Cheaper by the Dozen

Last night I went out with some friends to see a local production of Cheaper by the Dozen by Hat Trick Theatre.  Our friend Maria's husband Dan played the lead, Mr. Gilbreth and their daughters were starring as two of the dozen children in the the play.  The story was based in the 1920's and the challenges of raising teenagers, but as the Director/Producer told us in her introduction, many of the challenges we could relate to today.  (She was right!)
It was put on at an First Parish Church on the top of the hill in the center of town.  There was no air conditioning, but our programs made a nice fan!  

They had wine and cheese and crackers which was a nice treat.  It was a full house!

 The cast did such a great job!  It was thoroughly entertaining.  I even had tears in my eyes at the end.  

The story line was very endearing.  It made me miss my dad with some of Mr. Gilbreth's old fashioned ways and when he said, "By Jingo!"

Check out what is playing in your local area.  

It is a great way to spend an evening with family and friends and support the great talent that is right in your neighborhood : )

http://www.hattricktheatre.net/index.htm

Plymouth Farmer's Market : )

Today I met up with my friend Sue to pick up the furniture from the Flea Market that wouldn't fit in her car yesterday!  

After we picked up her tables we popped over to the Plymouth Farmer's Market.

I love connecting to the people who sell their wares.  

It makes it so personal knowing who's chickens laid the eggs for your organic omelet, who's bees made your honey, cutting lavender from your patio purchased by a local gardener or knitting a scarf knowing the farmer who spun and dyed the wool.  : )

Queen Bee Honey Products-Pembroke MA
http://www.queenbeehoney.com/Retail_Location.htm
My friend Sue bought this Bee Pollen for me.  The sales girl said to sprinkle it on yogurt, cereal, put in shakes....it is said to give your energy!  I will let you know!  : )
They also sell delicious honey...my favorite is the lavender honey!

I bought my eggs and yarn from West Elm Farm which is also in Pembroke.
The farmer who sold me the eggs also spun the wool from his sheep on his farm.
Meeting him and seeing his beautiful yarns inspired me to take out my knitting needles again. : )

http://westelmfarm.com/

There was a girl singing in the tent down by the ocean... : )

http://plymouthfarmersmarket.org/

Up at the crack of dawn....

My friend Sue and I met up this morning to go to the Sandwich Flea Market which opened at 6:30 am!

Getting up that early to go on our treasure hunt reminded me of when I was young and sleeping over my sisters to go out very early on a weekend morning to go to yard sales...
You get there bright and early while all the good stuff is still there and by 9:30 am you feel like you have already had a productive day!  : )

Sue filled up her car with lots of furniture to refinish while I poked around seeing what struck my fancy...

 I stumbled upon a toy (plastic) featherweight which is battery operated and is working condition.  It has a little matching sewing box.

I had a beloved table refinished years ago, but it came back to me without the wheels on the legs.
I was so happy to find this interesting Gilette box with my lost wheels.
: )

I also stumbled upon 2 small gifts for the family....one for a poet/teacher who uses an old typewriter : )
and one is a music lover that loves to listen to '78's.

A cute collectable pencil sharpener....

A take on the RCA dog....a piggy bank that could second as a doorstop.

It was a great way to start the day with breakfast at Marshlands to top it off!
: )

Embrace the day

This is a new chapter in my life...an unemployed one as of today.  

While cleaning out my work space a few weeks back, I got a call for an interview for a new job for the following week.  I felt confident (maybe a bit too confident) that I would be a good match for the job.  So, as I walked out of my workspace that I have held dear and turned out the lights, 

(I kind of felt like Mary Tyler Moore in her last episode), 

I felt as if I had a bridge to walk on until the next week's job interview.

Needless to say, I did not get the job.  I found out early Monday morning...so on Tuesday, after a day of tears and wondering what I could have done differently, I woke up to a new attitude, a clean slate in life, a wondering of what the world had in store for me....

by Thursday morning....shear panic!  Oh My Gosh...I do not have a job!!!

Since then...(last week) I am trying to embrace the day.  

Each day has a lot to offer in showing me what I am meant to do next if I just trust and pay attention.  

I have a list a mile long of things that make me panic inside...but, I am paying attention as,
 to the self talk I have going on in my head....
(lots of negativity I must say)...

and am learning to turn those things around to be positive and patient.

  So, this morning, to treat myself,  I went for a walk downtown Plymouth and at Brewster Gardens.  I went to antique shops and craft sales and watched people out on their boats.  

Today I am learning to embrace the day.

Today what I learned is even when we are so fortunate to live where we live, to have people in our lives that we love and who love us, sometimes we get so wrapped up in what is going on inside of us that we don't enjoy it or realize how blessed we truly are.
A whole day could be wasted in worry, but that same day could be spent trying to figure things out while enjoying what is there
to be embraced...if we become present enough to notice.  : )

Inspirational : )

My shiny kitchen sink and Paris : )

Due to my feeling a bit overwhelmed with life changes lately, I was referred to "The Fly Lady" at http://www.flylady.net/pages/welcome_main.asp.

