South End Gardens: Rutland Street

Posted on | August 13, 2010 | 4 Comments

My only complaint about my house is the lack of garden space. I want a huge garden full of flowers, herbs, and vegetables—I’m talking insane big. Let’s ditch the driveway! Ok maybe not?

I was in South Boston this week and spotted community gardens all over the neighborhood. Phlox, Black Eyed Susans, Russian Sage, Echinacea, and Sunflowers were all in bloom. The garden above and below was on Rutland Street (click the link for an amazing google maps view) in the South End. The lush green escape covers a block and half. It was a totally amazing place to stumble upon in the middle of the city. Happy Weekend!

Category: boston and metro, garden, massachusetts

Picking Strawberries

Posted on | June 16, 2010 | 14 Comments

I went strawberry picking this morning at Connors in Danvers, Massachusetts via a new friend suggestion. The field smelled like a giant decadent strawberry daiquiri, um yum! If it wasn’t frowned upon to drink cocktails before noon on a Wednesday I would have sparked up the blender as soon as I got home. The picking was great! The strawberries were still small and perfectly sweet.

I loaded up my 6 quarts thinking I was going to use them all for jam. But I realized I have a whole list of strawberry concoctions I want to make like sconces, pancakes, muffins and my favorite salad in the world: spinach/blue cheese/toasted walnut/strawberry salad. So maybe I’ll going picking again on Sunday at Russell Orchards in Ipswich for jam?

Did I share with you why I’m trying to break my internet habit besides the obvious? Over the last four years I’ve done more sitting then is acceptable for a person that is healthy and mobile. I’ve been trying to workout and Monday I took my first, Whole Body Ball Workout class—which means I had to jump on balls, twirl balls, and do stuff with hand weights. I always feel stupid in classes. I wonder why my arms look so long and awkward, why my boobs are sagging (is it the bra?), where did all these smoking hot moms come from? Lord. The class kicked my ass which made it difficult for me to squat down to pick strawberries. Sitting down in the straw and picking in a 360 degree rotation was the best method. I should probably go back to the gym tonight? The soreness must mean my butt is getting tighter, right?

Below a very short video. I’m trying to get the hang of the focus on the video mode while I am doing something, but it’s kinda cool? Maybe I should try one of those flips or I should get the new iphone? But I really don’t need more crap to carry….

p.s. my fav song to get my butt running on the treadmill right now, Say Hey by Michael Franti & Spearhead. Which isn’t new but it’s perfect for summer!

connors farm in danvers ma Picking Strawberries

Category: boston and metro, on the streets

Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

Posted on | May 4, 2010 | 9 Comments

Over the weekend I visited Sarah Elizabeth Block Printers studio in Rockport, Massachusetts. The thirty year old shop is a living museum honoring the work of Folly Cove artist Sarah Elizabeth. Established in Gloucester in 1938, the Folly Cove Designers were a guild of designer-craftsmen that grew out of a design course taught by Virginia Lee Burton Demetrio. After the designers disbanded in 1969, Sarah Elizabeth continued block printing and in 1974 opened the Sarah Elizabeth Shop.

Today the shop is run by her apprentice, Isabel Natti. Isabel started block printing as a weekend job, and now, after thirty years continues to print the linoleum blocks she has designed and carved. The prints include scenes of nature and marine life on the coast of Cape Ann. The prints are available as placemats, runners, cards, and wall hangings. My favorite is Oceanside a multi-block wall hanging depicting a fish company in Gloucester.

Above and below a photos from inside the studio. Isabel is shown sitting in front of her 150-year old Acorn Press—a press she inherited from her Aunt Lee Natti. To find out more about Sarah Elizabeth including shop hours and purchasing info visit: sarah-elizabeth-shop.com.

Sarah Elizabeth Block Printers
5 Whistlestop Mall
Rockport, MA
(978) 546-6541
sarah-elizabeth-shop.com

DSC 2336 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

DSC 23411 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

DSC 2338 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

DSC 23371 Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

different designs available Sara Elizabeth Block Printers Studio

Category: affordable artwork, artist, boston and metro

Upcoming Antique Shows in New England

Posted on | April 27, 2010 | 10 Comments

On Sunday I went took a very early drive up to Todd Farm in Rowley. I scored a few vintage textile pieces. Textiles are my weakness. I can’t help but imagine them as beautiful pillows, runners and napkins. Below a list of antique shows and flea markets in New England starting in May. Would you like to add one to the list? Send me an e-mail or leave a comment.

Sage Farm Antiques
Monthly antique show on the grounds of a 1780 colonial
May 7-9
North Hampton, New Hampshire
sagefarmantiques.com

Vintage Fashion and Textile Show
Collector quality textiles and vintage clothing
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
May 10
vintagefashionandtextileshow.com

Brimfield Antique Show
Thousands of dealers at one of the largest flea markets in the world
May 11-16
Brimfield, Massachusetts
brimfieldshow.com

Trade Secrets
Event features rare plants and garden antiques including garden tours
Sharon, Connecticut
May 15-16
tradesecretsct.com

Rhinebeck Antiques Fair
Focus on American Antiques
May 29-30
Rhinebeck, New York
rhinebeckantiquesfair.com

Todd Farm Antiques & Flea Market
240 vendors from around New England
Every Sunday through November
Rowley, Massachusetts
toddfarm.com

For a full list of antique shows around the country visit antiquesandthearts.com to download the 2010 list of events.

tiny floral fabric Upcoming Antique Shows in New England

vintage plaid wool Upcoming Antique Shows in New England

Category: boston and metro, furniture, vintage finds

Inspired By Eggs & Sofra

Posted on | April 22, 2010 | 15 Comments

I picked up a pack of fresh beautiful eggs from Siena Farms at Sofra in Cambridge this afternoon. I now know what color I really want to paint my walls, Araucana. The Araucana is a breed of chickens that lay beautiful blue/green eggs.

I know Martha Stewart carries a paint color called, Araucana but it looks a little too teal.
When I held the Araucana egg up to my paint samples it was really close in color to Verte De Terre from Farrow & Ball. The egg was just a few shades lighter.

Below my super yum lunch I shared with fellow blogger, Kate Flaim at Sofra. We had a blast trying out different flatbreads and sweets. My falafel style flatbread had a really interesting beet spread. Above and below photos of my eggs and lunch.