A lovely day, woke slowly and had a nice breakfast and after a bit of email/facebook stuff, then got busy in the garden.
Gill had got up early and pruned some lilac and holly, and removed a Buddleia, and she asked me to process this. In fact she suggested that the lilac tree could be taken right down, to maybe chest height, to make more light into the part of the garden currently made a bit claustrophobic by several large trees.
So I got the ladder from the conservatory and, with the bow saw, removed the top branches (with a diameter of about 10cm) and then cut down the trunk, which had a diameter of about 20cm. A nice big log for the front garden and soon for the logpiles. It's good to be able to grow our own fuel!
However, this generated a huge pile of shreddable material, so I spent quite a long time with my Mountfield Quiet Shredder (see this humorous YouTube video of one, worth watching right to the end, and enjoy the Joan Baez song) and got a lot done. I ended up with about 7 sacks of holly and lilac, some of which I used immediately on the current pallet bin, which I nearly filled with fruit/veg and shredded twigs, in layers, surrounded by cardboard to stop the material falling out. It was a very satisfying day.
When the post arrived, there was a lovely get well card from Sheffield Green Party, who had met recently and asked Nigel to send it on their behalf, following my accident at the Green Fair on 26th June. Well, today I've been working in the garden with just wellies on, and my ankle has felt OK, although when I go away tomorrow, I think I'll wear my support, just in case. But it will take several more weeks before I'm completely back to what I was able to do before the accident.
Before the shop shut I visited Richard, since I won't be able to tomorrow, and got a few veggies plus several sacks of resources for my compost heap.
Gill made a nutloaf with grated butternut squash in it... really good! I continued working outside until nearly 10pm, and came in and had a bath.
Both of us are preparing for a busy day tomorrow; I'm working in Pickering and then camping in Thornton Le Dale with the boys til Tuesday, to give Gill a break, and to have some fun with my sons. I'm hoping we can hire bikes on Monday and explore Dalby Forest...
A nice late morning, although was woken by one of my offspring at sometime after 7am, I went back to sleep. So, up after 9 and a harmonious household.
I did a bit of housework and the day sort of disappeared. Richard rang and I cycled down to Country Fresh and brought back 2 big sacks and 2 boxes of resources. I felt comfortable to cycle down without my Aircast plastic ankle support, as it's feeling a lot better.
A bit later I dealt with a patch of garden which I've watched becoming more overgrown, so I weeded that path, pulling up ground elder and then cutting back a long length of hedge with the shears, which will allow the squash plants in the radiator raised bed to crawl along the hedge and have a secure hold. This is where I grew my prize pumpkin last year, with the roots in the radiator bed (which started off as a compost heap) and the vine growing along the hedge. This year, I've got Zucchetta Rampicante Tromboncino squash again and already there are some good fruits hanging down... one is already over 30cm long. I picked Jack Edwards Pea Beans and courgettes and brought them to the house for tea time consumption.
In the evening I spent an hour watching a Gardeners World whilst stripping electrical flex, cutting the plastic insulation with my penknife and removing the wires inside, then pulling the wire with the copper centre over the knife blade so I can separate the insulation from the metal. I bin the plastic but the copper is quite valuable, and I'll take several kilos to the metal merchant in the next few weeks...
I've been getting fed up with my email inbox filling up and sometimes messages bouncing back to their sender, so today I went onto the Tiscali website and bought £13 worth of extra space. Suddenly my inbox which was 99% full was only 8% full... Woo hoo! However, I will continue to try to keep it at a sensible size. But at least if someone sends me a huge file, it will be accepted.
The other thing Gill and I did today was to organise a little camping expedition early next week. I'm working in Pickering on Sunday, and am going up on the bus. I finish at 3, and will take the bus to Thornton Le Dale. Gill will go up to Thornton Le Dale with the boys and the tent, sleeping bags etc and put up the tent at the Prospect Farm Campsite in the village. Gill will take my jugglestuff home on the bus and I'll stay with the boys, for one or two nights here. If the first night is OK, we'll hire bikes and go up into Dalby Forest on the Monday. So, if no blog posts appear around then, that's where I'll be, giving Gill some space and peace and quiet!
I did a bit of housework and the day sort of disappeared. Richard rang and I cycled down to Country Fresh and brought back 2 big sacks and 2 boxes of resources. I felt comfortable to cycle down without my Aircast plastic ankle support, as it's feeling a lot better.
A bit later I dealt with a patch of garden which I've watched becoming more overgrown, so I weeded that path, pulling up ground elder and then cutting back a long length of hedge with the shears, which will allow the squash plants in the radiator raised bed to crawl along the hedge and have a secure hold. This is where I grew my prize pumpkin last year, with the roots in the radiator bed (which started off as a compost heap) and the vine growing along the hedge. This year, I've got Zucchetta Rampicante Tromboncino squash again and already there are some good fruits hanging down... one is already over 30cm long. I picked Jack Edwards Pea Beans and courgettes and brought them to the house for tea time consumption.
