know what you think!

That's it for today's journey. Hope you enjoyed it and didn't let the sun burn you.

Later,
Janet

SETTING SAIL

2010-06-11T22:06:00.003-04:00

Lovely picture that Bob took of the Bermuda sunset one night. I wanted these pictures to tell a story, but I am having a hard time organizing them and Bob is getting very particular about getting the photos perfect before he puts them in my "folder" for me to post. I think I will start by introducing you to the characters, and I do mean characters, involved ;-)

The host and hostess. Yes that is me and Bob and I have never been that tan in my entire life. I rather like it, but it is fading away quickly. Also one does not wear makeup or do one's hair while on a cruise, so get over it!!

This is Kent and Donna. Kent is my oldest son. It was only recently revealed that Kent and Donna have been married for 4 years ( they have been together for 11 years). Darn good secret keepers!

This is Shanna ( Donna's daughter) and her cousin Ashley

This is Craig ( Bob's youngest son) and Sami. They are the ones who bought Bob's parents' house last spring. And they are now officially engaged.

So that is the cast of characters and I thought it was time you met everyone. Our two other sons were not able to make it, but were with us in Spirit. I know Bob's parents were there too, smiling down on us as we had fun honoring them. If you contemplate the pictures and relationships you will see that in some ways we have a pretty non-traditional family structure, but it works for us and that is all that is important. I love every one of these people with all my heart.

Kent and Sami when we first got on the boat. We arrived early so that the kids could explore the ship and enjoy every minute of the trip. Remember, we have been planning this trip for almost a year and none of the kids had ever been on a cruise. The weather was beautiful. The Pier is very close to Logan Airport...look up....

The planes were so close that you could actually seen the passengers looking out the windows. Pretty surreal. Not sure where the picture of the Southwest plane is, but that one was the closest.

Our cabin...we never seem to take a picture when the room is still tidy. Please note the ocean is just outside our cabin. Lovely balcony, small, but lovely. Craig and Sami were on one side and Kent and Donna on the other. Kent quickly devised the "knock on the wall, meet on the balcony" form of communicating with his Mother. He is such a Mama's boy!

Clock Tower at the Royal Naval Dockyard which is where Norwegian Cruise Line Ships dock now. I have been here several times in the past. The Naval Yard has been turned into various shops, galleries, restaurants, a maritime museum etc. Snorkel Park Beach is here, so a beach is just a hop, skip and jump from the ship. Kent, Donna, Shanna and Ashley spent their first afternoon in Bermuda at the beach. Craig, Sami, Bob and I ( plus Craig and Bob's cameras) spent the afternoon wandering amongst the buildings. Tasting the Rum Cake samples was fun!

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the only remaining cast iron lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere. 185 steps to the top. Bob and camera climbed, I sat on a bench with the newest issue of Romantic Homes.

Have fun. I will see you when you get down...

View from the top, pretty spectacular

A cruise ship that was tendered out in the water. Pretty sure that this was the Japanese ship responsible for all the camera toting tourists at the lighthouse.

Another view from the top

The Visitors Center at the Botanical Garden. The gardens were a bit of a disappointment, but it was still fun to wander the grounds. Great Lily pond if I can find the pictures of the toads. Yes, we were told they were not frogs, but latge toads and that it was mating season. Use your imagination, please.

After the Botanical Garden we got on another bus and went to Hamilton where we had lunch in an Irish Pub and then took the water taxi back to the Dockyard.

Tomorrow, or soon, we will go to the beach ( not to sunbathe, but to take pictures of rock formations) and then we will see some houses. Finally, some houses. After all, what would Housepeepers be without houses.

Here is the picture of the Southwest Plane that I couldn't find before.

And a Pink Bermuda Bus...they sell T-shirts that say "I survived the Pink Bermuda Buses". Roads are narrow and buses are many!

Later,

Janet

BEACON HILL

2010-06-08T14:35:00.002-04:00

A couple of Sundays ago Bob and I, as well as our son Craig and his girlfriend Sami , went to Boston for the afternoon for a little photo shooting session. Even though we only live about 35 miles from Boston we just never go there. I love the city, but somehow we rarely have the time and Bob hates driving in the city.

