Water...

It's so damn hot...passed the bank and the sign said it was 94 degrees. Now that's hot! It doesn't matter that I lived in the Florida heat for nearly fifty years...I don't do heat well anymore! That's just a fact!!!

To tell you the truth - I'd just as soon be nekkid and underneath this waterfall!!!! It looked so cool and you could feel the splash - but, alas - it sits right on the roadway on Vermont 5 - not far from my house...maybe a ten-minute ride. But, we can dream...

The top of the fall -
About a 1/4 of the way down...
About 1/2 way down...
About 3/4 of the way down...
The bottom...

Farmers Market...

Today is Farmers Market Day! I love to go down to the town square and see my favorites from other seasons. Hope the rain stays away today...Veggies and plants are always at this stand...and they have the best potatoes (when the they are in season)...but in the beginning it is beautiful plants and lettuce.
A pretty plant up close and personal.
Soaps...Goat Milk soap to be exact. And there is even one that smells like lilacs...it's in my shower now!
And, of course no self-respecting farmers market would be without some type of entertainment! Don't know who they were but they were doing a great job!

Out and About...

Recently on one of our sunny days took a ride up toward Cornish, New Hampshire. I'm always in Cornish as that is where my quilt guild meets - usually at the school and in the summer at either the church or the new fire station!

Passed this beautiful red barn with the stone fencing. It just looked so peaceful around it...
A bunch of iris surrounded the stop sign...they just seemed to welcome one to that particular corner.
As I was driving along - spotted this tree - yes, that is mushrooms growing on the tree ... really!
Since I had never seen that before - I thought it needed further investigation...Yep...mushrooms - and not dainty little things either!
And, this would be the underneath view...
I found it totally amazing!!!!

Oh, I'm past the heel on my first sock in the Summer of Socks 2008!!!! I have said I was going to make 3 pair...by September...

Yarn Shop Dogs...

HodgePodge Yarns is where I hang out two Monday nights a month...it is close to me - in Newport - the next town over...

Henry is the permanent Yarn Store dog...he is cute and sweet. A very quiet little creature who just loves to be loved on! He is also the inspiration for Henry's People Paws pattern - some fingerless mitts.
This is Honey - she is a regular Monday night knitter tag-a-long. Her mom comes to knitting and Honey comes along for the loving, treats, and walk she gets to take to get to the yarn store.
They both are happy dogs...and bring joy to all of us that go to the store.

Busy Day...

Today, I ran up to Lebanon, NH...it is about 20 miles from home and is the place where one finds the majority of the bigger stores.

Started out at the Beauty School...Spring is here and so begins my ritual of a facial every month! It felt wonderful to have one - and renew my skin as the season changes.

Dropped into the local grocery and to Borders - really didn't get much...at either. They did assure me at Borders that they are not going to close - but, the store seems to have a lot more open space.

From there hit Walgreens as they had that new mineral powder and blush on sale and I wanted to try it...plus I had a gift card to use!

Lunch was next on the agenda and suddenly I was hungry for BBQ - I know - whatever! I actually found my favorite little BBQ joint and had a pulled pork sandwich complete with slaw - all the flavors of Southern BBQ in one bite!

White River Junction was the next stop - to pick up some yarn I had ordered for a sweater - and a magazine at the quilt store next door.

Then home...it was a nice pleasant day with beautiful weather....

Missed a chance...

Ran up to the post office today and as I was preparing to back up I noticed a dog on a motorcycle!! I took a second look, blinked, and damn if that dog wasn't still there sitting on the motorcycle...goggles and all...

So, I reached for my camera which is usually in the car...and no camera...damn...missed the chance to show you this adorable dog...

Did find out that she rides all the time with her daddy and her name is Roo. She looks like a Corgi...but I didn't ask. Her daddy said she loves to ride. She has these adorable goggles...and is full of kisses when you talk to her and pet her...

Next time I see her - you'll get a photo...

Out and About...WRJ...

Here we are back again in White River Junction...the beautiful building at the end of the street is the train station and visitors center. From here you can take a train up to Canada or down to Boston or just about anywhere. But, the most fun trains are the ones that just go on leaf excursions which we took last year. Not sure what the name of this street is - but, it is a side street off the main street.


Saw this sign while standing on the main street - thought it was cute...and it has been there forever!

Looking down the main street. There are many little coffee shops, restaurants, and small shops on these little streets. The street to the right is Gates Street - and it also has some cute shops.

Looking down Main Street!

The Hotel Coolidge is just awesome - it has been here forever! When I went inside they were very nice and let me look around! Unfortunately, because the building is ancient - it is very dark inside and none of my photos of the interior turned out. There is a cafe and gift shop in the hotel.