In the evening I spent an hour watching a Gardeners World whilst stripping electrical flex, cutting the plastic insulation with my penknife and removing the wires inside, then pulling the wire with the copper centre over the knife blade so I can separate the insulation from the metal. I bin the plastic but the copper is quite valuable, and I'll take several kilos to the metal merchant in the next few weeks...
I've been getting fed up with my email inbox filling up and sometimes messages bouncing back to their sender, so today I went onto the Tiscali website and bought £13 worth of extra space. Suddenly my inbox which was 99% full was only 8% full... Woo hoo! However, I will continue to try to keep it at a sensible size. But at least if someone sends me a huge file, it will be accepted.
The other thing Gill and I did today was to organise a little camping expedition early next week. I'm working in Pickering on Sunday, and am going up on the bus. I finish at 3, and will take the bus to Thornton Le Dale. Gill will go up to Thornton Le Dale with the boys and the tent, sleeping bags etc and put up the tent at the Prospect Farm Campsite in the village. Gill will take my jugglestuff home on the bus and I'll stay with the boys, for one or two nights here. If the first night is OK, we'll hire bikes and go up into Dalby Forest on the Monday. So, if no blog posts appear around then, that's where I'll be, giving Gill some space and peace and quiet!
Tobi Fairley
Please take a moment to read this excerpt from Darren Hardy, publisher of Success magazine, about perspective & failure. It's a great reminder to be thankful for what we do have--life.
We all get knocked down from time to time—it’s part of what makes life interesting… always keeping us alert and on our toes.
I recently shared a perspective in a keynote presentation I did that helped reshape my view of obstacles and life’s difficulties; this might help you too…
My wife’s best friend has a friend whose husband, I am embarrassed to say, I envied. He had the life I wanted. We are close in age and both came from the Bay Area of San Francisco.
After several failed businesses, he started an electronics store called “Jacks.” The stores were relatively successful and were bought out for a good sum. He then invested that money into commercial real estate in the San Diego Valley, before the boom. He ended up owning several buildings that made him tens of millions, maybe hundreds of millions.
We would go to his parties at the home he custom built in Rancho Santa Fe (one of the richest ZIP codes in the county). The home, estate really, was more than 10,000 square feet on an amazing piece of sprawling land and it was designed in just the style I love.
His cars were amazing and he also had a yacht in the harbor and a private plane. He was also a good-looking guy and had a beautiful family he adored and who adored him. He was warm, friendly and always the life of the party. I wanted his life. In my head (privately, of course) I would wish I was Gary Boyd.
A year and a half ago he had a cough that became increasingly worse. When he went to the doctor he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He never smoked, lived relatively healthy—it was completely unexpected. He had finally arrived, was living the life he never could have imagined, and then this.
His family had to watch him slowly and painfully wither away until he finally died seven months ago.
Now, every day I say, thank God I am not Gary Boyd.
Here is the point: No matter what obstacle I encounter now, no matter what setback I experience, I have a whole new perspective on just how “catastrophic” the situation really is. If I take a risk and am embarrassed, if I call someone and they reject me, if I lose a bunch of money in an investment, if I wreck my car, lose my house (not that I have!), no matter what obstacle comes my way, I say, “At least I am not Gary Boyd.”
Point is, as long as you are on the right side of the dirt, no obstacle really matters.
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Elevation: 10,555 ft - 11,734 ft (at the pass)
Elevation Gain: 1,539 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Off leash
Verdant Vasquez Pass
A trip to Vasquez Pass will fill you will solitude and make you feel like you are worlds away even though you are close to the Front Range. I ended up on this trail totally by accident. I had intended to profile Butler Gulch, which is in the same area but realized I could not take the dogs on Butler Gulch after I arrived. I really hate it when the Forest Service restricts trails. They don't seem to post this on their web site so often I don't find out until I have driven all the way to the trailhead. Fortunately for dog owners, the Continental Divide Trail is not restricted. Butler Gulch is usually crowded and the trail to Vasquez Pass was not, so perhaps I lucked out in the end.
The Henderson Mine
A typical trail segment on the initial switchbacks
This trip starts in a large dirt parking lot across from the Henderson Mine. Directly across from the mine is a small trail marker. The trailhead for Butler Gulch is up the road just a bit. Further up the road is Jones Pass, which I have only done in winter.
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)
The intersection with the Continental Divide Trail. That one mile to Stanley mountain is way off!
The Henderson Spur trail begins in a series of gentle switchbacks that climb steadily through a Ponderosa and Spruce forest. The mine and its attendant noises are obvious here, but the solitude makes up for it. There were several pleasant water crossings and the higher I went the more often I saw wildflowers.
Getting above treeline. The trail travels the ridge towards the cleft in the distance.
Jacobs Ladder
At 1.56 miles is the intersection with the Continental Divide Trail. Go left and you can hit Vasquez Peak. Go right to Stanley Mountain. Vasquez Pass is to the right.
