Beaches



Last heat wave knocked us all flat.  Instead of packing for an hours and  making a long, traffic filled trip to the ocean, try local beaches and lakes for easy day's enjoyment for as little as  $5 during the week. Cut travel time to under 30 minutes, and the little beaches are never as crowded,  I can usually park under trees, and it's much easier to keep an eye on the kids and relax without worrying about undertow, or losing sight of them in the mobs of people.

I'd much rather have them in calm water , having just as much fun usually with lots of other kids to play with. This is the beach my mother used to take us to long ago. It was very wild then, but we'd play in the dunes, hunt for horseshoe crabs and steam mussels over an open fire in an empty coffee

can. Now there is a great playground and a giant slide to amuse the children. Most town beaches have lots of amenities, including snack bars. Oh, by the way, this is Pierces Beach in Somerset, MA. 

 



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. Hint for today:  freeze inexpensive 8 oz. water bottles and use them as cool packs, then as they melt, you have lovely icy cold water. Fill them with lemonade or other drink and get same effect. Kids love it, call them "pods"". Take them everywhere: car, ball games. camping.

OUTDOOR SHOPPING

These musicians provided the entertainment this winter at the Market in the Barn at Mt Hope Farm in Bristol.  For the summer, the stands have moved out of doors. Super items to be had are Blossom Salads made with fresh edible flowers, home made bakery items, fresh caught fish and lots of other tempting delights. There lots of outdoor markets now that summer is here across New England, and its wonderful to be able to get fresh local products in a festive venue. Colt State Park in Bristol is another great one, where you can also enjoy the water views or take a walk before you food shop.

 



Also, this is a peak time for yard sales and flea markets. Good time to round out summer items for vacation home, camping or a redo after a good spring cleaning. I've shown up early at estate sales and picked up a gorgeous chair for a terrific price and a beautiful cake server along with other great deals. Take advantage, spend some time outside and have some lovely furniture, home decor items, or products for a fresh dinner to end the day. Happy hunting!

 



SOMETHING OLD - SOMETHING NEW

 

 

Spring is the time of year when my thoughts turn to refreshing my living space. After looking at the same furniture, lamps, pictures and decorations, I'm ready to change a few things out. The smart choice? Consign my gently used items and choose something different for my home.

 

 



There are lots of consignment shops around, but one of my favorites is in Warren, RI. I want a place that has a great selection of furniture that looks new and is reasonably priced and this one fits the bill.
Shop around and find your own favorite or try the one pictured above. Anyway you do it, it's a great way to make some money on your goods that are too nice for a yard sale, and without the problems with listing on Craig's list (I'm leery of strangers coming thru my house) and a super way to get yourself some beautiful items. Happy shopping!


A POEM LOVELY AS A TREE



This is the perfect time to photograph flowering trees and bushes. Next month, it all goes away. Grab a camera, and spend the day taking pictures. Also a great idea to start the kids taking photos of their own. You can pick up a fling camera for under $10 and let them snap away, and see if you have a budding artist in the making. Photography teaches them form, perspective and capturing a moment.



 

 

The tree above was at Lasalette Shrine and I also got some good pics at Capron Park, also in Attleboro MA. They make you want to sit underneath and read a book,or just enjoy the day. There are also trees with interesting trunks, such as the one below.

 

I was on my way to work this morning, and came upon this unusual grouping. It was such a hoot I had to get in my blog. Enjoy!

 





A HOST OF DAFFODILS

 

 

 

At last, spring has arrived! Took advantage of the last few warm days to get first look at Daffodil Days at Blithewold in Bristol, RI. If you've been reading my blogs, you know it's my favorite place and once again, I've been gifted with a membership there. It was the only thing on my Christmas wish list. Non-members pay $11 and get to tour the mansion too!

 

Anyway, the daffodils are blooming right through the last week of this month, and Blithewold is offering afternoon teas at two seatings Tues thru Fri. till the 26th. Go with a friend or close family member. Moms would love this and why wait until Mothers Day when this would be the perfect gift? If you'd rather, pack a lunch, bring a blanket or sit on one of the many benches and enjoy the day.

I'll be heading back with a pal this weekend, and hope to go weekly with others. This is really too good to miss out on.  

 

 

 

One of my mother's favorite poems was 'The Daffodils' by William Wordsworth and it perfectly describes what I get to see every spring. I sure miss you, mother, and wish you were here to share our "host of golden daffodils".



READY TO GO

Good time of year to get ready for summer. Personally I have renewed my fishing licenses, gone through my gear for camping and booked  my site early. Yard sales offer a great opportunitity to pick up items for your campsite or vacation cottage at bargain prices. 