Most of these pictures were captured on Beacon Hill, originally a neighborhood of Boston Brahmins and Bluebloods, and even now it is horribly pricey, but there are some apartments and some funkier places to live. Sit back and enjoy Bob's photos.

Bob has recently become Flickr obsessed and I believe he may be planning a "Set" of doors...just a guess ;)

Shops were closed by the time we got to Charles Street, but they are a bit posh for my style and pocketbook anyway. And no, that is not one of us! So back down Charles Street, across Boston Common, through Downtown Crossing (which is horribly unattractive now...when will it be revitalized??) to Post Office Square and the car. Luckily Sami works in Boston and was able to steer us to a cheap garage (on weekends) that was well lit and didn't smell of ...use your imagination here...

Next we will see homes in Providence from the Festival of Historic Houses last weekend while Bob works on those Bermuda pictures for your enjoyment. We are just traveling fools lately!

Later,
Janet

BACK FROM BERMUDA

2010-06-05T19:05:00.000-04:00

Back from a week long cruise to Bermuda with 2 of the 4 boys and their significant others plus a family friend and her cousin. The cruise was a way for us to honor my in-laws. What a fun time we had, great company, beautiful scenery and glorious weather, plus an engagement . Photos by Bob to follow shortly. The photo above is a pirated photo from a Bermuda tourism site. Bob's are much better, I assure you.

And while the new roof is on, the new gutters are not because I guess the weather was iffy here last week. In the 30 hours since we have been home we have had several torrential downpours and without gutters and downspouts my garden is being wrecked! Let's hope for a speedy resolution to the problem.

Later,
Janet

HOSTA COTTAGE

2010-05-27T18:42:00.000-04:00

We interrupt this blog to let you know that Hosta Cottage has been a busy place. She is getting a new chapeau, a lovely brown architectural shingle chapeau and some lovely new gutters as well. Kind of messy around here right now, tar paper strewn about and ladders all over the yard. She will be a thing of beauty once again, I assure you. Meanwhile, your patience is requested.

Later,
Janet

RIP....Theodore, Simon an Alvin

2010-05-21T17:02:00.000-04:00

Today the chipmunks apparently decided to come out of hiding...much to their detriment. I have dragged cats in all day, moved wounded chipmunks to safer quarters but all to little avail. Perhaps if the chipmunks had worn their cute costumes the cats would have been distracted!

Later,
Janet

WANDERING AND WONDERING IN TARGET

2010-05-18T10:06:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I ran to Target to grab a couple of things for our upcoming family vacation. Those of you that know me know that I am not exactly an up to date kind of woman. Truly, I am still wearing the same combination of makeup I wore in High School. ...a bit of eyeshadow ( brown,) some mascara and because I am old now, some lipstick. I stick to the basics and never stray very far. So, imagine my surprise when looking for an eyelash curler I spied eyebrow razors. Little teeny, tiny razors just for sculpting the perfect brow line. Huh? I have my flimsy brows waxed when I get my hair done, but I thought shaving them was a "no no", although I admit to doing it once in a while when I get frustrated with tweezers. I found the eyelash curlers and discovered they come with refills now...really?? I think I had my old one for many years ( I am embarrassed to contemplate how many, the term decades comes to mind) and never had it refilled. The world, it is a changin' ladies.

Next...faux toenails??? I admit to the world's ugliest toenails, but in summer I usually just keep them polished with some nondescript polish and hope no one notices. But actually adding pretty nails on top of ugly nails...now there is a concept.

On to the shampoo aisle(s). I have been using up some of the many bottles of shampoo that my MIL had been hoarding, but finally needed shampoo. The variety is staggering and oh so confusing. Remember when it was Breck or Prell? If you decide to just forget about the decision for now, there is even a new version of Pssst. Remember..... the dry shampoo that you sprinkled or sprayed in and then brushed out after it "absorbed" the oil in your hair? It served a very limited purpose and always left your hair a little grayish at the roots!! They say everything old is new again and we see it in the 1970s styles coming back as retro or vintage, but dry shampoo? I am not goin' there.

So, after about a half an hour in the beauty aisles I came home with some new mascara and an eyelash curler. Probably my least expensive trip to Target in years. Time to freshen my looks by painting the ugly toenails for the beginning of sandal season, but don't worry, they will be a nondescript pinky color so as not to draw attention!!

