My Peaceful Place

There's nothing more peaceful than sitting and watching the ocean. The surf was up and the wind was blowing in York, Maine on Sunday. It was the perfect day to just relax and enjoy nature's show.

Boston Ballerinas

Today I went to the Boston Public Garden to see the Boston Ballet do a photo shoot for their upcoming production of Swan Lake.  I had such a great time photographing the ballerinas and the Swan Boats. Highlight of my week!

Parisian Haute Chocolate

Is it too early in the year to have hot chocolate? Well the temps were a bit cooler yesterday and at Haute Coffee in Concord they were offering Parisian Haute Chocolate. I could not resist!

I'm back!

I have totally neglected this blog. I am so sorry and will do better.

This is my tablescape from my Wimbledon Breakfast which was, yikes, a month ago. And yes my feet got in the way of this shot. I was standing on a chair to get an aerial view.  I love creating tablescapes for my parties. It might be my favorite part of party planning.

July Photo Challenge- Day 1

Day 1 of my July photo challenge. The subject is angle. Taken at LaQcharra Latin Grill in Melrose.

Bohemian Coffeehouse

A cute little coffee shop in Melrose. Love the tin ceilings. Only two seats inside and two tables outside. Cool funky décor and great coffee and muffins. Definitely one of my go to places.

I made it on QVC!

Ok, I should clarify that statement. My photo was shown on QVC. You can send yours in too and they might just show it. Just Like Carolyn Gracie's facebook page and when she asks for you to send a photo post it to her page. She might just choose your photo too!

Visting the Vintage Bazaar

I visited the Vintage Bazaar at Pettengill Farm today. What a picture perfect day and weekend! I loved this trolley car which was actually a food cart. Too cute!

Sunset Lighthouse Cruise

I went on a Sunset Lighthouse Cruise in Rye, New Hampshire. My sister bought me a ticket as my birthday present and the two of us took a sisters mini vacation (4 hours) yesterday. It was a fabulous evening!

I must have flowers

 

 

 

I must have flowers, always and always-   Claude Monet

Room with a view

View from my dining room this evening. After 7 PM and still daylight. Love it!

Vintage finds

Just a few of the pretties I found at Todd Farm Flea Market on Sunday morning. I have big plans for these beauties!

Linens and Lavender

I stopped by this booth at Todd Farm yesterday. I was swooning over all the lovely dish towels, table runners, and pillows filled with lavender. I had such a great time.

It's My Birthday!

It's my birthday so chocolate cake is in order. Chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse. Very decadent! My party was last night since today was our Father's Day celebration.

How does your garden grow?

 My garden is growing very nicely thank you. The dead shrubbery was pulled out and replaced by a few colorful plants. Makes all the difference in the world to our small condo garden. It's right outside my living room window so it makes me very happy.

Boston Proper

I had to meet a customer in Boston a few days ago. It was a very pretty day in the City. So glad I got to see it!

Roses and Gates

I passed by roses and gates on my way to the breakfast place this morning.

A baby shower today

A friend in Concord had a baby shower for her daughter. We had a nice luncheon, a few games and lots of presents!

Nesting on Main

I had the day off from work. Found myself in Concord, Massachusetts, shopping and eating. This is a favorite shop in town, Nesting on Main. An eclectic mix of vintage and new items. All artfully displayed. Always beautiful and charming.

It seems like all I do is drink coffee!

Yesterday's post was about a coffee shop as is today's. This is outside of the Bohemian Coffee House in Melrose. I am often on the road for my job so when I need a coffee break I try to find a local little café.

Ultimate Perk

Stopped by Ultimate Perk coffee shop in Andover today. I love to discover new local cafes. Had a delish tuna wrap and an iced coffee. Yum!

Dreaming of vacation

After work, I like to go out to the patio and read my magazines and dream about my next vacation. I have not planned anything. Yet...

Cafe Piazza Dolce

 

My sister and I went for dessert last night at Café Piazza Dolce in Winchester. It's a small place with great food and desserts. I had a sea salt caramel brownie hot from the oven. She went with the cheesecake with strawberries. A nice night out not too far from home!

Momma Robin and her Babies

So Momma Robin had her babies. At first I thought there was one, then I saw two and today there were three hungry mouths to feed. She was actually pretty clever to build her nest and take up residence in our silk flower planter.

She flies when anyone opens the backdoor and she sits on the roof gutter directly over the planter. She is a good Momma, The babies are doing well. I shot this photo through the screen door as I did not want to disturb the little family.

I've been spying...

Sneaking a photo of the Highlands neighborhood. This is where the kitties I am catsitting live. Pretty, huh?

My newest charge

I mentioned that I was catsitting. Today, I snapped a few pics to send to the kitties' momma who is vacationing in Savannah. Milo was enjoying posing in the sunshine for me.

The Arbor

I am catsitting for a Facebook friend. She has an old Victorian home and garden. I commented that I loved the arbor in her yard. She told me she got it from her neighbor for free!

In remembrance

 

 

Took this photo in Melrose outside Memorial Hall. Flags covered the front lawn in remembrance of the fallen servicemen and women. It was a touching scene.

Nosy neighbor

My childhood neighbor put her parent's house on the market and I went to the open house. Her father passed away a few years ago and her mother is in assisted living. Sad circumstances.

She (the daughter) staged the house herself and she did a great job. It all looked so clean and fresh and up to date. I know the realtor and she said she had 3 offers on the first day.  File under: nosy neighbor.

