Bidding Summer Adieu!

It's labor Day weekend!  Yes, the summer appears to be over but...not really.

So, don't despair!  The Autumnal Equinox is on Sunday, September 22 and

there's still time for that last cookout of the summer season.  Although your

schedule will drastically change, linger in the twilight, catch a sunset and bid

the summer of 2013 a fond adieu when the time comes.

 

September is a time to visit the apple orchard, make that delicious apple pie and

savor in all things with cinnamon and apples.  After all..."An apple a day keeps

the doctor away!" 

 

September is a good time to make out that Christmas list!  Yes, you heard me right!

There's no time like the present to start planning for the holidays.  By making that

list, you may just free up more time to enjoy the festivities of the holiday season.

 

Celebrate "Citizenship Day on the 17th.  Learn about our constitution and spruce up

your knowledge on how our government runs.  Give thanks on being an American!

 

Take a walk under the "Huntress Moon!" The full moon appears on the 19th!

 

Visit the Farmers' Market...there you'll find delicious things for the harvest table.

Baked squash, that Sunday roast, applesauce and pie in many flavors, caramel

apples and cider doughnuts are in store for you!  Settle in and let the aromas of this
 wonderful time of year fill your home. 

 

Pick some newly fallen leaves, Bring these colorful gems inside and sandwich them
between wax paper. Place them in the largest book in the house, the dictionary. 
Do you still have one?  Pressing leaves in this manner is something our lovely
Mother did throughout her life.  In opening the dictionary, pressed leaves that
once touched our Mother's hands fall out and remind us of colorful days gone by.  

 

Times have certainly changed but one thing remains constant...this delightful time

awaits the discovery of your senses.  The feel, taste, sight and sounds of fall

await you!  Don't miss it!

A New Twist to Banana Bread...

"What is it you ask?"
Nutella Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Spray an 8 x 4 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray

2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup butter softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup milk
3/4 heaping cup Nutella

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
In another large bowl beat sugar and butter using an electric mixer
at medium speed until blended.

Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.
Add bananas, milk, vanilla
Beat until blended.

Add flour mixture, beat at low speed just until flour is incorporated.
Don't over mix.

Spoon Nutella into a small dish and soften in microwave for 15 seconds. 
Add 1 cup banana bread mix to the Nutella. 
Stir until blended well.

Spoon Nutella batter alternately with plain banana bread batter into prepared pan. 
Swirl together with a knife.

Bake 50 - 60 minutes. 
Put tester in to check for doneness.
Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together, flour baking soda and salt.

 



Do you have an abundance of summer vegetables? If you do...here's a quick answer!

Chop an onion and saute in some olive oil.  Place on the bottom of
a baking dish.  Peel and slice a potato, slice a zucchini, summer squash
and tomato or two.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with thyme.
Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. 
Then uncover, sprinkle with shredded cheese of your choice
and bake another 15 minutes or until cheese bubbles.

Easy, pretty to look at, delicious and healthy too!

North of Boston...Lots to Sea!!!

Russell Orchards, Since 1920 on 143 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
Home of fine fruit wines and hard ciders.

Peter Rabbit would love these Gooseberries!

Painted rocks for sale at Russell Orchards!
It gives you an idea...doesn't it?

This would be something fun to do during the winter months!

Start looking for some smooth rocks and get painting during
cooler weather and shorter days!

On the North Shore in Ipswich, MA is where we visited the Crane Estate!
Views of the Atlantic are visible from all around this beautiful
property!  Weddings and other events are held here.

Just down the road in Essex, MA you'll find Woodman's!
Delicious, efficient and clean...this is a stop you must make!

From the little gift shop to the small buildings overlooking the marsh,
Woodman's has been in business since 1914! 
Another gem along the highway!
Here Sis enjoys the gift shop!
Don't miss the ice-cream shop!

We all had lobster rolls, cole slaw, sweet potato fries and
clam chowdah...made with Ipswich clams of course!

A Lady in the Mountains!

Built in the 1920's, this Grand Lady sits nestled in the
Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire!  In 1902 industrialist
Joseph Stickney build The Mount Washington Hotel. 
It is white with a red roof built in the Spanish Renaissance style with
a grand colonnaded veranda. 

Architecture, yes!
Class, yes!
Value for your money, yes!
Built by more than 250 master craftsmen, skilled in masonry and woodworking, were
brought from Italy during the hotel's 2-year construction.  This jewel has
recently undergone a $70 million dollar renovation.
 

The beautiful first floor with its wildflower carpeting!
Talk about bringing the outside in!

Tea is served daily in this lovely salon.

Golfing, tennis, horseback riding, bingo, movies
live entertainment and great food await your arrival!
The Donald Ross designed golf course shouldn't be
missed by all of you golfers!

The Lady of the hotel, Mrs. Stickney would look over the guests as they walked
to the ballroom all the while checking out their outfits.  She would
make sure she was the best dressed lady every evening!

Most of the time, Mt. Washington was shrouded in clouds. 
Here we catch a glimpse of a beautiful rainbow.

Today, this 4-diamond resort offers
opulent accommodations, award-winning dining,
countless activities including a full-service spa, a year round canopy
tour  and boasts the state's largest ski area!
 This is one lady you'll want to meet. 
 

Off the Beaten Path...Derry, New Hampshire

Off Rte. 93 North follow the signs to Derry, NH and
Robert Frost's Homestead.

