Rhubarb ,peonies,rhodies ,garlic..etc.. and after Susan~

Back home..the peonies were starting to pop..the rhodies..all things pink and blue..the rose chafers!!!!!!!!!!!!:(:(

I wanted to share this good little cake recipe too since our rhubarb is in full swing..

It may be foolproof..after I delicately put it in the oven..I turned around and the melted butter and milk were still on the counter..EEEK..I pulled the cake out..poured it out..added the 2 ingredients..put it back in the pan and oven..and delish.:)
You can find the recipe here.
Time to cut and chop and freeze the garlic scapes..fellow garlic growers♥

I never thought I would have  footballs in my gardens;)♥
Toi non plus Susan?

After leaving the book signing..I knew we would be in Sandwich MA..  and had Googled what to do..

I had read about the Boardwalk..non commercial..a long tightrope walk:) ap 1350 ft in length..  over the marshes and heady sea roses..planks w/ names everywhere commemorating ..anniversaries..moments..comings and goings..births and passings..siblings and grandparents..music..musicians..artists..stores..dates..etc..
Oh I was not disappointed..but we went in June on   a chilly day..hardly anyone was there..I have read and heard that children jump off the boardwalk in joy..right into the marshes..♥

You can see to the right and left..and it's as picturesque as can be.
I loved it and so did Jacques..

if you have a chance..go see..in early June parking was everywhere:)

I brought home 3 rocks from there..that large one and two smaller ones..they are by my tiny tinypond..:)

Not sure if I will leave them..the colors are so pretty when wet..or  adorn one;)

We got lost lol..awww too bad..just by the Sagamore Bridge where a great Christmas Tree Shop resides..at The Cape..you will find numerous CTS..and they are fun..not Christmas at all in June..look..
one of those rolling pins came home with me..all these cooking ..baking things will be passed down to the true baker in the family..who knows who?
Or maybe a huge garage sale?(Hope not..)

They have everything for Lobsters.. Cape Cod memorabilia..kitschy decor things..candles..food..drink..
beach things,sunscreens..the store is HUGE..you will find modest ones and others like this one.
I really enjoy a visit white there.

Back to where we  were staying it was nice to have this view..

The next day..we were in Martha's Vineyard:)

Have a great weekend..~

I hope to practice some calligraphy..in Venice my daughter and son-in -law found this gorgeous set for me.♥
Bortoletti♥


PS  I still can't make a granny square.
I can't and it's beyond me why.
SOB.

The Cape~Susan Branch..Gratitude..Part 1~

Always nice to come home  too~

The Irises..Korean Lilacs,some peonies,and baptisias♥

The bee house is now occupied♥

Susan..and Gratitude.

An anniversary card..a feather found that day..

a Instax pix of the bay where we stayed..

the cupcake picks..

my little accordian watercolor journal in the works..you sawit before I left..

and Susan's Book..♥

"Je suis ravie de faire votre connaissance"

"Je suis enchantée de faire votre connaissance"

Simply put.."I am delighted to meet you"~

And I was.

7 hrs by car..and we are at the Cape..make that 8 if I must be honest.

I have soooo much to tell you..it will be in a couple of posts..I can't write everything here and you know..this is my journal..the one I let people read;)



A Getaway..

A humble booking....a spur of the moment ..at the time idea..when I booked it..

..an  early morning yogurt chia seed vibe..or a  5PM red wine 

vibe,,;)

99% sure chia vibes..

Booked..done..

a wedding anniversary..

and so...

we went..to The Cape~

 Remember our last year's anniversary trip?


To Paris?

A dream of mine?

And Paris flooded? And we were robbed?:(

Well the Cape had the coldest June 6th in 91 years..and we were there!!

And honestly don't ask for recommendations for places to stay..

because I would say ..

The Chatham Bars Inn...and go see what that costs..don't even think in CDN funds or you will have a fit.

Apart from my honeymoon 43 yrs ago..and a few places in Europe in 2009..
and where we go in FL..

we actually stay in such humble places ..


When I see posts on blogs of where bloggers stay..
I'm flabbergasted.

Nowhere do we stay that they even serve  5 star meals etc..

Except continental (what does that even mean?) breakfasts ..

So..nope..don't ask me for where to stay..