Looking south
A typical segment above treeline
At 2.0 miles the trees thin and the tundra appears. From this point on the trail weaves up and down along the side of Vasquez Ridge on a narrow trail that does not get much traffic. The views to the south will have you stopping for a while to gaze fondly at the topography.
Looking southwest
Parry's Primrose (Primula parryi)
At 2.6 miles the trail curves sharply right and crosses another small stream. This is the turn off for Vasquez Pass, which lies 0.5 miles up the drainage to the left. On the way up, I bushwhacked across the tundra to the pass, but on the way down found the partial trail that is shown on the map.
Looking back down the trail
Almost to the turnoff
The pass itself if small compared to others (Eccles Pass, Pawnee Pass) but was a pleasant place to lounge. Alpine Sunflowers dotted the grasses and the views to the south were lovely. Last year while hiking Stanley Mountain, I ran into hikers that were planning on bushwhacking down the other side of Vasquez Pass. They had a car waiting. Perhaps I will do that some day as well.
Turning left and beginning to bushwhack up to the pass
Looking back down the gully
Looking back down the gully from a small "false pass" part way up (2.89 miles)
On the left side of the pass is a tall ridge. I had thought about climbing up, but since not a soul knew where I was, I figured it would take weeks for anyone to find me if I slipped and fell on the loose terrain. I'll save that for another day.
On the pass looking north
The ridge I did not climb. Note the Alpine Sunflowers
Directions to the trailhead:
From Denver, take I-70 to Hwy 40 going towards Winter Park. Drive through the town of Empire. At around 7.3 miles from the highway, there will be a sign for the Big Bend Picnic Area. You will want to make a left turn onto a frontage road here. You will know you are in the right spot if Highway 40 curves sharply away to the right in the first hairpin turn it makes going up to Berthoud Pass. Follow the road towards the large Henderson Mine Complex. In front of the mine complex, a dirt road splits off and parallels the main road. Take the dirt road. Park anywhere on the left. A small trail marker (unnamed) is on the right. This is your starting point. If you go too far, you will run into the trailhead for Bulter Gulch.
Elevation: 10,555 ft - 11,734 ft (at the pass)
Elevation Gain: 1,539 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Off leash
Verdant Vasquez PassA trip to Vasquez Pass will fill you will solitude and make you feel like you are worlds away even though you are close to the Front Range. I ended up on this trail totally by accident. I had intended to profile Butler Gulch, which is in the same area but realized I could not take the dogs on Butler Gulch after I arrived. I really hate it when the Forest Service restricts trails. They don't seem to post this on their web site so often I don't find out until I have driven all the way to the trailhead. Fortunately for dog owners, the Continental Divide Trail is not restricted. Butler Gulch is usually crowded and the trail to Vasquez Pass was not, so perhaps I lucked out in the end.
The Henderson Mine
A typical trail segment on the initial switchbacks
Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)
The intersection with the Continental Divide Trail. That one mile to Stanley mountain is way off!
Getting above treeline. The trail travels the ridge towards the cleft in the distance.
Jacobs Ladder
Looking south
A typical segment above treeline
Looking southwest
Parry's Primrose (Primula parryi)At 2.6 miles the trail curves sharply right and crosses another small stream. This is the turn off for Vasquez Pass, which lies 0.5 miles up the drainage to the left. On the way up, I bushwhacked across the tundra to the pass, but on the way down found the partial trail that is shown on the map.
Looking back down the trail
Almost to the turnoffThe pass itself if small compared to others (Eccles Pass, Pawnee Pass) but was a pleasant place to lounge. Alpine Sunflowers dotted the grasses and the views to the south were lovely. Last year while hiking Stanley Mountain, I ran into hikers that were planning on bushwhacking down the other side of Vasquez Pass. They had a car waiting. Perhaps I will do that some day as well.
Turning left and beginning to bushwhack up to the pass
Looking back down the gully
Looking back down the gully from a small "false pass" part way up (2.89 miles)On the left side of the pass is a tall ridge. I had thought about climbing up, but since not a soul knew where I was, I figured it would take weeks for anyone to find me if I slipped and fell on the loose terrain. I'll save that for another day.
On the pass looking north
The ridge I did not climb. Note the Alpine SunflowersDirections to the trailhead:
From Denver, take I-70 to Hwy 40 going towards Winter Park. Drive through the town of Empire. At around 7.3 miles from the highway, there will be a sign for the Big Bend Picnic Area. You will want to make a left turn onto a frontage road here. You will know you are in the right spot if Highway 40 curves sharply away to the right in the first hairpin turn it makes going up to Berthoud Pass. Follow the road towards the large Henderson Mine Complex. In front of the mine complex, a dirt road splits off and parallels the main road. Take the dirt road. Park anywhere on the left. A small trail marker (unnamed) is on the right. This is your starting point. If you go too far, you will run into the trailhead for Bulter Gulch.
