Friday, August 15, 2014

Tiny Home 101....

 Ok.....some have already called me crazy.  That's fine, I agree completely!  I don't know where or how I got it, but I know I've had this "disease" since early childhood.  This disease is hard to label.  But, I know what it does to me.  It makes me start a project before I've finished the last one.  And it has no boundaries or limits.  I can start one project, then another, then another and well, you get the idea.  It can make me physically ill at times, but mostly it hurts my brain.  Hence the notepad......I just can't keep all my ideas safe in my brain.  I'm forgetful.

PROJECT: TINY HOME 101

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Lazy River, Gardiner NY

Welcome to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in beautiful upstate NY.  This is where my sister and I stayed for three nights this past weekend in order to attend the 2014 Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, NY.  We had a wonderful time during our stay there.  The Catskill mountains are breathtakingly beautiful.  We were lucky enough to travel across the Hudson river several times and the western view from the Kingston Bridge was gorgeous.  We met some great people during our stay at Yogi's and saw some

Country Living Magazine Fair in Rhinebeck NY...

I've got to say Country Living Magazine had it right when they said "Get Ready for the Coolest CL Fair Ever!"  W O W doesn't even describe the event!  I was dizzy from looking at all the great finds there.  I literally had to stop and rest a few times.  My sister and I clocked many miles on foot over the course of the three day event.  Barns and barns of

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Blogger withdrawals...

Ok, just so everyone knows...it's not that I've become lazy that I haven't posted in exactly one month.  I have to blame this on Microsoft.  I loved Windows XP!!  Why did you have to sunset this operating system?  My hands aren't completely tied, however.  But, blogging on a tablet.....not the easiest way to get it done.  I will be back on a keyboard as soon as my new OS is happily residing in my desktop.
 Thank you for your patience and continued support.



Monday, March 24, 2014

Gettin' crafty....

Inspiration from the internet.....thanks goes out to "Suzys Artsy Craftsy Sitcom"...Google her and see what I learned from her.  I have been going over and over so many ideas to cover the ceiling in my travel trailer, and when I found Suzy and her tin tiles, I was in love!  The artwork in the impressions and the metallic paint on them is simply stunning!  Mine, however, will be "tin".  I like the look for my space....and if I choose to paint them later on down the road, I can.
After much consideration of the extensive time it would take for me to cut and style 4" tiles to cover the entire ceiling in the camper, I decided on a bigger platform....disposable aluminum cookie sheets to hold six 4" "tiles" on one sheet.  I like how they are coming out.  I also like the fact that the ceiling will be covered in much less time (aside from my procrastination).

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

"Clara Belle"...

my inspiration photo from Pinterest 

Although it is still winter time and not camper renovation time, I feel the strongest urge today to write this post.  It is in sweet

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Is it camper fixer upper time yet??

I am so very anxious to get working on the re-do of my 1973 Atco travel trailer.  She doesn't "travel" any more, although she is capable.  She is more of a "guest house".  I just love her and cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and get going on fixing her up.  

I think my first project will be to remove the drop down table.  I have a really cute spindle leg side table that I fixed up and it will fit perfectly right under the front windows.
Once the drop table is out of my way I hope to get prepping the walls for a nice bright coat of sunshine.  I found this neat product that is referred to as liquid sandpaper.  This will take a lot of time and elbow grease out of the painting project.

Once that is done, I can switch out the curtains and add all the dainty touches that I think will jewel her right up.  Stay tuned......spring is right around the corner!

 

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Mementos.......


a dainty tea cup and saucer
an old deck of cards
the personal hand written note to you

a vintage locket
                       with a photo 
                                        of your mom inside

 Mementos are what keep us connected to our past...
  They are what we hang onto throughout our lives
 in order to revisit that particular
 moment in time when we received them.   

reminding us  
                                    of a happier time
                                                                   or place

 




"We do not remember days.....we remember moments" Cecsare Pavese
 
Memento: something that is kept as a reminder of a person, place or thing.  Webster.
 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Easy Peasy Commenting.....FINALLY!!

Okay......this is it!  I've finally figured it out.  It wasn't you, it was me. (I knew that and so did you)  So...........

Whenever you read a post and want to comment (oh, please...I hope that you still do!), all you have to do is write your comment in the box that shows up when you click the words "post a comment" or "no comments:" or "2 comments" (it's a link that will open) and when your done simply select the Name/URL option.  This allows you to type your name (first name only is perfectly fine) and URL is...dah dah dah daahhh.... "optional" which means NOTHING! Whoo Hoo!
So, come on peeps....drop me a line and prove to me that this commenting thing is finally conquered. 

I was twelve today.....

ice skating
on the pond

sledding down
the biggest hill

walking under
snow laden
pine branches

building an
igloo
and a 
snowman

eating tomato soup
and
grilled cheese

drying your
mittens
by the fire
 
catching
snowflakes
on
your
tongue

snow days

sharing
that
bag full
of
penny candy

 

Friday, February 14, 2014

St. Valentine's Day....


"I loved you yesterday, I love you still...
I always have, I always will."


  
"...accept this loving heart of mine and be my own true Valentine."



"...he loves me, he loves me not..."
"My heart to you is given,
Oh, do give yours to me..
We'll lock them up together,
And throw away the key."

