Who's eating our tomatoes?

We didn't plant any new tomatoes this year but while weeding in the spring my husband uncovered a small tomato plant that must have reseeded itself from last year's crop.  Unusual I would think in our climate but a welcome sight nonetheless.  He potted it and staked it and watered it and the little sprig grew.  We were so proud when it actually was growing it's fruit. Only a handful mind you, but really these were like 'borrowed' tomatoes.

There is this fine line when growing your own tomatoes.  How ripe do you let them go on the vine?  We were going for just the perfect red...and we almost had it...

...and then 'someone' took a few nice bites.

I think the culprit might have looked like this after pulling off this deed.

Squirrel photo by ara133photography.

Cheeky little fellow.

Additional note:
My sister Kathleen just directed me to some amazing baby squirrel pictures.  I've never seen pictures of baby squirrels so close up! Check out this blog Resurrection Fern.  It definitely gives me a different perspective on these critters!

Quarry - Fall 2011 Pantone Colours

Jade and sterling silver bracelet 
                 by nancywallisdesigns.

A reliable medium blue grey that feels chic and modern.

Wear it.

Chunky knit cowl by Happiknits.

Burnout blues t-shirt by ellembee.

Pleated purse by EdensWake.

Live in it.

(Source: House and Home Condos 2008 issue)

Pillow by Valerie Johnson of Pillowville.

L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland

A beautiful day to remember from our August holidays in Newfoundland.

L'Anse aux Meadows is a National Historic Site located on the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland.  At this archeological site you'll find reconstructions of three Norse buildings, the earliest known European settlement in the New World. The archaeological remains at the site were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

The history and discovery of this area is very interesting.  It's also a very pretty place to visit with a lovely walk and trails around the shoreline.

Fall 2011 Fashion Colours

Each season, Pantone surveys the designers of New York Fashion Week to identify the most directional colours.  Earlier this year they released the 10 most important colours of the season for women's fashion.

(Image: Pantone)

Taking cues from the great masters, sepia tones of old Hollywood, Chinese opera, cityscapes and countryside, designers are paying close attention to texture, contrast and color for fall 2011 – pairing menswear with feminine twists, warm prints with cool metals, incorporating both old and new influences, and creating an intriguing balance between colors. (Pantone)

“Designers take a painterly approach to Fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. 

A lovely mix of neutrals with bright pops of colours. This is a colour palette that I liked right away.  I can easily visualize wearing these colours (except for maybe bamboo which I think I would have a hard time pulling off). As well, I can see these colours extending right into my home.  Orchid Hush and Quarry would look lovely on a living room wall, pared with charcoal grey. Nougat, Coffee Liqueur with Deep Teal would be a stunning combination as well.

What colour do you like?

Fall is in the Air

It's already dark at 8 p.m.  The air conditioner is off and there is a cool, but welcome breeze coming through the window.  Summer is fading away.  New pencils and erasers have been purchased.  Binders and notebooks are being sorted. New shoes have been bought.  School will begin next week and the house will be quiet during the day.  Even after all these years I still consider September as the start of a new year for me.  A time for change, a time for new experiences.  An inspired energy is awakening.

This lovely autumn inspired acorn is a new addition in my etsy shop.

Enjoy your last week of summer!



The Moose are Loose in Newfoundland

With an expanding population of over 150,000 moose on the island you wouldn't think it would be too hard to spot one. Funny enough though when you are looking for them you don't see any for miles and miles.  We had to see one - it was on 'the list' - and we had already crossed off whales and icebergs.

Our first moose sighting was on the road into L'anse aux Meadows.  A baby, or perhaps better described as a  teenager moose, was there and he was very active. Running back and forth and playing (which I have never seen).  We were all thinking that his mom must be around and next we spotted her coming out of the brush.  It was quite a sight to see the teen running around and back to his mom and then running back again.  It reminded us of our dog who every now and then gets a spurt of overcharged energy and runs like a maniac around our main level.

Our second sighting was a day or two later in Gros Morne just north of Western Brook Pond.  A mom with twins. Which was quite exciting to see together, however they refused to be in the same picture.  Sibling rivalry already!

In the daytime, and off the road, it's exciting to see them but moose are a real hazard for night time driving. We only drove once at night and it was a tense drive with fog and mist coming off the ocean and no lights on the highway.  Luckily we only spotted one ourselves as his eyes reflected in our headlights and he was safely off to the side of the road...although we did have the feeling that they were lurking in the brush and snickering as we drove past! Mainlanders!

Icebergs in Newfoundland

St. Anthony, Newfoundland

On August 5, 2010, a large piece of the Petermann Glacier in Greenland broke off and became a massive ice island measuring about 251 square km in size. Wow!  I remember hearing about this at the time but didn't think much beyond the news story.  A year later it has worked its way south and is now is visible off of St. Anthony at the northern tip of Newfoundland. Over the last few weeks it has been breaking up producing dozens and dozens of icebergs. 

For our August trip to Newfoundland we didn't expect to see any icebergs as they typically disappear by the end of July. Here it is mid August and there are hundreds for us to see.  A definite once in a lifetime viewing!


 Smaller ones close to shore in St. Anthony.


We spoke to a fisherman from St. Carols who has never seen anything like it.  Pieces of ice much larger than houses drifted into this cove earlier last week. The waves and wind crashed them into each other and the shore breaking them into smaller pieces and also left heavy damage to their docks.







These icebergs in St. Carols immediately reminded me of a Lawren Harris painting.





"Icebergs, Davis Strait", Lawren Harris.

Beautiful and unforgettable experience.