July in Review

Like I said last month, Summer is the hardest time for me to blog. It's the busiest season at work, and there's more to do each day in general. This month we unfortunately we suffered a loss in our family which made July even more stressful. 

But although we had sadness we also had good times with friends and family at home and away. 

July was a tough month, but it was a good month for learning, or relearning a few things. 
- Being outside and beach walks are centering even in tragedy.
- Keep your loved ones close. 
- I still love Brooklyn, and I'm still glad I don't live it there. 

Summer's chugging along, July went fast. August will be the busiest, and possibly most brutal, so let's go!

July Plant Update

July is almost over and it's time to look back and some of the plants I observed. 

Blackberries from a neighbors yard are so tempting!

Flowers from a local eatery.

Echinacea on Ocean Pathway in Ocean Grove. 

The long road in Whitesbog. 

Our local pet shop backs up agains a magical wood. 

My lilies were huge this year!

Being out on the porch is doing the oxalis good!

Tom taking care of the house plants!

Do you take note of the plants around you? Do you keep a garden for flowers or veggies? Share your observations here. 

On My Mind On Friday Morning

I'm trying hard to live a less wasteful life (more on that on the blog soon) and here are some of the websites I've begun following lately for inspiration: Litterless (love this one and only wished she posted more often!), Going Zero Waste (This has some good tips for starting out, but sometimes doesn't explain concepts fully), Fairdare (combines many aspects of a website that I like, sustainability, pretty pics, memade capsule wardrobe, etc...).
And speaking of wardrobes this was an interesting quick article on sustainable fabrics. 
It really boggles my mind that the prehistoric horseshoe crabs is used constantly in everyday medicine. This practice might be putting them at risk. 
I'm loving this tree map of Brooklyn and NYC. I wish it had been around while I lived there!
Two weeks ago, we got out raised bed finished! My husband did all the hard work and I just helped move it to it's home spot. Now we have to fill it up and plant!

I know we are well behind for planting a garden this year, but I'm still looking for suggestions of what to plant. Especially some late yield crops! Any thoughts?

Something Nice

Little treasures from far away places. 

June In Review

After years of blogging I know that the Summer months are the hardest months for me to blog. That was pretty obvious for June. I'm usually not able to concentrate on blogging when I have so much else going on. June saw the beginning of work really heating up, many exploratory trips, visits and visiting, the beach, #watchercats and more. Now that I'm living in a seasonal town, Summer is even more packed. So for this Month in Review, I'll just let the photos do their thing:

Here's a few things I learned, or relearned in June:
- Every year is different, don't hold on to expectations.
- NJ is beautiful!
- Stay away from TV and you'll get more done.

OK, June you're done and dusted. Let shake off the cobwebs for July. 

June Plant Update

June was a good month for plant observations, but maybe not the best moth for photos of those observations. I did snap a few good ones. We got to spend a lot of time out doors, in the yard, neighborhood and at the beach (going nearly twice as many days compared to last month). and we also got to see some different environments, like the Pine Barrens. 

Beach grass and beach roses. 

This massive field loved all the rain this month. 

My porch roses before it got too hot and they all dried out. 

The ivy on the back fence is going nuts. 

Another beach rose. I can't get enough!

And lastly, my favorite pine behind our house. The white speck is a mocking bird that was sitting in the tippy top branch and performing a complicated ritual. 

This month and this year, I can't help but notice how many mocking birds there are!! Growing up I feel like I never saw them, but now they are everywhere. Some people might consider them pests, but I think they are lovely!!

What nature have you been observing in your neck of the woods this month?

Off Season: From The Garden

Ever since we moved a few years ago, I'd been hearing about From the Garden. The good word is out on this local fruit farm and apiary. 

We finally visited when we met up with my family for their Spring Fling. We got to walk the grounds which were just blooming in late April. We saw some of the bees on the grounds but they have hives all over Monmouth County. We also enjoyed the little market set up for the Spring Fling. We ate our share of pastries and tried local jams, and of course bought honey! 

I'm not sure what From the Garden is like when there isn't an event going on there, but I intend to find out. 

From The Garden
353 Fairfield Rd Freehold NJ 07728
- Look out for events and special days!
- local@fromthegardeninc.com
- Family owned and operated.
- First visit April 2017

May in Review

May was a moving forward month, May was a month that felt like the start of things!

The month flew by (which doesn't?) and we flower watched, #watcher watched, got down to work, visited friends, visited vets, went to the beach, and and work from home.  

Flowers were out in May despite it being temperate in weather. We walked out neighborhood and checked our (and other's) yard for new growth. In our town the end of may marks the beginning of Summer and all the flowers made it feel tropical and summery for sure!

