2019- Year in Review Part 2

Part 2 of my Year in Review for 2019. Did I ever tell you I am a procrastinator? I just couldn't leave 2019 unfinished, so here are photos from the last 6 months of the year.

I got to play with kittens in July!

I attended the Melrose Chamber's Summer Stroll and photographed the event.

The night of the Stroll was spectacular and it was very well attended. Such a great event for the City of Melrose.

I  cat sat Sam and his brother Milo. Same reminds me so much of Percy and at first it was a little hard to even look at him. Sam is a sweet cat and a pure joy to feed and play with. So I am glad I took the assignment.

In August, I purchased a share of flowers from Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester. I am so happy I discovered the farm. They have workshops and Farm to Table dinners. What a hidden gem!

 I attended a Wakefield Chamber networking event by Lake Quannopowitt. Another gorgeous night by the water!

And yet another event by the Lake in Wakefield. This was the annual ice cream social at the Hartshorne House. Can you tell I love community events?

For  my sister's birthday present, I bought tickets to a Steampunk Festival and Tea in Maine. We dressed the part.

My sister and I also made our annual visit to Nubble Light in York, Maine.

We always enjoy spending the day outdoors by the lighthouse.

 And we always make a Stonewall Kitchens stop on the way to the lighthouse. The Stonewall store is fresh and clean and stocked with so many goodies. We enjoy coffee and a pastry before heading north to our friend's cottage. Stonewall Kitchens has some amazing gardens. I had to spend a few minutes photographing the flowers and bees and dragonflies.

My own garden was blooming as well. This was the second year for my Asiatic lilies and I was so pleased to get more blossoms this year.

It was nice to have farm fresh flowers every week.

And Oscar was always ready for snuggles no matter what season it was.

In September, I photographed the Victorian Fair for the Melrose Chamber.

Here's another shot from the Melrose Victorian Fair. 

I attended Hydrangea Day at the West Parish in Andover. This is such a cool thing. At the end of the season, the church allows people on their grounds to pick hydrangeas from their amazing gardens. They say it makes it easier for their gardener who would have to prune hundreds of bushes.

I brought my hydrangeas to a favorite store in North Reading, Brissonte, for some assistance with floral arranging. Colleen helped me pick out some lovely galvanized buckets and styled the hydrangeas for me.

In October, my friend (and Oscar's foster mom) had an Autumn/ Halloween luncheon. Her home is amazing and the food is always delicious.

What's October without a twilight graveyard tour? I always enjoy the Wakefield Historical Society's event at the Old Burial Ground.

It gets pretty dark by the end of the tour so flashlights are a must. You wouldn't want to miss all the history right in front of you.

Wakefield also has a cool event for Halloween at the Beebe Library. The High School Art students always do a great job with their jack o lantern interpretations.

I try to visit The Whiffle Tree Candle Shoppe every October. I buy my favorite Fall Scents there and the property is so quintessential New England.

I love to see leaves on rooftops and old style fences. The Whiffle Tree property is a Fall refuge for me.

Sometimes Fall is just as beautiful on my own patio. I sit out on the patio until it gets super cold.

November was a cold month. I was involved in the planning of an event for the Friends of Melrose Memorial Hall. In fact, I am on the board of directors of this non-profit. We had an open house day and there were reenactors, fifers, and singers, artifacts from the Civil War, and kids activities.

I was photographing some of the artifacts that were on display when one of the singers from Linen and Lace walked behind me. She appeared almost ghostlike as she sauntered by in her period attire. I think it made for a very cool photograph.

Speaking of history, I attended the pre-opening of the Rising Eagle Publick House in Melrose. What a cozy spot they have opened on Main Street. I loved everything I ate that evening.

My friend Gena visited from Charlotte, NC. When I asked what she wanted to do when she arrived she said, "I want to see water." So I took her to Plum Island on an extremely cold day. We didn't care,we had pancakes for breakfast, a ride around the North Shore and then a stop for some antiquing.

Thanksgiving was spent with friends and my sister.

We were a small but mighty group.

December was filled with holiday activities. Jolie and Casey outdid themselves with their holiday party in Georgetown. You will not find a more festive setting. I watched football at the party with a few of the guys, then filled my face, played with cats, listened to a sing-a-long and admired the presentation skills of the hostesses. 

Here's the warm and inviting family room. What a great place to watch football!

I attended a Christmas Tea at The Hartshorne House in Wakefield. This a free event and a Christmas highlight for me.

I hadn't attended my hometown tree lighting in several years but last year I decided to attend. Our Town Common was transformed by lighting and holiday activities. It was breathtaking. I joked with friends that it really looked like it was a scene from a Hallmark Christmas movie!

 And just when it couldn't get any better, it did! As if on cue it started to snow and snow hard. The scene turned into a snow globe and then there was singing and the lighting of the large tree on the Common. It was so amazing with everyone in such festive spirits. I will definitely attend again.

Jolie had a holiday marketplace in her barn. I did some damage to my bank account but that's fine. I love to support local artists and if they are friends, even better!

I added to my gigantic mug collection. This one from Sweet Mint Handmade has everything going for it. Nice and big, a campfire mug, a great purple color and a wonderful sentiment. See the mug topper cookie? My friend Mary made them for the holidays. It's a gingerbread cookie and she made them shaped like hearts, stars and houses. So adorable and delicious!

If you are reading this I want to thank you! I know this was an extremely long post and I appreciate you sticking with me. I did not blog very much last year so I decided to catch you up with my year in review posts. This year I hope to blog more consistently about my lifw in New England so check back often for new posts and please leave a comment. I love comments!