Flashback : Lilac Season | Mr. Darcy Stopping to Smell the Flowers | Lilacs in Concord, Ma.

I'm revisiting this post today from 2012... and adding to it a bit : )

There was a time about 20 years ago when I wrote this post (kidding, only seems like that long ago) that I had what seemed to be all the time in the world to wonder around with Mr. Darcy and observe.  I was pregnant with Emma and I would go on long walks that lasted hours, all through town to watch the changing seasons.  When we were living in Concord, Mass. I was awed by the abundance of lilacs everywhere all over that old fashioned town.  This walkway/front hedge was one of my favorites.

Yesterday, Emma and I visited small hidden patch of Lilac bushes in the woods near our house that I had discovered years ago.  I hadn't been there since Mike and I moved into this neighborhood (the first time) 7 years ago.  We clipped an armful and stuck our noses in  them the entire walk home.  

When I bought this Watering Pitcher for the store, I knew it would be perfect for big, wild bunches of lilacs... and peonies, and hydrangea.

They make this entire room smell so good.

I also found some Mrs. Meyers Lilac dish soap, counter spray and hand soaps at target... and bought several of each : )

I wish lilac season lasted longer, but so glad it is around for a late Easter this year.

.........

Today, on our morning walk, Mr. Darcy and I decided to stop and smell the flowers.  He was attracted to the pansies and pussy willows at the Mainstreet Cafe, while I was drawn to the lilacs.  I've been meaning to photograph the lilacs for a week or so, but the weather hasn't been cooperating.  With rain in the forcast for the next five days, I decided to just go for it.  


Concord, being an old town settled in the 1635, has many old neighborhood streets and homes that remain from the Colonial and Victorian era.  Lilacs were especially popular in the Victorian era and were a staple in landscape and garden design.  In today's landscapes,  they seem to have lost their popularity, unfortunately.   

 


Look at this glorious hedge - I can't imagine how old it must be.

In the past, gardens were more seasonal than they are today - groves of cherry trees, hedges of lilac berries, and cutting gardens full of tulips and peonies.  Now, landscapes are designed to be 'maintenance free' and look good all year long.  While this might seem smart in our busy lives, I think everyone is missing out on enjoying the short blooming times of each seasonal flower.

This light pink lilac is so sweet peaking through the picket fence. 

These full lilac blooms are from our very own bush.

Our old house was full of seasonal flowers - beginning with daffodils, hyacinth, tulips, pear and dogwood trees, magnolia, lilacs, peonies and ending the season with hydrangea.  I loved it.  In our new house, the landscaping was completely overgrown, so everything was torn out and started from scratch (except an old flagstone patio we discovered - a great surprise).  I miss having the surprises of what each week might bring, but it has been fun to select exactly what we want.

Mr. Darcy's Collection | Dog Beds, Cookie Cutters & Toys

Mr. Darcy.  He was my first baby - he was even mine before Mike.  Remember his baby pictures?  (here)  The idea for this collection started with me spotting an adorable (I mean handsome...) dog bed in a boutique window.  We've never had a dog bed for Darcy, he's more of a my bed or couch sort of guy.  

In the new house we are setting up the mudroom as his room - doggie door and all.  Don't worry, we have a dutch door between mudroom and the rest of the house to keep him from coming into the house with muddy paws on wet days.  My studio and computer will also be set up in the mudroom, which he will love, as he is always laying about 4 feet from me while I work.  I plan to set up a really comfy place for him, with a new bed, toys, food and a view of the backyard - all of his favorite things.

I'm sure not everyone thinks about how a dog bed or toy look, or that the color coordinates with their home decor, but here is my theory - if it is laying in the middle of my floor, or on my bed, why not be cute as cute as possible?  I know I'm not the only one that doesn't like florescent orange and yellow dog toys or a not-so-cute dog bed lying around their house, right?  

This entire collection is from Harry Barker, except for the cookie cutter.  I love their branding and logo - everything is artfully made to coexist and compliment your home.  Everything they produce is eco-friendly.  For example, the dog bed fill is made from recycled water bottles!

Bone Copper Cookie Cutter, $15

I've always kept a dog bone cookie cutter hand and whenever Emma and I bake sugar cookies, whether it be for Valentine's or Halloween, we always make one for Mr. Darcy.  This week was Darcy's birthday, so we made him some special dog treats (basically oatmeal and peanut butter cookies...) with this copper cutter.  Working with something as beautiful as these handmade cutters make even the most basic activity really special.  These copper cutters are handmade and will last for generations of puppies and kids.

Linen Dog Beds

Let's start with the dog beds.  I'm carrying two different styles.  This linen looking bed is so beautiful. The dog friendly linen-looking fabric is very sophisticated, especially with the handsome leather label.  It comes in Small, Med or Large and (top to bottom) Grey, Green, Natural or Brown.  I ordered the Natural (second from bottom) in Medium for Darcy that he is pictured with in the first photo.  It looks just like the natural linen fabric on our sofa and ottoman.  I think it will go great in our new hearth room, right by the french doors so he can look out of the window.

The fabric is a Jute & Poly blend that is both eco-friendly and mildew resistant.  The filling in the bed is made from 100% recycled water bottles!

Vintage Stripe Dog Beds

This collection is call "Vintage Stripe" - isn't it so great?  There is something that feels very chic and European about it to me.  I also love the laurel wreath logo.

I plan to order a black stripe one for the mudroom for Mr.   I think it will look great with all of the cream paint, brass and oil rubbed bronze fixtures.


