Sturbridge Village

When I travel up to Brimfield for the Antiques Fair, I always stay in Sturbridge Massachusetts. Brimfield is very small and only has a few B&B's that fill up quickly. Sturbridge is very close and has quite a few hotels to choose from. ( plus lots of places to eat :)

This trip I decided I wanted to take a break from shopping one day to check out Old Sturbridge Village. I had never been, or so I thought as I somehow do not remember our family trip there when I was young ;)

I thought it would be fun. Spend a couple hours there, maybe go back to the hotel for a swim then maybe a movie..... No sir. It takes the whole day. I was so much bigger than I thought.

Living on the East coast I have been to my fair share of Colonial villages and such. Sturbridge Village is one of the best.

The people who work here are so nice and I learned something from every one of them. They have broom makers....

Stage coaches....

Oxen.... (how beautiful are they!!!)

Beautiful old houses and gardens......

Potters.....

A glimpse into daily life on a small homestead with actors you can interact with......

A saw mill... (and a Grist mill and a Carding mill)

Horse drawn cart rides....

Tin Smiths, Shoemakers, Gardening demonstrations, an old time general store, boat rides and lots of activities for kids.

I highly recommend a trip :)



Happy Travels,
♥jenny

Brimfield Antique Show 2013

As usual, my blogging has been infrequent since the warm weather arrived.  We have been busy, busy beavers over here..... lots and lots of garden projects that I will post at a later date :)

We did take a break a few weeks ago to attend the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts. It is a gigantic Antique show that runs along a mile of road and has around 6,000 dealers ;)


On the way up, we stopped at Louis' Lunch. Birthplace of the hamburger. We attempted to stop last year but neglected to notice they are closed on Mondays ;)

It's a teeny tiny place and it gets pretty crowded so I would recommend going when they first open. It is in the original historic building that was moved in the 70's to save it from demolition.

The inside is cozy and full of history with walls and tables covered in many decades worth patron's initials carved into the wood.

Their claim to fame is the little upright original cast iron stoves that they cook your burger in.

And let me tell you.... the burgers are FANTASTIC!

Another happy customer!!!

The next morning I was up bright and early and READY TO SHOP!!!!!

Even the Mr. found himself a super fantastic cowboy hat :)

Oh, lovely mermaid. I wanted her oh so badly but could not bring myself to spend $250.

 I am in love with these giant umbrellas.... how cool would that be to have in your backyard!!

As usual I had a fantastic time. I even got to watch them film Flea Market Flip :)

I didn't get anything big. Just a bunch of small stuff.... I realized I am developing  cooler/ thermos problem....... ;)

How cut is that toy mixer!!! I could just die. I had to have it :)

Happy Hunting!

♥jenny

Big ol' Dogwood Transplant

When we bought our new house last year we knew that the big dogwood the previous owner planted right up against the house would have to go or get moved.

We missed the window of opportunity last year to move it, so it was top priority this year. Even though we are going to be putting a patio where we are taking the tree from, it would still need to be moved. Since it was planted so close to the house it is only half a tree and whenever we get a big snowstorm it's branches end up on the ground.

I knew it was a big tree, but somehow I totally underestimated how long it would take. I thought we would move this tree, the large bush next to it and possibly another bush that day..... it ended up taking 8 hours start to finish ;)

   I always have dreams of grandeur when doing home improvement projects.........

The Mister dug it up (6 hours work) A couple of our friends came by to help us move it across the property. (thank god) I had thought we could handle it ourselves but after it was dug up I realized I was very mistaken ;) We used a ramp to get it out of the hole and on a tarp and used the tarp to drag it across the yard.

 This felt so comical that I wished I had asked someone else over just to film it...... When we got to he hole the first guy went in and we all piled u p like a 3rd grade tug o' war ;)

 This is the hole where the tree once stood. Phase .5 of the patio project.

And here she stands now......

All that's left to do is keep watering and cross my fingers. Oh yeah, she needs a little pruning to encourage root growth.

