clotheslines

When I was growing up we lived in the second floor of a duplex.  We had a 'back porch' as we called it with a large window and a clothesline.  The window opened inward and in summer there was a screen that hooked in to let in the summer breeze.  I often wonder if that's where I got my fear of heights ~ hanging clothes out that second floor window.  We didn't have an electric clothes dryer while I lived at home.  My mother first had a wringer washer then an electric one, but never a clothes dryer.  Mum had a folding, wood clothes rack for hanging things on.  Shirts, mostly made of cotton, went to hangers awaiting ironing.  We had an attic in which we could hang clothes in the warmer seasons as it was bitterly cold in the winter and nothing would dry completely.  I do remember my mother bringing in frozen clothes off the line in winter, stiff as boards until they warmed up.  Whoever brought them in would have to don gloves and a sweater or jacket for this chore due to the cold north wind that inevitably blew. There was also an unfinished basement with lines on which to hang clothes.  I don't know how mum did it with four children and a husband although she probably didn't do laundry as often as we do today.

 When my hubby and I bought our home we had a long clothesline off the back deck which broke and was replaced with an 'umbrella' style one down on the ground.  The umbrella one wasn't very efficient as the trees grew and shaded it and also the clothes hung in parallel lines and didn't get enough breeze or sun.  We finally hooked up a long line to our neighbours post again last summer.  I have gotten more use out of that clothesline this summer!  I love the fresh air scent when I bring them in and fold them.  And, I also love the fact that, due to a very sunny, dry summer we are saving money!  I probably won't hang laundry out this winter very often as the sunlight hours will be limited in our backyard.  I do know I'll miss the fresh smell until next spring when once again I can use the clothesline, and not the dryer, and save more money!  Do you have a clothesline and have you been using it this summer?

Blessings,
Pam

early morning fog = good drying day later

clothespins

tablecloths on the line

haybales

Living in a rural area we see lots of farm activity.  The local farmers have been haying since June sometimes getting 2 or more crops from a field if the weather is perfect.  And it has been perfect this year.

Making hay while the sun shines.

Blessings,
Pam

heading for the barn

freshly cut

working hard

the flats

tweaking

I did some tweaking this week, kind of pre-autumn changes.  I'd had pretty pink and white Bridal Rose china in my china cabinet all summer and with fall nearing I decided a change was needed.  I got out my wedding dishes which are Denby stoneware in the Shamrock pattern.  I don't use them often as they are heavy and since they don't make that pattern anymore I really wouldn't want to break one.  However, I think I'll use these more than just for company this fall.  I also have an antique cutlery tray (sorry, that's the best picture I could find of it) which was stained mahagony.  I decided to lighten it up and spray painted it Heirloom White just last week.  I really love the look of it now.  I'm showing the before and after of the cabinet and the cutlery tray.  How often do you tweak?

the cutlery tray before

Bridal Rose dishes ~ Valentine's

cutlery tray painted and sanded

china cabinet with Denby 'Shamrock'

whenmorningbreakstheskies

  I'm a skywatcher and love cloud formations.  They tell the weather for the day, night and sometimes for the days ahead.  I hope you enjoy these pictures from different seasons of the year.

winter sky ~ sunset with sundog

early winter sunrise

after the rain ~ promise of a hot new day

when morning breaks the skies

reflections

a rainbow of God's promise

a beautiful summer day

thunder showers

transformations

One of my hobbies is decorating.  I decorate with each change of season and with fall coming  I will soon be transforming our living areas.  That will be for another post.  I have also discovered, through blogdom, the wonder of spray painting and/or painting anything old or new that needs a facelift.  I have spray painted several things this summer ~ which is the only time of year that it can be done outdoors where I live ~ with Rust Oleum's Heirloom White, Ivory Bisque and Aqua.  I have also transformed 2 antique cottage style tables ~ one in white and one in Benjamin Moore's Powell Buff.  Have you painted transformed anything lately?

before ~ minty green

after ~ Powell Buff

before ~ dark brown paint

after ~ white paint

st.andrews-by-the-sea

St. Andrews is a sweet little town on the south coast of NB that has been a tourist destination for over 100 years because of it's cleaner, cooler air and small town charm.  I have been going there since I was a girl and we try to get there at least once a summer.  It has some great little shops that have changed over the years, a few restaurants ~ 2 of which are on the main highway (route 1) and have the best seafood, and many forms of lodging.  The largest hotel is the world famous Algonquin and there are other motels and many B & B's.  I hope you enjoy my little tour of my favorite destination spot in NB.  (I have been having some editing problems so please excuse the photo format.  I need some help sorting this out before I pull my hair out!)

