On Bradstreet: Corner View

Showing posts with label Corner View. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Saving For A Rainy Day

Due to Blogger's revamp last week, I wasn't able to post, but all that means is that I get to share these sunshine-filled garden photos with you, today. And I don't know what's happening in your neck of the woods, but here in Maine, we pretty much all feel that the extended forecast can go die in a hole (to borrow from a friend). Unfortunately, it also means that, as in Mays of other years, all our flowering fruit trees and bushes are in bloom during cold, rainy weather. I've half entertained the thought of helping the trees out with their sexy times, but as another friend mentioned, by now the pollen is probably washed away. Sad face. Perhaps a few brave bees will get the work done and I don't have to think about hauling out ladders and Q-Tips to reach plum blossoms. I know so many of you are dealing with cold, wet springs, too. Aren't you glad I saved us some sun for a rainy day?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Corner View :: Personal Style

I'd have to say my personal style is a bit eclectic, much like my home is. I love color, texture, layers, mash up of modern and vintage. I like practical clothing, but I don't mind feeling beautiful at the same time. I'll spend the day in the woods getting filthy, but I want that pretty scarf, earrings and lip gloss.

I second Jane at Spain Daily--I do love a scarf around my neck.

Heck, I even enjoy making scarves.

I do like feeling pulled-together and I'm not inclined to go running errands sans a little mineral make-up, mascara and lip gloss.

Bare Minerals blush, Flowers

And I must wear scent. My winter favorite by Auric Blends is, of course, one that seems to be discontinued, called Desert Night. I do love their Egyptian Goddess for summer.

Living in Maine means dealing with cold, mud season, sand from the beach and snow and slush, so I'm practical shoes kind of woman. I like jeans but I'll dress up a bit, too. In fact, if I could wear pieces like this everyday, I'd be in heaven.

But most of the time, my style is more about an old wool sweater, jeans and Muck boots.

Unless it's warm weather, and then it's more like this.

(Wow, all the Bench Monday photos I've taken are coming in handy).

And when I'm at home, you'll almost always find me wearing an apron. I have lots.

I like small amounts of jewelry, a watch that can take a beating (ie, go swimming in the ocean, get mud and dough encrusted)

and I'm likely to forgo gardening gloves in favor of dirt under my nails. So my personal style is eclectic, yes, practical, absolutely, but a little bit elegant and pretty, too. What's your style?

more corner views:
jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad,caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, april, b , kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, travelingmama, aimee, sunnymama, amanda, onbradstreet, ali, jenell, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb , susi, jodi , lily , gillian, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara, mus, ninja, guusje, di, sammi, theresa, cherry b

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Corner View :: Water

This week's Corner View theme is water. This just happens to be the water outside my kitchen door today on this wet and gray, October day.

And my hands have been in water all day, as I'm tearing apart the laundry room (which is a misnomer, as the room serves at least a hundred purposes other than laundry). So lots of dunking my hands in the cleaning bucket, mopping for me today.

And in the moments between trips up on the stool, back and forth from the kitchen to the laundry room, I can hear the surf.

It's the sort of raw, cold, autumn day that has me refilling the tea kettle for many hot cups of dark tea. If you read Rosamunde Pilcher, you'll know what I mean when I say it's the sort of day that makes me long for Penelope Keeling's kitchen, warmed by the Aga, the scent of dough rising and drying linen in the air and sandy Wellies left by the door. ::sigh:: More tea, please. And can you toss me that blanket?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Corner View :: My Dream

Let it be known that my kindergarten report card contained a teacher's note that read daydreams too much. I don't even think that's possible and this guy agrees with me. So there, Mrs. Wyman.

I still daydream, a lot. I think of it as my meditation. I can name all sorts of things I've been dreaming about lately, like a new kitchen, making time to paint or sew, gardening projects, realizing true health care reform, imagining both the near and distant future and of course, list making. But there's one dream that trumps all the rest these days. And it's this: I don't ever want to see our country make these sort of distinctions again.

