Weekend Walk & Winery!

This weekend, being what I believe to be a true Indian Summer occasion that was perfect for walking...we did! Sleeping Giant Mountain in Hamden, CT allows dogs (leashed) so up we climbed.

Not sure if Sally needed a rest or we did!

The tower at the top looks out over a beautiful valley and Quinnipiac University. I stayed below though to watch Sally while heights are not my cup of tea I must confess.

The Mountain Laurels (our state flower) twist and turn their faces to reach the sun leaving barren branches that seem haunted.

A downward jog of sorts pulled by Miss Sally ended in thirst all around.

Just by chance, on our way to buy some much needed apples we spotted a Connecticut Wine Trail sign!!! What would be better than that to end this day? After getting lost thanks to the iphone GPS and possibly some bad navigating by the novice iphone user (me), we found Chamard Vineyard in Clinton, CT.

A very welcome sight, seeing the sign and arriving before closing time!

Quite the location! The vineyards, the grounds and tasting areas were calling out to us, stay, have at least one glass...but we had someone (Sally) waiting in the car. So we decided to hold our own taste testing at home.

So much fun staging our little wine tasting. The wine was good, feeling great from our walk...we need a few more weekends like this!

Floating Chinese Lanterns

Last night I witnessed something beautiful but at the same time I questioned this phenomenon. I came to learn today after trusty Google helped me along, that what I witnessed whilst enjoying a summer evening with family on Fairfield Beach is the "fad" of Floating Chinese Lanterns. The biodegradable paper (isn't all paper biodegradable?) lanterns with a small candle and a small wire frame look awesome as they float up into the night sky. One after another dotted the sky in progression as they drifted away.

They are let go here by a group of kids....very eerie and spooky images caught by my little point & shoot digital camera. What looks like a dinosaur? I have no idea!

I don't have another photo to show but do want to say that the wire network that keeps the "balloons" as balloons is not biodegradable...and the possibility of a home or farm or dry grasses lighting on fire as these "night jellies" (as I called them last night) drop is just irresponsible. The wildlife that can ingest the wire frame can and has been known to suffer or die! Please, do not use these in your next event as beautiful as they are. Google the fad and do homework before using something this dangerous!

Brimfield Bounty

This weekend, we attended a special wedding in Worcester, Massachusets. Congrats again to Kate & Tim! Luckily, it was the same weekend that the world famous Brimfield Antique and Flea Market was happening! We were only 1/2 hour away so the next day I was set on experiencing this event and had a definite mission. To find small, old, oriental throw rugs to match one we have in place already. With dark stained floors, these look awesome. The one below is our old faithful.

The rug has been in my family for years, threadbare, without fringe and just old...as you can see! But we love it and wanted more.....

 I found so many dealers, so many rugs! Trying to keep in the same color family was important, the aged. no fringe look and the price. Hmmm, not a good bargainer. I will have to work on that. Three rugs, love them all and have found homes for them in strategic high traffic areas. Mission Accomplished.

BUT, there is more!

Remember my love of tomatoes? Well, even if you don't, I do, I did. One of the first vendors we stopped at in this inaugural visit to Brimfield was a paper, old advertising specialist. I could have spent hours browsing the inventory. I am a graphic designer by nature. Letters, logos, page design and colors have always excited me! Even the banal...someone has to design it...they may as well have fun. And so they did. I found old tomato can labels from the 1920's-1930's. 

First, my name Carroll, then the name Bessie!  My name, different spelling. Bessie was my grandmother's name! The Defender had a lovely sailboat and Boris????, well that one fit the color and size scheme so it made my purchase complete.

Hopefully, these will be matted and somehow framed before Christmas. I have a few thoughts, a project in mind. Summer Wrap Up Posting might shed light on my progress!!!!

Hydrangea Hot Weather

The word hydrangea means water loving...and they sure do. I have been watering quite a bit. In season and flourishing in my yard I decided to skip the seaglass/shells (but I still collected some!) and think a bit about these awesome shrubs.

Photos taken over the course of a few weeks show the progression...and I waited anxiously for their color to bring life to my yard.

I believe I have about 5-6 different hydrangea in my yard. Two, Pink Diamond and another Peegee (Paniculata) are late bloomers. Endless Summer, Nikko Blue and other hydrangeas that I never got the official names for are vibrant right now! The Lace Cap is a neighbor's but I hope to plant one someday as well.

The best thing about hydrangeas is the continuous option for indoor bouquets! 

Some of these hydrangeas are even more beautiful in the fall as they turn from blue to green and dark purple. I will definitely add some photos in a summer wrap up posting!