Hunting & Gathering

Maybe this should read Gathering & Gardening. This past weekend I was able to enjoy a true Seaglass Sunday along with a Seaglass Saturday as well! The Friday rain was welcome for two reasons. We need rain first and foremost but the rain brought some wind...meaning tides were higher, bringing the gifts from the sea that I so adore possibly into my gathering hands!

With such high hopes for a huge haul of spectacular seaglass it was no wonder I was tricked momentarily by a scrap of blue paper....

Another distraction is my newest genre of collectibles....the "seabrick". Here you see a full size nicely sea worn brick along with a smaller nugget. They have been there on my beach all this time yet I have steadfastly avoided adding them to my pockets. I am admitting now that I in fact, have started a fishbowl collection of these cast off building blocks. Confessions are always difficult.

Distractions while searching for seaglass are not advisable! Stay focused!

And so I almost missed a true gem. A nugget of yellow seaglass! Granted, this may have possibly been made to line the bottom of a flower vase but it is a well worn by the sea piece of yellow glass...and quite the find by my standards!

All praise the yellow nugget. My weekend haul surrounding the prize....geez, what a big head this one little piece of seaglass must have! As tradition, the gathering is laid out on the kitchen counter for all to see. Bits of wampum, my new "seabricks" and one piece of sea pottery along with a nice (but not fantastic) collection of Lordship seaglass. 

Aside from non-edible gatherings, the weekend haul was a success on a different note! 3 different varieties of tomatoes are now ripening. The Cherokee Greens, the Early Girls and the Rambling Yellow Stripes are filling a bowl almost every day. A few more almost ready...stay tuned!

Seaglass Sunday Summer Wrap Up!

Better late than never. Before we get even further into the fall season, I wanted to show a few moments of Summer 2011. It was a wonderful. Gardening, beach days, tomato harvesting and more.....

 The summer's haul. Soon to be organized into bowls and vases.

  Tomato in the tree??? Squirrels are quite clever.

The Pandora Shell collection.

Summer Salads.

Shell and driftwood collections on display.

While I dug in the garden, Sally dug in the yard!

Tomatoes runneth over. And over.....

Gardens survived, came into their own and filled in nicely by September.

 AND, I signed up for a watercolor class this fall.

So is this Indian Summer? Not yet! When the weather is sunny, clear and warm and after we have had the first killing frost...then we can claim a day like this to be an "Indian Summer" day. Today finally felt like the season has changed though...a brisk breeze off the water, a few falling leaves yet a warm sun. Just wonderful!

We Think Alike!

Tonight, I was surprised by my daughter. A special "tomato" season gift from the heart. Thank you so much Kate!

Dish Towels with a tomato print!!!! I absolutely LOVE them! But what I love even more is her enthusiasm for the fresh taste of home grown tomatoes. We went out to see if there were any more ripening..and found some to have been eaten by our friendly bunny?....so sad to see the harvest enjoyed by someone other than ourselves!

But we gathered the rest and put them inside on a windowsill. I would rather they ripen outdoors but I want to see if our McGregor's garden rabbit does any more harm.

First Tomatoes!

The wait is over, the work is going to gradually pay off now because they are ripening! Small, but I'll take that. I will pick them tomorrow and either bite right into one or slice it over a bagel....and possibly share.

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!!!!

Getting Tall Tomatoes

These are the tomatoes just after they were planted. Notice the space around each and the height of the posts.

Fast forward to the first week of June. Already I can see I did not leave enough room for each plant!

June 25th....wow. I have been securing the growth constantly and am amazed how fast these plants are growing!

And finally, the first tomatoes are beginning to appear. I can't wait until I can make a fresh Caprese salad or grilled cheese & tomatoes or seafood saute or chicken cacciatore or......???

Almost Tomato Time

The soil is ready, the plants are purchased, (no starting them from seeds-been there, done that) but it is still too early! So combine my tomato obsession with being housebound for a few weeks, some fun things have happened. First, my favorite ceramic tomato (made by my daughter back in high school) has found itself in the spotlight. Here, on the sill above my kitchen sink, alongside my grandmother's tea pot that holds my tea bags. Nana Ri would love to know how I cherish this teapot!

 And in its own nest....on the sunporch.

Watching the plants grow while waiting for the weather to cooperate.

While upstairs, the gardener feeling restless, has some Illustrator ideas. It was fun to goof around for a few minutes...maybe I will do more of these simple graphics and make some cards?

Here is the line up for this year. Orange Slice Hybrid, Sunny Boy Hybrid, Pink Pounder Hybrid, Fourth of July Hybrid, Lemon Boy, Early Girl, Red Brandywine Heirloom & Green Zebra Heirloom. I have 12 plants in all and have had to expand the garden. Thanks to my husband for helping with that. Now he has some ownership!

Tomato Tomatoes

Today I hung my new "back hallway" addition! This is a scanner photgraphy print that I fell in love with and purchased while attending the Garden Expo in Fairfield a few weeks ago. The artist is Ellen Hoverkamp and her website is www.myneighborsgarden.com. She has developed a unique method to create absolutely beautiful designs from nature. Check it out! I also found a cool frame at Palooza in downtown Fairfield....very fitting driftwood design to complement the weathered Peggy Roo sign.

I have to admit, I love tomatoes. I grow them, I eat them and I think they are beautiful. These are some from last summer on a window sill.....

And these are my "hopeful thinking" store bought tomatoes set beside my garden growing lettuce! Looking forward to a fruitful harvest this summer....and thinking of the many fresh tomato recipes I can't wait to eat.