Into the fall...

School has started here and Labor Day has come and gone. (Wishing that fall weather had arrived... but it hasn't.) It's humid and warm and the a/c is on...unheard of in September here and very warm for kids back to school.

We had one cooler day over

 the weekend so we started out from home 

 in good weather for Vermont...

the front of our home

wearing its summer clothes!

We visited many places but one was the

 Vermont Country Store in Weston.

The store was very busy 

but I waited for a quiet moment 

to take this photo

because I respect the fact 

not everyone wants to be photographed

and on display.

 Candy anyone? 

 Oh, the pumpkin fudge is good! 

We sampled cheese and crackers...

dips and chips...

and tiny delicious cookies!

We indulged in maple ice cream 

before we left the store.

The Hoosier  makes a 

fabulous addition to 

outdoor dining areas!

 

 The next day we were in NY state...and northern CT.

It was warmer than the previous day

but sill quite lovely!

On one quiet town green

this polka dotted car was parked in front 

of an old building. Have no idea why...

but it was quite a contrast.

Now it is time for another weekend but it also the beginning of soccer season for our grands.  We will travel to the games but not at such a leisurely pace. We love fall and winter in New England so we are looking forward to these games and being outdoors.

Are you having a good week?  I am looking forward to the fall more than ever after such a hot summer.  Ready to stop eating summer food and start making soup...I put away my white Capris and pants...I am old fashioned that way.

Still need sandals and shorts though...for now!  Wishing you a happy weekend. As always,

enjoy the day!

A delightful surprise...at Waterside Antiques...

Winter storms kept us from roaming the roads for months. Now gas prices ($4.23 per gallon around here yesterday) are somewhat travel limiting, too. So, we decided to stick around CT and visit some flea markets and the shore rather than travel out of state.

One of my very favorite stores to visit is located along the CT shoreline is Waterside Antiques in Clinton, CT, where I was able to see the best of the best in primitive dolls and accessories.

I noticed that the door to the shop was open and asked Mr. DollzandThings to go back so I could visit.


Inside the shop has been transformed into an open, airy space...still filled to the brim with wonderful accessories that fit so well with New England decor or authentic country style. As I spoke with the owner, Ginny Kabe, she mentioned that she had painted the ceiling recently. (It is wonderful! What a daunting task!)


I will let the photos speak for themselves. So many things to love.





The transition from the warm and cozy darker prim look to the more open and airy country look is unexpected and so lovely. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and see the change. What an unexpected surprise!

As always,

enjoy the day!

Peaceful snow...

We received a foot of snow on Friday night but other parts of the state had much less. It was quite beautiful. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Ugly rhetoric for financial and political gain is a negative influence of society. Nature can offer us much solace in a world filled with violence and harsh rhetoric.

More than ever,

one must enjoy

and appreciate the day...

every moment of it it.

Out and about...

Just before the blizzard we were out and about in CT. This is the entry way to Mystic Seaport. The tree on the bow of the tugboat is the perfect touch. Around here, you will see trees on boats, trees on buildings being constructed, and trees on large equipment like cranes. Love it!

Here is a ferry landing with an historic past. Unfortunately the ferries may stop running due to lack of money in the state. Looking over at Gillette Castle on a cold winter day is a wonderful sight. We took the grands across the river last summer on this ferry and are glad we did. Of course, it is closed now as the CT River is frozen during the winter. It is a powerful reminder of times gone by.

The famous actor William Gillette built this home on the river and I have been going here since I was a very young child. Gillette became rich and famous playing Sherlock Holmes on stage. I never tire of visiting the castle. At four years old, I imagined I was a princess living in the castle and that feeling comes back whenever I visit.

Since we took these photos we have had a foot or more of snow. However, the temperatures are warming up and there is a chance of rain so possibly a lot of it will disappear.

Have you been by Martha and Jane? There is a thoughtful thank you note there!

Are you recuperating from the Christmas holiday? Happy Kwanzaa to my friends who are celebrating this week.

Until next time, as always,

enjoy the day!

Old Wethersfield..

Old Wethersfield is one of the most beautiful cities in CT. It is steeped in history, the architecture is superb, and it is beautiful to the eye.

Here is the Red Onion Barn
on the cove.
This building dates back to 1691.