The Algonquin Hotel

<>

<>

Water Street during Atlanticade weekend.

<>

<>

The Kennedy Hotel (fomerly Shiretown Inn)

<>

Whale watching tours

KingsLandingHistoricalSettlement

These pictures are from a recent trip to Kings Landing near Fredericton

NB on a very hazy, hot and humid day.  It was about 30 degrees celsius with the humidex at about 38 and my friend, Carol and I spent 5 hours walking through the village.  We also had a delicious lunch at the Kings Head Inn and ice cream at the shop at the end of the village.  We took the wagon ride back to the main building as by then we were pretty hot and tired.

I love it there!  I love taking a step back in time and seeing how life was back in the good ol' days.  However, I don't think I could live like that today with all our modern ammenities.  We are very spoiled and blessed aren't we?

There is a Visiting Cousins program where children can live on site for several days and learn what life was like in the 1800's.  The staff are very friendly and helpful, explaining the history of each building.  This is a wonderful place to spend a day, relax and enjoy the country air, the views and the history.

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings.

Pam

beachboysandbeachdays

the Beach Boys in concert

I went to a Beach Boys Concert last week with 3 of my girlfriends and it was so much fun.  We had a blast singing along, dancing and well, you know, just had fun.  There are only 2, of the 7 in the band, that are original members - Mike Love and Brian Johnston but the sound was the same.  They sang for 1 hour and 10 minutes straight.  Amazing!   I didn't realize they even wrote so many songs.  I think my favorite is Kokomo.  I've never been to any of the famous beaches mentioned in that song but I have been to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

Murray and I on Myrtle Beach

It's is a beautiful beach but the water and the air were pretty cool this past April, as most of the south had an unusually cool winter.  Needless to say I was a bit disappointed especially after driving through Pennsylvania and New York states with temperatures in the low 30's Celsius (90 farenhite) on our way to S.C.!!  We enjoyed long beach walks and hunting for pretty shells and the elusive sharks teeth (I found three!).  We also spent part of a day in Charleston which is a place I would definitely like to go to again for a week or longer!  We are not golfers and Myrtle Beach is for golfers.  There are several resorts, golf courses and dozens of miniature golf spots - all for the golfers.  The temperature was fine for them.  But, Charleston is full of history -  old homes, the market, restaurants, antiques, graveyards, churches, gardens - and I love historical places.

the harbour front walk in Charleston

I love history, antiques, old things, dishes, linens, old homes, archetecture, gardens and photography!

Blessings,

Pam

the weather and soup for supper

The weather.  It's what we talk about here in N.B.  But, I must admit it has been worth talking about this summer as we have had a spectacular summer here in the northeast. After a very good winter with little snow and an early spring did we dare hope for a hot, sunny summer with just enough rain to keep things growing and green but not molding like the last two summers?  Well, we got what we hoped for - sunshine, heat and humidity with just enough rain to keep the wells full and the gardens growing.  How perfect is that?  So, today, after a 4 day stretch of sunshine, it's cloudy, breezy, humid, and showery.

 And, that's why I'm making soup for supper, dinner,  evening meal ~ whatever you call it.  What do you call it?  We call it supper if it's light and casual and dinner if it's a full meal deal.  In the old days on the farm dinner was at noon and supper was in the evening, after the cows were milked.  Now, I didn't grow up on a farm, but that's what I've heard.  I'm a city girl living in the country.  So, whatever it's called, soup is on the menu tonight.  Speaking of which I must finish supper preparations. 

Blessings,

Pam

A trip to the coast.

A couple of weeks ago my hubby and I took a 2 day trip to 2 different coasts in our province ~ the Fundy Coast and the Northumberland Coast.  They are each beautiful in their own way.

The Fundy Coast is on the Bay of Fundy which separates New Brunswick from Nova Scotia and is home of the highest tides in the world.  The water is muddy brown, the shores are rocky or coarse sand and there are very high cliffs along much of the coast.  This photo is the beach at Alma with the tide out. 

When the tide comes in these boats will be near the top of the wharf.

The next photo is at Parlee Beach Provincial Park on the Northumberland Strait which separates New Brunswick from Prince Edward Island.  The water is very warm and the beach is fine sand.  It is a very popular spot as you can see by the crowds this day. 

A lot of boaters come in to use the beach as well.

Maybe you'll find your own stretch of beach to enjoy this summer ~ along the coast, or on a lake or river ~  to relax, read a book, play in the water or make sand castles.  Enjoy!

Blessings!

Pam