I dream that we choose to reject notions of treating people like second class citizens by denying two people who want to be married, the option of marrying. I dream that we reject the idea of civil unions or any other separate but equal legislation. I dream that we choose to embrace GLBT families the same as any other family. I dream that we finally figure it out once and for all, that love is love is love. I dream that we acknowledge that our pesonal relationships or spiritual paths are our own and belong to no one else, that these paths are not threatened, denied, harmed or called into question by recognizing another's marriage. I dream that the same people that want government out of their lives, stop trying to repeal civil rights legislation already in place. I dream that we all have the guts to stand up for civil rights. I dream that we "Give to every human being every right that you claim for yourself." (Robert Ingersoll)

Maine is facing yet another referendum in a couple of weeks. That's why tonight, Alex and Olivia are volunteering their time at the No On 1 phonebanks, why we'll be voting early at our town office. I dream that we do what is right. Until then, I dream about this man's strength of character and hope that we can all be as decent as he.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Corner View :: Souvenir

Ah, I did it! I remembered to do Corner View this week and the theme is souvenir from our city. It so happens that my town is full of souvenirs, some tacky, like miniscule bikinis, red lobster key chains, air-brushed t-shirts and non-native sea shells glued togehter to form a fairy princess castle, replete with glitter. Other souvenirs are more expected, like beach pails and flip flops and towels. Other souvenirs may be more personal, like the tatoo, sunburn or weekend bender. I prefer the natural souvenir to any of those listed. I like the sort I find myself, walking on the beach, often long after the tourists have returned to Quebec or Massachusettes. I won't find my souvenirs in the shops that line our main street and I certainly won't find they are decorated with glitter or stamped with made in China stickers. The souvenirs I have hunted for become part of my home and my garden. And when I'm pulled in many directions and I haven't taken time to walk the beach, the souvenirs, these simple, often battered, cracked and imperfect shells are indeed reminders to come walk, come be still, come renew, come search.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Corner View :: Best Kept Secret

Corner View a day late, my apologies. I've had a tough time with this one. I'm not much of a secret-keeper. And since this prompt is open to interpretation and I could write about not just any personal secrets, but secret places, hidden talents or recipes and even given that, I'm pretty sure not even those things are secrets, I have been at a loss as what to tell you, dear reader. I might have a hidden talent or two, but only Alex and I know about those, eh hem.

Do I tell you that I'm not a Maine native? It's not that secret or any kind of secret, really, but I might not advertise this in some pahts, deah. Trust me when I tell you that still in some areas of Maine, if you weren't born here and even if you've married a Mainah and have born children by him, in Maine, you are still considered from away.

from away (adverb) [See Flatlander]
If you can't claim that at least three generations of your ancestors lived here--or if your ancestors are from here, but you've moved away and then returned--then you're from away. If you've moved here--even if from the next community--then you're from away.

I try not to take it personally when I'm told by my in-laws that I "talk funny". Folks, I was born in Dayton, Ohio. I've been living in Maine since I was three when my hippie family moved us to Blue Hill in the red VW bus.

Me, age 3 in 1974, Blue Hill, Maine

I'm fairly certain that any southwestern Ohio accent I might have had is long gone. Oh, and mentioning that, the Blue Hill Peninsula is probably the best kept secret of all of Maine. If ever in Maine, skip some of the other usual attractions and spend some time in the area, you won't be sorry and be sure to visit one of my most favorite places anywhere, the reversing falls.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Corner View :: Weekend Evenings

Click to see other Corner View :: Weekend Evenings around the world.

Friday, 745pm

While I'm enjoying some quiet time after preparing for my son's sleepover party, Alex takes the four boys down to the pier for some fried food, pizza and arcade games.

Saturday, 745pm

Evening sun kisses a corner of my kitchen.

Sunday, 745pm

A sudden shower, a passing storm, and golden light. Peaceful, like a Sunday evening should be.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Corner View :: The Unveiling

This week's Corner View topic is The Unveiling, showing your true self. So here I am, in the sun, at the pond, as seen by my husband who took this photo.

And the next day, out on the water, one of my most favorite things in the whole world, canoeing with my Love. Happy and content.

On Bradstreet