Sweetside on Google Satellite

Have you ever wondered if your garden is visible on Google Satellite? I had never thought about it but, recently someone showed me Sweetside! This image is from Spring 2009. I can tell the year by the status of certain projects. It is after June 2008, as the fence has been built and the fire-pit is there but one telltale indication is the brick patio, which has stone dust but no brick in the picture. I started the brick June 2009. I also can tell it was early Spring because the magnolia tree is in bloom but nothing is else is yet showing signs of life. Overall, I think ti is pretty cool to see my yard from space, but then...it is just a little bit creepy isn't it??

Sweetside Garden Late May 2010

It may be late May and hence "Spring" but according to my garden we are fully into summer here in Amherst, Mass. As with many gardens in the area mine is about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. The fringe tree, which spans 30'+, was amazing this year, spreading its perfume throughout the entire neighborhood. It, along with my abundant iris are long since gone. My Rugosa roses have passed and the peach climbing rose is fully in bloom as are the clamatis and pitcher plants. The day lilies and water lilies are just starting to pop. We've also been finishing up the brick patio on the south side and are re-grading the BBQ/picnic area out back. Since I missed posting the first round of blooms I will do so here, with more to follow.

The main bath......

The main bath here at Sweetside is pretty much done (is any renovation really done???). It was in process for a couple of years. We started the work on the first day we owned the house, ripping out the old shag carpet (yes, shag!), first thing. Ewwww....


. We pulled out the huge old tub and gigantic old vanity and well....everything right down to the plaster walls. ) It now has a great old clawfoot tub, installed here on the diagonal. It was salvaged from a Boston brownstone that was being "renovated." Gotta love Craig's List. It's now painted metalic blue. Most of the room is calming browns and tans so the tub provides the "spark." The soap holder next to the tub is an old dragon smoke stand. It holds a tea light candle set in sea glass, in additon to the bar of soap.

Many of the accessories in the room are from my favorite little used furniture and novelties shop in town, the Trading Post.

Tiling the little bathroom...

For some time now, we've be renovating the little bathroom on the lower level of our house which is where our art workshop is located, as well as the exit to the backyard, gardens firepit, BBQ and so forth.

I am in the final stages of tiling, with Ben's assistance. Yesterday I spent 4 hours working on the floor. There's a dozen or so places that still need special cuts and then it can be grouted. Laying floor tile in this little 6 'X 6' space requires one to be a contortionist. I am stiff today.

Getting pictures in this tiny space is also tricky.
The first pic is the shower head/shower walls, pic 2 is the corner showing the shower base (the curb still needs tiling), and the third pic is the floor where the pedestal sink will be. The floor is the brown tile; the shower walls are parchment color with a row of accent tiles at eye level.

I'm no pro at this but I think it is coming out decently well. Ben will be back later this week and hopefully we'll wrap it up.

Getting ready for backyard parties and summer wedding visitors. Yay!!

Wedding Preparations

A few days before Christmas our son, Aaron got engaged! He and is fiance Lauren will get married in July. This past week we got together and made Save the Date cards. It was lots of fun and they came out really well!

A Day on the North Shore

As one of my Christmas gifts, Jess and I spent a day on the North Shore. It was snowy and blustery but we still made our way out to Woodman's on the Essex causeway. Despite the seawater water flooding the road and a circuitous detour, we enjoyed awesome fried clams and scallops. Then we went to Topsfield where we enjoyed an afternoon at Absolutely Everything learning to make Zentangles.










This Zentangle is by Rick Roberts http://www.zentangle.com

Eighth Night BBQ

This year we did our best to celebrate all 12 Days of Christmas. I think we found ways to celebrate most of the Twelve. On Eighth Night we hosted a gathering at our house "Sweetside" putting our new Rotisserie to good use! We roasted chickens over our open fire in the backyard, and cooked up chili and corn muffins as well. Our guests contributed a variety of other items to the table and we had quite a feast!