#watchercats were also out this month, hanging out in windows, on porches, in doorways and any sunny patches. I travelled a little this moth and saw #watchercats everywhere I went!

Headed to old hoods and catching up with friend was a lovely priority this month, seeing friends and family at home is always relaxing. Luckily I had both in May. There's something amazing about having neighbors in the suburbs, especially those who bring fresh veggies from the garden!

Of course, we are happy to have friend from out of town come visit us and next month is a great month for that! Summer by The Shore, before the crowds arrive is a special time. We eagerly await visitors and the return of Summer residents. But before they show us, we tried to get to take advantage of the empty May beaches!

I was gifted an unexpected surprise in May and it was a great inspiration for getting some finishes made this month! Besides that, quilting rolled along, but work outside the house sometimes took over. 

I'm still loving the @madcatquilts instagram this month but it is a lot of work! I'm finding it fun to come up with quilty love for that space, so check it out!

In the spirit of growth, here are some things I learned, or relearned in May:
- Visiting interesting restaurants/cafes/spaces are good for inspiration but hard to make time for. 
- Having 2 instagrams is twice the work (possibly more!). 
- Sometimes planning things out is great, other times "just do it" is a good motto. 

In April I made a pledge to get back in a blogging groove, and although that didn't go quite as planned for May, that continues to be a personal goal. 

It was a weird start to the Summer, still rainy and cool, mild for May. Let's tune in for June!

Something Nice

When your neighbor brings you home grown spinach and homemade jam early in the morning!

May Plant Update

May had flowers, that's for sure!! I never realized how much I liked some of these common yard flowers until moving to Asbury Park. I mean, I like all flowers, but azaleas and roses have jumped up to become favorites in the last two years. It's amazing to see them bloom in the spring. 

Those colors are surreal!

I worry every year that our potted plants won't return, but so far so good!

Rododendrons are native to NJ and on my list for the yard. 

Such a lovey yard I came across walking in the neighborhood. 

Last year we had tons and tons of these wild little white flowers in the front yard. This year we were happy to see them return, even in fewer number. 

Last year, I planted this iris and it never bloomed. I was ecstatic to see it thriving! I hope they go nuts and cover the front bed. 

My lemon balm came back with a vengeance. 

These were roadside in Allenhurst NJ. Anyone know what they are?

I want roses everywhere!!!

Beach roses, too!

Theses are the roses in front of the post office that I pass every day on my way to work. It's such a treat and they bloom all Summer. 

What are some of your favorite May flowers? Did you plant this year, or just enjoy what comes up?  Share your plant observations!

Mad Cat Capsule: What's Not Working

Over a month in and I'm loving my capsule wardrobe. My Mad Cat Capsule consists of approximately 50 pieces of clothing not including loungewear, sleepwear, shoes, work out wear, under garments, or outerwear. That's a lot more than a typical capsule, but as this is my first one, and I literally have hundreds of items of clothing that I'm trying to pare down, this feels like a good start. I've really enjoyed refining what I wear, seeing what works and what doesn't. Going into this project, I really didn't know what to expect, but it's been helpful and exciting to wear only clothes I really enjoy. Over the past month or so, I've definitely noticed that there were items I chose that I didn't end up wearing. Here's the scoop about what I've discovered so far:

I chose quite a number of tank tops at the beginning of my 3 month capsule. I layer, layer, layer and I knew this capsule had to take me to the beginning of Summer so this was a good idea. But as the month progressed, I realized that I was only wearing some of them over and over and never reaching for others. I'm packing up the ones I'm not feeling. 

I thought having a few long sleeve shirts would be a great idea for a capsule that had to span April to June. I wore them once or twice, but noticed that I pulled out sweaters more often. Several of these are going into storage. I love these shirts, but not right now. I feel like I'll be pulling these back out for my 4th quarter capsule in Oct. 

I also had a 3/4 sleeve shirt that I really love and thought would be great, especially for work. I forgot that this shirt captures every cat hair, lint ball, and speck of anything really. This shirt will go to donation. 

I chose a few skirts for this quarter 2 capsule and I haven't worn any of them. Huh. I don't want to give up on them just yet but some of these will be put away soon. Again these are pieces that I love, but haven't worked out just yet. On the other hand, I was sure that I wouldn't need my favorite shorts until July, but grabbed them up for a hot beach walk around the beginning of May and am happy that I'll have them for the rest of this capsule.

After scrapping these items and a few others I'm just not wearing, you would think that I would have less pieces in this capsule, but alas, I don't. I lost a few, swapped a few, but added a few, too. In lieu of the long sleeve shirts, I added a dotted sweatshirt I quite fancy, and I recently got a few more graphic tees. So I'm hovering right around the same number of items. 