Later,
The Frump

SIMPLY

2010-05-12T09:59:00.000-04:00

SPRING

Don't you just love Lilies of the Valley?

Later,

Janet

WATCH FOR CHANGES

2010-05-10T22:22:00.001-04:00

FYI: there may be some changes going on at Housepeepers. Hopefully they will be seamless, but no one has been able to access my blog all day long.

It all started with this cute kid..he's my baby. Twenty -five years old and a web developer working in Seattle. For Mothers Day he told me he was giving me the domain name Housepeepers for 3 years. "what's the advantage?" I asked. "None" he replied, "It's just cooler". Really, so all day today I kept checking and Blogger was trying to redirect traffic to the new address, but it wasn't being found...whoops! This is a kid who was one of the lead developers for Target's corporate website, but this venture seems to have gone astray. Can't say I am sorry. I don't embrace that which I don't understand, at least I don't embrace it easily. So, if I fall off the face of the earth, try Housepeepers.com. Just trying to give you a little notice.

Another note regarding this adorable genius; He has just gotten his dream job. After going to Seattle directly from college just three years ago, he has now landed a job at Apple at their campus in Cupertino, California. Yes, he was born in the land of frigid, whiny cows aka Vermont and now he is moving to the Land of Happy Cows, also known as the "Land of Fruit and Nuts". I am so excited. I love all of California and he will be in the Silicon Valley near Carmel and San Francisco and assorted other really cool places. Can't wait to visit and maybe meet some of my California bloggy friends.

That's it for tonight, hasta la manana. (Just getting ready for California, doncha know)

Janet

PS: maybe I should ask him to teach me to scan, seems I haven't figured that out yet either!

NYC MAY 1, 2010

2010-05-08T19:34:00.002-04:00

Bob and I took a charter bus to Manhattan last Saturday. We had the bus driver bring us all the way to Battery Park at the lowest part of the island. I had never been to Battery Park and it was amazing to see the Statue of Liberty in the harbor and Ellis Island. This statue represents some of the immigrants who arrived via Ellis Island.

From here we walked up to midtown Manhattan with a side trip to Greenwich Village. It was hot, really hot ( around 90) and muggy and yet I saw many girls/women making a fashion statement by wearing Uggs. Made me think "ugh" and of smelly boots ;)
Relax and enjoy the walk and the random photos, all courtesy of Bob. Click to enlarge for more detail.

Ground Zero seems a bit less ghostly with work taking place on the memorial

Caliente Cab with "Taco Taxi" on license plate...delivery vehicle for Mexican Restaurant in Greenwich Village

Bob is into taking pictures of fire escapes these days

The best deal in Manhattan....lemonade for 25 cents...cold and not too sweet!

Very poignant wall of tiles made by people across the US to commemorate those who died on 9/11

Comments?

Okay, it's not too much further, just walk about 15 more blocks to the Palace Hotel which has fabulous restrooms. We will wash up there and catch the bus at 6:00. I didn't hear about the attempted bombing until the next morning...thankfully. Hope you enjoyed your day in Manhattan, we will go back after Thanksgiving, OK?

Later,
Janet

SANDWICH MA 4/30/10

2010-05-02T16:13:00.000-04:00

Tell me...which one is your favorite? Why?

Remember...there are NO wrong answers! Your favorite is the one you like the best for why ever you like it!

Later,

Janet

CHEAP "ART"

2010-04-27T18:46:00.001-04:00

I wanted the TV/Exercise room to have a den-like atmosphere and to reflect who we are and places we have been. I love maps and always have an atlas close to my chair. I have seen sheets of wrapping paper that depict maps of Paris, the New York Subway system or some popular tourist destination. The paper seemed to be good quality so I set out on a Google search. $4.50 per sheet, one a map of Italy and one a map of France by Cavalini Papers. Cheap standard size frames and for less than $50. we have two substantial prints over the couch. Please note that the colors of the room are not as intense as they seem to be in the camera's eye. Really quite soothing and cozy!

