Sunshine Awards~

The lovely Jeanne at the delightful and stylish blog Collageforlife
presented me with this sweet Sunshine award.
I adore Jeanne's blog~always fascinating, always inspiring and always like a visit with a good friend. She has fabulous taste and always knows how to pique our interest.
~*~
Now I will pass this award on to 12 bloggers that bring sunshine to my day.

{Only 12? This is not easy, as all of the blogs I visit bring sunshine to my day...}

Joyce @ A Perfect Beginning

Anne @ Annechovie

Karen @ Art by Karena

Ina @ Ina in Alaska

Prairie Girl @ Prairiegirlstudio

Kathy @ West Family Adventures

Rules

1~ Thank the giver.

2~ Choose 12 blogs that bring you Sunshine.

3~ The proud new owners of the Sunshine award are to pass it on to 12 others.

Thank you to these 6 wonderful blogs that always bring Sunshine to my days.

~*~

My timer is telling me to get back to the drawing table, so I will add the 6 remaining Sunshine awards a little later this week.

~Thank you Jeanne~

Comfortable in one's skin~

"The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but~ of course, society demands something more than this."

~Mark Twain

Images:

The Gap

google

J.Crew

Bathroom or Boardroom?

I like this bathroom, or is it a boardroom? In addition to the bench at the dressing table-there are three chairs.

Do you think that the lady of this bath holds meetings in here? Chin deep in bubbles, giving out daily assignments or listening to the progress of a future publication...

I like the idea of a small, comfy chair in the bath~ sitting right next to a small fireplace would make me really happy!

How about you? Do you have a chair in your bath?

Such mindless ramblings for a lazy Saturday morning~ that's what I love about weekends.

image: House Beautiful

Coming to Portland, Maine

~ The Portland Museum of Art ~

Portland, Maine

There are so many reasons to visit this fabulous city.

~ The waterfront

~ The art galleries

~The shopping

~Some of the best dining in the northeast

~The Portland Museum of Art

~Downtown Portland~

~The Old Port~

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... and things about about to get a whole lot better!



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Serious rumor has it that Trader Joe's has leased space right near...

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~Whole Foods~


It will be interesting to see what, if any effect the two will have on each other. I'm betting both will do just fine.


The distance between my home and Portland is about to get a whole lot shorter.

Images:

Portland Museum of Art

Hay Gallery

Portlandmainedaily .com

visitingnewengland.com

nshoremag.com

wikimedia.org

Spring ahead~

~Spring Ahead~

Saturday night when I go to bed I must remember to set my clocks ahead. If I forget, I am completely out of whack on Sunday. There's something about forgetting and needing to set the clocks in the morning- I'm all tangled up for the day.

So, I am leaving little reminders here and there so I don't forget.

I think that both of the time changes has it's own appeal according to that season. In the fall when we turn our clocks back, I'm always ready for earlier evenings. I light a few candles, turn on the candle lights in the windows, I start making hearty soups and enjoy evening fires. The holidays are ahead of us and there is a coziness about settling in for the fall and winter months to come.

~*~

Mother Nature prepares us nicely for this change- the one that will deliver longer days.

This is the time of year when you may plan an early dinner so you can take advantage of the extended daylight.

In our area of the northeast we've had a pretty mild winter. Not nearly the amount of snow that we've had in recent years and lately the daytime temperatures have been above normal.

Still, we welcome these time changes.

The ice on the lake is thin and it's fun to anticipate the date of 'ice-out'~

~*~

I think the Loons will be headed back soon.

Image:

Countryliving

Cycling Challenge

~My new bike~

The Pure Deluxe Lowstep

For some time I have wanted a new bike. Nothing fancy, just a comfortable bike for pleasure riding. I don't want to climb mountains, or go on a three day trek. I want to ride for exercise, mixing things up a little from the usual workouts.

A few weeks ago I ordered this little sweetie after she came very highly recommended.

First of all the pedals are positioned slightly forward, so when you stop they aren't in your way and both feet can be grounded securely.

The seat is very comfortable which is a must for women. The handle bars are higher, making this bike very comfortable to ride - no pressure on your back and neck.
And it's light ~ light enough so I can easily lift it, no problem.

This bike is a 3-speed, which is all I want. It also has foot and hand brakes.

I chose the creamy yellow and the bike shop thought a wicker basket in front was the perfect addition to it's already swanky but slightly retro styling.

If you're thinking about a bike, I urge you to check out Trek's site.

~*~

Sande over at A Gift Wrapped Life has opened up a cycling

challenge that is right up my alley!

She's making herself accountable to us! And I'm going to join in.

If you're looking for a fun way to mix up your exercise and want to get into your 'zone' then head on over to Sande's blog.

March will be tricky, we could get snow any day and living along the lake, the winds can be bone chilling. But just as soon as my bike is fitted and ready I'll be out there, right in back of Sande.

Would you like to come along?

Stop by A Gift Wrapped Life for all of the fun details.

This sweet lady had done for gift wrapping what the Food Channel has done for cooking!

She has a lovely blog that is beautifully gift wrapped.

Image:

Trek

Scent of Spring~

As I came downstairs yesterday morning there was the slightest sweet scent in the air.

I knew immediately~

Spring was really on her way~

The morning's light was different, the way the sun looks when there is a change in the season.

I opened my jacket on my morning walk and the breeze coming off the lake was refreshing, not at all cold.

~*~

And I know, that even if we were to get a lingering snowfall, it won't last.

Yes~ those first precious moments of spring arrived here Monday morning.

Image: My own