The rest of White River Junction is spread out where the Quilt shop is. Car dealerships, the Post office, and a few hotels are there also as it is close to Interstate 91. The VA hospital takes up a huge area of that area.

Out and About...

One of my favorite little escapes is to run up to White River Junction, Vermont. It is about 22 miles from the house...and my favorite quilt store is there. Recently a new yarn store opened up, too.

But, this is my favorite place to go...It is called the Tip Top Building! This building which doesn't look like much from the outside is an oasis for those who sort of march to a different beat...and it is wonderful. There is tons of artist space - little rooms (and big rooms) where artists ply their trade; then there are those who practice alternative medicines (massage, reiki, all of those wonderful things for the mind and body); and galleries...it is just a devine place to spend some time. The galleries are open to roam and if an artist is working and has their door open one is welcome to look in. Some have their work out by their door.

As you can see there is a pottery place where one can go and create - plus they have recently added beads to their supplies...and a restaurant...which I have not eaten at yet - but always smells wonderful...

There are a few businesses in the building - but they tend to be artsy in origin - and they are printers - one of all sorts of banners, posters, and cards from one's own photos. I believe the printer publishes the "Alternative Medicine Directory" and an alternative lifestyle directory also.

Above is one of my favorite pieces of art work in the building...you see this as you walk through the building from one side to the other. It is gorgeous!!!

Dave, more photos of White River Junction to follow!!! I know how you like WRJ!!!

Out and About...

This is one of my favorite roads. It is called Half Mile Road. Spring and Summer look pretty much like this...and there is always a cool breeze running through no matter how hot it is. The road only goes a half mile - thus the name - but leads to a main road that will take you to either Cornish, New Hampshire 0r if you take a left at the light will take you to Vermont. There is a snowmobile trail on the right hand side...hidden in among the woods. People say you can see wildlife (meaning deer, moose, and smaller critters). I've never seen anything other than an eagle flying in front of my car.

Out and About...

Windsor, Vermont is about ten miles from my house. Every few weeks I run over there to drop off my soda cans and any glass products that I can recyle since that is the closest recycling drop for me.

The other day I decided to take a different way home - well, I thought it was in the direction of home! Instead I ended up on this most beautiful road with a great view of the back of Mount Ascutney.


How awesome to live with this view all year long...just stunning. And, yes, the road sort of wound around in a round about sort of way toward home...

View across the road...

This is the view of the golf course that can be seen from Mother's window...and from the side of the building. It is just awesome to have so much green space surrounding us...Plus unless the land gets sold - you know that it is going to stay that way. It is lovely to look at in all seasons - and is especially beautiful in winter.

Out and About...Claremont...

Claremont used to be a mill town...textiles from what I understand...and then the mills closed. But they still line the river on Waters Street and a few have been put into use - one is the State Building where one can get their driver's license, or other services which the state offers.

Five years or so ago, the city hired a new city manager whose purpose it was to revitalize Claremont. Some changes have come about but the best is what will be happening along the river front in the mills.
The above view is from across the river...it was taken from the City's Planning offices and shows the length of the mills.
A close up of that area with the river (check out the ice). These mills are being converted into a small classy hotel, small shops, and the Common Man Restaurant. There will also be a bridge walkway that will cross the river...The mountain that you see in back of the clock tower of our city hall is our city ski park. There just has not been much snow the last two years...the first year we were here we went and got to watch people skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.Hopefully, there will also be some loft living in some of the old mills. The structures could be made into beautiful lofts with great windows that would over look the river and downtown.

My Corner of the World...

New Hampshire is where I reside...and too be honest I have had a love for New England all my life...and it took me a while to get here. I live in Claremont...it is a city (we don't have many cities) and sometimes you can find it on maps and other times you can't. Claremont is situated between Keene to the south and Lebanon to the north. The Vermont line is 5 miles from my house. Concord (our capital) and Manchester (our Queen City) are 1-1/2 hours and two hours away. Boston is 2-1/2-3 hours (sometimes more, sometimes less) depending on traffic...and when I want to see the ocean I head for Portsmouth which is two hours east. Within 45 minutes I can be in three marvelous ski resorts!

Just outside of Lebanon is Hanover, home to Dartmouth College. I love Hanover and love to browse the stores (especially the Dartmouth Book Store) and the Hood Museum.

If I head right up the Interstate I can be in Canada (Montreal) in three hours and Quebec City in five.

To the east of me is Newport (where there is a yarn shop), Sunapee (a ski resort and lake area for summer swimming), and New London where Scarlett works.

I tend to spend most of my time in Claremont and Vermont...my quilting class is in White River Junction...and I have two yarn shops in that direction...

I sort of wanted to give you an idea of where I live...as in the future I intend to show you my corner of the world as I take you out and about the area...