Harry Barker Toys & Tosses

Mr. Darcy has loved these new toys.  I love that they are nautically inspired and come in great colors.  Everybody wins!

Tug & Pull, Large, Natural :

D and Emma have never really "played" too much together, but the Tug and Pull has been so fun for them - he's dragging her around the floor... and she likes it! 

Seagrass Soft Squeaker, Large, Aqua :

This soft large bone is a pillow toy that D loves to lay his head on and it has a squeaker - always a favorite for the Mr.

Knot Toss, Medium, Blue : 

Great for throwing and retrieving... also looks very nautical!

Rope Bone, Small, Light Blue : 

This is the perfect little bone toy to add to a gift for a dog lover.  Emma really likes to throw this one - it is just her size.

I hope you puppy lovers out there love some of these new products!  Emma and I plan to make more Dog treats today to share with you (the recipe at least) next week.

Browse the entire Dog & Puppy Collection, here.

Happy Weekend,
Jenny

Happy Birthday, Mr. Darcy! | An Everyday Occasion

This blog is all about "everyday" occasions.  For me, that means trying to make everyday special in some way or another - a yummy dinner, creative play after school, a special candle with morning coffee, cute baked treats for friends, picnic lunches or impromptu parties.  These are the little things, that add up to a lot for our life.

And, yes, these sort of things to take some time and effort - on which we're all short, I know.  I always chuckle when people that say they're soooo busy - too busy.  Everyone is busy.  Period.  Everyone has a full plate - hopefully.  Being busy is the blessing of a full life.  But I attempt not to let that busy-ness get overwhelming... sometimes it is a losing battle, but I do try none-the-less.

It can be easy to forget to be in control of our lives - we do all have choices.  We all have the ability to make each day what we want it to be.  Everyday.  Being in control of our lives and taking responsibility for the satisfaction we are getting out of our lives, is, well... up to us.  Everyday.  For me, it is creating little everyday opportunities like these impromptu celebrations that remind me to put down my phone, get to that email later, let the bedtime routine go for a night and take some time to have fun. 

I know most of the "occasions" I post here are particularly planned and photographed with perfection in mind, but I wanted to show you what a normal everyday occasion looks like at our house, too.  I try to give myself a break sometimes and just to something easy and fun.  It might not be magazine worthy - but it doesn't have to be.  Not all of the time, anyway ; )




Look at that smile.   My Mr.

I don't talk about Mr. Darcy on here as much as I should, or as much as I used to, but take comfort that he is still such a big part of our everyday - mine especially. 

Many people joked that he would take back seat when we had kids, but for us that hasn't been true.  It is true that my time is more divided than it used to be, but he's still my special boy - and is slowly becoming the same for Emma.  He and I go on walks every morning, and he is my sounding board during the day... my only full-time employee.  Mike always says he'd love for me to record our "conversations"... 

I love how excited Emma was to throw Darcy a party and shower him with gifts and love.  We took a special shopping trip after school to pick out his treats and a new toy.  She picked out a shark - thought he'd love it.  And some "bubble-bites."  If you get that reference, you are also the Mom or Grandma of a toddler.  I love giving gifts and I love instilling that joy in Emma, too. 

I like to think that I can always make something out of nothing.  Besides the treats and gift for D, we didn't spend any extra money on the party.  Just a little digging around in my ribbon scraps and the freezer...

Each time I make cupcakes, I throw a couple in a freezer bag- we never need an entire batch of cupcakes sitting around this house... somebody (like me) is always willing to eat them.  It is nice to have them for a late night snack (just a couple of seconds in the microwave), or moments like this when you need a last minute dessert.

So, in about 10 minutes we made some icing (Emma thought Darcy would like red with sprinkles) and we had a festive birthday dessert.  It was refreshing for a dessert project to only take 10 minutes and only one bowl to wash... besides cleaning the sprinkles off of the floor.  As, you can see, we used leftover candles from Mimi's birthday.  Mr. didn't mind a bit.   

And just so you know, I had planned to make homemade doggy treats for him, but my day got crazy, and instead of trying to fit it in, I just let it go and went out and bought him a doggy cupcake.  Sometimes it is about knowing when to surrender that can keep you sane... and not "soooo" busy all of the time.

We also had another very special treat for D's birthday...

It is Morel Mushroom season again - well, at least it was last week.  My parents found a ton at their farm this year.

Around here, the classic way to serve these is fried in a heavy batter.  The last couple of years, I've made Cream of Morel Soup, and the Chicken and Morels. 




This year, I tried a little something different and fried them in a tempura beer batter and served them with a creamy horseradish dip. 






They turned out really great.   I used the same tempura recipe that I used for these Onion Rings a couple of years ago - a little spice, a little beer and a little flour.














We still have some left over, but I'll need to use them in the next day or two... anyone have a good recipe?  I've seen a crostini with leeks and ricotta cheese that looked great. 


Here's Emma getting in on some of the battering action.  She's really becoming an active helper in the kitchen.  Still a huge mess-maker, but so am I.  We call that being "creative" in the kitchen around here : )

Fall Foliage in Concord Mass | New England Fall Foliage Tour

When we moved to the Boston area, I was especially excited about the famed New England Fall Foliage display.  Fall is my favorite season - hence all of the Autumnal themed posts lately.  As you may recall from my Lilac Spring post, our little town of Concord, Mass. has beautiful homes, colonial buildings and charming streets that are the picture perfect setting to experience the bounty of Autumn.

Here are some photos of Mr. Darcy and I taking a stroll around town.