Really lessening the items I wear has been challenging. Getting rid of items that I definitely won't use, don't like, or don't fit has also been surprisingly hard. I have found it to be difficult to find the time to get these pieces out of my house and into new hands. Anyone out there have any suggestions?

If you've recently started a capsule wardrobe, tell me how it's going!

Off Season: The French Market

Since moving to New Jersey in 2015, I've enjoyed exploring the state and do so the most when tourists are not around. Living in a seasonal tourist hot spot is fun, but I love the Off Season! Over the last few years I've made a few posts on the blog about places that I've seen, noted, liked or loved. Now you can find them all by checking out the Off Season link.  

A friend told me I had to visit The French Market in Rumson, NJ, bc it was right up my alley. She was right! I visited the last weekend in April and have been back 3 times since then! 

Mostly The French Market is a little cafe with fresh bread, pastries, take out prepared food, coffee,  and a ton of sandwiches, wraps, quiches, etc.. but it also sells gift items, plants, and very pretty, if not practical, planting supplies.  

I love the interior which is all black and white and brown with lots of live plants. But I especially love the back room which is a modified, winterized greenhouse and so adorable. The food is simple, fresh and tasty!

The French Market
114 E River Rd, Rumson, NJ 07760
- Open until 7pm on weekdays
- Owned by 3 designers/friends.
- Opened it's doors in July 2015.
- Sadly only has a Facebook page (which I won't bother to force upon you) instead of a proper website. But it does have an Instagram. 
- First visit April 2017

Something New: Introducing Mad Cat Quilts Instagram

Recently, I decided that I needed more quilt photos in my life so now Mad Cat Quilts officially has it's own Instagram! I hope any one interested in this blog follows @madcatquilts!

I've long had a personal insta, and feel free to follow me there, but I wanted a place for all the quilty goodness! Instagram is one of my favorite ways to connect with people and learn so I'm hoping to meet a lot of great new people, learn some techniques, branch out and connect, and see lots of quilts, of course!

Here are some of my recent posts:

I hope to show lots and lots of quilts, but a good mix of cats and other pretty things that inspire me to quilt, too! Playing records, walking my neighborhood, seeing art, and exploring all manifest in my quilt making. 

So far, I'm loving @madcatquilts and I'm trying to branch out from my usual instagram MO by trying to post new things (like videos!). I'm hoping to add more features and use this tool as a companion for the blogs, so next time you're on the gram, stop by and say hi!

April Plant Update

April saw a lot of plant activity! We're still on our way through the month and I hope the old April adage holds true, bc we have a had our share of rainy days!

We moved a bunch of plants around inside to help them thrive. 

My front beds were starting to bloom at the beginning of the month. 

After clearing them out a little and giving them some love, they are doing even better. 

Trees are blooming all over town!

My herbs are slowly returning. 

I've gotta clear these guys out and add soil. 

Only about half my baby roses made it thru the Winter, but the ones that did are living it up!

I can't wait until the weather evens out. What have plants been doing where you live this month?

Something New: Writing Letters

I debated even making this post when I still have a letter that needs finished and sent.

Writing letters in an old thing that's new again for me recently! When I was a teenager, I loved writing and receiving letters and had penpals that I wrote to until my early 20s. But living in the city, the internet, a cell phone, etc... helped make letter writing fade from my routine. That was almost 20 years ago. 

About a year ago one of my BFFs moved across the county and started writing letters to folks back home. We've exchanged a few and I'm hooked again! Now I'm looking for other far off friends to write letters to. That's not a car test when most of my friends live at least one state away. 

Letter writing isn't as easy as I remember it from my childhood. It's hard to find the time to get a letter written, hard to wait for a response (especially if there's any mail shenanigans), hard to remember what you wrote about in the last letter. It's hard not to text, call or email the person instead. But so far, I'm finding it a fulfilling and lovely pastime. 

I've settled into liking to use a Sharpie Pen and grid paper for my letters. This is basically the same set up I use for my Bullet Journal as well. I love to sit at a cafe, bar, or my dest and write, uninterrupted. If I have a beer, cocktail or cup of coffee, all the better. A cat in my lap helps, too. 

I think letter writing is a great mindful, slow activity, and I need more of those in my life!

Any letter writers out there? Any favorites, tips, tricks, ideas? Feel like adding a pen pal to the mix?

WIP 4/9/17

We're off on an adventure today, and I hope to do some slow stitching in the car. 

Tom is staying home and guarding the quilts. 

Mad Cat Capsule: Spring (April - June)

This Spring, I have decided to try a Capsule Wardrobe. I plan to do a full year of capsule as an experiments for having less, loving what I wear and being comfortable all the time. More about capsule wardrobes here. 