But..

I can tell you what I love to do:)




I love to go to the shore..I love to pick up rocks and shells and 
bring them home..I love to be in AWE of what I see outside.
I love to eat at a harbourfront..a lobster roll..fish and chips..have a beer..

look at the water.

I love to take ferries and explore.
I love to bring home things I cannnot find here.
I love to meet people that make me see how good people are.

I love all the nice people I meet..

The gardens I see..the roses I smell..the beach fences ..and dunes..

ALL OF THAT.

I hate getting dressed up and having to BE..

I want to be no one and just be comfy.


On the way from QC..it drizzled and poured and I read The Silent Girls...

We stopped at The NH liquor store and the guy was sooo nice..

we missed a toll ..I was ready w/ the coins..but the GPS said :"Stay left"..And J listened..

LOL we got a message saying we were  ..almost oulaws.:(

The first entire day there..it was just miz..rain..misty..spitty....

I had made my hair straight  for the trip.

Well I can tell you I threw caution to the wind ..and let my hair do what it does in the rain..

I had made my hair straight and everything..because..

unbeknownst to me when I reserved our place..I had not known that Susan Branch would be having a book signing at the Titcomb Bookshop in Sandwich..at the exact time that we would be there..we were only there for 4 days.

I immediately..said to Jacques..:"I would just LOVE to go there".

You have to realize that Jacques knows I love SB..but..he's a guy..

A book signing?
While on holiday?
Anyway it was a go..
I just have soo much to say..I'll have to break it down like Paris last year.

However I can say this..it did rain  the first entire day there..and cold ..as I said..COLDEST in 91 years!!

So..Trader Joe's..Cost Plus World Market..Whole Foods..TJ Maxx..and Christmas Tree Shops..you saw us..:) 

MARCIE..at World Market♥

Thanks stores..I like shopping in your stores..even though our $ is suffering..


SO..the NEXT day was the BOOK SIGNING..

Plse forgive all the book signing pics..I bring my point and shoot..it was GREY AND CLOUDY..


The book signing was at 1..

..so we drove 6 A:)Do that..it's so pretty..

And we got there early..

wondering about parking..etc..

so glad we did..

From the get go..

The gentleman who was the police officer in charge of directing parking etc for the signing..just made us feel..welcome:)

And Jacques had a guy to chat with:)

I perused the book store..took outdoor and indoor pics..the staff could not have been NICER.
What a bookstore!
At one point I asked if there was a washroom..of course..at the back it has a poster on it that says READ..
you get the idea of the bookshop by the interior shot I posted..there is an upstairs that is just beautiful too.
A MUST stop for every booklover!!

Titcomb's Bookshop.

The reception area outside was charming..
The book signing was for Susan's new book..

GRATITUDE..

A charming book filled with some of Susan's favorite quotes.accompanied by her beautiful artwork..
they happen to be some of my favorite quotes..my chidhood friends knew how much I loved quotes..

Jacques and I never ate lunch..we didn't want to miss our parking spot..
Gratefully..there were cupcakes and lemonade!

GIRLFRIEND cupcakes:)

I had my #3  for the order of the book signing:)
That's how early we were..
We were given numbers..makes things so much easier.


I have no idea how many people showed up..but people were running about getting more chairs..etc.when I turned around..I could not believe how many people were standing..

well..I can actually..

so I waited..and just a moment after 1 I believe..

Susan arrived to the table where she was to give a short talk..answer questions and sign books..
From the moment Susan arrived..I never once used my camera.

First of all it's my travel point and shoot that makes noise when you turn it on.. I took one as I left..it did not turn out..Jacques took a few with his phone while I was up..I cropped and blurred everyone else..I hope that is ok..

I only had eyes for her.

I loved her in the 80's when I discovered her..and have loved her since..

it was soo nice to see that she is..

 Natural.

Totally Charming.

Unassuming.

Adorable.

Smart..funny..witty..dear.

Jacques even laughed at some of her anecdotes..and he was charmed also.

I love what she wore.
I love her hair..

I love what she brought to share w/ us..

she toted a straw basket and it in it she brought some of her diaries♥
And showed us..and told us how she goes..went about them..

that she has over 20..24 I think..

she brought the paper models of her new Fine Bone China teacups♥

She answered questions..(no I didn't ask one..) I was IN THE MOMENT.
She answered sincerely,warmly and often w/ humor.
Oh she made me laugh.
I saw myself nodding..knowing what she was saying..lol..