You can read about it here.
Click on the photo.

Every year there are hundreds
of displays for Halloween.
Most of them are
life sized
and they are a hoot!

I only had time

for a few photos but what fun!

Many of the old homes are museums.
You can stroll leisurely through town
and stop for coffee or a bite to eat.
It is not a tourist spot
but a neighborhood.

The leaves are peaking here this week. Today will be very windy so that could be the end of the season. It has been a wonderful autumn, though, with cool temperatures and beautiful autumn skies.

Hope you have a lovely weekend, and as always,

enjoy the day!

A touch of fall...

Even though it is still summer until the autumnal equinox, we can see touches of autumns here and there.



It is really quite welcome after the relentless heat and humidity of this past summer.



We still need rain. River beds and ponds are drying up all over New England. When we came upon this peaceful pond, we knew we needed a photo. But notice, there is very little water flowing over the spill way.


It was a very cool weekend with temperatures barely reaching 70F. There might be some rain today....we'll see.

Happy Monday...

as always,

enjoy the day!

From the Silo...

One of the other things we did this past holiday weekend was return to The Silo. It is part of the Hunt Hill Farm Trust .


The late Skitch Henderson and his wife created a wonderful spot in New England that houses a shop, gallery, cooking school and museum. It is one of our favorite places to visit.

You know that Hannah
worked her way
into a photo.
She is in that first one, too.
Can you spot her
near the gate?

Hannah never misses
an opportunity!

She wanted to pose
near some
outdoor
sculpture.

This incredible engine
is on the property
though
we couldn't find
and identification for it.

We look forward to autumn and more visits in this area. For now, heat and humidity have returned for a brief, unwelcome appearance.

Much to ponder on the beauty of nature... hopefully, you find that kind of beauty, too.

As always,

enjoy the day!

P.S. There is a new episode over at Martha and Jane. Check it out!

CT, VT, MA, and NH...and home by dinner!

Typical Vermont...

Summer is still with us!

Do you see what I see?

He was not adverse to
picture taking.

The Great Blue Heron
really is...
great!

One of the nice things about living in Southern New England is that we can travel to many states and still be home in time for dinner.

After lunch in Cummington, MA, we headed to Vermont. These photos do not do the scenery justice. That is the good news. The bad news it was in the mid 90's there, too.

My husband spotted this Great Blue Heron and was able to photograph him from the car. While he was snapping photos, I saw two baby beavers playing nearby in the water. I had never seen them outside of a zoo so I was pretty excited. They were too fast to photograph, bobbing up and down in the water with their paddle-like tails.

As if this weren't enough, we traveled down to Brattleboro, VT, and stopped in at the Tasha Tudor Museum. It is small...just two rooms right now...but charming in its temporary location. The delightful Amy Tudor was our docent. I will be posting photos in a few days.

That Hurricane Earl is supposed to pass by later today so I think we will not be roaming far.

Have a lovely holiday weekend!

Stay safe, travel well.

As always,

Enjoy the day!

Random photos from the weekend...

The grass is greening...

This sign has been up many years now...

This cardinal loves to hang out on the fence...

Cardinal photos were taken through the window
and screen so a tad blurry...

Our favorite hardware store...

The weekend went by in a flash! Much accomplished and much left to do as the week begins...

happy Monday...
enjoy the day!

Millpond in a ghost town...

Johnsonville, CT,
is a quaint New England village

that was once pristine and has gone to disrepair. It was the dream of a businessman who created a small town from original and "imported" buildings from other parts of New England.

In 2000, it went up for sale. Once a thriving summer community, nearby there were dozens of
summer resorts that are mostly now gone, too.

The original millpond is on the property. As we were passing by it, the water sparkled in the sun. We were treated to 70 degree temperatures in March and it felt like summer.

The sun made the water look like jewels.
A lone robin was sunning itself near the water.

Every time I see another landmark
going to ruin
it breaks my heart. When I have been to other countries, I have noticed there is less bulldozing, more maintenance of properties and a different value set on old buildings. I am so sentimental..
I like to see old buildings maintained.

The buildings may be decaying
but the pond shines brightly
and the robin heralds spring.
Life still comes alive in the spring
when the snow melts and the sun shines bright.

Wishing you a happy Monday..
and a happy spring
...enjoy the day!