Forecast for this week is crazy! it is going to be the record high for the New Englanders. I am toasting in this small house. The scattered thunderstorm looks like a fortune even though it is going to be so Humid.
I was watching the rain drops hitting the ground and evaporating with steam for few seconds. I bet the plants were screaming to cool down some of the foxgloves had wilted due to heat.
Rain through the window was calming to watch.
I was waiting for this long summer break to take on few projects. One was to clean and organize the refrigerator. Please excuse the mess, there were many things which were outdated, and it needed a nice scrub down from inside - out.
We decided to finish the food we have first. However, the clean refrigerator might looks like there is non; but trust me we do have plenty with our garden produce. A lot of sandwiches this Summer with fruits!
Having containers does help to keep the refrigerator clean in the long run. All I need to do is a quick wipe. I am planning to go to the grocery far more less during Summer months which was replaced by many quick trips in the yard spent with Nicolette weeding the plant beds.
Niclolette was so excited to help in the process of cleaning. I wonder it was cleaning or going to the gym for her swim lessons. I want to say it was the swim lessons.
Niegel turned 15 unbelievable, my little guy is growing. He worked extremely hard on his academics this year. He enjoys cross country which has push me to run too. Still enjoys simple food and loves to relax with a book.
He red the Kite Runner and Life of Pie which I have enjoyed very much and it was interesting to have a conversation with him about his thought about them.
He is spending his B’day with his friends at the BSA Summer Camp and I am so happy for him. Little Nicolette plant a happy B’day kiss on his cheek before his departure!
We may have to wait till he come back to celebrate!
This summer I am taking a break to take care of myself. I am also working for myself this Summer. I am already busy re- stocking my tiny Montessori Shop! I am planning to introduce couple of more new items this Fall and kind if excited about it.
I have plan few fun quilting projects this Summer which I am really looking forward to. Knitting projects are over flowing which includes few cowls and hats for little Nicolette.
The fabric stash is piling up and the garden is growing with beautiful flowers. I was able to cut some Hydrangeas to adorn my work table it was truly a welcoming sign towards creativity!
There are few sewing projects to be tackled making couple of dresses for Nicolette and some fun things for me, in the work pile.
Enjoy!
Now that we can sleepin a bit late... we decided to be lazy or creative with our breakfast by bring in many options. We unanimously voted to have an omelet with whatever we can throw in to mix with eggs.
We had cherry tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, green peppers, and onions. It was bit of a mess but taste delicious in a lightly grill whole wheat tortilla wrap.
We thought it was worth to sleep in for a such wonderful breakfast.
Enjoy!
Its a long overdue... I have not visited this space which I have created; due to many reasons. I have been busy and also taking a personal break I needed it. I hope to blog as much as possible this summer.
I love digging and creating in my garden. My garden is something I have to admit that I cannot give up. There is so much growth and new creations this year. Adding a lavender patch was my dream. I really hope that it will thrive in this spot. I have to add pictures of that soon.
During this month I created this bouquet of flowers with the help of my neighbors peonies. I used few chive blossoms to add a whimsy to this. Its was lovely to have these inside. It helps me to slowdown and admire the nature's creations and it creates a calmness inside me.
I finished my school year of teaching and I enjoyed it very much. Spending time with children has always inspired me to create MORE!
It feels great to be back in this space...
Enjoy!
Some plants are making a statement in this tiny garden of ours, I love how the Clematis is peeking through the Hydrangeas. I am happy to see some of the moves we have had created with plants last year have offered space, to new growth this year. The beauty of Johnny Jump ups could overtake everything. The reseeding of this beautiful plant is breathtaking. Its reseeding process takes a more natural approach than me planting. I get excited discovering this plant in unusual places in our garden.
Iris has taken a slow growth, but not too shy to show off the beautiful blooms which blends in with the theme! I keep saying to myself I am not going to buy any more plants but ends up buying every time I see them. This is it no more. Plan is take care what I have this year.
I remember to this day when I first encounter this beautiful flower. I loved how it could add sculpture to a boring garden. I keep adding this to our garden every Fall. I could use some other varieties of this. I do not have deer visiting my garden although I could have a possibility. I have got rabbits and wild turkey always roaming around.
Yes, this Summer we decided to venture into growing radishes. This is not a highly consumed vegetable in Sri Lanka mainly to the distinct aroma during cooking process. Although, I can enjoy this in many ways in salad, lightly cooked greens, and cooked as a vegetable.
It was an experience directly sowing the seeds to the ground. Since they are clustered together there is a clump of Radishes growing together. We discovered so many varieties of Radishes it was fun planting all these. I need to weed soon before they take over the radishes.
I am planning to thin them by making a salad soon.
I have spent fair amount this year without the annuals on building our garden. This was one reason I took an active part in garden club. I enjoy planning out my garden, learning about new plants, and finding out what is domain to the area I live.