  What I loved about her and her site was she had the word CHAOS which she said stands for "Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome"  Bingo!!  That is how I feel!!

  So, starting with baby step # 1 clean you dishes and shine your sink, I dug in.  

(I realize, if you have read my blog before and are now thinking, "I have heard this all before....this Lizzy is on this eternal quest to get organized")....Yes...it is true.  It is as if I keep falling off the clutter wagon and am looking for the program that will help me get back on...but for today, if you suffer like me, : ) The Fly Lady is worth checking out! : )

So, I did all my dishes....(broken dishwasher) and shined up my sink...

and then headed off to the movies!  I saw "Midnight in Paris" at the Cape Cinema.
   http://www.capecinema.com/

I got there just as it was about to begin...got my hot coffee and oatmeal cookie and was told that there was a balcony that I could go up onto since many of the seats were taken on the main floor.  It was a perfect place to sit with not many people up there and no one to get in your way of vision.... 

I liked the movie and the ambiance of the theater so much I stayed for the second showing of it!  This time with a cup of coffee and dark chocolate raisinettes.  (sp?)  Great movie...some of the characters were over my head but it was so clever and I loved the sites of Paris : )

If you love classic literature and Paris,  you will love it too : )

Happy Father's Day!

I have a very special heart stone in my garden that was given to me by my friend Sue and her son Danny after my father had passed away.  

I keep it tucked in the corner of my garden.  Last year my neighbors were weeding out their perennials and asked if I would like some.  I transplanted a rose bush that looked like sticks with roots but hoped for the best.  The other morning, my last day of work, I walked out on to my patio to see that the roses were in full bloom and later in the day, they cast a shadow on my special heart.   

A message from Dad saying, "I'm here, don't worry, it will all work out."  : )

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

"The roses have gone by.  We had 3 of them.........beautiful"

James Wheeler

The garden has lots of roses for you this summer Dad...

Happy Father's Day!

I love and miss you, xxoo

Liz

Happy Memorial Day!

I love this photograph taken by my friend Tom Rourke.

I feel it says so much.

On this unofficial opening day of summer, let us remember those who served, those who lost their lives serving and those who are currently serving and their families who keep it all together while their loved ones are away.

As I was reminded at a beautiful ceremony at my school on Friday, honoring 2 young men from it's town, who lost their lives serving our Country, 

"Freedom is not free."  

God Bless those who make freedom possible.

Life to date....

Saying goodbye to a school I will always hold dear  : )

Getting all my ducks in a row for the next chapter...
putting our condo on the market.

I was too embarrassed to take "before" pictures of all the boxes in this room from our attic.  My son's friend thought maybe he could earn his upcoming Eagle Scout Award cleaning out our home.  

(He was just kidding but that is how bad it looked!  : )

Much cozier now!

Sometimes all I need is some good advice and a hot cup of chai (Starbuck's) when I start to feel overwhelmed.

(Wonderful book by Daphne Rose Kingma)

...and dinner with my brother and his wife while my son and his friends enjoy a day at Six Flags.

(Payback for helpng me get all those boxes out of the attic, redeeming over 500 cans (from our neighbor) which were stored in our outside closet, and for helping with the trips to Catholic Charities  : )

Now onto the hallway and our bedrooms and maybe a catnap.  

: )

I believe : )

Video from You Tube uploaded by Habitation Tracy

"Iron Swirls" by elizabeth steele

With a vintage suitcase and a floral carry-on bag.  A short waisted coat and a belted dress.  Looking up at the hotel as the cab driver pulls away...

taking it all in.

 The concierge looks up my reservation and refers to me as "Miss".  He gives me my door pass and points towards the elevator while giving me directions in his thick French accent.  

Inside the elevator, (which is gold and brown and elegant),  I watch as the numbers light up, one by one, above the double doors and then watch it stop at number 5.  

Down the hall I go, with my suitcase and carry on and a skip in my step.

I place the key card in the slot, and push the handle down.

The room says hello with the coziest of fashions.

 A flower duvet on the double bed.  The matching pillowcases cover down pillows which are fluffed against the white wainscoted headrest.

A china cup and saucer are thoughtfully placed with a small vase of pansies on the night stand.

The cream frosted lamp is lit, giving the room the loveliest softest hue. 

 Rod iron swirls of the balcony await, as the  sheer curtain lifts in the breeze against the gorgeous glass doors.

A writing desk and softly upholstered chair beckons to come to sit and write.

Something I hope to do lots of while here.

I plop down onto the bed, carefully remove my heels and take a long, deep breath.

Paris.