Such a highlight for me to have met her..
I was bubbly inside..

She really is the girl next door..filled with this great talent and ideas and enthusiasm..and GRATITUDE.

No wonder she has so many girlfriends:)

OMG shut me up;)

Because I could go on and on..
By the way..the book is so perfect.

I was so smitten.I wrote a note to the bookshop..

this may explain..a bit more how everything went..

Hello..
I just wanted to thank you for organizing yesterday's book signing.
By chance it occurred during a 4 day holiday at the Cape for us.
I have loved Susan Branch since the 80's ...as many others I have always felt such a kinship with her..
The delight in small things,gratitude for so much.
From the moment we drove up..I had such a good feeling inside.
We were early,we wanted to find your location etc...and not feel rushed.
Your officer of the law could not have been nicer to us as we arrived in drizzle...I wandered up and found your welcoming entry with the Gratitude Garden and all the special touches.
Girlfriend cupcakes..lemonade and peonies..all of Susan's Gratitude books lining the window..the interior table set up with more of Susan's wonderful books..
I loved your store,
Unique..charming..cozy..warm and welcoming ..the staff so friendly.
When Susan arrived it was still iffy weather..as the signing went on the sun came out and became brighter and brighter ..we left under the Cape's brilliant blue sky.
A black and white movie turned into technicolor!
As soon as Susan walked in..I felt as if she was the only person in the room🙂
So natural and funny and charming.
Simply endearing..exactly how I have thought her to be.
In the show and tell of some of her diaries..I sometimes had tears try to pop into my eyes!
Just of recognition..of knowing exactly what she meant..of having done things that she did.
Just little things.
Of realizing that wanting to plant a circular garden I had loved in Martha's Vineyard 15 yrs ago and taking notes..was not so strange..(I did plant one)..keeping items for my small travel journals..we don't even travel a lot..
I am someone who loves everything about home..another kinship with Susan..
Well..me and millions of others.
I was in a nice little world inside myself yesterday and I wanted to thank you all for giving me this memory that will last and last.
Susan's husband Joe was just about the last person that waved us away.
Again..so friendly.
Merci beaucoup Titcomb Bookshop!






P.S..Oh no you're thinking..a PS..


Those planks you see..w/  Nana loves Cape Cod etc..when we left Susan..I had made a mental note to stop at..
 the Boardwalk..

I have no regrets.. I will show you photos..it is beautiful..don't picture a commercial boardwalk..anyway you will see..and on this boardwalk if you look down..hundreds of planks have inscriptions..these 3 caught my eye..enough to post for this post:)

ALSO..at the signing..I noticed a girl w/ a large tote bag and a large camera:)I notice cameras more than shoes:)

The tote bag was green and black checks:)

When I got up for my book to be signed..she happened to be next to me with her very sweet 93 yr old mom who wanted to come to the signing....I aksed the girl if she was part of a group called"The Traveling Totes"~
I know of them because of  Sarah..and Debbie..and I follow their excursions..Linda has one now since her bday..and this girl..was the other Linda....They are Courtly Check girls that have a zest for MC..:)travel..fun..etc..
And yes she was:)
Patti is part of the group..in fact she STARTED the group..I am just learning all this now..what a great idea!
Emily..Jenna..Rita  all part of the CC s:)  Hope I am not forgetting someone!

It's a small small world after all.

Lucky mom..lucky daughter..and let me tell you that Susan..was sooo gracious and lovely..to all.

Have a great weekend!~





.

I can't believe it's June 1rst.

So much at once~

It's amazing really how clematis seem to grow 1 foot in a few hours..how some of my irises are as tall as Oli almost..how some old bleeding hearts never came back.

How I can't concentrate enough to read.. my mind is wandering so much.

Some parts of the gardens are still unopened..some leaves still waiting to come out..it all fills out and climbs up and blooms eventually..♥

I baked 2 small cakes and ..meh..nothing really to write home about ..
I like wow..

I did really like the Mexican Chipotle Avocado Salad..we made..I don't grill..so anything BBQ'd is a Wemade.

