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Yesterday I spent most of the day gleefully playing in Photoshop on 30 images for the upcoming Halloween blog party. I dare say it is the most magical post I have created to date. Here is a sneak peek at the first image of the Forest of Wishes. It is a place where dreams grow. Collage Diva enters to forest as she heads out to the party.
Be sure to visit my blog on Saturday to see this delightful story.
Enjoy!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
This week I started organizing my the files on my computer. It is something I have been thinking about for three years now. It is one of those tasks like a neglected closet that is jam packed with things I've long forgotten. I'm discovering photos and collages that were long forgotten. Here is a collage of a photo I had taken of the Waumbec Mill building that is down in the factory section of Manchester, NH. I layered and blended different things like the plastic bag that onions or fruit come in, a piece of scrapbook paper with text all over it and a dragonfly image from Dover Publications. It is fun to unearth some of my old experiments.
Enjoy!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
A few weeks ago I drove up to Canterbury, NH for a Garlic Day and passed this hen house on the side of the road.
Naturally I had to stop the car and take a few photos. I knew it would make for a great subject for one of my Journey of the Heart Journal entries.
Sure enough this week I worked intuitively and created a collage where one side of the image was a white house in ruins. Mind you it wasn't an image from this outing.
This week I write about anger on my Journey of the Heart Journal post. I think we all want to be good and kind and feel ashamed or hard on ourselves when we feel and act out of anger. Since I posted on the topic last night, I've received several e-mails from women who really struggle with this and feel so awful. When anger surfaces we need to listen. What is it saying? What do you need that you are not getting? Exploring these feelings is so important and this is where our journals come in. Most of my life I have been so hard on myself but I've learned that it is important that we each show gentleness and kindness toward ourselves, even when we haven't been our best.
Like a dear friend of mine says, "gentle steps."
Check out this week's Journey of the Heart Journal.
Have a lovely weekend.
Kathryn, Collage Diva
Don't you just want to hug this scarecrow.
Look at that face.
He is feeling a little bashful.
I love the Autumn - pumpkins, apples, and scarecrows.
Cheers!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
After dinner (see yesterday's post), Maureen and I stopped into a little jewelry shop called, "Out of the Blue."
I found the shopkeeper Trish and her huband Ed Tooher to be very friendly and helpful. One of my favorite things about going on outings is the people I meet and the stories they share.
I walked out of the store with a sparkly, purple ring. Is this not me? I'm lovin' it.
When we left the shop Ed walked by and invited us to a condo he has for rent. Pictured above is the beautiful kitchen. Unfortunately it was pretty dark when we toured the condo, but I found their listing and these great photos on www.homeaway.com (see property #231488).
The living room has a wall of windows with views of Perkins Cove. Ed shared with us that it is the closest rental property to the water.
This nook would be where I would curl up with my journal and writing projects.
If you are looking for a quiet, lovely spot to get away, I recommend contacting Trish and Ed.
You can reach them at:
Out of the Blue
PO Box 627
119 Perkins Cove Rd.
Ogunquit, ME 03907
207-646-0430
I love it when I have "out of the blue" experiences like meeting this couple, learning about their life in the cove, and getting a private tour of their wonderful place. What kind of traveler are you? Are you adventurous? Are you open to meeting new people?
Cheers!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
Maureen and I continued our walk down to Perkins Cove at a time when the light on the water was enchanting. (click photo to enlarge)
To celebrate Maureen's birthday we found a seat at the MC Restaurant that had a picture perfect view of the cove. (click photo to enlarge)
Here, I'll step back from the window so you can see how our view looked framed...
We sat high on the second floor and drank in this stellar view. (click photo to enlarge)
I have mixed reviews of this restaurant.
The little wedges of bread (rationed one per guest) were dwarfed by the wedges of butter. A server offered us more bread but never brought it.
We split an order of crab cakes that were tasty little nuggets, very creamy inside and served with a dollop of cabbage and a disproportionately large amount of dressing on the side. I enjoyed the cabbage with its brine-like taste - it was very light and the texture was fabulous. While these crab cake nuggets were a tasty morsel they hardly garner the $14 price tag. My Aunt Betty who makes the very BEST crab cakes in the world (only use lump crab and don't over season she would tell me) would shake her head at this plate.
