Check out these beautiful cherry tomatoes at the Saratoga Farmers' Market this past Saturday. All different colors—and the yellow ones were almost translucent in the sunlight. Lots of beautiful produce, flowers, and fresh dairy milk. We were in heaven!
The big horse racing scene this past weekend in Saratoga Springs featured the 142nd running of The Travers. We had a fantastic vantage point at the top of the turn, just as the horses made their big push to the finish line. If you're that far up the track, you're removed from the crowds somewhat and can really hear the horses' hooves pounding on the dirt and their fast breathing as they race past. It was exhilarating to be a part of! The bottom picture shows the victor just before the race: Stay Thirsty.
Look at these huge, gorgeous ferns flanking the stairs leading up to this front porch. They have to be impressive to keep up with the fabulous details of this house such as the dental molding (I just learned that term!), column scrolls, picket fence-type rail, and multiple paint colors. Another summer porch that makes me want to sit a spell.
I don't recall seeing such gigantic hibiscus blooms before, but this year they seem to be on almost every street corner. This one was easily larger than the span of my hand. And with the sunlight shining through its diaphanous petals, it looked that much more beautiful. Definitely a bloom to explore for a future JAKE & META drawing...
This pretty front porch features double main doors, and also double screen doors (though it looks as though the screens have been removed). The warm wood is in keeping with the attractive wood floor, and in contrast to the brick arc that frames out the doorway, which is what made this entrance look interesting to me. A piece of art, right on the front porch.
Check out this dusk sky of yellow-orange clouds with hints of pink and slate blue. I like how the golden orbs of the lampposts bring out the fiery sunshine lighting up the underbelly of the clouds, don't you?
What a lovely, airy front porch. The floor-to-ceiling windows with their old, rippled glass only add to the charm, sitting alongside a double-wide door that lets in plenty of light. Walking up and down the charming streets of Saratoga, each porch is as inviting as the next.
Another inviting and unusual door. This one has the top open, which has a glass panel in it. I love the extra-wide frame and the pretty wood with the grain showing. And lots of flowers on the porch, celebrating the warm weather. VERY much up my alley!
There's something about pigs that's appealing. I don't know whether it's the squiggly tail or the pink piglets, but I always want to take their picture. Even if it's a rendition of a pig, such as on the Oscar's sign near Lake George, NY. I heard once years ago that NC has more pigs than people; I wonder if that's still true?
Ever been to Lake George in upstate NY? It's beautiful. Driving on the west side of the lake, we came across an area named Silver Bay which brought back memories of my grandmother telling me about her summers there. I'll have to see if anyone in the family remembers the history...
Check out this view! Can you imagine having this vantage point (while sipping coffee or Champagne no less) when a horse like Secretariat or Seabiscuit comes sailing across the finish line? I'm not sure who the horse is pictured here, but I do know that it was only a practice run. Nonetheless, I can only imagine the excitement this Saratoga Race Course has seen over its distinguished history.
I've been looking at front doors lately, specifically in Saratoga Springs, NY, where many of them are spectacular. These over-sized doors feature beautiful woods with intricate carvings, and many of them are double in either a French way (ie, vertically, as seen here) or in a Dutch way (ie, horizontally). And more often than not they're accompanied by a very inviting-looking porch. The entryway can make such a difference in the appeal of a house! I thought the one pictured here was particularly beautiful.
For someone who loves horses and color, it's hard to beat a horse race. At the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY, you can stand right up against the fence that lines the track. I snapped this shot just as 12 horses broke out of the gate for the first race of the day. I love all the jockeys' vibrant shirt colors and can see them making their way into some JAKE & META creations sometime soon...
Have you ever tried a goat burger? Or duck fat fries? If not, you can definitely find both at the General Grocery Store in Saxapahaw, NC. Proprietors Jeff and Cameron are perpetually inviting and gracious, and the food is always delicious. Supporting their local famers and businesses (which, as a small business owner, I love), the place is low-key yet gourmet and draws a crowd every weekend. No wonder the Durham-Chapel Hill-Triad area is described as "foodie"!
Every year we go to the beach in North Carolina, and this year was no exception. The weather was hot but pleasant, and the expansive beaches were beautiful and relaxing. I love the sound of the ocean. And this particular beach has a sea turtle conservancy that offers nightly seminars and "turtle walks." You get to learn about the types of sea turtles, which ones lay their eggs in the North Carolina sand, and if you're lucky, you get to see one in action. This year we were not that lucky, but the evening excursion with the conservancy was full of information—and anticipation! Maybe next year...
