A Few Small Things

On the Patio

At least one part of getting our condo ready for sale has been pure joy. That is taking care of the patio, which is a job I enjoy every year. Tending & watching my plants & flowers grow is a peaceful, meditative process.


I love to plant different combinations of plants in a pot, creating a living tableau of colors & textures.


Even on a cloudy day like today the patio offers a pleasant respite.



I plant annuals every year at this time but I am also always happily surprised by the reappearance of perennials, like the pink columbine ....


....& the giant Monk's rhubarb that never fail to appear.


The blueberry bush gets bigger every year. The flowers need the help of bees to produce fruit though.


Today I saw this large jewel like rain drop that had collected on a lupin leaf.



It's beauty had a sad quality to me. It reminded me of a tear drop. Perhaps that is because today my thoughts have been with the people of Oklahoma who have lost so much.

A Walk on the Beach

Although, it was not what you would call a beach day per say, the chilly breezes did not keep the crowds away. It seemed like this weekend, everyone here in the Boston area, packed up their gear & headed for the beach.

Except for the occasional grey cloud, the sky was blue & the sun was out.

Sweatshirts were for the most part the preferred beach attire.

However, there were those few brave souls that did not let the chill bother them & went about enjoying the beach as if it were a hot August day.

All seemed to agreed that just hearing the sound of the surf & feeling the sand between their toes was the perfect way to welcome the changing seasons.

Nothing quite says spring to me, like the sight of the beach plum in bloom

And after an afternoon at the beach what could be better than a late lunch at the Clam Box in Ipswich.

A lobster roll & lobster bisque were the perfect finish to a lazy day at the beach New England style.

I hope your weekend was fun too!

This Week...

.....this week has flown by ...in a sort of blur ...& I can't believe we have already arrived at another weekend.
Last Sunday was calm & relaxed, & filled with....


......sunshine ...

...smiles...

.....sweet treats....


....flowers....


& family....
Here's hoping this weekend & every weekend will be full of the same!
Happy weekend everyone!

Happy Mother's Day

......to those of you that are celebrating Mother's Day today.....I hope it is a happy one....












.....& for everyone else a very happy end of the weekend!

Boston Strong

On Sunday we went into Boston for the first time since the Boston Marathon tragedy three weeks ago. It was a beautiful New England spring day.



The tulips were at their peek & created splashes of color everywhere.



Although, Boston is, of course, the same city it has always been, it has changed too. The tragic events of April 15th have produced an enormous ground swell of emotion & has brought out some of the best this city has to offer.



Boston has seen an out pouring of love & compassion, strength, bravery & pride in our city like never before.


We have all been moved by the many acts of courage & selfless acts of kindness that we have witnessed in the face of this adversity.


In Copley Square, just steps from where the events took place, there is a continuing growing memorial. There are flowers, candles, notes of sympathy, signs of pride in the city we love, & because this so affected the running community, there are many pairs of running shoes.



These gestures of sympathy & simple expressions of sorrow are very touching to see.



Shop windows are also displaying signs expressing their commitment to the community. Perhaps Talbots, a Boston based company, was able to best state what all Bostonians are felling right now.


As we heal, I hope that we will also be able to hold on to the good that we have found within ourselves & our city.

Tiny Spaces ( Part 2 )

 Houses are not the only tiny buildings in Charleston. 

There are many tiny businesses too.

This has certainly got to be the tiniest hair salon I have ever seen.

Although, no longer in use this tiny building was once a post office in Mt. Pleasant, just outside of Charleston.

I just love the Shell House, which is on the campus of Ashely Hall & serves as a senior student center.

This adorable tiny building sells snacks. 

Here is a bright little building just waiting for a new life.

But oh my, the tiny eateries have to be my favorites. 

Most of these are right in my neighborhood & are within walking distance of my house.

Sugar Bakeshop, below,  is my all time favorite & really deserves a post all its own. 

Their jewel like cupcakes are simply to die for.