Tell me, what do you think of my idea... really I want to know

Janet

HAPPY

2010-04-26T16:50:00.001-04:00

Fresh new week :)

Janet

PUTTERING

2010-04-16T17:15:00.001-04:00

Gloomy, gloomy, cold, gloomy...did I mention gloomy? day today. What do you do on a gloomy, yes, gloomy day? I putter..rearrange, rearrange again and just putter to my heart's content. Here are some examples....

Removed large black tray/ replaced with footbath w/ hydrangeas

Model display case with WWII display ( this would be a compromise!)

New TV/ exercise room in progress

Living room bookcases

New shade

Old shade

April 14, 1940

2010-04-14T13:23:00.002-04:00

Today is my parents' 70th Wedding Anniversary. Quite a feat in todays world of instant gratification and throwaway relationships, wouldn't you say? They have weathered many serious storms over the decades, but have survived with grace and love and maybe most importantly, open hearts that are always willing to give!

Later,
Janet

CONCORD MASSACHUSETTS

2010-04-09T11:33:00.001-04:00

A lovely day on Wednesday...gasp...90 degrees. Thank Goodness for a lovely breeze. 50 and drizzling today, such is spring in New England! Concord is a beautiful town full of reminders of our quest for freedom. Also the host of some lovely shops. The following pictures were quickly snapped about town and in 3 of the 4 antiques shops we visited.

Hmm...looking at these I am thinking the post should be labeled "A Study in Blue and White", it is certainly where my eye lands and no, I didn't buy a thing!

Later,
Janet

HOSPITALITY

2010-04-07T11:00:00.001-04:00

"They" seem to think we are operating a Bed and Breakfast for their comfort and convenience. At night they are required to sleep elsewhere in the house. In the morning they eat, go about their business ( a lovely euphemism, don't you think?) and then settle in for a lovely nap. They sometimes take turns on the down comforter leaving their divots.

It's going to be 85 degrees today and 55 degrees tomorrow and the rest of the week/weekend. Seems like a good day to open the sunroof and head to Concord to check out a couple of antique shops. I'll take my camera!

Later,
Janet

FABRIC

2010-04-06T11:10:00.001-04:00

This is the fabric in my dining room...Saison de Printemps ( Spring Season) by Waverly. It has all the colors that I have incorporated in my whole house. The blue is a theme in almost every room. The reds appear in many room in either walls, fabrics or accents, the yellow walls in the dr, lr and foyer, the green of the couch in the soon to be decorated den/exercise room. And it has a toile medallion and roosters!! Perfect or as they say in Paris...parfait!!

Later,

Janet

BISTRO DU SOLEIL

2010-04-03T10:32:00.001-04:00

Just in time for Easter Dinner...

the Grand Re-opening of the newly named and newly fabulous
Bistro du Soleil.....reservations anyone?

Later,

Janet

YIPPEEE...MORE MATTHEW MEAD

2010-03-29T18:46:00.001-04:00

Have you heard that Matthew Mead is in the process of producing a new Holidays with Matthew Mead publication?? Read the blurb below and then head on over to order...the book-azine will not be sold in stores, so make sure you order online, OK??

Head over to Holiday with Matthew Mead to find out how you can win the opportunity to have your blog or online shop mentioned in the magazine. Holiday with Matthew Mead is a "book-azine" celebrating and offering inspiration for the Christmas holiday season. To be released in October 2010, Holiday is offered via online orders only - in limited quantities - and will not be sold on newsstands. But, by simply following the BUY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE link below their banner, you can reserve your own copy of this beautiful magazine, with guaranteed delivery of the magazine straight to your mailbox! Holiday with Matthew Mead is144 pages of holiday inspiration with well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch features, printed on beautiful paper and not drowning in ads!

Now, head on over for your chance to win!

Later,

Janet

THEY SAY

2010-03-26T22:43:00.000-04:00

....it's a virtue.....patience that is

I say...the jury is still out....

I'm still working getting things painted, primped and back together. Sounds like just another excuse, I know...

Later,
Janet

AWAY

2010-03-19T23:38:00.001-04:00

Progress...it's a relative term, don't you think?? Please say yes ;)

When we get back from a brief weekend away the floor should be finished in our bedroom and then we can put all the furniture back in there and make progress on the den/exercise room that is hiding under all this stuff. Please note that the dust ruffle has been washed and is hanging to eliminate as many wrinkles as possible..who knew "she" would have to wait this long??

