What I realized doing this post is that all my stained glass pieces except one, has flowers on it. Go figure… me,… flowers.  This first one hangs in my kitchen.  I love it’s simplicity and it’s colors.  The light that streams through in the morning is cheerful even on gloomy days. 

I bought this arts and crafts styled one on ebay and unfortunately it cracked in one of the panes during shipping.  Oh well ….it adds character! 

 This green one was given to me by my neighbor.  It was in her garage covered in paint. Someone had actually painted the entire back side.  It was in sad shape.  I gladly took it off her hands though.   I am so glad I took the time to restore. it. 

 These next ones  are my short lived interest in making stained glass.

  Although I love the finished products, that art is rather tough on the fingers. 

I think I cut them more than the glass. 

~Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.  ~The Koran

The Chris Thater Memorial Bike Race took place here last weekend.  

 STOP DWI hosts the event every year to raise awareness about drunk driving and to commemorate Chris Thater who was killed by a drunk driver. 

 Recreation Park which is across the street from my house, is where it takes place.  The course winds through  several streets surrounding the park and goes directly in front of my house. 

We really look forward to it every year and always enjoy it.  This year was no exception. 

Thousands of people visit the races which take place over two days. 

 There is also a 5K run and many bands, demonstrations and food. 

 We sit on our front porch, witness the races and see many friends and neighbors.  

 There were over 140 cyclist in the pro race which took place on Sunday. The speeds at which these cyclist ride as well as the close proximity of the bikes really impresses you as the peloton blurs by. 

  It is a sight to see!

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man.  Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish.  Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.  ~Iris Murdoch

 Visit A Southern Daydreamer

G is for

Grandaughter.

G is for

Grace

ABC Wednesday

Garden Shoes Online is giving away a pair of Bogs Mattie Dahlias on September 5th

Simply become a fan

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and

click here for how to enter to win this pair of Bogs

Thanks for the Link -Attic Mag 

Last week we had several rainy days that were really needed. 

 The temperatures have been cooler and it was beginning to feel fall like way toooooo soon for me. 

It has finally stopped and they are predicting sunshine and warm weather for the next 6 days or so. 

 Whew.  I thought maybe summer had ended. 

Luckily between the raindrops,

 I was able to shoot a few pics of my flowers,

wet as they were.

They are  pretty in a different way than usual. 

Dreary weather and rain change the perspective a bit,

but there is no denying their beauty,

in any light.

 ~I am sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains.  One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, but one misses a world of loveliness.  ~Adeline Knapp

Visit MsGreen”thumb”Jean for Bloomin Tuesday Visit Macro Monday at Lisa’s Chaos   

Most people make and enjoy bruschetta from time to time 

I make it with  fresh basil, onions and tomatoes mixed with a little olive oil and spread on bread.  It is so simple.  You can add mozarella too.

We often make Chicken Spiedies which are a local creation.  Basically they’re just marinated chicken skewered and grilled, then served in a piece of Italian bread or a roll..and oh so delicious. 

We love to cook them in the summertime but to make them extra delicious, I top chicken spiedie sandwiches with bruschetta.  It makes them irresistable. 

Easy too!

~There is no love sincerer than the love of food.  ~George Bernard Shaw

Joining in on the Garden to Table Challenge with Wendy at the Greenish Thumb.

I am joining in on The weekend in Black and White  showing a farmers market I went to last week.   

 They had so many kinds of produce,

 it was wonderful to see all the colors and textures.

So I thought I would see if it was as enjoyable in monochrome,

…you be the judge.

~To my favorite honeydew, do you carrot all for me?
My heart beets for you, with your turnip nose, and radish face.
You are a peach. If we cantaloupe, lettuce marry.
Weed make a swell pear.
-  Author Unknown

~”Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.”~ Mary Kay Ash

Last Friday, my husband and I hit the Madison- Bouckville Antique Show.  I thought it would be fun to show for VTT.  It is a huge gathering with over one thousand dealers in upstate NY.  It’s in the middle of corn fields surrounded by more corn fields.  Really pretty.  We look forward to it every year. 

This time we went on a Friday and skipped the actual show that you have to pay to get into, and just visited the dealers that rent space in the main street.  There are more than enough to keep us entertained for a full day and their prices are better outside of the show.   There are all kinds of great food, snacks, beverages and most importantly cool stuff. 

I always spend the first hour or so being completely overwhelmed and then my mind focuses and I find things that interest me.

 A cute pair of chick S &P shakers for $5 made me very happy.

 One of the things that I noticed a lot of, were metal chairs like the ones my back yard is full of.  I just recently posted about redoing a few I found on the curb. At the show, they sold for at least 38 dollars or more, in curbside condition, as you can see in the photo.  None of them were fixed up at all. Pricey, I thought.

 I bought a few items for my garden from an artist there that did lawn ornaments and trellises.   

My big find of the day was the wonderful chaise lounge from the same eras as my metal chairs.  I had never seen one of these before and we were absolutely thrilled to find it. We promptly snatched that up for $40.  The arms are a well worn red and the wheels are red too.  I am now on  a mission to find  the best fabric to make a cushion for it.  It was a great find.  I will post pictures of the finished project soon. 

 We had a great time! Can’t wait to go again next year.

Just living is not enough.  One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.  ~Hans Christian Anderson

 Visit My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.Visit Suzanne at Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingie Thursday

This post is for the Garden to Table Challenge

with Wendy from Greenish Thumb.  Jump on over there to see this new meme she has just started…..It involves gardening and eating and possible fabulous prizes…Sounds like fun to me. 

Okay Wendy, here is my attempt at joining in.  I messed up and thought it was  a Tuesday meme for some reason, but since your mclinky is still open from Saturday I will join in anyway. 

 This is a really easy recipe for Ratatouille I found in the All New Square Foot Gardening Cook Book by Mel Bartholomew.  Although I didn’t do that method of gardening, the cookbook has some great recipes, handy information and welcomed tips for when you bring your produce in from the garden. 

 So all these ingredients except for the onions came from my garden, oh and the red peppers~ I have some growing but they aren’t quite ready yet. 

 Here is what it looks like finished.  Smells good, tastes good and is an easy way to use that really good for you eggplant. Who knows, maybe the name Ratatouille will make the kids want to try it too. 

 I didn’t add coriander seeds because I don’t have any and it tasted good anyway.  Honestly I have never put coriander in anything so I wouldn’t know what I am missing.

 It was delicious eaten like that but my husband really liked it with cracked pepper and olive oil Trisquits.   He sort of scooped it up on them and was blissfully happy.  

So if anyone else want to join in on the meme from Wendy’s   Garden to Table Challenge , check it out at the Greenish Thumb  and remember it is a Saturday meme.  Not Tuesday.

~It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.  ~Lewis Grizzard

* The All New Square Foot Gardening Cookbook is available at Garden Shoes Online