Cummington, MA

Island in a stream

A great place to eat!

The Old Creamery Grocery & Restaurant

William Cullen Bryant House

More post cards from the road....

Although we were just in Cummington, MA, on Saturday at the fair, we found oursleves back there again today. We have been many times to the William Cullen Bryant House. I ran into him at Christmas here in Bryant Park. I wonder how many people today even know who he is? In any event, we love it up here and we love the surrounding small towns.

Enjoy the day!

Have a happy, safe weekend!

The Blue Oar Restaurant

CT River

Out in a field....

Still on vacation....still roaming around.

Enjoy the day!

Postcards from MA:

Massachusetts Sheep & Wool Craft Fair, Cummington, MA. Stopped by and visited my friend whom I hadn't see in ten years. He dyed all the wool you see in the photo.

We are still "on vacation" so will be back here later.

Enjoy the day!

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.

As you enjoy the day today, remember those who are no longer with us. Unlike Veteran's Day, it commemorates the fallen soldiers and
is a day for remembrance.

Peace.

Of Dollz....

Lately, I haven't spent to much time with my own dolls. I need to go through the doll cabinets and move them around, fluff up their outfits, and say hello to them. (This is what good collectors do from time to time.)

Last week I was working on a paper crown to swap with a friend. I wanted to let the crown dry outdoors and needed some sort of a stand for it. I grabbed a Dollikin and she was eager to pose. These dolls are always eager to pose, and despite the fact she looks bored, I know that they really like looking good! My fashion type dolls get into that sort of thing.

Meanwhile, I needed a photo of some Hittys for a friend, so I pulled out a few and lined them up for a photo op. They can be hams, too, so they are always ready to get in front of the camera.

They wish you a happy Memorial Day and weekend and so do I. Enjoy the long weekend and travel safely!

Dreamz...

Over the weekend, my husband dreamed that we lived on a farm and kept all sorts of farm animals....which I had dyed different colors!

When recounting this story to my adult daughter, she said... "are you sure it wasn't a dream?" (They know me well.)

Of course, the thought of dyed animals is very amusing and got me thinking about the Belties.

Have a colorful day!

Bearz...

The tea party was a success with about 40 people attending! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take a lot of photos and at one point, the batteries in my camera went out. We had a wonderful luncheon, raffle, and auction with many door prizes. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. The lady in the pink dress is 94. Mirabel founded the club over 30 years ago.

It's really cold here but will be over 80 at the end of the week. Had to bring in some plants last night due to frost warning!

I have a busy day ahead but wanted to post the photos quickly, especially for a few friends who asked about them!

Enjoy your day!

(As always click on photos to see them larger!)

Good morning, Monday!

The weekend flew by in a foggy, drizzly, cloudy blur! Here are some photos I took around New London and Mystic, CT. We had the most delicious clam chowder in Noank and brought home wonderful salmon that I cooked for dinner last night.

Today my doll club is having a Teddy bear tea party. We are expecting 4o people to attend. It should be great fun! But, I must get going here with last minute details I need to attend to.

Have great Monday...enjoy the day!

What I found...

We had perfect weather for Brimfield. The high temperature was around 70 with a constant breeze. I took those two photos when we got there and never took out the camera again. Five thousand vendors and more than a dozen huge fields and huge crowds!

We walked from 9:00 a.m until a little after 5:00 p.m. sitting down once to grab a bite to eat. Even at that, only covered a couple of fields. If you love antiques and collectibles, this is one of the premiere flea markets!

My friends bought larger and heavier objects: a life sized goat sculpture, a cast iron mermaid. We carried these around in carts with us. My purchases were very small. The tiny Raggedy Ann and Andy, the tiny quilt, the wooden spools, and the old cotton batting chick were part of my finds. (Not too heavy to carry!)

There were so many wonderful antiques, paintings, things to see and love. The vendors are really nice, the crowd very upbeat and the array of items is astonishing. No wonder it is a vacation destination for so many! It is like a chronicle of everything that was ever made and an encyclopedia of things past. It is located just outside of historic Sturbridge, MA.

The weekend is just about here. It is raining again. We usually spend part of Saturday going to soccer games this time of year. Not sure about travel this weekend. The picket fence is one third of the way finished and the weather is a factor in getting it finished.

I have a busy day ahead and a few things to accomplish. Enjoy YOUR day and your weekend, too!

Of Birdz and Thingz.......

I am an avid birder and have been since childhood. I love birds...feed birds...have been blessed with the ability to see many exotic birds in my many travels.Right now, I am really, really tired... because of a bird!

Every morning at 3:30 a.m. we are treated to a loud serenade right outside the window. Most likely it is a boisterous, male mockingbird trying to attract a wife with his operatic arias. It is so loud that we can hear him with the windows closed.

We have tried sleeping in different rooms in the house to avoid being awakened at such an hour. It has been to no avail. We can still hear his ruffles and flourishes, his high notes and low notes, and we can only hope that he moves on soon. I finally have to admit it. I am REALLY tired from this singing! However, it is really hard to be angry with a bird and the songs are beautiful despite the fact we cannot turn down the volume.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, I hope to be off to Brimfield during the hours of the many non-stop arias. At least I do not have to worry about over sleeping.

Hope that you are enjoying the day and that the birds you hear singing in the morning start just a little later in the day...at least after sunrise!

(click on photos to make them bigger)

Spring at last....

It's miracle what a week of rain can do! Suddenly, everything is green and lush.

That pretty pink house is Roseland Cottage. The color is pretty in any season.

We happened to be in the neighborhood where we saw the miniature donkey and horse. They weren't around but some very mellow sheep were roaming in the same area.

Very busy day ahead today. Mondays are always hectic after relaxing weekends. I hope that you have a happy Monday...and enjoy the day!

Greetingz...

the weekend is here already!

The past few days I have had to get going creatively and catch up with past projects and also projects due.

For my friend, I made the birthday greeting in the top photo. That's a wooden spool and some of my own art work, sort of an altered spool. Below you see a an ATC that I sent out this year--just a variation of last year's card--but still fun.

It has rained most of the week and now it looks and feels like spring around here. Trees and lawns are greening and flowers are blooming. The lilacs and lily of the valley are both blooming outside the window near me.



Enjoy your day...enjoy the weekend....

and Happy Mother's Day one and all!

Of frogz and thingz....

Here are some more photos from the weekend. We are finally getting rain and seeing beautiful green colors, but these frogs are always green! They are located in Willimantic, CT and truly whimsical.

Busy day ahead here....so for now....

enjoy the day!

A field of Belties...

It has been a rainy weekend so photo ops have been in short supply. But just before the rain, it was quite humid and there was some hazy sun around. If you read this blog, you know I am obsessed with Belted Galloway cows. They are like the pandas of New England--they stand out against the landscape and are just beautiful to look at. What would you expect form a penguin collector? (Yes, I have to admit that I have hundreds of them. ) Animals with graphic marking really call to me.

Our long weekend is not over. We are leaving in a few minutes, so...

enjoy the day!