Later,
Janet

PALLADIN

2010-03-18T16:00:00.003-04:00

Remember Palladin...Have gun will travel???

The problem has not been resolved as yet, but the estimates for correction should be here soon. Seems like bad maintenance was to blame... Lack of sufficient caulking was allowing some wind- driven rain to penetrate the frame and get inside the wall. Apparently this has been ongoing for some time which has caused some rot. Woe is me!!! The replacement window plus the window frame/sill have to be removed, probably the insulation as well and hopefully no mold has grown in the wall cavity and then the new window etc will be installed, new clapboards, sheathing if needed...oh my...has to be installed. This will cost more than my new hardwood floor ( luckily that is already paid for)!!

I think I need to go to Lowes and buy a lot of caulk ( and not the cheap stuff which my carpenter says is really only good for a couple of years). Why don't they make exterior caulk in the aerosol cans??? So much easier to deal with than a clumsy caulk gun.

Peeved in Plainville,

Janet

An Open Letter to Mother Nature

2010-03-16T16:12:00.001-04:00

picture by Reilly Winant found on the internet

Dear Mother Nature,

For years you admonished us to not to fool you. I complied, actually I am mostly compliant in most things ( although I never did try the Chiffon Margarine). So why, I ask you, did you feel the need to send 8" of rain my way this weekend. As I am sure you are aware, I am trying to get some rooms in this not so stylish abode redone. I have paid my dues and lived with many unfinished projects and frankly funky rooms while we raised four boys and now it is time to get some fixin' done. I do not do well with chaos in my life..my ADD brain needs an orderly exterior to compensate for the craziness that runs rampant within. There is stuff in every room. My clothes are scattered about and nothing is where it belongs. I was handling the chaos extremely well ( if I do say so myself) and dealing with the small setbacks. All that was left was to get the hardwoods installed in the bedroom and then everything could be moved back and life would resume in an orderly fashion. Why did you decide that you would send rain onto my bedroom floor from some mysterious and heretofore unknown orifice??? You can't install a floor on a damp subfloor and you certainly can't install it until you know where the source of penetration is, now can you?? The next time the floor man has is next Monday when my very elderly parents will be here. So, the floor remains undone, the carpenter is coming to poke and probe windowsills, flashing and God forbid roof to try and stop your evil plan. I am going to either go eat worms or possibly down a container of yellow fake butter!!

Later,
Janet

PROGRESS

2010-03-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

The room is painted...yippee and... the dust, well the dust will take a couple of weeks to settle ( I know this from experience ladies) and see that pile of boxes of hardwood flooring?? By the weekend this floor should be done and then we can start the next part of the long, tedious, but oh so rewarding project. That involves moving our bedroom furniture into the room above, pulling up the 20 year old gray carpet, and then having hardwood installed in our bedroom. All of the gray carpet that was "newish" when we moved here will have been replaced by hardwood, well the DR still has Pergo, but that will have to suffice for a while. Can't do everything, doncha know, but we are making progress toward what the house should have looked like all along, 4 boys not withstanding!!

Later,

Janet

gone

2010-03-02T17:14:00.000-05:00

The painters have gone for the day. I am sure hoping the Pottery Barn Moroccan Spice is not going to be too orange-y!! Just one coat on so far so it is hard to tell. At least it will be a warm cozy color!!

Later,
Janet

GETTING READY

2010-02-28T21:59:00.000-05:00

for painters again. They will be here tomorrow and get started on the room from h..l. The room has belonged to a succession of teenage boys and has been sitting empty/used as a junk room for about 8 years now. Such a waste, but it is such a mess. Tomorrow the metamorphosis begins, new Moroccan Spice ( dark clay red) walls, white trim, freshly painted ceiling. The room will be transformed into our upstairs TV/ exercise room. I hate that the ancient treadmill and bike will be in there, but at least we will be able to watch TV as we pedal and walk.

I also hate any kind of upheaval, but keep thinking how lovely it will be to have a TV room. Then the Living room gets repainted Roasted Sesame Seed and the Dining room is going from pinky terra cotta to Roasted Sesame. I am excited about that change as I was really tired of the status quo.