A good day... spent from about 9am til lunchtime finalising some paperwork with Gill, and then I phoned in the information to the relevant authorities. This was a big relief.
During the afternoon I sorted out the front garden, tidying, chainsawing up some logs, splitting them. Tara popped in briefly to pick up some muesli base; we got 20kg from Suma last time and usually I only get 10, so I've spare, and when she asked last week about the next Suma order, I said we'd just had one, but her request of a bit of muesli base could be granted.
Once she had been and gone, I went down the garden to continue with the pond area, which I'm really enjoying doing. I put a load of ground elder roots in the centre of the newly vacated 'New Zealand bin' made of pallets raised up off the ground, with a load of vegetation and twigs under them (and some fruit and veg 'resources') and will put a load more on top... the roots will cook!
I came in at 6ish to have tea, a pile of pasta with the rems of tomato soup on, with home grown courgette and our first tomatoes too! Then it was off out to go to the St Nicks AGM.
This slowly got started, after a glass of elderflower wine and some cakes, with a presentation from Lizzie Freeman about Edible York. Lizzie explained how this group had formed following the York in Transition 'Food Open Space' meeting and a visit to the Incredible Edible Todmorden conference. She told us that this local group was part of a much wider move to grow food locally, including Grow Sheffield, Edible Middlesborough and Shoreditch Vacant Lots. We were told about the two current EY projects, Abundance and GardenAble.
For me, Edible York is a very exciting project... and I'm delighted to have donated 30 sacks of compost to the Paragon St raised beds. There are quite a few future sites, including perhaps a big area in the Museum Gardens and, if lucky, a raised bed near the Theatre Royal.
After a break, the AGM proper started. Gail chaired and after her intro, introduced Catherine from York Rotters, Jonathan the new Volunteer Co-ordinator, Rachel the Schools Education Co-ordinator, Tom who's in charge of the recycling collections, and finally Ivana the Centre Manager. There were presentations from all of these people. Ivana told us about the most recent award, given yesterday, the 'Green Pennant', which St Nicks has earned for it's high quality green space.
Then there were the simple elections of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer (Tina Funnell is the new Chair, the Treasurer post is now vacant.... anybody want to volunteer? If so, contact St Nicks!) and the Management Group were all voted in too. Several people were leaving their voluntary positions and got thanked.
I didn't hang around to chat once it had finished; I put a small donation in the perspex-fronted compost bin and cycled off towards the University, where a tree has been taken down and the logs left for people to pick them up. Goody!
Home after 10.30pm, and later, I lit the stove to get rid of some of the assorted paper and card etc, and to get some hot water for a late night wash up.
During the afternoon I sorted out the front garden, tidying, chainsawing up some logs, splitting them. Tara popped in briefly to pick up some muesli base; we got 20kg from Suma last time and usually I only get 10, so I've spare, and when she asked last week about the next Suma order, I said we'd just had one, but her request of a bit of muesli base could be granted.
Once she had been and gone, I went down the garden to continue with the pond area, which I'm really enjoying doing. I put a load of ground elder roots in the centre of the newly vacated 'New Zealand bin' made of pallets raised up off the ground, with a load of vegetation and twigs under them (and some fruit and veg 'resources') and will put a load more on top... the roots will cook!
I came in at 6ish to have tea, a pile of pasta with the rems of tomato soup on, with home grown courgette and our first tomatoes too! Then it was off out to go to the St Nicks AGM.
This slowly got started, after a glass of elderflower wine and some cakes, with a presentation from Lizzie Freeman about Edible York. Lizzie explained how this group had formed following the York in Transition 'Food Open Space' meeting and a visit to the Incredible Edible Todmorden conference. She told us that this local group was part of a much wider move to grow food locally, including Grow Sheffield, Edible Middlesborough and Shoreditch Vacant Lots. We were told about the two current EY projects, Abundance and GardenAble.
For me, Edible York is a very exciting project... and I'm delighted to have donated 30 sacks of compost to the Paragon St raised beds. There are quite a few future sites, including perhaps a big area in the Museum Gardens and, if lucky, a raised bed near the Theatre Royal.
After a break, the AGM proper started. Gail chaired and after her intro, introduced Catherine from York Rotters, Jonathan the new Volunteer Co-ordinator, Rachel the Schools Education Co-ordinator, Tom who's in charge of the recycling collections, and finally Ivana the Centre Manager. There were presentations from all of these people. Ivana told us about the most recent award, given yesterday, the 'Green Pennant', which St Nicks has earned for it's high quality green space.
Then there were the simple elections of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer (Tina Funnell is the new Chair, the Treasurer post is now vacant.... anybody want to volunteer? If so, contact St Nicks!) and the Management Group were all voted in too. Several people were leaving their voluntary positions and got thanked.
I didn't hang around to chat once it had finished; I put a small donation in the perspex-fronted compost bin and cycled off towards the University, where a tree has been taken down and the logs left for people to pick them up. Goody!
