Birthday Girl

Yes, I'm the Birthday Girl. Today's my birthday. Last year, I had one of those birthdays with a zero in it so it was a big deal. This year, anti-climactic. Oscar
knows how old I am and he's laughing!



Speaking of Oscar, he was supposed to help with the blog post but he got a little too comfortabe on the sofa and the next thing you know....



He was very sleepy and then it was off to catnapland.



I took the day off from work just because I did not want to work on my birthday!! I went to Concord, one of my favorite places, and I did a little shopping and eating. Thoreauly Antiques had some nice things and I'll show what I bought in another post.

Late in the afternoon, I discovered a new place, the Market Cafe in Concord Center. I love the decor. Aren't the coffee cup tiles cute?



The chalkboard menus listed New England Favorites. After ordering at the counter you are given a number to take to your table and then they deliver your food to you.



The coffee on your honor sign caught my eye but I decided on lemonade.



Look at that caffeination station. Isn't it cool? I have a caffeination station
ar home too but no quite like that.


Lots of cookies to choose from but it's my birthday and I want cake.

I'll have to post the birthday presents later this week. Since it's my birthday I think I'll take a cat nap too!

Festival By The Lake

Saturday was a picture perfect day. The weather was warm and sunny, so I decided to spend some time outdoors. I planned to visit both the Winchester Farmer's Market and the Festival By The Lake in Wakefield. I ended up with just enough time to do one activity so I chose the Festival By The Lake. It is a once a year event whereas the Farmer's Market will be there next weekend.




Canopies spotted the lawn by the lake. The area was packed as it is when there is a fireworks event. Perhaps the fabulous weather contributed to the crowds. There were hot dog and lemonade vendors, sausage and slush carts, and of course, kettle corn! Kid's activities were very well attended. Everyone was out walking their dogs or taking their babies in a stroller. It was a real family friendly atmosphere.




I went for the sunshine and the shopping! I took photos of my favorite booths. These designs under glass caught my eye. Little starfish and leaves under glass made lovely designs on candleholders, picture frames, and coasters.




These rockin recycled popcorn bowls are the coolest! They're made from old records.
Remember vunyl records? I loved looking at all the old record labels. This one caught my eye because it was a Beatles record.



Maybe you prefer James Taylor or Prince. They do custom work too. Check out their
website at www.methuenyogamat.com .



These bracelets were quite nice. There were lots of jewelry artisans.



I just thought this display was cute.



And so was this one. The vendor name was Memories in Glass. Loved the beachy scene.



Nancy of Designs by Nancy was very accomodating and let me take several photos of her beautiful handpainted glassware. Contact her at nancypaints@msn.com




Isn't her work lovely?



Such vibrant colors!



This pitcher could easily have gone home with me, if I had more room in my bag.



I did buy something from this vendor but that's for another post.



The folks at Old Quarry Farm of Haverhill, MA were so nice. I took a few photos of their space. They had wonderful containers for their flowers and plants.




What a great color on this tub!




Windows by Lisa had interesting pieces. I found a few pieces I wanted but without a measuring tape I wasn't sure if they would work in the condo. I did get a small lavender arrangement in a wire cone for my bathroom.



This photo cracks me up! I was trying not to get in the photo but forgot about the other people around me.

I bought some organic soaps from a man from Quebec. Ooh la la! I loved his French accent. I am keeping them as future gifts and will show you them in a future post.
They are beautiful to look at and they smell heavenly.

I hope you enjoyed your trip to the Festival By The Lake. There was something for everyone!

Lace Curtain

Recently, I made a purchase from Ebay and yesterday the package arrived. I ordered a 1920 French cotton lace curtain panel for my front door. The package arrived quickly from England and when I opened it I was delighted.

I just tacked it up for the photo. As you can see, Molly was interested. She now has a better view when looking out the front door. The blinds previously in place were rather cumbersome for her.



Here's a closeup of the detail on the bottom of the panel.