More Later... off to see Brothers and Sisters
Janet

SURPRISED

2010-02-26T20:41:00.001-05:00

Have you ever tried these products? I have been buying their cute air fresheners for my car for years and I have bought them as " just because" gifts for friends. I love the cute girls on the products and their scent is sooooo pure. I just found out from a friend that their headquarters are right here in Attleboro. Knock me over with a feather! For some reason this makes me very happy!

Later, Janet

ps. not sure why all this is underlined, but that's OK too!

FOUND

2010-02-23T15:24:00.000-05:00

Look what I finally found...off to make a Cuppa Joe and revel in the work of many of my bloggy friends.

Later,
Janet

DRY SPELL

2010-02-14T19:43:00.000-05:00

But I guess you figured that out, lol! Winter is really bothering me this year, not sure why as I have lived in the North all but one of my 59 years. Let's hope for an early spring.

Later,

Janet

SUPER BOWL FOOD

2010-02-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

Trying to decide...Barbecue Chicken Pizza with red onion OR

Thai Chicken Pizza with peanut sauce, carrots, green onions and peanuts??

Which would YOU choose?

Later,

Janet

WISHING YOU...

2010-01-28T11:40:00.000-05:00

A Daffodilly Day!

Still winter here, but thank you Whole Foods for selling some daffs so early, they are my favorites ;)

Later,

Janet

PS. What makes you smile in the dead of winter??

PONDERING

2010-01-23T20:22:00.003-05:00

What would I do if I didn't do what I am doing?

Later,

Janet

IN A FUNK

2010-01-20T11:17:00.004-05:00

Ever happen to you??

What do you do to make it go away??

Later,

Janet

P-U

2010-01-16T18:13:00.000-05:00

Cleaning my oven...3 hours of bad air!

Later,

Janet

SPRING CHICKEN

2010-01-15T09:18:00.001-05:00

Who says a Spring Chicken can't wear fabulous shoes?? Check 'em out, lol!

This e-card from came from Victoria Trading Company (just giving credit where credit is due) from my friend Martha. The caption is "Happy Birthday Spring Chicken". Now, where do you think I can get that oh so chic outfit to go out to dinner with my fabulous husband tonight??

Later,

Janet

PENSIVE SKY

2010-01-11T09:44:00.003-05:00

Don't you love the sunshine streaming in on this very cold winter afternoon? It is pretty clear to me that these pictures have not been staged...please note the 7 day pill dispenser on the counter. And the copper has not been polished. Just trying to keep it real!

Trying to learn this new way to load pictures that Blogger has promised would be easier. Easier to load and size maybe, but not sure if I should have written text first. Anyway, Bob took these pix to show the new color and I love, love, the color ( thank you, jano, for the assistance), it is different in every light and my kitchen has many different gradations of light and shadow. None of these pictures show the color exactly, but you can get the idea. I really wanted some artsy shots of specific areas, but apparently I don't communicate all that well. That and I am not at good at visual displays as I would like to be, lol!

This is the barren eating area that we have never used to eat in. The microwave has to live here for many reasons, no counter space being one and also the there is not enough room over the stove. That curtain ( tablecloth masquerading as a curtain) is on a double window. I would like to have a built in shelving unit built under the window and I could put plants etc there. It would probably end up being a place for the cats to watch the outdoors. There is no electrical outlet on that wall and no easy way to get power to that wall without making a mess of the new paint. It has been suggested that I make this area into a sitting area with a couple of comfy chairs, but as nice as it sounds I still need a place for the microwave and I also think I would feel psychologically cold there in the winter so near the back door( to the left of that window). Of course you can't see the whole kitchen layout in these pictures, so just use your imagination and give me some ideas, OK?

Later,
Janet

IT'S NOT JUST FOR BREAKFAST

2010-01-09T12:47:00.001-05:00

Has anyone else been having a problem with "weird comments" lately? I have been getting an anonymous spam comment or two every once in a while. Just an annoyance, really...but in the last couple of weeks they have been becoming more common and just today I received over 20 comments on posts as far back as 2007. A great way to revisit some of my old posts, but pretty time consuming when there are that many and they are in CHINESE. Not that they are any harder to delete in Chinese, I am just sayin'. So, sadly, I have enabled the word verification feature and hope that this doesn't cause anyone not to leave me comments. I love your comments and it makes me so happy that someone actually reads my less than prolific (lately) posts.