Home after 10.30pm, and later, I lit the stove to get rid of some of the assorted paper and card etc, and to get some hot water for a late night wash up.
Spent nearly all of the day looking through this blog from July to April working out how much compost has been sold down at Country Fresh, to visitors to the house and stuff I've delivered. This works out at just under £200, my best year ever for compost sales. It's not much, but I don't do it for the money, that's just a nice extra.
So, Gill did paperwork all day and I did computery stuff all day... until 6 when I finished, jumped up and down (gently, my ankle is still delicate) and went to do some work in the garden.
We are now in a position to do our tax returns, which is really good as most years we leave it to the last minute. This year will be less stressful.
The highlights of the day were a nice chat with my Aunty Lizzy on the phone in the evening and a chat with a local person who'd got my details from Country Fresh, and wanted to get some advice about composting. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with her and she was very happy with the outcome. I also enjoyed my tea, which was noodles, beans and nuts, with veg of course, sounds like a weird combination, well it was and it was delicious!
So, Gill did paperwork all day and I did computery stuff all day... until 6 when I finished, jumped up and down (gently, my ankle is still delicate) and went to do some work in the garden.
We are now in a position to do our tax returns, which is really good as most years we leave it to the last minute. This year will be less stressful.
The highlights of the day were a nice chat with my Aunty Lizzy on the phone in the evening and a chat with a local person who'd got my details from Country Fresh, and wanted to get some advice about composting. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with her and she was very happy with the outcome. I also enjoyed my tea, which was noodles, beans and nuts, with veg of course, sounds like a weird combination, well it was and it was delicious!
I don't have to tell that Bruges is one of the nicest city's in Belgium. The whole town seems old and patinated. Well it's almost true. Off course some places are nicer than others. Maison le dragon is one of the nicer. If not the nicest. If you plan to stay in Bruges, go there you will never forget it.
Heartleaf Bittercress (Cardamine Cordifolia) grows abundantly along mountain streams. It occurs in huge bushy clumps with large deep-green leaves. It is a member of the Mustard family. The flowers appear in clumps at the top of long stalks.
A macro shot showing the larger plant
Another zoom image of the stalk
Emily Giffin is the author of 5 New York Times Best Selling novels (Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love The One You're With, Heart of the Matter) and Atlanta resident, so imagine my surprise when I unexpectedly ran into her a few weeks ago! I mentioned that I was planning to do a giveaway featuring 2 of her novels, and she offered to send me autographed copies to share with you! If you're someone who loves to read as much as I do, I hope you're familiar with Emily because if not, you're depriving yourself of some entertaining and conversation-stirring reading!
Emily was kind enough to autograph her debut novel, Something Borrowed, and her latest effort, Heart of the Matter. She also included 2 "Emily Giffin" Purple Sharpies in the package as well!
Something Borrowed was recently optioned as a film and is currently in production starring Kate Hudson, John Krazinski, and Ginnifer Goodwin. Rumor has it that the sequel, Something Blue, may also hit the big screen, too. :) I hate to call her books "Chick Lit" (it sounds so shallow), so I'll say that they explore the intricacies of relationships with honesty and comedy. If you haven't picked one up already, here's your chance to win a copy!!!
There will be two giveaways, one for each Sharpie/book, and you have up to 3 chances to win (those are some pretty good odds!). To enter, simply:
1. Become a follower of this blog! Click the button to the right to follow, and if you're already a follower, please indicate that in the comments.
2. Tweet about this giveaway for an additional chance to win (let me know you've tweeted about it in the comments).
3. Mention this giveaway in a blogpost for another chance to win. Please leave the link to your post so I know where to find you!
This giveaway will close on August 2nd, 2010. Good luck!
I left aside my blog (I apologize!) because the last week I hosted my parents for a few days. They left Italy hoping to find here the reinvigorating fresh north air.
So saturday we decided to spend the all day at the beach, in Scheveningen, near Den Haag. The weather was perfect, sunny but a little windy. We ate some Dutch speciality: mussels (mosselen) and fried fish (kibbeling) and after lunch Alberto also swam!!
We visited also Den Haag, one of my favourite city.
Yesterday my parents are back to Italy and I decided to go to my favourite second hand store. I bought a pair of red clogs (that now I use as a mailbox!) and a white teapot that I would like to paint. And my new blanket is "growing up"..I decided to put a lot of white and to use a different pattern..this is one is much easy and faster than the other one!
Ho lasciato da parte il mio blog (mi scuso!) perché la settimana scorsa ho ospitato i miei genitori per qualche giorno. Hanno lasciato l'Italia sperando di trovare qui la rigenerante aria fresca del nord.
Così sabato abbiamo deciso di trascorrere la giornata in spiaggia, a Scheveningen, nei pressi di Den Haag. Il tempo era perfetto, soleggiato ma ventoso,. Abbiamo mangiato qualche specialità olandese: cozze (mosselen) e pesce fritto (kibbeling) e dopo pranzo Alberto ha anche fatto il bagno!