In the barn, you'll find memorabilia, Frost's poems and photos
lining the walls.  A video is available too.  A guide of the house
is another option.

I just love what John F. Kennedy said upon the death of Robert Frost.
If you recall, Robert Frost recited a poem at the Kennedy Inauguration.
 

When heading to the White Mountains...make a quick stop in
Derry!  It's a great little town with a wonderful retro 50's diner called
Maryann's.  See below!

Are You My Mother?

The other day, my sister, Nancy told me about an adorable

hooked rug she had seen on Sky Mall.  Although I was apprehensive to

purchase it because I really didn't have a space for this little feline rug. 

After seeing how cute it was I decided to order one. 

Well, UPS dropped it off yesterday.  This rug looked just like Mr. Fur!

So, I put it down on the floor and was thinking of where to put it.

When Mr. Fur walked in from outside,  he immediately went

to the rug and made himself at home. 

Tonight, he found the rug again snuggling up to the rug as a little

kitten to its Mother.  I wonder what he's thinking?  Does he think

it's his Mother?  Cats bond with their Mothers for just a short time. 
If they're lucky, they're off to start their lives with a loving family.

But, does that feeling of wanting your Mother for comfort,

encouragement and nurturing ever leave you?  Speaking from

experience, I would say "No."  A Mother's touch and love

are something everyone longs for feline or not.

Zeb's General Store - Remember When...

North Conway Village
New Hampshire 03860
603.356.9294
www.zebs.com

Located in the hear of North Conway Village, Zeb's is a fun
place to visit, shop and reminisce. 

Customers were walking around the store drinking coke out of
glass bottles!  No cans at Zeb's!
The vintage cooler is keeping them ice cold on this hot summer's day!

Penny candy is no longer sold for a penny!  I bet you knew that!
Old time favorites are stacked from one end of the counter to the other
calling out your name!
Remember Luden's Cough Drops when you were sick?  Or...that special
package of Life Savers being eaten one at a time so they'd last longer?

My dentist wouldn't be pleased with his patients dreaming about
Turkish Taffy but the memories are wonderful!

Upstairs in Zeb's you'll find toys for the kids.  Puzzles, checkers
and Pick Up Sticks are some of the old-time favorites.
Dips, chips, maple syrup, honey, fancy salts, salsas, popcorn and so much
more can be found under Zeb's roof!
Zeb's is a fun place!  When in the White Mountains, particularly near
Mount Washington, you must plan an hour at Zeb's!

Being Neighborly is a Good Thing!

Our neighbor's is having a graduation party today! 
Made a special chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese butter frosting!
Yummy!
Although, I'm not a decorator, I have fun with a decorating kit!
Monograms are in!!

Beautiful flowers from my garden are arranged in a milk glass container.
Were our neighbors surprised?  Yes they were...pleasantly!
You don't have to have a special occasion to be kind to a neighbor.
Flowers, an extra cupcake, slice of pie, cup of soup all mean something
to those who live around us!  Pass it on!

Watch Hill, RI...Lunch, Shop, Ride!

Stopping along the way!  Unfortunately, the sign showed "open"
but nobody was home!  So, we took photos anyway!
Next, we had lunch in Watch Hill at the Ocean House.
Wanted to have a "Swan" dessert at the Olympia Tea Room.
Unfortunately, they no longer serve just dessert.  You must
have a meal there in order to order their famous puff pastry "Swan".



The Candy Shop in Watch Hill is always a favorite stop!
We love the pink shelves and painted walls.  Even
the curtains are pink and white check!

We bought some lovely things in HighPoint Home!

 

The Carousel is fun for children!  I can remember the carousel
at White City in Worcester.  I'd pick the fanciest horse and Daddy
would stand there and hold me on as the music played.
The wonders of being a child!  

This is the oldest carousel in the United States.  As you can
see, the horses have been newly refurbished! 
It would be a tough choice choosing which one to ride!

Thirst Quenchers!

Do you have pitchers sitting idle on hot summer days?
Ice water, lemonade and sangria are calling your name!



This cobalt blue set of Depression glass was a gift many years ago!

This set of Riedel with embossed grapes was purchased
back in the 80's!

Fostoria...pattern "American" was our Mother's pattern. 
She received a great deal of it back in 1949.  It can be found
today in many different pieces.



Green cabbage or lettuce anything is a favorite of mine.
This motif can be used in spring, summer and during the fall harvest
right through Thanksgiving.  

Have you every heard of a Gurgle Pot?  Well this fish actually gurgles
when filled with preferably water.  Wouldn't want red wine spitting out
of the mouth of this big fish!   This pitcher looks great in spring, summer
and fall!  You can find one at www.sharfmansjewelers.com


Look around the house.  Can you find any pitchers?  If not
get in the car and find a flea market, tag sale or antique shop!
They are all there waiting to quench your thirst!

Eyes Wide Open...An early morning stroll!

Despite the high humidity, we've managed to keep the zinnias
blooming and bug free.  Their display is incredible!

Early morning with a heavy dew makes for a tranquil scene.

Quiet...The Queen Bee is eating her breakfast!

Mr.. Fur relaxing on the cool soil under the
arborvitae.

Hydrangeas needing some water near the little babbling brook.

The sun rises up and embraces a new day of discovery
along with Mother Nature's magic!