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Turning point.....

I think I love food...wait, I KNOW I love food.  It is quite obvious here, isn't it?  And breakfast, well I have to admit...breakfast out is right on the top of my list.  On a trip to Connecticut yesterday, my friend Lisa and I went to Advanced Powersports USA in Griswold CT to pick up a spare key for my snow machine.  While we were there, we asked the gang if there was a good breakfast place nearby.  Are we ever glad we asked!

First of all....this place had bottomless bloody mary's and mimosa's!!
 Had we known before heading out the door, we would have brought a driver. ;o)  Since we couldn't stay and find the bottoms....we stayed long enough to enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Thanks to the friendly staff for serving our morning fuel!


Venice, RI.....

Venice....the restaurant in Rhode Island, that is! 

If there is one restaurant in our area that we are always drawn back to, it is this one.  The food, the atmosphere and the people are perfection.

Last night, as most all visits to Venice, we dined in the Sky Box lounge.  I enjoy this area because of the views of Block Island.  The windows in the Sky Box are huge and offer everyone in the place a front row seat.  There are several large screen TV's to watch your favorite sport, and we did get to see a bit of the Olympians in action. 
Dinner was scrumptious....king cut prime rib and shrimp risotto.
 
The only thing I wished I had ordered was a nice biscotti and hot tea to end my meal!  Thanks for that inspiration going out to the lovely people dining next to us!

"Girls gone north"....





Well, we finally did it...we all got together and had a fun overnight stay at camp.  Weather was so so, food was incredible and hanging out together was priceless.  Did we drink?  Yes.  Did we laugh? Yes.  Did we shop?  Oh yes.   We had a blast.  There was a nice warm fire outside, there was a pitch black night sky full of stars, there was a tiny bit of shimmering midnight snowfall...what more can a bunch of friends hope for on a "girls gone north" weekend?  Only to be able to do it again!
I confess....I am a whiskey girl.  This toast clearly shows I am the only one in pure enjoyment of the shot!  It is obvious that Lisa was not so happy with the Crown Royal!  I crack up every single time I look at the "after" picture.  :)  Sorry Lisa!  I am so very fortunate to have such a great group of friends and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for being in my life.  Some are new friends and others I have known since childhood.  They are my peeps, my amigos, my posse....my friends.  PS:  the only one missing this toast is our little babushka, Cynthia who was pregnant and napping....pleasant dreams chica!!


Camp is small, but that didn't stop us from all bunking in it together with the fire going and the stories we were telling.  I have to admit, I stayed awake until all I could hear was snoring....it wasn't a loud kind of snoring, just that kind that tells me everyone here is comfortable and will no doubt be getting a good nights sleep.  And I believe we all did. :)





Sunday morning coffee...round one.  One of my most favorite times at camp is coffee, and my second most favorite time is coffee at camp with my friends!  Thanks to you all for joining me!

Until next time....

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The Stone Hearth Inn and Tavern.....

Our friends and VT neighbors frequent a great eatery in Chester, and are always telling us how fantastic it is and we should try it sometime.  We recently had the opportunity to give it a try....and I agree with them...it is a great place!  The Stone Hearth Inn and Tavern, 698 Rte 11, Chester VT is a wonderful stop along your route or even a stay over.  They have eight guest rooms and a very large dining area with the "stone hearth" fire place and couches to sit and enjoy it.  There's a very relaxing feel to this place which makes you feel as if you were part of the family.
 There are two family members of the canine kind who are very friendly and welcoming as they greet you when you enter.  We arrived a bit before the lunch hour, but our server Mary-Anne made us right at home taking our drink order and giving us our choice of seating. 
Our drink choice was the Trapp Lager from the chalk board brew menu.  It was a very good choice if I do say so myself.




After Mary-Anne told us of the daily specials and took our order, we sat back and eyed all the stickers and beer taps that adorn every nook in the place!  I was amazed at the number of taps hanging along the ceilings edge...many of which have been served there in the tavern.
 The hundreds of stickers prove that people from all over the world have visited this gem and left their "calling card" to prove it.  I am sure it is exciting to come back for the second visit to see your calling card hanging up.  You tell two friends, and they tell two friends and so on and so on....I only wish I had a sticker or two with me.....next time I will.
Lunch was so scrumptious that I forgot to even take a snap shot of it!  I had the Chevre Salad which is a warm goat cheese spread onto a crispy crostini and on the side the signature Stone Hearth Salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette.  My hubby had the Pork Burger with apple slices and brie cheese piled onto a sweet roll....oh heavenly!  Yes, I was offered a bite and took it.  Now, our next visit I won't have to look at anything else on the menu because that is what I am having.  Incredible flavor combo.



So, please take my word for it....if you are looking for a great eatery or a comfortable place to rest for the night....try the Stone Hearth Inn and Tavern.  I think you'll be delighted.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Did Old Man Winter and Mother Nature make a deal?....

I'm guessing these two are cooking up trouble.....between them and Punxsutawney Phil....somethings brewin'.  Do we need all this winter?, possibly, but I think the majority of the population has had enough.  And, there's more snow due in on the heels of this latest storm.  Give us springtime......please!