Maureen ordered the plank fish of the day, salmon with the cold orzo salad.
I opted for the lamb and jasmine rice. Each dish comes with a dressing...they seem quite big on their dressings. What is wrong with this plate? For one, who needs this much aoili dressing? It is nearly 1/3rd of the meal. And excuse me but the garnish does not count as a vegetable. Our server neglected to tell us the vegetable of the day and to bring to our attention that the vegetable was not included with the meal. Ahem... at $8 to add the veggie, I guess they have a huge rent and taxes to cover.
To finish, we split a pear crostada topped with a honey ice cream and red wine fig sauce. Of all the dishes this one had the perfect amount of ice cream and the dots of sauce were just the right touch. I really wanted a cup of coffee to go with my dessert but the server was just too rushed and left the table before I could order it. In fact, thinking back she was rather rude and impatient when I was considering the crab cakes.
Fortunately the views and company made up for this overpriced meal and poor service. I would recommend this restaurant if what you are looking for is a "view with dressing on the side."
Bon Apetite!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
What a gorgeous weekend! I had a splendid time with my dear friend Maureen. We drove up to Ogunquit, Maine and walked around town. There is nothing quite like shopping with a girlfriend.
The town is really so charming and I loved all of the flowers that were still in bloom. Aren't these grasses stunning the way they catch the light?
The blue bird skies were the perfect backdrop for this sunflower.
I could hardly stand it! A monarch butterfly posed for me among gorgeous zinnias in red and
(click photo to enlarge)
... pink.
(click photo to enlarge)
Our meanderings took us to a fabulous market that was
hosting a wine tasting.
The featured selection were fruit wines (sans grapes) from the Bartlett Maine Estate Winery. We learned that you can only purchase these wines in Maine. While I'm not likely to trade this wine in for my favorite cabs, of the wines I sampled I liked the oak dry blueberry and the raspberry sweet which was akin to a chambord, but much smoother and less sweet.
We managed to dodge the candy shops and bakeries in spite of their adorable signage.
We stopped in a number of shops including the Art & Soul Gallery. With a sign like this and...
an entrance like this, how could I not find my way inside?
I recognized a number of the items and artists through out the shop. I felt quite at home and could picture my own artwork and journal gifts in a place like this.
I'll leave you here to linger a bit longer. I'll be back tomorrow with gorgeous views of the cove and a review of the restaurant where we dined.
Kathryn, Collage Diva
Yesterday I was heading to Perkins Cove when I had to stop in Cape Neddick, Maine. I've driven by this place so many times and this was my first time stopping by.
I was so happy that they were open.
Colorful bird homes decorate the side of the building (be sure to click the photo to enlarge).
I'm particularly fond of these homes. They remind me of Hagrid's hut in the Harry Potter movies.
I think this one would look great in the breezeway of my little abode.
They come in so many colors. Which one do you fancy?
I stopped by on a good day for they brought out the whole lot.
Each one is so very sweet.
I went around the side of the shop to find the entrance. I'm quite fond of rusty and distressed things.
Add to that my love for swirly things...
and lovely greeters.
I stepped inside to meet the two lovelies behind this charming spot: Stacy and Brenda.
Brenda's Bloomers is Maine's tiniest flower shoppe. They specialize in exquisite wedding blooms and unique memorial arrangements in addition to their darling bird homes, garden antiques, and twig wreaths.
You can find Brenda's Bloomers online: brendasbloomers.com
Swing by tomorrow to see more photos from my little excursion to Maine.
Kathryn, Collage Diva
This morning I published a new Journey of the Heart Journal page and blog post. Feeling stuck? Take heart and discover a simple way to get back in the driver's seat.
CLICK HERE to read more and to download your journal page.
Have a lovely weekend my friends!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
Whether you are a blogger or not, this is one online party not to miss!
If you are a blogger, I encourage you to create a special Halloween party post for October 22nd. This is a great way to meet other bloggers and for them to get to know you.
On October 22nd swing by here for a sweet little Collage Diva story that I'm brewing up. I may have a few tricks and treats here for you too. You never know!
CLICK HERE to sample the magic of Vanessa our hostess extraordinaire and to get the details of this party.
I hope to see you at the party!
Kathryn, Collage Diva