Abbiamo visitato anche Den Haag, una delle mie città preferite.
Ieri i miei genitori sono tornati in Italia e ho deciso di andare al mio negozio di seconda mano preferito. Ho comprato un paio di zoccoli rossi (che ora uso per la posta!) e una teiera bianca che vorrei dipingere. E la mia nuova coperta sta "crescendo"..ho deciso di mettere un sacco di bianco e di utilizzare un modello diverso..questo è molto più facile e più veloce rispetto all' altro!
So saturday we decided to spend the all day at the beach, in Scheveningen, near Den Haag. The weather was perfect, sunny but a little windy. We ate some Dutch speciality: mussels (mosselen) and fried fish (kibbeling) and after lunch Alberto also swam!!
We visited also Den Haag, one of my favourite city.
Yesterday my parents are back to Italy and I decided to go to my favourite second hand store. I bought a pair of red clogs (that now I use as a mailbox!) and a white teapot that I would like to paint. And my new blanket is "growing up"..I decided to put a lot of white and to use a different pattern..this is one is much easy and faster than the other one!
Ilaria Chiaratti 2010
Ho lasciato da parte il mio blog (mi scuso!) perché la settimana scorsa ho ospitato i miei genitori per qualche giorno. Hanno lasciato l'Italia sperando di trovare qui la rigenerante aria fresca del nord.
Così sabato abbiamo deciso di trascorrere la giornata in spiaggia, a Scheveningen, nei pressi di Den Haag. Il tempo era perfetto, soleggiato ma ventoso,. Abbiamo mangiato qualche specialità olandese: cozze (mosselen) e pesce fritto (kibbeling) e dopo pranzo Alberto ha anche fatto il bagno!
Abbiamo visitato anche Den Haag, una delle mie città preferite.
Ieri i miei genitori sono tornati in Italia e ho deciso di andare al mio negozio di seconda mano preferito. Ho comprato un paio di zoccoli rossi (che ora uso per la posta!) e una teiera bianca che vorrei dipingere. E la mia nuova coperta sta "crescendo"..ho deciso di mettere un sacco di bianco e di utilizzare un modello diverso..questo è molto più facile e più veloce rispetto all' altro!
I had a late start and a quiet remains of morning.
I spent much of the day in the garden... the pond area is coming on nicely and I spent several hours removing vegetation and roots to make the area as bare as possible before moving soil around. I was lucky to be joined by our eldest son who helped for half an hour, which was a real pleasure.
I finished digging out a compost bin which I started doing a few days ago and continued with Janie yesterday, and put in a load of stuff which has been building up, including ground elder roots and brambles. I riddled another sack of very mature compost and will bag up all the riddled stuff soon.
During the evening I watched a series of programmes about cycling and bicycles on BBC4 which was nice, but my mood was saddened as I tried to chat with someone I care about, using facebook chat, but they were rude to me and removed them self from the account I was using. I felt sad all evening about this.
However I did manage to get some minutes written from the last York in Transition meeting, and sent to the other participants for checking.
I spent much of the day in the garden... the pond area is coming on nicely and I spent several hours removing vegetation and roots to make the area as bare as possible before moving soil around. I was lucky to be joined by our eldest son who helped for half an hour, which was a real pleasure.
I finished digging out a compost bin which I started doing a few days ago and continued with Janie yesterday, and put in a load of stuff which has been building up, including ground elder roots and brambles. I riddled another sack of very mature compost and will bag up all the riddled stuff soon.
During the evening I watched a series of programmes about cycling and bicycles on BBC4 which was nice, but my mood was saddened as I tried to chat with someone I care about, using facebook chat, but they were rude to me and removed them self from the account I was using. I felt sad all evening about this.
However I did manage to get some minutes written from the last York in Transition meeting, and sent to the other participants for checking.
With a little over a month til opening, here's where we're at on the new construction for "Jellybeans" {a baby/kids clothing store}. New owner, Meghan Chambers, asked me to step up to the plate for this design project. Thank you, Meghan!
Found this cool shelf yesterday while out flea marketing. It's from Riverside Inn. It held the wine there. Do you love that it will gain new life in a baby/kid shop? I do!!
I probably won't be posting pics until after opening. So, wish me luck, as we're diving in! And be sure to tell all moms, kiddos and babies out there, that they are in for a jellybean of a treat.
xo
sharon
A bit of a rude awakening as I'd promised a Freecycler to have a skip-salvaged CD ready for her when she called at 8.15 this morning.... but I hadn't got it ready.... so when she arrived, Gill woke me up and asked me where it was. I knew exactly where it was, and came down and retrieved it.
I had breakfast and did a bit on the computer, but at 10ish I gathered some bags of riddled compost together as Caroline had asked me to supply 8 carrier bags full, and I'd agreed to deliver as I was heading for the station this morning. So that was my first stop, and she was generous with £20 for 8 bags.
