Beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes with adorable items among the rocks.  The sailboat adds a whole lot in this photo.

A flower garden and window boxes show off the loveliness of the area and

the flowers speak volumes to the whole scene.

We dined alfresco on the canopy deck with Mary Jo and Michael and boy every bite was simply delicious.    It's so good to see her parents as much of a treat as the lunch.   The cheeseburger tasted outstanding along with potato salad, corn salad and a drink like I've never had before.   It all was a real treat...as usual.

Upon leaving I once again notice the fish sculpture.   It really is my favorite thing  ever as the water in the background speaks volumes.   Thanks you guys as Leon and I enjoyed every minute of being with you.

Our Garden Club met for lunch on Thursday and each of us wore a favorite hat.   There were some really creative people in the crowd showing off their garden gifts!

Some with actual flowers attached, changing a simple white hat into a spectacular display of color.   Very creative.

I'm sure they came out of Marilyn's garden
​and a toast made it all the more grand.

Some of the hats even matched the art work which I thought
​was all the more glorious.

There, in a basket, sat ribbon wine glass tags which you were to write your name on.   That way when we placed our drink down we would know which one to pick up among the others sitting there.    Now just how creative is that?

Mary and I sat outside in our black and white attire.   Both happy to be enjoying a fabulous day together.    It happened to be quite a successful gathering
​with smiles and laughter all over the place.   

Oh, yes - the flowers throughout the yard were something to talk about.   All so neatly arranged and downright enchanting.   What another great Garden Club day!

While looking through movie choices on the TV we ran across "Ladies in Lavender" that came out in 2005.   It's playing on Amazon Prime and it stars Maggie Smith and Judi Dench so you know it's a good film choice.   They are sisters sharing a cozy little cottage on the Cornwall coast.     "Their days are spent gardening and having tea, their evenings are spent knitting and the wireless, until one dark and stormy night, a strange young man is washed up on their shore".

Andrea Marowski is quite handsome, very sweet and speaks hardly any English.   While taking care of him they want to discover how he was found in the sea.   There is no word about a shipwreck.   While getting back to normal they start communicating with him and discover he is Polish
​and find out he can play the violin.

In steps Olga Danilof, a landscape painter who speaks German and begins to talk with Andrea, developing a friendship.   Olga "possesses the key to Andrea's fate.

Leon and I both felt the conversational whit between the two sisters makes the film deliciously entertaining.    It's a pleasure to watch them together.   The film is only
 1 hour and 43 minutes and a pure delight to watch in one evening.    
Hope you too enjoy it as much as we did!

Reminiscing...

How many of you remember this event at the Bausch house in the summer of 2014?

A 45 record was sent out to everyone displaying the information of the event.

With a wild, Kevin Ouellette, the disc jockey
​ in attendance, playing that music

and people dancing on the lawn, dining on a whole bunch of goodies, landing in a photo booth with pictures to take home and... 

helping Leon make pizza!

What about the cake that Trish made to help celebrate the day.  
Pretty wonderful, I'd say!

Do you remember?    It's a party I will never forget!
Reminiscing

We attended a PAWS fundraiser yesterday and this gentlemen played the most lovely music ever.   I could have sat there and listened to him all afternoon.

The event was held at Diana and Bob's and

those in attendance did not go without tasting the treats, which I love because they  might land on our table when having guests over.

A pleasant view of the water from their deck enhanced the
conversation and catching up with others.    
​Dogs and cats were being discussed.

Speaking of dogs, Kellie welcomed us and acted so mature and loving.  
​Made this whole gathering worth it.

 We used to take Bentley to PAWS and got the greatest of help.   If you like these darlings come and volunteer.    They are always looking for people ready to give of their time.    You might even add another animal to your household.  
A PAWS place is open on John Street in Camden.   Contact them at peteypaws@pawsadoption.org or  give them a shout at 207-236-8702.    I think you will be surprised at all they do to help these dogs and cats in a loving environment.

Lucca!   Our favorite place to visit in Italy.    We did not go this year, but Maine friends did - and bought us a treat back

from our favorite store over there - Cavalsani's!     We were excited that they got to see Diana (the owner) and talk with her, wishing that I was the one visiting with her.    Look at that wide variety of luscious and savory sweets.   

It did not take us long to eat the contents of that tin.   JoAnn and Bill, you are such dear friends.   Bringing back a treasure from Lucca.   And, Diana, you never know when we will surprise you and walk in your candy store for that 
​special hug we always get.    

To Beth's once again!!   I leisurely walked around the other side of Beth's Market and found swings  and picnic tables for people to sit and enjoy themselves while eating that delicious bit of sunshine served from inside the market.    
Just a lovely, peaceful area to sit.

I also noticed some flowers attached to this tree stump.  Perfect for kids to sit and dive into that strawberry shortcake.  

Michelle was inside buying carrots and blueberries and sweet corn
​while I moseyed around  

taking yet another look at those drop-dead, splendidly gorgeous flowers.    I know we will be taking another trip to Beth's later this week because I forgot to pick up the tasty sweet corn.    It's always a perfect day when we visit Beth's!

Wonder what Leon is thinking about while holding his dinner at Jon and Helen's
last night on a Sunday evening .

For I was eager to dive into that delicious cheese burger that Jon put on the grill.   It tasted out of this world and every bite gave us what became a perfect meal.

Helen appeared with the carrot dish filled with pickles.   How delish they tasted.   It became visible that this warm evening was meant to be together with loved ones over  remarkable eatings.    All were extremely content and very happy while eating away and sharing their one very favorite movie.   Mine was:  The Dirty Dozen.
What's yours?

This picture is what the back of the garden looks like - A MESS!

So our friend Scott bought over his big CAT and went to work.

I'm not sure what Leon is smiling about as the back area of the house is getting torn to bits - with rocks coming out of the ground.

Where does that excavator put all of that rubbish and cuttings and branches?
Tucked away behind the bushes, that's where.   There appeared a huge wasp nest in the ground that came buzzing out ​the last time we tried to DIG!

Here sits the finished job.

Leon and Spencer begin cleaning up loose twigs.    Took that huge CAT only 45 minutes to clear it all out.   Next comes two maple trees, a couple evergreens, and a patio with furniture we already have to place on it.     Scattered wild flowers all be tossed around deck.    

Steps got put in while Marty was here.    Leon has to be busy!    

Grade stakes have been placed in the dirt  to level off where the patio will exist. 

Wild flowers will be blooming after black dirt is applied and that rock will tower over those plantings.     Can't wait to get those maple trees put in.
​FALL is coming quickly!

Michelle and I attended the Camden Garden Club tour and visited some pretty fabulous homes.   On our first stop we found an oil painter, busily creating a scene from one of the houses.   Pretty magnificent.

The flowers existed right there by the water with patio chairs awaiting.   It certainly was a perfect setting for such a gorgeous land of lovely plants.   We just stood there staring at the beauty that existed.

On we go to another spectacular setting.   These gardens were filled with loveliness all the way around the large house and yard.  

Remember those TV pieces that are shared where we are touching the sunshine or holding onto a huge bridge - when we aren't?   If her hand was a little lower she would be touching those plants.   A grand way to enjoy the day!

The inside of this house was filled with paintings!   Very old and lots of portraits to admire from way back when.    

Huge or small, these rocks made a statement.   Gave me some ideas on what to do with many boulders left after building our house.     

It's always fun to go on this tour of gardens.   I come home thinking about some new ideas or look at what flowers or trees that would enhance our yard.  
Thoughts of it become "nature's gift" for all to see.