The complete lack of moose...

So I go to Maine, almost desperate to see a real, live moose, and what did I see, a million moose items in tourist shops. What did I buy, none of it. I think all of the moose must be summering in northern Ontario.

But here's what every house needs - a living room moose:

Image: Apartment Therapy

It's been a while...

Wow, it really has been a bit since I wrote anything. But I will merely pretend that it's been a day or two or five. Stick with me here.

My main distraction (or my Maine distraction):



Behold the view from the porch of the cabin off Indian Point in Maine. This was my home for a brief jaunt with the boys from the neighborhood. And yes, that is the ocean right outside the back door. It was amazing just to be there.

In many ways, going to Maine was like going to camp: bring your own linens, deal with mosquitoes, cool nights, forever-damp towels. I knew just what to pack, minus the zillion dance dresses. But it was so different being on a non-dance vacation without that structure of classes to go to (or to skip), meals served at specific times, and over a hundred people who want to do just what you want to do, when you want to do it. Is this what other people do all the time when they travel? Have to plan their days, meals, naps?

I would go back in a heartbeat, if my schedule permitted, and if I'm invited back. It will be better next time, as most things are, now that I know what to expect, where to go, and what it's like being with a different and small group for days.

Plan the trip around the local dances. It's the only way...

Bits & Pieces from the Blogs...

Just a few images that struck me from the catch-up blog-reading that built up while I was at camp...



Via the Martha Stewart blog, the Crafts Dept., this image reminded me of another favorite artist, Donald Evans, who also used rubber stamp postmarks over his images:



This tea set is ingenius! It's from Jason Neufeld, and I can't quite figure out where it's available.



If you can read the fine print beneath the picture, the dishes provide areas for honey and jam, and a raised surface to rest your toas on so it doesn't become soggy. And what's more, the cups are double-walled and have a hexagonal bottom so they fit perfectly onto the plate.

And finally, and image from Apartment Therapy:



A shelf like this one would be perfect for my kitchen window that looks, not out at the backyard, but out on the laundry room and its window on the backyard. It would be perfect to keep a teapot always handy...

July 4th Weekend in the Woods...

Nothing can convey the sheer joy of a session at Pinewoods!


Photo by David Cornelius

We danced Morpeth Rant on Saturday night, and Corn Rigs on Sunday, and others here and there. Doing these traditional dances in this space with fabulous dancers all around reminded me of the first time I experienced what a great swing and change felt like, the first time we all danced Softly Good Tummas at E&A, lo these many years ago when the room went wild, the beauty of that many stars over the pond as seen from the water after the dance.

Camp is always a magical place. I can't wait to get back there.