Swiss Bakers

This photo will not win any awards. I took it in a hurry because I was hungry! Enjoyed an ice coffee and tuna sandwich in a pretzel roll. Love the way they wrap their sandwiches at Swiss Bakers in Reading.

The rooftop deck

It was such a beautiful day today. My friend has a rooftop deck and after I got out of work I joined her for some snacks and seltzer.  It was great to see all the sights in town from our perfect little perch.

He's such a cuddler

That's Percy. He's my lap cat but sometimes he likes to lay next to me and get as close as he can. He'll be purring up a storm and I love it. Just had to snap a photo today.

Tea for One

Did you know I collect tea for ones? Well I do and I think this one is my favorite. Love the vibrant colors. Love it's ethnic feel. I just had to take it out of the cabinet and display it in my kitchen.

Heart-y Breakfast

Sunday breakfast at my favorite place, Aroma Café. The ending to a decadent weekend of caloric intake.  Note the shape of the strawberries, hence the title of this post.

Atlantic Sunset

A quick trip to Rockport with my sister tonight. Nothing more beautiful than the Atlantic at sunset.

A trip to South Boston

 

I had to represent my company at a homebuyer fair in South Boston. South Boston is called Southie in these parts. I rarely get to this part of the city.

 

I posted this photo on Facebook and someone said it reminded her of San Francisco. I can see that.

Great colors on the homes and they all had beautiful architectural detail.



Bird in a nest

All Winter at the condo where I live, we had a little bird (a titmouse) living above the back door lantern. I wondered if he/she would leave when we replaced the light bulb and the light shone brightly. The bird survived our harsh New England Winter and the changing of the bulb.

About a week ago, our titmouse got some company. We now have a Mama Robin who is sitting on her eggs in the planter outside the back door. I put the potted plant on the hanger about 2 years ago. The flowers are silk! Evidently it doesn't matter to Mama Robin if the plant is real or fake. My neighbor who lives upstairs said she can see the eggs in the nest.

I am anxious to see the babies when they arrive. The titmouse doesn't seem to mind sharing his/her turf either.

I'm back!!!

I know, I know, without notice I just dropped off the face of the earth. Sorry. While life is very busy, the real reason I stopped posting was because I stopped taking a photo a day.

I had a hard time taking even one photo from my phone per day. My blog was boring because I was resorting to posting the same old things. So I thought I'd take a break.

But then yesterday I got a comment from My Wells of Fancy and she liked my idea of blogging a photo a day and she wanted to do the same thing. So I figured maybe I should give it another shot!(Pun intended). And so since Spring has sprung I think it is the perfect time to start photographing the Snippets of My Life again. Check out Donna from My Wells of Fancy's new blog, Snapped This.

BTW, today's shot is of La Qchara in Melrose, Massachusetts. A fave coffee hangout of mine. I met a realtor friend for coffee this morning. Love the décor in the place. My photo certainly does not do it justice.

I am going to look at my surroundings tomorrow and take a shot at something wonderful. See you all in the evening.

Pretending to be in Europe

Bought myself a croissant at the Farmer's Market in Winchester.  Set up a little tea table and decided to pretend I was having afternoon tea in a manor house in Europe. A girl can dream can't she?

The addiction continues

These two simply refuse to give up the heated throw. They are addicted to it. Glad they are getting along and can share it. Just wish they would share it with me!

Snow in the afternoon

Another afternoon of snow. Luckily it was short lived and did not even stick. More snow predicted Monday supposedly a plowable amount. Oh joy!

Swiss Bakers

Took this photo of the door at Swiss Bakers in Reading. Don't you love the hours sign?

A little Chamber business

I photographed the Mayor's Breakfast in Melrose this morning. The event, always a favorite of the business community,  was very well attended. Lots of opportunity for candid shots. I had a great time.

Sundown you better take care

The sunset was brilliant again. Temps dropped so fast in the afternoon and the wind was howling. Even putting the trash and recycling outside was a chore with the wind chill as it was. Spring is coming, right?

Sunday Breakfast

One of my favorites for breakfast is Eggs Benedict. I decided to be a little bit good by substituting spinach for the Canadian bacon. I also had fruit instead of potatoes. I enjoyed every bite of it at Aroma Café in Reading this morning.

A Family Gathering

My cousin Colin (2nd from left) is going into the military tomorrow. The Marines to be exact. We had a gathering at my cousin Beth's house to send him off and wish

No McMansions here

 

Sometimes my job takes me to places that make me uncomfortable. I meet customers at their convenience. When I parked across from this house today, I was glad it was daytime.

Throwback Thursday and National Love Your Pet Day

It's National Love Your Pet Day and on Twitter Purina asked for photos of your cat as a kitten. Percy is the only one of my brood that I got as a true kitten. So here's one of my favorite kitten photos. He loved that little mousey and used to carry it around in his mouth. I love his little pink nose. It's still just as pink today.

Cozy by the Fire

The weather outside is a slushy mess. That slushy mess will probably freeze overnight. So glad we are indoors and cozy by the fire.

Snow fatigue

Yeah that's right. I am so over it. Sick of scraping the windshield everytime I go out, sick of stepping in slushy streets and having to wear boots, sick of looking like the Michelin Man in all my layers of clothes and waking up to the sound of the snowplow in the middle of the night. I have a bad case of snow fatigue.