Lenox Rutledge: Something Old, Something New

How many hours of my childhood were spent drying dishes?   In our house it was the chore from which we were never excused ~~ the dishwasher served only as a storage place for assorted containers. I usually detested that chore, which had to be done after the three meals each day, and then twice a year when all the…

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Bird Housing

It’s truly Spring here in the Northeast!   We’ve been buried in this seemingly endless winter, trying to keep the oil tanks and the bird feeders filled.  But now the trees are beginning to bud, the bulbs are sending up shoots (no flowers yet, not even daffodils!), the sap is flowing and the birds have returned, looking for the choicest nesting…

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Starting the New Year Right

2014  Happy New Year! There’s nothing like a brand new year to excite and encourage me.  It’s a time for me to evaluate, reinforce and revise my daily actions,  my plans and my dreams.    And to do all this I need to start my year as I start each day, with a few essentials.    That means a fresh…

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Something Old, Something New: Borrowing From a Master

I love challenges ~~ the anticipation of the delight in meeting a goal makes my insides tingle with excitement, and my insatiable need to learn more about everything and anything is fed as I gather information and formulate my game plan.  And while success can be an ego boost, the path to that success provides plenty of opportunities to give…

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EverGreens

  It’s not easy being green when autumn arrives.  ~~ Everyone is so interested in the fleeting oranges, reds and yellows.       There are even those gorgeous purples ~~   ~ dried ~ or ~ freshly blooming ~ as my mint tries once again to take over the entire yard.   And let’s not forget the autumn whites!  Not…

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Tea and Conversation

“Won’t you come into my garden?  I would like my roses to see you.” ~~ R.B. Sheridan ~~ Although my knock-out roses are still recovering from an over zealous gardener who pruned them into a neat, boxwood shaped lump (!) last year, they (and other flowers) are blooming in late October here in Connecticut.   The roses have a beautiful, light…

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Birthday Time at Rattlebridge Farm

Dear Michael Lee, I know you are a southern woman, writer, cook (exhausted), relentless renovator.  I devour your blog whether you are telling us about door colors, the saga of the columns and the corbels, farmstock living in your gorgeous front hall, or garden adventures with attack goats and boughs.  The food ~~ did I mention that?  As a non-cook (yet still…

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Resolutions and Confessions

My name is Linda Green and I am a list maker. I have “To Do” lists and lists of things to buy, places to go, things for Mr. Fun to do, and even a list of “lists to make” on which you will find a list of things such as christmas presents, my carolers, what to pack for this weekend,…

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Apples of My Eye

Fall has arrived here in southern New England right on time and in glorious fashion, and this year without hurricanes or blizzards!  The trees have not changed yet but the crispy air, honking geese and brilliant blue sky are sure signs we will soon see the autumn foliage.     Although the leaves are still green my hydrangea bushes are changing…

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The Way Life Should Be

Most states have a slogan, or two. Several have been very successful and indeed took on lives of their own, such as Virginia is for Lovers or I Love NY, but one of my favorites is this one: “Maine.  The way life should be.” Ahhhh.  Yes.  I can feel the tension in my shoulders easing  and my breath exhaling  even as I…

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