I hope she does ok, it just kills me to cut anything down. I even saved the little azalea and wild rose that were growing in front of it :)

With a bit of time and energy you can move almost anything. Most design shows love to just cut down everything and start new, that's easy. It is harder to reuse what you have and make a bore beautiful and productive garden, but I think it is so much more creative and rewarding. I am always so proud of the plants and trees I have saved and given better homes. I get to watch them flourish instead of becoming compost :)

Happy gardening,

♥jenny

Best Breakfast Ever.....

I don't remember where I saw this recipe but it's so easy I don't have to....

You can make a pita from scratch or use a store bought like I did.

Heat some olive oil in a pan and heat up your pita on both sides.
Mash up some avocado and use it plain or mix in some cilantro and lime juice.
Spread the avocado mix on your toasted pita.
Fry up a couple eggs any way you like and top off your masterpiece ;)



Ohhhhh..... it's so awesome. and simple! My new favorite :)

happy cooking,
♥jenny

A Couple Little Projects.....

I am wrapping up a re-vamp of our guest bathroom which I am hoping to post about very soon. So, until then I have a couple mini projects :)

The Mister made me this table while I was away for work a couple months ago.

We have had the wood forever. He brought it home from work ages ago. I knew we wold use it for something, I just was never inspired.

Then he found the legs in the dumpster and we both knew what we could use them for :)

It was a simple project, he just used a furniture oil. No stain or clear coat, I wanted to keep the wood natural. Then just attaching the legs. Easy cheezy :)

Next was finishing up a little organizational spot for the Mister to keep his boots and work clothes when he comes in. We had started this during the hurricane, but never finished.

The cabinet came out of the garbage. I might paint it, I might not. I will decide after I paint the basement walls. the trunk is the Mister's from when he was little. And now I just need a rug to finish it off :)

I got the wire bike baskets at an estate sale. I think they are perfect for wet gloves and such.

I mounted them on a piece of old barn wood we had laying around and added some random knobs and a hook we had laying around. I love when I can make a project out of things I already have!


I also found a spot for my vintage laundry rack that I got at Brimfield Antique Fair last year.

 Yay! it's the perfect spot for the Mister's clean flannels to dry ;)

Then there is a new project that wont get done till we redo the kitchen......

It belonged to my Great Aunt in-law. We cleaned it up (it was in an attic for 20+ years ) and put the legs back on.

It will need to be rebuilt to be safe and functional. That will b a job for my plumber friend we barter with. Thank god for bartering ;)


till next time.....
♥jenny

Dogs Driving!!

Just a quick one today.

Apparently I'm keeping with the animal theme from yesterday. Today I saw the most amazing thing from the New Zealand SPCA.

The Driving Dogs!

 courtesy of You Tube - The Driving Dogs

Meet Porter, The world's first driving dog!

How completely awesome is that!!! Plus, he's the cutest dog ever. Just when I think I've seen every amazing thing dogs can do, I see a new amazing thing :)

So, if your looking for a new furry best friend, head over to your local SPCA or no kill shelter and adopt. Let's give all the those furry wonders forever homes!

via: Facebook New Zealand SPCA

♥jenny

Meet the cutie - pies

 I thought now would be a good time to introduce you to my furry menagerie.....

Mr Otto man. Man about town, snuggler, lover of the ladies (even though he's neutered ;)

He does, however, have a serious Bromance with my husband's old man doggie, Kozmo. Unfortunately, Kozmo is not always feeling it :)

Then there is Tori, she likes some Kozmo time too....

She is my little old lady kitty. Happy to spend her days basking in the sun, inside and out.

My next kitty, Squirt, is elusive. Super camera shy.  I surprised my chubsy-ubsy one day while she was cleaning herself propped up in a chair ;)

This brings us to my Roxy Girl. She completes my dynamic dog duo....

I have never had a small dog before..... boy am I hooked :)  She's my number one snuggler, my doodle-bug, captain of yard patrol and my partner in crime :)

Life is just no fun without pets to share it with so go give your non human companions an extra hug from me today......

♥jenny