I used the flash so you could appreciate the ecru color of the panel. I thought it might not look nice with the crisp white door but I actually like the contrast.

I haven't purchased anything from Ebay in years, I might just have to check in more often!

It's Alive

Yes, it's alive! Or should I say she's alive! My 2004 Toyota Highlander, lovingly called Fiona Rose nearly lost her life on May 9th of this year. If you want to see the twisted metal from our accident check under the May archives. I will be forever thankful that she did her job and I walked away from the wreck.

Her extreme makeover cost my insurance company $10, 485. and me $300. Her front end is made up of recycled parts, welded together, and color matched to the best of the ability of the technicians at Boch Toyota, the place I bought her. Thank you Bob Morton for the daily updates.

She seems tighter, leaner than before the accident, perhaps a little liposuction that I didn't know about? So will she be a monster or will she hum and purr like the old Fiona?. Time will tell!

Enjoy the clip from Young Frankenstein. (Turn off the playlist to the right on the page.)

100th Post and a Trip to Rockport

This is my 100th post. Wow, time does fly! Recently, I took a look back at my older posts and it was really interesting to see the path the blog has taken. When I started the blog I didn't have any particular theme in mind. I was just a banker looking for her creative side.

From the first post, I decided that I wanted to showcase my photos Now my blog revolves around the places I go, my love of food, and of course those adorable kitties.

Today the blog has become more personal and somewhat of a New England Travelogue. That's ok with me. I don't mind sharing with my readers what makes me tick or what ticks me off! On the flipside, I never get tired of reading your comments. A thoughtful comment is quite the adrenaline rush and makes me think, wow they really get it.

Since the blog has become as I said earlier a New England Travelogue, I thought it only fitting to share my photos of yesterday's trip to Rockport. Rockport is to me the Quintessential New England town. Enjoy the tour!

Clever idea, a windowbox in the shape of a boat!

My decadent dinner at Ellen's Harborside Restaurant. Fried clams and shrimp. baked potato and roasted vegetables. My sister, our friend Debbi, and I split a lemon berry marscapone cake for dessert. We found out the streudel shop was closed so we opted for dessert right after dinner.

We took a walk down Tuna Wharf. The evening light was perfect!

I never tire of photographing boats.

Chairs at the Yacht Club. Wonderful views of the ocean can be seen from these chairs.

All was calm down at the harbor last night.

Pastel skies are my favorite. I love this time of night.

Are you tired of the boat photos yet?

Such a pretty garden bench.

Window shopping at La Provence. Too bad it was closed for the evening.

We all loved these dresses. So sweet!

Last year, the Rockport Art Association building was white with black shutters. Now it's so cheery and colorful.

Kitty had a perch above the street.

Cool display outside a shop.

Cat on a hot tin roof? Not really, but this cat was quite the acrobat.

You can see clear through this restaurant to the ocean.

This one is self explanatory!

Anyone for a kayak ride?

Or maybe a romantic dinner? Perhaps next time I should bring a date!

My Place By The Sea Restaurant has the best location in Rockport. Located at the tip of Bearskin Neck, this restaurant has spectacular ocean views.

Should you find yourself in Massachusetts, add Rockport to your to do list. You certainly won't be disappointed!

Blog Anniversary Winner

Sorry for the delay. My computer caught a virus over the weekend. But we're all fixed and up and running.

I am happy to announce the winner of my 1 year blog anniversary giveaway. Congratulations SuesueB, you won the ocean themed goodies! Please email me with your address.

Yay, the photo is of Rockport and that is exactly where I am going tomorrow. I am taking the afternoon off to join my sister and friend Debbi on a little excursion. We plan to dine by the ocean, shop a bit and hopefully have our warm apple strudel and ice coffee on the deck of Helmut's Streudel shop.

The forecast is for a sunny day in the 70's. I'll do my best to bring you some cool shots from Rockport. By the way, this is my 99th post. What will I write about for my 100th post?


Oh my such pressure!