Escapism

Some days I wish I had my own secret garden, magic wardrobe, or rabbit hole to escape into. This poster from Atlantic Treefox seems a perfect entry way for some serious day dreaming.

The escapist in me would like to hang one of this image above my desk or bed as a reminder to take time to let my imagination run and indulge in a little childlike sense of wonder each day.

Just Peachy

This past Tuesday we snuck in some peach picking among our shopping chores. I was hoping for a hay ride, but since the long holiday weekend was already over for most people, the farm was deserted and we had to walk out to the field by ourselves.

We took a leisurely pace to accommodate small legs. We made our way on a tractor path past a little farm house . I picked some wildflowers and the little one chided me that we weren't supposed to be picking flowers but peaches.

Under the low leafy branches it was cooler and the sun peeking through made the peaches glow a wonderful warm color. It's still early in the peach season so we weren't bothered bees and yellow jackets as we picked. We gathered up just enough fruit to make a few pies and headed back with our basket like two country girls.

The peaches are now in a large bowl on the kitchen counter and should be ripe enough this weekend for part II of our peachy adventure. Hopefully peach pie photos to follow.

The Twins

This weekend we finally got to see the baby deer up close. For a while this spring and early summer it looked as if their were no fawns around. Then we spotted these two being escorted through the back woods at a distance. They were with a group of females so it seemed like it could have been a deer "play date" of sorts.

Turns out they are twins and belong to the most daring of the females in our local herd. Momma deer is always the bravest in the winter when we throw out apples or horse corn during the toughest months. Now when she goes through our yard, she always looks through the back sliding door into our kitchen looking for a treat.

We sacrificed our peaches to her and she brought the little ones over for a few minutes before heading back into the woods for bedtime. No peach pie or cobbler but it was worth it.

Putting on a Brave Face

We went to an amusement park this Saturday and took on some spine chilling rides like the miniature train, the carousel, the airplanes and a spinning T-Rex Dragon. We waited on line briefly for the Jump Around Frog, but after getting a closer look, the little one thought better of it.

Instead, we headed over to the airplane ride where mommy could sit right next to her. We took our plane up off the ground for a minute or two before deciding we preferred flying our mission close to the earth. I think it's safe to say that I don't have a dare-devil on my hands, which I'm not bothered by in the least. I'm not a roller coaster girl myself.

Photos:
Her "Say Cheese" Face on the Carousel
Get Me Off This Thing Look
Much Happier Safely Seated Inside The Dragon

Little Things

Sometimes when looking at art, the whole picture isn't so great, but if you look at the details you'll find something you like. Same with day to day life, sometimes it's the little things in our day that please us rather than the overall reality.

Our garden is in a bit of a state still this year, I'm having trouble getting it to all come together. I look at it, cringe and chide myself for not trying harder. Hopefully, I'll rally and find the energy to make something of it. In the meantime there is beauty in the the details.

These monarch caterpillars show up every year on our rue plant and munch away until the birds apparently munch on them. I was going to put netting over the plant this year and try and save them but was a day too late. Happily one made a cocoon and survived. Now I'm hoping we can see him emerge and take flight.

Deer Attack

Despite fencing we had a serious deer attack yesterday in our garden which I'm already struggling with this year. I had just planted our tomato plants and thought the fencing I had jerry rigged would be enough to hold them back. Not so.

This weekend I need to find time to continue blockading our produce and try and catch the garden back up. Lucky for the deer they are so beautiful and relatives of Bambi. Otherwise...

A Very Berry Weekend

Our plans didn't go exactly as planned for the weekend, but it all turned out well or I could say berry well. The threat of rain was persistent but berries became the theme of the weekend. Saturday we stopped by a local church for their Strawberry Festival and ate home made strawberry shortcake and had a strawberry painted on the little one's face.

We spent a lazy Sunday in our garden. Sadly our own strawberry plants got chomped by critters and are now in sad shape but hopefully on the mend.

Monday, I was off from work and had planned for us to visit a small amusement park. It ended up being closed, so we had to scramble to find a new activity worthy of my Summer Flex Day. We ended up on a farm picking strawberries. It was an unexpected turn that proved really nice.

We had a great time filling our two tiny baskets and the hayride back from the fields was long and pretty. We finished our day with a visit to Stewart's for hot dogs and then our favorite ice cream stand. Good thing we have some healthy fruit to add to our diet this week.

The little one was completely tuckered out and was happy to go to bed early. She did manage to sneak in some Thomas Carnival Capers on the computer before falling asleep. No wonder she was talking in her sleep about finding Percy in the morning. Looking forward to finding a new adventure this weekend.

Recession Fun # 14: Growing Basil

When it comes to gardening, it doesn't get easier or cheaper than growing Basil. A dollar to a dollar fifty for seeds, a nice long container or miscellaneous pots, potting soil and water. You literally just need to sprinkle the seeds, add a thin layer of soil and water. Voila! You're done.

No worrying if you've planted the seeds too deep or that a squirrel is going to dig them up for a snack like sunflower seeds. Our basil pot is full of tiny plants and thriving. I'm already looking forward to pesto.

Photo from Cooking Light and check out the tasty article "Use Your Basil Bounty". I want to try the Purple Basil Lemonade.

Recession Fun: Continues

Some may say the recession is over. Magazines have certainly started featuring expensive items again. One could probably track the state of the economy, or at least our perception of the economy, based on the prices of handbags featured in women's magazines.

I, for one, am not in the market for a $1000 handbag these days and yet the prices of bags and shoes are creeping up on the glossy pages. I am determined to keep a recession state of mind when it comes to my wallet, so Recession Fun continues. Here's to good times on the cheap!

Affordable Luxuries #10: A Great Beach Towel

I have the pool on my mind these days and can't wait to stake out my space poolside. I love the sight of beach towels lined up next to each other on the sand or under an umbrella at the pool. I can't wait to set up my own little encampment in the sun.

The awesome pair of beach towels pictured are from Paul Smith. Actually not the most affordable beach towels in the world but I couldn't resist these photos.