Breakfast at Janet's..............

Returning to New England is always pleasant. This trip was even more special because I was to meet up with blog friend Janet of Housepeepers in Massachusetts. Only had a little time to visit, our itinerary was full, but this quick stop to meet humorous Janet, and her charming husband Bob, was so enjoyable.

Behind the welcoming blue door of this sunny yellow New England colonial house, a delicious breakfast awaited. Janet had been busy in her spacious kitchen baking the most delectable treats........fresh blueberry coffee cake, the yummiest banana nut bread, accompanied by fresh fruit and good, strong coffee.

Janet had planned for us to eat outside on her back deck overlooking a lovely garden area but rain clouds were threatening again.......New England had suffered through a very wet June with 29 straight days of rain, phew! This of course meant the garden was brilliant green, no dried out grass, and huge hostas with dozens of flower spikes ready to bloom. Oh to bring some of that rain back to the the hot, dry Southeast.

So we gathered around her table in a beautiful dining room, surrounded by Janet's collection of antiques, and tucked into the goodies while chatting away a mile a minute.

I loved Janet's kitchen and her pot rack - something I've always wanted but am too nervous to hang from my ceiling!

Janet's Bob, Janet, Mary, and my Bob.

Luckily we had granddaughter Jasmin to take some pics of us in front of this charming house. It really was a great visit. Thanks so much for making us welcome Janet and Bob. We enjoyed meeting you and hope you will come visit with us some day.

Following the river.............

A small rural New Hampshire town.

A river high from so much rain.

A treasure trove discovered.

Stepping across the threshold......never wanting to leave.

Jasmin - Peterborough, New Hampshire ~ July 2009

We found a place to shop and I'll tell you about it soon.

Contoocook River, Peterborough, NH

Beach Roses at Cape Neddick

Nubble Light House, Cape Neddick, Maine ~ July 6, 2009

Beach roses smell as roses should! Light, delicate, true rose fragrance. The Ranger told us the roses were pruned back hard in early Spring. They have exploded into huge, healthy bushes, massed with blooms now that Summer warmth and sunshine have touched the New England coast.

A perfect day ~ cloudless sky, slight breeze, temperature around eighty degrees.


Stop and smell the roses, breathe in the salty air. Be thankful for the perfect day.

Beautiful Maine.

On Golden Pond

The Fourth was fun but in our family, the Fifth is even more important!

Today, we drove up the coast of New Hampshire, along with thousands of others seeking sun and sand after a month of wet, cool days. A perfect day for my DH to celebrate a Birthday. Home in the beautiful state where he was born and raised. Where we lived for a while when first married. Accompanied by his older brother and lovely wife who flew in from Arizona to celebrate a holiday and birthday with us.

The 'golden pond' is actually Lake Massabesic. A picturesque place for sailing, kayaking and picnicking on a lazy Summer afternoon. My DH spent time here as a child and then we came here with our children during the years we lived in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

We stopped by the lake today on our way back to the city. It was perfect.

Jasmin at Lake Massabesic, Manchester, NH - July 5, 2009

We enjoyed the lakeside tranquility for a little while........then it was time to celebrate at a great Italian restaurant.

The food was excellent. The wine was wonderful. The Birthday cake was gobbled up before we thought to take a photo.............so you only get to see my wonderful DH blowing out his candle, again!

Happy Birthday Bob..........and many, many more. We love you.

Pink Saturday at the Zoo

A visit to the North Carolina Zoo some time ago was colorful in more ways than one.

Tropical birds in all shades of pink were flaunting their feathers. My favorites have to be these gorgeous flamingos and ibis.

As for plants, I just loved this shrub (below) which was blooming all around the tropical birds. Its pink is so pretty. I would enjoy having one grace my garden.........which right now resembles a zoo complete with several homeless cats passing through, battalions of squirrels, birds by the dozen, a lone raccoon who crossed the deck one evening recently, and goodness only knows who trekking through after dark!

Mustn't complain though. In nearby Durham, NC a black bear is busy inspecting gardens, knocking over bird feeders to find food, and scaring a neighborhood unused to such large wild visitors. A bear in my garden I definitely don't want!

I'm on vacation in New England and sending wishes for a great Independence Day celebration to any and all friends who stop by here today.

Thanks Beverly for still giving so much of your time to Pink Saturday. I'm certain there are a lot of pink friends to visit today at How Sweet the Sound.

Special Note: Today I visited the nicest blog friend and her husband in Massachusetts! I'll have more pics to share soon of Janet of Housepeepers. What a warm and wonderful welcome at her beautiful home...................and a delicious breakfast too! Thanks so much Janet.

Janet & Bob's lovely home and garden.

Very busy day visiting Plymouth and Boston. The rain stopped and the sun came out, it was near perfect, hooray!

Last Looks

Before saying goodbye to the interesting folks at the fabulous Market Imports on that recent visit, a few more interesting items from around the world caught my eye.

Afternoon in a Provence sunflower field ~ June 2006

If you can't get to the sunflower fields of Provence this Summer ~ the rusty metal version could be planted in your garden!

Perfect blue buckets, some rust, no holes; gray galvanized metal watering cans (for the rusty sunflowers) and containers of every shape and size.

Several friends want to visit this shop and I will have fun showing them around. Next time I go I'm sure I'll find many more great things to share with you.

Note: Yesterday, July in New England was like no other - cold, early morning thunder, torrential rain falling like cats and dogs, glimpses of sun, amazingly beautiful cloud patterns, and fog so thick at the shore we couldn't see the ocean or anything else at times. Granddaughter Jasmin's words, as we drove across the almost invisible bridge into Newport, Rhode Island......."I feel like I'm in heaven". Plans changed, Boston today instead of yesterday - couldn't face sloshing through the city in rainforest conditions......beside, we didn't bring our wellies!!!

But it wasn't all bad......soon I'll show you treasures discovered in the most beautiful New Hampshire shop!

From Carolina Blue to Northeast Grey

Leaving Raleigh in brilliant early morning sunshine. Even Jasmin, getting over a 'flu-like cold caught at Summer camp, had a bright smile. Flight to Dulles went fine........then things went downhill rather than skyward for a while! Sat on the tarmac for almost three hours in the tiny commuter jet. The heavens were heaving up North, many air routes closed to the Northeast. Three hours with a cup of water and a fabulous flight attendant (a former high school teacher) who did her best, and succeeded, to entertain and placate us. Thank you Nancy from St. Louis, you are one of United's best.

We arrived in New Hampshire, hungry! We stepped out into the drizzly rain and discovered it was cool - no actually it was cold. However we were safe and our luggage was there. Traveling can sometimes be harrowing but it's still worthwhile. We're off to Boston tomorrow.......hope the sun comes out and I can get photos to share with you.