My next appointment was with the 11.35 from Manchester; Janie was visiting, and I suggested she bring her bike so we could explore more easily. We cycled through the city and ended up at St Nicks which I think was a bit of a revelation for her, and it was good to see Jean at work on her 'square foot garden' and to show Janie the different foodplants growing there. Then home and Janie met Gill and the boys, and then helped me down the garden, mainly doing some riddling of several sacks of compost. But although I could have spent all day down the garden, I thought that Janie might get bored, and anyway, I wanted to show her Country Fresh and Alligator before they closed. So after a coffee we set off to visit these two shops, and I had a laugh with Shirley at the first place and then Cherry at Alligator. Cherry recounted an old tale of her as a child tormenting me at the Buddhist Centre, nicking my circus equipment and winding me up. Funny, I don't remember, I find that the majority of children are perfectly OK, and I think I deal with them without getting too worked up!
Anyway, we wheeled down to the Millennium Bridge and stopped a while there in the rain, but then headed for the Cafe in Rowntree Park and sheltered there for a bit, chatting.
Then it was time to go to the station and send her back to Manchester..... what a nice friendly day, good to spend this time with her.
I came home and cooked a home-grown courgette and a thrown away pepper to have with a pastie Gill had bought for my tea.
I had breakfast and did a bit on the computer, but at 10ish I gathered some bags of riddled compost together as Caroline had asked me to supply 8 carrier bags full, and I'd agreed to deliver as I was heading for the station this morning. So that was my first stop, and she was generous with £20 for 8 bags.
My next appointment was with the 11.35 from Manchester; Janie was visiting, and I suggested she bring her bike so we could explore more easily. We cycled through the city and ended up at St Nicks which I think was a bit of a revelation for her, and it was good to see Jean at work on her 'square foot garden' and to show Janie the different foodplants growing there. Then home and Janie met Gill and the boys, and then helped me down the garden, mainly doing some riddling of several sacks of compost. But although I could have spent all day down the garden, I thought that Janie might get bored, and anyway, I wanted to show her Country Fresh and Alligator before they closed. So after a coffee we set off to visit these two shops, and I had a laugh with Shirley at the first place and then Cherry at Alligator. Cherry recounted an old tale of her as a child tormenting me at the Buddhist Centre, nicking my circus equipment and winding me up. Funny, I don't remember, I find that the majority of children are perfectly OK, and I think I deal with them without getting too worked up!
Anyway, we wheeled down to the Millennium Bridge and stopped a while there in the rain, but then headed for the Cafe in Rowntree Park and sheltered there for a bit, chatting.
Then it was time to go to the station and send her back to Manchester..... what a nice friendly day, good to spend this time with her.
I came home and cooked a home-grown courgette and a thrown away pepper to have with a pastie Gill had bought for my tea.
Where do you find decor inspiration? People ask me where I get inspiration. I don't know the answer to that. I guess from the game of life. You?
The other day I was at Tuesday Morning, and I was inspired by the packaging on a Bentley's tea cannister. It was a glossy, pale teal blue, with black and white classic type writer setting, white embellishments, and a gold crown. So cute!
Today, it rained and it poured. And metaphorically, my shopping jaunts were filled with amazing things all over me. Lucite, over the top large mid-century light fixtures, and old shelving recovered from Riverside Inn {locals and some of the elite alike know this place well}.
So, now that I've emptied my pockets for all these goods, I guess you could say "Now that the house reigns, it's pockets are really poor."
I hope you'll enjoy your week and hopefully enjoy my a.d.h.d posts.
{images via kelly wearstler, and marcel wanders}
xo
sharon
1. WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL??
2. IT'S A PRIVATE CLUB (sort of).
Most gift markets are wholesale (meaning items are sold to other retailers, not general consumers) and therefore not open to the public. Entrance is only granted to established businesses, and a guest pass can be purchased by a business for an additional $50. Attendees are expected to wear badges at all times and identification must be visible upon entering the building, so it's not the kind of place where you can just plan to mix in with the crowd--security is tight and ever present. Unfortunately, attending Market is not as simple as providing a business license for entry; AmericasMart requires all of the following to register:
- Current retail business license or federal resale tax certificate
- Imprinted business check
- Corporate credit card or proof of merchant credit card ID #
- Photo ID or passport (one per buyer)
- Personalized business ID (business card or cancelled payroll check) – One per buyer required
- Internet businesses must provide proof of search engine with website and proof of URL registration
Plus one of these:
- White or yellow page business phone listing
- Current year executed sales tax return or sales tax coupon book
- Lease agreement for commercial space
- Photo of retail store front with company signage clearly displayed
- Current invoices showing you purchase Mart related merchandise in quantity for resale
Definitely serious business.
Because Market is technically for wholesalers, every showroom has an established minimum purchase requirement (or "open"/"opening"). Depending on the company/showroom, minimums can go as low as $500 (and maybe lower for certain goods) and as high as $3,000-$5,000. Higher-end showrooms set high minimums as a means of increasing demand and ensuring that their products lines don't become oversaturated in the marketplace. Most showrooms also have minimum purchase quantities on smaller items, meaning you can't buy just one of that cute little ginger jar you had your heart set on. These rules often keep the average consumer at bay, because there aren't too many non-retailers that would want to buy a lot of 75 iPhone cases or 25 Mother-of-Pearl jewelry boxes.