In other non-news, it is cold, it is wintery and I am over it already. Bring on spring. And oh yeah, someday it will be light enough for Bob to take pix of the new kitchen color before it gets too dirty and you can gaze with awe at my new "tile" backsplash behind the stove.

Later,

Janet

PHEW!!

2010-01-06T15:33:00.003-05:00

The wise men or should that be Wise Men, have arrived and I am ready to take the rest of Christmas down and put it away for another year.

The reason I started ruminating about this whole "when do I discard/put away Christmas" question was because I heard an ad for a car dealership on December 26th. The ad screamed (why do car dealerships scream at us anyway??) "the 12 days of Christmas are over and the 12 days of sales have begun" and I thought"NO", the 12 days of Christmas have just begun, we need to wait for the Wise Men to travel the many miles with their gifts. It just makes me think that we are in such a hurry for Christmas to get here that we forget that it is a 12 Day Season. We anxiously put Thanksgiving to rest and start Christmas decorating the day after and are off and running. Then the minute the gifts are unwrapped we are tired of the whole thing and usually exhausted from all the work as well. Remember reading stories when you were young about families decorating their trees on Christmas Eve or maybe parents decorating late Christmas Eve and the delight of the children as they discovered the tree on Christmas morn? I'm not saying that that is practical nowadays, but I am just waxing nostalgic here.

Okay, enough said, just wanted to get that off my chest. Hope the New Year is a fabulous one for one and all!

LAter,
Janet

HOLIDAY POLL

2009-12-29T15:38:00.004-05:00

from Country Living Magazine

When do you take your Holiday decorations down?

Right after Christmas?

Right after New Years?

After Epiphany?

or

Whenever you get around to it?

Inquiring minds want to know, and I do too ;)

Later,
Janet

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW

2009-12-19T20:35:00.002-05:00

"Heap on more wood!

The wind is chill;
But let it whistle as it will,
We'll keep our Christmas merry still."

Sir Walter Scott

We are expecting a blizzard-type storm tonight and we are ready. Lots of flour, sugar and eggs. Many forms of chocolate and nuts. Coffee and wine. What more could you need for a day of snow with Christmas just around the corner.

Wishing a very Warm and Cheery Holiday to all my friends and their families.

Janet

PERFECT

2009-12-11T16:17:00.002-05:00

I am slowly working on getting my kitchen/foyer/upstairs hall back in shape. I am being very, very deliberate where I place each thing as I don't want to mess up the paint. The Pensive Sky by Behr in the kitchen is absolutely beautiful, very serene and clean looking. I want to paint every room in Pensive Sky right now because it makes me so very happy to walk into the kitchen and see it. The aforementioned foyer et al is a Benjamin Moore color called Golden Tan which seemingly has no tan, but is a lovely buttery color. I would take pix, but my camera is acting up right now, so please use your imagination, OK.

Thinking of all of you, even though i haven't been leaving many comments lately. I know, bad blogger etiquette, but know I am enjoying your posts, OK?

Happy Decorating,
Janet

NEW YORK NEW YORK

2009-12-09T09:20:00.023-05:00

Here are some photos from our quick NYC trip on November 28. Of course, I also went to NYC with Sami ( my potential DIL) on November 15, but was too busy eating, shopping the street vendors and watching the Rockettes to take pix for you. Bob was more than happy to oblige on this trip. Enjoy the randomness of these photos!

The lovely, casually elegant restaurant where Sami and I lingered over wine and dinner. Photo taken so I would remember the name of the restaurant, lol.

Window at Henri Bendel, and no, I would not look good in that outfit ( contrary to what Bob thought). He is such a keeper!