Try to get to a few shows. You don't need to buy a new boat or hundreds of dollars worth of tulip bulbs to get in the spirit of things. Just attend a few events to generate some enthusiam. This is the time of year $20 will take you away for a few hours and give you a much needed lift. Gardeners will love the Flower Shows. Boston runs this week from March 13-17th. I attended the RI show and it gave me some great ideas and made spring feel a little closer.  I love the lectures and demonstrations that provide professional help. This was one of the floral displays that I found delightful.





Time for my new Mah Jongg card and membership renewal to yes, my favorite place, Blithewold in Bristol RI. Playing with like-minded gals on the veranda  while watching the sailboats drift by surrounded by flowering gardens is just the best way for me to spend a free afternoon.

 

Stock up early on games and puzzles at one of the Savers in your area. Inexpensive and a great thing to bring to a vacation place for family entertainment.

REFRESH, RENEW.....RETREAT

 

 

 

After this long and dreary winter, it's a good time of year to plan a getaway to regenerate  physically, mentally and emotionally .Step back and restore the balance in your life, perhaps  reflect on your  place in the universe or just pamper your body. What a perfect way to reconnect with one's self without the outside distractions daily living throws at us in every form . There are so many choices, from a religious retreat to a spa center that can provide a much needed restful haven.

 

 I'm fortunate to have a place I can go with like-minded people to be peaceful after the winter storms  have wound down. Two weeks at a spa may be ideal, but economically unsound nowadays. A day or even a weekend is doable, just enought time for a breather without a hard hit on the bank account. Look for specials advertised by yoga centers, or check for church sponsored  retreats. What a wonderful way to celebrate surving another harsh New England winter. If it's not possible in the next few months, do some research into or summer or fall . It will provide a wonderful and much needed  break. 

Bristol Brunch

 

 

OK, so it's February and the outdoor cafe may not look very appetizing now, but we have been getting those 50 to 60 degree days and this little gem is a perfect breakfast or lunch spot, inside or out. I am not turning my blogs into foodie raves, that I'll leave to the experts. However,  I do have an all-time, year round favorite cafe with a waterview in Bristol, RI. The Bee Hive hits all the high marks for me, from the outdoor seating for people watching, the cozy upstairs nook to the fab sandwiches and desserts.

 

The breads are homemade and you haven't lived until you try the grilled cheese, not like your mom made but unbelievably yummy.  Sounds crazy, but another fave is the butternut squash sandwich, with carmelized onions and pesto. I'm permanently hooked on this one. Perfect ending is the bread pudding swimming in warm carmel sauce made in-house. As you can see, I've ordered it with a specialty coffee to finish off my lunch get-away. Remember, a little breakfast or lunch at the Bee Hive, tucked away just up the street from Independence Park will brighten up winter and give you a go-to place this summer.
































 





music

Photo Credit: Narrows Center.org
 

Need a quick fix for the midwinter blues? Amp it up with super deals on a night of musical entertainment without having to go into Boston or downtown Providence. I have a favorite, so here goes. The Narrows Center for the Arts located next to Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA., boasts an art gallery on the second floor and third floor performance space shown above, along with several small shops selling top notch crafts. Bring your own cooler or purchase a drink and snack, then sit back and enjoy the show and the sunset views over the cove if you get there early enough. Go to their website for an incredible array of musical artists from blues to jazz and beyond.

Credit: Photo.Accuweather.com

Another great venue suggested by a jazz and blues musician friend of mine is in Foxboro, MA at Patriot Place Mall called Foxboro Showcase Live, a mecca for artists appearing in Boston. Don't forget to check out colleges and small clubs. The deals are out there and the prices will be music to your ears!

It's Show Time



As much as I love shows on Broadway or at the Wang in Boston or PPAC in Providence, I can't always afford the top venues -in fact, rarely.  About seven years ago, I disovered a little gem, the Zeiterion, a former vaudville theatre located  an easy 5 minute drive off Rte 195 in New Bedford, MA. Parking on street is free, and only $2 in the underground lot. Go early and have a chat with Katherine, the theater's the most gracious director who was so kind to my mother when we went together.  The shows are terrific and priced right, the theater is small enough so there are no bad seats and when you leave,  there's no heavy traffic and long wait to get out. I can see three show there for the price of one from Wynton Marsalles to Celtic Fire. 





 

                            Photo Credit: Zeiterion.org                                     



 Plays are always entertaining, so give Warren. RI's  2nd Story or the Firehouse in Fall River a try. There are also fun doings at local high schools or nearby colleges all winter long. It breaks up the dreary snow weather and distracts from tough times and bad news for a little while. These venues are inexpensive enough to leave you with money for a nice meal to round out the evening. I find that  dressing up a little always makes me feel like I'm attending a special event.