Birthday Gifts

This year I decided to tell everyone exactly what they could get me for my birthday. My sister said jokingly that I've become bossy. At least I think she was joking! She's probably right but I thought it was a good idea. And I made it easy on everyone.

My mom had a stroke five years ago and she can't go shopping. She is very interested in making sure we still get our presents from her and I think she likes to have some say in what she gives us. So my dad agreed that she could give me an outfit from my favorite clothing store, J Jill. I looked through the catalog and already knew what I wanted when I brought my mother the catalog and asked her to pick out a pair of pants and a shirt for me. Not only did she pick out the exact items I wanted she even got the colors right! Amazing! The top photo shows the shirt, a linen pullover in the color called Aegean.



The white denim pants are the pants she chose for me. Again exactly what I wanted. My mom may be physically challenged but her mind is sharp as a tack! She knows my fashion taste.



My friend Debbi wanted in on the action too. So she told me to pick out a jersey from the catalog and she gave me a shirt like the one in the photo above.



I told my sister I wanted to take a walking photo tour of Beacon Hill. Basically you buy a ticket for a 90 minute walking tour of the Beacon Hill section of Boston.
You see secret gardens, the architectural details of the homes, etc. The tour is for amateur photographers and you get tips for improving your photography. I have to book the tour for some day when I can take a day off from work. So that's my sister's gift to me.

Ny dad gave me money. I'll probably use it to buy some curtains for the condo.



As for my friends Mary and Don, I told them I wanted manual labor from them. I needed Don to act as handyman for me. So he hung this picture and another one like it in my dining room. Sorry for the poor image.



I've had this keyrack for a really long time and I never put it up. Now it's hung in my kitchen in the perfect spot. No more keys thrown on the counter. And the amber doorknob is now beautifully illuminated by the under cabinet light.




I had this poster framed and Don hung it for me last weekend. It's in the hallway between the kitchen and dining room. In case dinner is a disaster I am reminded to keep calm and carry on.



This wire rack will hold canisters of tea when it's mounted on the wall. I already have one tea rack in the kitchen but this one was on clearance at Home Goods and it needed to go home with me.

As you can see, I had a very nice birthday. My friends and family are the best and they gave me some wonderful gifts!

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!