I knew someday I'd be here.

Happy Birthday to my Uber-Creative Sister!

 Here's a postage size picture of us

but a BIG Happy Birthday wish!!

In need of a shot of sparkle : )

I have been advised that having a sacred space will help me to relax and get into my zen place.  Whenever I get the chance, I take a drive and park to look out to what I have found to be my zen place.

The water was just so beautiful this morning (minus the blurry spot on my camera lens : (

So sparkly!  

The sunlight was dancing so quickly it felt like my eyes were getting a workout trying to capture all of the sparkles.

Now...On to my list of To-Do's : )

Choosing to embrace the unknown....

I have had the pleasure of working at a school that I have truly loved for the past 2 years.

Due to budget cuts my position will no longer be there for next year.  

I am heartbroken....

but so grateful and a better teacher for having the privilege of working at such a wonderful school with such supportive administrators, hard working teachers and creative and fun-loving students.

I have learned over these past few years when the unknown looms overhead,  I am so much better knowing what my options and choices are.

I asked on Friday what my fate was.
They planned on breaking the news on Monday...

but as I explained when I asked,
I am not good at the fork in the road. 

I am so much better knowing.

So this weekend as I get all my ducks in a row in my search for something that feels like home, fits like a hand in a glove or a mitten...or for now, even just a comfy knit cuff will do : )
I must remember that things always work out....

it is just this space in between that can feel a little unnerving

but today.....

I am casting my line out, taking things slow and steady, and choosing to embrace the unknown.

Changes...

Mary Engelbreit puts it best : )

Happy Tuesday!

Busy day...late dinner...but I thought I'd at least make it interesting : )

Changes...

Last night I went out with my friend Sue to talk about some possible big changes coming my way...then this morning I found this song entitled, "Frame The Clouds" by Christina Wells featuring Sara Groves (who Sue and I had the pleasure of hearing this past summer)   

  I thought the lyrics fit perfectly with how I felt last night trying to sort out my life...which is like trying to frame the clouds : ) with my good friend sitting across from me listening...

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_2097310

Thank you Sue!  : )

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

I won a pair of Converse sneakers on a talk radio show and I was so happy to see that they were green when I opened the box!  Today was the first day I wore them to school in honor of Saint Patrick's Day!  My students loved them and I felt right in style with my middle school students!

We baked loaves and loaves of Irish Soda Bread to the sound of all the Irish music I could find (that were not pub drinking songs)!!  It took me hours last night to sift through the Irish selection on Itunes hoping all the while they would enjoy listening to songs about the Emerald Isle  : )   I knew I was successful though when a periodically throughout the day students in their kitchens broke out into a jig!

It was a good day had by all....I only wish I had planned ahead and had a corn-beef dinner waiting at home for me in the crock-pot!  Next year for sure!  : )

P.S.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER PATRICK!!

Who is happily celebrating his special day in Ireland today!

February Vacation snippets...

This vacation I am trying to take moments to rejuvenate my creative spirit and take mini vacations wherever I can find them... 

Several years now, on our way home from visiting our family in Vermont, (which was a very nice visit by the way : ) we come to this intersection in Brattleboro in which this store called Dragonfly stands.  I quickly try to take in all that I imagine is inside.  I am immediately taken by the Emma Bridgewater cups in the window.  We tried once before to stop but found parking difficult.  But this time, on our way home, we managed to find parking and take a step inside.

The store was very cute with such a nice selection of Emma's dishes and cups.  Honestly, I do not own any of her dishes but love them.  I remember years ago when I first saw her dishes I loved the one that said, Bubble and Squeak.  I waitressed with a girl from England who told me that was the name for leftover sausage and hash or something to that effect and that was the noise it made in the pan while heating up.  

What I do own are some tins that Emma's husband illustrated, as he illustrates all of her pottery.

Brattleboro has an Artist type walk the first Friday night of every month.  They feature different music and serve wine and cheese : )  It sounds like it would be lots of fun!

We only made it in 3 stores this visit with plans to visit 3 more our next time we are passing through.  

The Blue Blinds Bakery has been mentioned by me before but it is worth mentioning again.  It is located on North Street in Plymouth and it is such a cozy place to stop for a cup of tea or coffee.  I chose hot chai with pumpkin pie.  It was delicious.  The murals around the bakery are incredible depicting the history of the Plimoth (as it was once spelled).  The bakery also has a fireplace which really adds to the ambiance, but there were people sitting in front of it so I didn't want to disturb them : )

 Across the street form where I was sitting is a wonderful old bookshop.  It is chock full of all kinds of books and down in one corner I found a box of old "78's.  I called my brother to see if there was anything he would be interested in for his victrola and we took a chance on this one.  Looking forward to hearing it on a future family visit : )

I hope you too are finding time for mini vacations that bring you inspiration and respite : )