Today I go back to work to begin my 21st year as a 7th grade teacher. I’ve had a wonderful two month break and now it’s time to go back to the salt mine to earn my keep. I look forward to seeing my teacher friends that I’ve not seen all summer and to seeing…
We checked out of our hotel on day four and headed to Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, RI. This seven acre estate overlooking Narragansett Bay was purchased in 1872 by Thomas Brayton. He hired as his superintendent Portuguese gardener Joseph Carreiro, who created the gardens and topiary. The house isn’t always open for…
Day three of our trip was my favorite because we packed so much into one day. Our day began with the Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile trail along the coastline. We began on the western end near Easton’s Beach. The trail parallels the coast and is stunningly beautiful. Have I…
It’s time for Fitness Friday! I hope that everyone has had a good week of workouts. I love today’s core exercise because it works both the middle of the stomach (Rectus abdominis) and the sides (obliques) with one exercise. All you need for this exercise is your body weight and a mat or rug. I…
When we added an addition to our home in 2004, we chose two inexpensive lights to go on either side of our kitchen door. Over the past seven years these lights faded from black to gray. (This picture is from February of 2011. Mr. SP installed the new lights too quickly for me to get…
Day two of our trip was spent touring some of the mansions of Newport. We started our tour at The Elms, circa 1901, the summer retreat of coal magnate Edward Julius Berwind and his wife Herminie. The back of the home has a gigantic yard and when it was built had harbor views. No water…
My friend is in the process of cleaning out her mother’s home and let me have a few things this weekend. She was happy to give them away and I was happy to receive them! I am in love with this pink vase. My friend put it to the side for me along with the…
We recently spent a long weekend in Newport, RI and had a marvelous time. If you like history, architecture, and the water, Newport is a destination you would love. We hoped to escape the one hundred degree heat in Virginia, but Rhode Island ended up having similar temperatures. Fortunately, the heat wasn’t unpleasant at all…
Did you know that it is incredibly easy to grow your own garlic? In my area planting time is fall and harvest time is early summer. When the garlic foliage starts to turn brown, it’s your clue that it is time to dig. Usually I harvest garlic in June but this year I didn’t get…
In the spring I created this display for a dresser top in my formal living room. For my guest post at The CSI Project, I switched my living room décor to a beach theme for the summer. I kept the silver tray and changed the accessories, changed the pottery piece to a similar one…
Last week’s exercise is one not to miss if you are interested in toning your glutes. This week I’ll show you a variation of the same exercise. Just like last week, all that’s needed for this exercise is a flat bench. Place your hips on the edge of the bench, lie flat, and hold on…
I’ve wanted a Japanese Maple for a long time. I love their shape, their size, and the fact that their lacy foliage often turns a brilliant color in the fall. An empty spot in a small bed beside our screened porch steps became the home to my new Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum ‘orangeola.’ I chose…