The Aftermath of Irene...

My grand experiment of wrapping the garden helped, but was no match for Irene...

During Irene's worst...here...

Ouch....

The South winds, sustained @ 35-45 mph, did her deed...

A 'leaner' garden, but still standing...after hours and hours of untangling!!

Look who I found, while working in the garden!!!

One of the many many many downed trees..

A spot on the water, I called 'Peaceful View', before..

Peaceful view, after...broke my heart...

Irene left her calling card up and down the East Coast last week. I prepared for days getting 'ready', for 'who knew what'. Many are still without power, we lost ours for 3 days and were prepared, mentally, to go the long haul. Thankfully, our power was restored on Wednesday. It was quite a moment!!! I went around the house at 4:30 in the morning testing all the lights, turning on the stove, checking my computer to make sure everything was really lighting up!! It was not until later that morning, when I turned on my computer, that I saw the pictures of the devastation Irene left in her wake, and my heart broke. For us, (thankfully) the only thing that took a hit was my garden, and that could be salvaged. Many others lost everything. Just think if Irene had been a category 1 or 2 hurricane. I shudder. I might add, that the radio was my salvation during the storm. The Providence TV stations made the wise decision to partner with a couple of local radio stations. Needless to say, their diligent reporting was a serious life line. So thank you Fred Campagna, for keeping us informed during Irene and well into this week (and for being such a mensch). Here are just a few photos, before, a little during and after.

Beach Rocks Came in Handy Today....

New banner!!!

My shady, windy corner display..

Looks like a geology table!!!

Hey, it's all natural!!

The strings, ropes, and bungee cords hold up the display!

A peek down the street.

My tent neighbor didn't show up...but, the street was full.

The gifted young people from the RI Kung Fu Club

Drumming out the beat...they were terrific!

Today was the 'Whole Foods 3rd Annual Block Party' on the East Side of Providence. It was everything you would think a block party would be...lots of families, dogs, people with their bicycles, some with babies attached to the front of the handlebars, a great D.J., lots of hamburgers and hots dogs, plenty of water to go around. Doing an outdoor event is always a gamble. Will the weather hold out, will it rain, be too cold or too hot, will there be a gusty wind? The vendors are checking the weather reports very carefully all week. Well, I knew that it was going to be a hot one today...sweltering, in fact. BUT, I was assigned a spot under a tree, completely shaded from the blistering sun. WOW, somebody up there likes me, in fact, loves me...this was great. However, the wind was so gusty, that I needed my beach rocks to hold down the cards...many of which did blow down the street before I had a chance to get everything in place. Jimmy and I rigged up 'something', with string, rope and bungee cords, tied around (and around and around and around ) a tree, wrapped on a leg of the tent, all to hold up the framed pictures on the display. Glory be, it worked!!!! We were very impressed with ourselves. So, it was a good day of sales, the entertainment from the Rhode Island Kung Fu Club was energetic and colorful. A perfect addition to our day. Thank you Shawna for a well run event....and on to the next project, as they say.

Whole Foods Block Party, Sunday, 7/17!!

Whole Foods is closing down Waterman Street from Wayland to Butler! Join us for an afternoon of family fun, charitable giving, and delicious food! There will be live performances, music, games, kids activities, outdoor artist gallery, raffles, and did we mention food? Hope to see you there! Sponsored by Waterman Whole

Foods Market and East Side Monthly.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday, late afternoon

Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI

Saturday Date

Jimmy and I realized after beach season was really over, that we still had to be 'running somewhere' on the weekend. So, living in the small and historic state of Rhode Island, we have been making the most of it. We decided that each Saturday we would visit a town, city or village, and find the best place for soup...yes, that's right soup. We're talking lobster bisque and New England clam chowder. Although, we did find some amazing sweet potato bisque at 'Z Bar and Grille' in Providence. We're geared up to find the best of the best. It's a great date! We've been to about 6 different restaurants since October. Today, we stayed in Providence, where eateries are plenteous. We have been eying 'Cav' for a long time, we have poured over the menu, discussed our options, brunch, lunch or dinner. The time was right. We had no idea that the ambiance would be so interesting. They have art objects from around the world, all for sale from the finest rugs, to African sculptures and Asian bronze pieces. All with a festive, holiday touch too boot. Jimmy had a big bowl of clam chowder, with fresh clams, visible to the eye, and I had a cup of lobster bisque. It had a smokey taste, with a little heat..interesting. So, we'll keep you posted as we eat our way from one end of the state to the other!!

Treasures!!!

I went to the 'Whole Bead Show' in Providence on Saturday. My jewelry making has been on the back burner for many months now, with all the time I have spent @ the farmer's market selling the cards and framed photos. So, it was somewhat refreshing to be buying some jewelry making goodies. This is where I buy my vermeil components. Amazingly, I can be in and out of there in no time. However, some gorgeous semi-precious stones really caught my eye and I did spend some time drooling over their beauty and dreaming of what I could make with them.

The top photo is what I bought. As for the semi-precious stones, well, this girl is dreaming....

Wordless Wednesday

Roger Williams Park

Providence, RI

Wordless Wednesday

Winter Horses
Roger Williams Park
Providence, R.I.