I can't believe it's been nearly two years since I last connected! Contemplating my blog, I lost traction...having so many things to touch upon, but no clear focus.  I am excited to report that I've gone back to school to learn more about blogging. I've joined a study group; Holly Becker's e-course Blogging Your Way Boot Camp.  She's the creator of decor8, a phenomenally successful blog.  I heard Holly speak about her books and blog while driving home to Rhode Island on the radio.  She was being interviewed by Kevin Sharkey, on Martha Stewart Radio.   I was intrigued by her savvy and confidence, so I decided to sign up!  Looking forward to the next month of exercises and inspiration. 

market faves!

Plein air favorites...

Coastal Growers Farmers' Market, Southern Rhode Island

http://www.coastalmarket.org/Summer_Market.html

Union Square Greenmarket, New York City

http://www.grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket

New Amsterdam Market, New York City

http://www.newamsterdammarket.org/index.html

Portland Farmers Market, Maine

http://portlandmainefarmersmarket.org/

Le Marche Rue Raspail, Paris

http://www.linternaute.com/paris/magazine/diaporama/06/marches/raspail/1.shtml

Campo dei Fiori, Rome

What are your favorite open air markets?

en plein air

Open air markets enchant me.  Elemental, ephemeral, they appear and disappear within hours.  Full of passion and pride, each grower, forager, purveyor, artisan brings to market their very best.


Local, seasonal, sustainable, ofttimes organic, handmade and we hope humane, the shopper stands directly before those who nourish, nurture and care. Benevolence wafts throughout the market, enveloping everyone in one big primordial hug.   


Sensory encounters abound.  Colorful sights, tastes and perfumes.  Stinky cheese, maple sugar, mulled cider, skeins of yarns, yeasty breads...


For the hunter, the freshest fruits, vegetables, herbs, fungi, sprouts, seaweed, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, eggs, dairy, meats, poultry... 


For the gatherer, a celebration of bread, pastry, confection, chocolate, honey, jam, maple syrup, cheese, wine, beer...


For the body, fresh air and nourishment, for the home, woolens and flowers, for the garden, seeds and plants, for the pets, cookies, carrot tops and catnip...


For the soul, a momentary community of kindred beings dancing together, for just a while, to the music of contentment.  

where did summer go?

Mrs. Kravitz

In the blink of an eye, summer has flown by. There's lots to catch up on!  


After a lovely spring, the gardens endured record heat, winds, drought and buckets of tropical rains.  Our roses have grown leggy, the lawn is spare, our chrysanthemums have flopped and the asters are blooming 6 weeks early.  What's going on?  

Roo and Little Putt

Sadly, we lost more cherished chickens; gone are Roo the Rooster and Little Putt.  They succumbed to the same illness as Chickina.


New to the flock are Cagney and Loretta, both bantam Rhode Island Reds and two bantie Americaunas, Wilma and Bettie.  Thanks go out to Kira and Bryn for letting me know about Jen of Huckleberry Farm in Foster.  She breeds such beautiful birds!

Cagney, Loretta's in the strawberries

Wilma and Bettie

Johanna and Baby

Taking advantage of Mrs. Kravitz and Johanna's seasonal broodiness, they each hatched one of Loretta's eggs.  The "Babies" are now 8 weeks old and as cute as can be.  We are back to eight chickens, which is a good number for our coop.  

It has also been time filled with travel.  For the first time in a long long time, I took three weeks away to visit friends and family in Europe. London, Brussels and Paris!  It was great to reconnect and explore.  

yellow, 2

The annual parade of yellow is now unfurling! 

From pale primroses to bold daffodils, fresh leaves and flowers are emerging through crusty patches of last year's leaves and pine bark mulch.

Up in the air, the fragrant bells of Corylopsis are just starting to dangle like fancy earrings.  

In drizzle and fog, yellow glows.  

yellow

Mahonia bealei has burst into bloom attracting all sorts of pollinating insects.

Wasps, bees, moths and butterflies are bellying up to the glossy Pacific Northwest native for a sip and a dusting.  


Honey bees are in profusion!

It is unusually warm for March, but, being Saturday, I'll gladly take it.

winter weary?

Very soon, 
the garden
will awaken.