Happy Holidays.
Janet

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE

2009-11-29T13:23:00.002-05:00

Thanks for hanging out or hanging on waiting for me to post something...anything. Well, the painters are finally coming on Tuesday. They will paint the kitchen the Behr "Pensive Sky" which is still not "quite" right, but close enough after all these months of agonizing. The foyer, stairway and upstairs hall will have the wallpaper stripped, walls skim coated and be painted some kind of pale gold ( guess I need to get some real samples up tomorrow). It will take 3-4 days. Now I just have to get everything off the wall etc and find a place to put it until the mess is over. Did I ever tell you how much I hate having my house disrupted?? Something about the ADD brain I guess. Hopefully I will be back to posting something next week, OK?

Later,
Janet

BOB'S BIRTHDAY

2009-11-19T17:25:00.003-05:00

picture purloined from Google

Bob is 39 again!! Here is the dinner menu befitting a man who has been 39 for the last 17 years.

Roasted Chilean Sea Bass
Israeli Couscous cooked in Tarragon Infused Seafood Stock
Glazed Carrots
Haricot Verts ( OK, actually just green beans)
Chocolate Angel Food Cake ( from Whole Foods)

OK, so I can't seem to "bring home the bacon" lately, but I sure can "fry it up in the pan".

Later,
Janet

SHE'S GONE

2009-11-13T14:48:00.002-05:00

Sadly my friend left on Tuesday and I miss her. We took a trip to Vermont where Old Man Winter decided to take an early exploratory trip. It was freezing and we were staying right next to the lake ( Lake Champlain) so everytime we went outside our noses and eyes starting watering from the cold wind. The air was a balmy 38 degrees...bbbrrrrrr!

We played with paint colors for the kitchen. Remember I was agonizing over the choices and had pretty much settled on a color called Copper Mountain. Then I realized it appeared "dead" to me and in a complete about face I have decided to go with a cool, pale blue. I wish it was just a tad warmer, but it will warm up when all my plates are up on the walls, my copper is polished and I accent it with touches of brown and brick red. Right now the walls look like a prop from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. So many colors that didn't make the final cut.

We went for long walks in very New England feeling neighborhoods, but alas my camera is acting very strangely these days, so no photos. We watched the Celtics ( did you know I am a basketball fan?) and we saw Julie and Julia on Pay per View at our Hotel in our cozy jammies. It was so much fun.

Now it is back to the real world. The new stair treads are almost finished...the last four should go down this weekend and hopefully the painters can come next week. I am tired of having power tools in the way in my kitchen and having so many splotchy patches. I do.not.do.well. with my kitchen or house torn up. I am a creature of order!

Later,
Janet

COMPANY"S COMING!!

2009-11-04T16:02:00.004-05:00

In just a couple of hours my friend Jano is arriving from SoCal for 6 days of girl fun. Jano is my friend who comments as Anonymous/jkj. We have known each other for about 27 years now and although we don't see each other often, when we do we pick right up where we left off the last visit. Aren't friends like that great?? Planned is an overnight trip to Burlington VT ( where we both lived when we met) and maybe a day trip to Portland Maine. The weather is not supposed to be great but hopefully we will get some serious Housepeeping in too.

Her room is all ready with new flannel sheets and a down comforter to augment the quilts and puffy pillows. It looks very inviting if I do say so myself!!

Later,
Janet

PS. I cooked a turkey breast, some stuffing and gravy so we will have some hearty food when we get back from the airport. The house smells all warm and sagey...delicious!

2009-11-01T11:36:00.004-05:00

Pizza Bianca with carmelized onions, chicken and fontina...
This is the best Pizza Bianca I have ever made or tasted. Because I am having way too much trouble trying to copy the recipe, please go to relishmag.com and search pizza bianca for the recipe. I used fresh mozzarella instead of fontina and made my own crust ( just cuz I always do!). This would be good made with leftover turkey too. It already tastes Thanksgiving-y to me beacause of the onions and thyme. Enjoy!

Later,
Janet

2009-10-27T08:39:00.002-04:00

image from murtari.org

>

New Wine for Seniors
>
> California vintners in the Napa Valley area, which primarily produce Pinot
> Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio wines, have developed a new hybrid
> grape
> that acts as an anti-diuretic.
> It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to
> the bathroom during the night.
>
> The new wine will be marketed as
>
>
>
> PINO MORE
>
>
>
>
> I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
>
> I just couldn't help it.