- Current year executed sales tax return or sales tax coupon book
- Lease agreement for commercial space
- Photo of retail store front with company signage clearly displayed
- Current invoices showing you purchase Mart related merchandise in quantity for resale
Definitely serious business.
3. YOU HAVE TO PAY TO PLAY.
Because Market is technically for wholesalers, every showroom has an established minimum purchase requirement (or "open"/"opening"). Depending on the company/showroom, minimums can go as low as $500 (and maybe lower for certain goods) and as high as $3,000-$5,000. Higher-end showrooms set high minimums as a means of increasing demand and ensuring that their products lines don't become oversaturated in the marketplace. Most showrooms also have minimum purchase quantities on smaller items, meaning you can't buy just one of that cute little ginger jar you had your heart set on. These rules often keep the average consumer at bay, because there aren't too many non-retailers that would want to buy a lot of 75 iPhone cases or 25 Mother-of-Pearl jewelry boxes.
4. TRENDS RULE!!!
People go to Market for one of 3 reasons--to purchase items for design clients, build store inventory, or get an early peak at the trends that will be hitting the design world in as few as 4 weeks. Certain companies are known to be the Market trendsetters, and buyers flock to those showrooms to see the newest trends, as well as their fabulous displays. Want to know the trends I spotted last week? Lots of ceramic/iron animal motifs (not just owls anymore!), big infusions of fresh color featuring a lot of orange & turquoise, and an abundance of organic elements.
5. NO PHOTOGRAPHY, PLEASE.
Because Market is really about spotting the latest trends (see #4), there's fierce competition among the showrooms--everyone wants to be the manufacturer (or wholesaler) of the latest and greatest product. As such, showroom/display photography is generally not allowed. While not every showroom has a posted "no photography" sign, company reps will often ask you to put your camera away if you whip it out and start snapping away. Sometimes asking helps, sometimes not. I have a bit of personal experience with this because I was actually asked by a security guard to stop photographing a display--they don't play around! Some of the showrooms are known for scouting out their more prestigious counterparts and then copying the popular items for the next Market (lesser quality at a lower price), so it's not uncommon to see similar items on different displays. Don't be immediately fooled by the big discrepancy in price--often times it's indicative of quality.
In addition to thousands of showrooms, each Market also features dozens of seminars by well-known personalities. This year's lineup included Lifestyle Designer Eddie Ross, Potter & Interior Designer Jonathan Adler, renowned Interior Designer Suzanne Kasler, Chef Tyler Florence, and Brand Strategist Olivier Blanchard. The seminars are a great way to round out your Market experience and promise to add to your repertoire, whatever your interests! In a nutshell, I'd describe the Atlanta Gift/Home Furnishings Market as one of the best places to go to spot the newest trends and color palettes for the upcoming season.
For those of you who attended, what were your thoughts??
People go to Market for one of 3 reasons--to purchase items for design clients, build store inventory, or get an early peak at the trends that will be hitting the design world in as few as 4 weeks. Certain companies are known to be the Market trendsetters, and buyers flock to those showrooms to see the newest trends, as well as their fabulous displays. Want to know the trends I spotted last week? Lots of ceramic/iron animal motifs (not just owls anymore!), big infusions of fresh color featuring a lot of orange & turquoise, and an abundance of organic elements.
5. NO PHOTOGRAPHY, PLEASE.
Because Market is really about spotting the latest trends (see #4), there's fierce competition among the showrooms--everyone wants to be the manufacturer (or wholesaler) of the latest and greatest product. As such, showroom/display photography is generally not allowed. While not every showroom has a posted "no photography" sign, company reps will often ask you to put your camera away if you whip it out and start snapping away. Sometimes asking helps, sometimes not. I have a bit of personal experience with this because I was actually asked by a security guard to stop photographing a display--they don't play around! Some of the showrooms are known for scouting out their more prestigious counterparts and then copying the popular items for the next Market (lesser quality at a lower price), so it's not uncommon to see similar items on different displays. Don't be immediately fooled by the big discrepancy in price--often times it's indicative of quality.
In addition to thousands of showrooms, each Market also features dozens of seminars by well-known personalities. This year's lineup included Lifestyle Designer Eddie Ross, Potter & Interior Designer Jonathan Adler, renowned Interior Designer Suzanne Kasler, Chef Tyler Florence, and Brand Strategist Olivier Blanchard. The seminars are a great way to round out your Market experience and promise to add to your repertoire, whatever your interests! In a nutshell, I'd describe the Atlanta Gift/Home Furnishings Market as one of the best places to go to spot the newest trends and color palettes for the upcoming season.
For those of you who attended, what were your thoughts??