I remember growing up, I took a keen interet in gardening after visiting couple of my mom’s friends and my best friend's garden. They work truly devoted to building their gardens.
I also remember the best part was visiting the annual flower show in Sri Lanka. It was an exciting event to watch, all the plant lovers admiring plants. This is what I will be working on this Summer building up a layered garden!
This has been something I have done since I was a little girl. Following my grandmother, who use to feed the squirrels, birds, and chipmunks. I grew up with feeding the feathery friends.
It was fun to fill the bird feeder and hang it outside with little Nicolette. She enjoys it more than me, filling the bird feeder, and carrying it.
I hope to capture some images of birds actually feeding on our feeder this summer.
I am super excited this summer to see my Clematis vine take off. After many struggles the clematis seems to taking off on its own this season. I was delighted to see the pods shooting up and the vine is beginning to wrap itself around the near by Hydrangea bush. It seems to be doing really well in this spot, in the front yard.
I think it adds so much fun to a garden with its beautiful blooms. Training it to climb the post is going to be interesting. I have already attempted this task with help from my neighbor.
I remember a neighbor in VA did a phenomenal job in her yard with this beautiful plant. She almost made a privacy screen. I am excited to see my purple garden is taking off with its very first vine.
We have a Robin’s nest on our front entrance rhododendron tree. I was excited to see the movement on the front yard when we were mulching our beds. It was interesting to watch how the Robin work to build it nest.
After building it it lays still for hours without much movement. Only leaves to get food and sits on her eggs entire day is amazing. We tried to keep the window shade closed for its security. We have avoided using the front door as much as possible to minimize the traffic.
Little Nicolette is very much interested in watching the Mama bird but there is no papa bird involved in this at all.
I have been tackling some projects in our yard. I was surprised to see the survival emerging through dirt. Last years herbs are coming to life after the New England’s harsh weather. This allows me to buy less herbs to add to the garden.
I have chives, thyme, sage, mint, and oregano perking through the dead garden. I am amazed to see this life after the long and hard winter we had.
I have added tomatoes, lettuce, swiss chard, parsley, thai, and regular basil. The raised bed give a feeling of a checker board pattern from a distant. I hope we are into a warmer Spring.
This has been one of my favorite hobbies for a long time. Growing up I was not able to produce anything of my own and not having the freedom to wear cosmetic jewelry was part of my culture. However, I did admire my friends wearing them and making a statement. I took a beading class thinking that I can make my own jewelry and the ability to make unique pieces for myself. I visited this back very recently, when I saw some beautiful faux pearls at the craft store.
I love the feeling of having a strands of pearls but wanting to treasure the pearl necklaces which was pass down from the family. I decided to knot the faux pearls and now I have few strands that feels great but can be paired with clothing for everyday. Easy project to finish. Perhaps, I could make some strands as presents for friends during holiday!
Enjoy!
Last Summer was my first year getting back to work. I was at school setting up my classroom for this coming Fall. On my way home I was able to pick up these chairs from the roadside. After few weeks I was able to pick up two from my neighborhood. I accumulated total of four chairs but two different styles. This was sitting in my garage for a long time.
I needed a chair to work at my working table and Nigel needed one to read in his room. The solution was to pick up a gallon of paint with primer and I love the shade of swiss coffee ( very softer white).
The outcome is these beautiful chairs in our home!
I remember growing up my mother loved making clothes for me and when I got older she had a dressmaker who would come to the house and make dressers. It was a fun experience. Now, I take part in sewing and making little things for Nicolette. I do know this is a gene that I share with my mother and she was a very talented person.
This a basic skirt I made for Nicolette she was happy to wear it to school. I am planning to sew more hopefully I can get few projects done before the school year ends. I bought the fabric as it is. I did not sew the ruffles all I did was add a lining and an elastic. This is my baby step towards making her clothes. I have knitted a dress for her. Hopefully I can sew a dress for one day!
Enjoy!
Taking baths has become a fun routine in our house. We are still working on finishing our bathroom but having the tub has helped us on getting back into routines. Nicolette enjoys her bath time to the fullest. She loves to gather her toys and play for couple of minutes before she goes to bed.
I add a little bit of lavender oil to the water which makes it very calming and a soothing. The aroma of the oils fills the room with a calmness which helps every one after a busy day.
Enjoy!
This sounds a little crazy. I was peeking through the front door to see if had any luck melting the snow from the previous nigh rain. To my surprise I saw a turkey at my front yard. I have not seen a wild turkey up close. I took the camera and started to take pictures from inside the house since I did not want to startle it.
Then I began to follow it outside with my camera. Later in the day as I was pulling the car to the back of my house I saw two. However, this time though they were picking my my compost pile. I could not take any pictures. We enjoyed the unexpected visit from turkeys very much.
Enjoy!