I didn't have chipotle powder~I will look for some..but I had Chipotle in adobo sauce and used the sauce part..just add to your liking for the chicken marinade..

Season up on all..I s and p'd everything..if you love hot sauce..I would even add a touch to the marinade part..for the chicken..

Jacques and I are NOT coriander,cilantro and I know every single one of you that loves it..will LOVE this dish even more..

I used my perennial..curly parsley..;)

I didn't used canned corn..I used fresh..well as fresh as it can be ..being shipped here..could have roasted on the BBQ but I wanted light and pretty for this.I like using fresh because you can slice off larger pieces..

the recipe is so simple..you basically make a vinaigrette..  use 2 tbsps and add ons if you wish like I did for the marinade..marinate overnight..even better..:)
You save the rest of that vinaigrette..and don't be afraid to double up..it coes IN the avovado salsa which takes a breath to make and then I drizzled the rest on everything..

you can find the recipe..

HERE.

Serve like this w/ additional Lime Wedges and serve yourself..it says it serves three..it served 2;)

I did make those stamped cookies I love and used Karolina's (Goody Woody) rolling pin..I even entered a give away..:) 
I had Caroline take the photo..

..as of  7.46 AM the next day..the day aftre the contest closed..which is today..I had not won lol .

If I showed you an out take of the photos Caro and I took some of you might laugh..

The girls..Caramelle and Bécassine looked like twins forever..now one is smaller..so I am naming her Caramelle..

Both have turned into teens w/ attitude..that last photo J took of me w/ his Ipad..trying to capture Caramelle  in photo..they love to go under the back porch steps..where there are still some leaves..and forage inthere..or by our neighbours tennis court fence..in back of some of my perennial beds..:(
Try getting them out..
pardon the apron strung around me..either in the kitchen or the garden..I really like an apron..the garden one has big pockets..so I can keep chicken treats and my camera cap;)
Ties for clematis..and rubber gloves..

Oh lala..so naughty girls but look at those eggs..can you get any fresher than those LOL:)

And the next day had 3!!  
I couldn't beleve it:)♥Them.:)

See the statue in the garden? Through the Le Jardin de La Maison sign?
That's Savannah..I have  now designated her as the Goddess of Crochet because I need her help..big time..

See that gorgeous dishcloth to the left you have seen before?  The one that inspired me to finally cave in and really try crochet?
Because I am always..always..always cleaning in the kitchen.

These are FANTASTIC on counters ..sinks..appliances..

Well look at my effort..afer maybe 60 false starts..this was the end result..the one on the RIGHT.

Jacques smiled and said:"It looks like a doll's skirt"..the front.
Personally I love the even edges..the perfect stitches..the perfect rectangle..

So far I am a failure:(

And I bought more yarn.

A true optimist.

I also got some Jane Davenport things at Michaels' w/ coupons..

the face stamp was fun and worked well..I wanted a gift tag for a neighbour..it took 10 minutes from beginning to end..the stamp I bought makes different faces..you can mix and match.
I loved Colorforms as a child..my love of all these things ..never left I guess..
the whole JD set up at Michael's..is so darn cute..I dare you to walk buy w/ a coupon if you love crafting..and not buy a thing:)
So cute.
I don't know about you but the staff at our Michael's is super nice..

..there's a Cynthia in particular..I don't know all their names shame on me..the nice guy in frames..the cash staff..oh another girl that just finds every purchase so exciting..

She may well have bought that pencila case after I left~



Our birdhouses all have tenants..cute cute finches in that one:)

But I think one has wasps:(

I walk by so fast..

ironically we actually installed a BEE House.


Thunbergia and roses will climb that front arbor..the back arbor is new..the one J built 16 yrs ago in wood was rotting.Had to chop down the huge kiwi vines that had engulfed it..start anew..hope they come back..go forth and prosper.

All very exciting this Spring season..  even though our weather is not great.Jacques is predicting a wet summer:(

It's actually CRAPPY.

I just want sun in the day and rain at night.That's all I ask for.
In the garden.
I have wish lists for everything.
My biggest ones..for my Littles.

Some of you may remember the crocheted beggies Susan made me for my birthday a number of yeras back..I still love it....weekends are for markets.


Have a great weekend.