Summer Bucket List

My birthday was yesterday. I always think Summer does not start until my birthday. I know some people think the unofficial start of Summer is Memorial Day but for me it is June 15th.

After reading the Summer 100 list at Pop and Circumstance's blog. I got to thinking about my own Summer bucket list. I would love to have 100 items on it but I only get two weeks vacation this year so that would be too time consuming and a bit unrealistic.

So I came up with 25 things I would like to do this Summer.  Here's the list:

1.       Attend Waterfire in Providence - Done!

2.       Photograph koala bears at Stone Zoo- Done!

3.       See a concert at Shen Liu Center in Rockport

4.       Have a german iced coffee at Sugar n Ice in Exeter

5.       Walk the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine

6.       Take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown

7.       Eat lobster BLTs at Stonewall Kitchens, York, Maine

8.       Go to the Lantern Festival in Jamaica Plain

9.       Eat a farm to table dinner at Whim, Smolak Farms, North Andover

10.   Attend the Vintage Bazaar at Pettengill Farm, Newburyport

11.   See a play at the Ogunquit Playhouse
 

 

12.       Sit on the deck at Helmut’s Strudel Shop with an iced coffee and a hot apple strudel - Done!

13.       Have afternoon tea  at Fancy That, Walpole

14.       Visit Hammond Castle for the Abbey by the Sea Renaissance Festival

15.       Photograph and ride the carousel at Paragon Park, Nantasket

16.       Take a photographic workshop

 

 

 

17.   Have an illumination themed Summer party in August- Done!

18.   Take a lighthouse sunset cruise in Portsmouth

19.   Take a mini sister’s vacation- Done!

20.   Visit SOWA market

21.   Go fleaing at Todd Farm, Rowley

22.   Take a North End market tour

23.   Daytrip to Nubble Light/York area of Maine

24.   Have breakfast at Sugar Magnolias, Gloucester
25.  Visit farmer's markets where I haven't been

I am sorry about the weird format of this post. Tried to fix it but nothing worked.

Anyway, what are your Summer plans? Do you have a Summer bucket list?

 

 

 

 

 

Afternoon Tea in New Hampshire

On Sunday, my tea group met at the Inn By The Bandstand in Exeter, New Hampshire for afternoon tea. There were eight of us in attendance.



As the tea hostess, I had to come up with the idea and make the arrangements. I gave everyone a favor as a thank you for attending. Orange tea cakes made by my friend Mary were wrapped in a cellophane bag and tagged with a vintage Victorian calling card. I just have to say that Mary's tea cakes are delicious and I am so excited that her recipe made extra cakes! There are six in my freezer as we speak.




We shopped before the tea. Although this shop, Portobello Road was permanently closed, the name remained attached to the building. If I could have pryed this sign off I would have. I want it!!



I guess you can tell where the Inn got it's name!



Most of the food items were set up on the buffet We had scones, tea sandwiches, and desserts.




Look a cloche!



Look two cloches. Those little lemon cakes were yummy! I do love a silver tea service.



Mmmm! Red velvet cupcakes. I think I trampled a few people to make sure I got one.



Another view of the buffet.



I think this photo could have been taken in another time. Deborah and Lori Lee look like they are from another era.



Lisa is deep in conversation. And why not? We usually see each other but once a month at the tea event.



Karen and Erica knew their photos would be posted on the blog.



I asked if we could also have a tour of the Inn and our hosts graciously obliged. So the following photos are from our tour. First stop, the dining room.



This is the Cambridge Room. I loved this room because of the black toile. Tres jolie!



But then I saw the softer shades in this room and I thought this was the room for me.



What a sweet desk. Yup! This room is the best.



This room was grand.



And just look at the handiwork on that canopy.



That's what's missing from my bedroom at home. A breakfast nook and a chandelier. I'm getting great ideas from this tour.



A four poster bed completes the scene. Beautiful!



A touch of whimsy. Cute!



This is a clever idea.



The dining room light was perfect and so was the weather.



An impressive staircase.



One last shot before departing. We had a wonderful, relaxing afternoon at the Inn. If you're in the neighborhood, check out the Inn By the Bandstand, 6 Front St, Exeter, New Hampshire.

Exeter- Art & Tiques

I took last Friday off from work. I took a little daytrip to North Hampton and Exeter, New Hampshire. I made a number of stops that day which I will share in
future posts. Today, I will post about the coolest shop in Exeter, New Hampshire.
It's called Art & Tiques.



I saw this display from across the street and it piqued my interest. I expected an artsy funky type of shop. It was so much more.



I entered the shop and there was Charlie. Isn't he adorable? He resides with shop owner Linda Anason. She told me Charlie was a rescue dog from the ASPCA. He has the sweetest personality and the most soulful eyes. He captivated me from the moment I saw him. I am glad he lives with Linda, she clearly loves him.

Linda was so nice to let me loose, camera in hand, in her shop. I took tons of photos!



I loved this teapot but it did not come home with me.




Baskets anyone? There were lots of them.




I liked this red birdcage too and the lantern above it.



All kinds of canes.



Are these your initials?



Where else can you get a fencing mask?



This guy was interesting.



Old baseballs for Red Sox nation.



I walked around with this purse in my hand but I didn't end up buying it.



Interesting items throughout the shop.



Don't you love old boxes? They are great for storage or decorating.



These would make wonderful accent items.



A mish mash of items in the shop. I love to rummage through things.




Pretty bottles on display.



Playing cards serve as price tags.



Paper people? I don't really know what they are.



I liked this lamp too.



Pretty glassware.



All kinds of silverware in baskets.




This clock was really neat. It almost glowed in the sunlight.

And what did I buy? Well, two items. One was an old trophy and the other was a vintage Polaroid camera. When I went to the register, the owner asked me if I was a dealer. I said, "no". She said, "You should be, you picked the hottest items." I was flattered by the compliment.



Rain boots, so cheery. I could have used these last month when we had heavy rain and flooding.

But Friday was absolutely gorgeous and I had so much fun scouring through all the items at Art & Tiques and playing with Charlie. The owner's business card even mentions Charlie.

If you live in the area, you simply must visit Art&Tiques, 130 Water St, Exeter. You won't be disappointed and if you do stop by, give Charlie a hug for me.