For the last 2 weeks, I've been paring down my closet, reorganizing my stored clothing, cleaning, getting items ready to donate, or throwing things away. My plan in to wear my Spring wardrobe from April through June. I hear that putting your first capsule together is the hardest, and I can say, it's giving me some trouble. Although I have the bulk and core of my spring capsule together, there is still a substantial maybe pile, including a dress section to add. 

Traditionally, Capsule Wardrobes are 33 - 37 pieces and usually don't include under garments, workout clothes, loungewear, swimwear, etc... Some people include shoes, accessories, etc.. some do not. Some include everything and still manage under 40 items. 

My Spring Capsule rounds out at 50 items of clothing not including shoes, under garments, lounge wear, active wear, or anything else. I did include the 3 slots I'd like for dresses. I think this is pretty good considering I have hundreds (probably thousands) of clothes. I can also see myself pairng this down over the next three months. Just today I eliminated 3 items I thought I'd need, but when I looked at them again, I didn't. 

Here's my capsule:
9 tank tops.

Flounder couldn't resist helping me with the photos for this post. 

This seems like a lot and may be too many. But I use tank tops for layering and wear them pretty much every day in the colder weather. I also often wear them instead of bras so they kinda double as underwear. I have some with spaghetti straps, some wider straps, some short some long. I chose a wide variety, but tried to stick to my loose color theme. 

3 plain crew neck tees.
These are also a go to for layering for me. I picked my three favs that work with the color scheme I have going this season. Green, blue, and grey. Check out the picture above for an example. 

4 plain V neck tees. 

Again, I wear these mostly for layering, but as the weather gets warm, I'll wear them on their own, too. 

5 graphic tees.

You guessed it, layering. But also, on warm days I'll wear these alone (or with a tank underneath, and/or over shirt). Again, I tried to pick my favorites that fit my color scheme. Mostly they are band tees, but that local brewery shift is new. One of the only new items I have bought so far this year.

1 oversized stripped tee.

This is a anomalous item. I got it last year (new) and really loved it but barely wore it bc of several reasons ( it's white, oversized, not my usual style, etc...). But doe this capsule idea I want to incorporate some items that are different than what I normally wear. I want to find and develop my style. I know I love this tee, so I should wear it. 

1 ratty striped tee.  

This is another weird item. It's one of my all time favorite tees, and well loved, but I never wear it. This capsule I want to wear it and wear it out if I have to. One things I realized when I was crafting this wardrobe was that I loved actually distressed clothing. Not the store bought ripped knees things but clothes that I've worn to pieces. I want to incorporate this into my style more as a statement, not just neglect. Some might say I've gone too far with this shirt, and I couldn't wear it to work, but I feel great when I wear it. 

2 nice tees.

One floral, one silk, both vintage. These are great for work, fancier occasions or everyday. 

3 long sleeved tees.

These are for layering, and stand alone times when a long sleeved shirt is what you need. I have a warmer but very light and thin waffle tee, a striped tee, and a plain green tee (not pictured). 

2 three quarter sleeved shirts (not pictured).
These are really great middle weather shirts and will be especially useful for work. I also like wearing them, of course, so even tho they aren't my go to right now, I see myself getting a lot of use out of them. 

3 over shirts.

These are a mix of my favorites that I wear all the time, and my favorites I never wear. Now's the time! The sweater is from a friend's stoop sale, the denim was at a lost and found at work, and the checks is from the Boys section of a big box store. I've had all of them for over 5 years. 

4 sweaters.

This one was tough. I'm really into sweaters right now. 

4 skirts. 

I'm not a huge skirt wearer, I tried to pick a few that I love and will last me 3 months. 

6 pants.

I mostly wear pants! I love jeans! Lately I have been hunting for the best of the best of second hand pants. 5 out of these 6 are second hand. I would also like to find a really great pair of black pants to add but I have't yet. I didn't include any shorts in this capsule, partly bc I wear pants almost the whole summer and partly bc skirts can serve that purpose. 

2-3 dresses (not pictured).
I have narrowed my dresses down to a few I think I'd like. It's tough for me to know/decide which ones I will be likely to wear and style for cold and warm weather. I'll show these when I come to my decision. 

Maybe that's only 49 pieces? Phew, thats a fraction of what's normally in my closet and it still seems like a ton!! I'm not including hoodies, outerwear or lounge wear either. I have a feeling this will be a changing wardrobe as I see what clothes I gravitate towards. I already see the same items again and again. Part of the challenge for me with be to wear items out of my normal comfort zone, but partly I will ax items that I just don't wear. 

I'll continue posting updates, ideas, and thoughts about this project. 
If any one else is working on their Capsule Wardrobe please share your findings! Or share you wardrobe!

March in Review

I can't believe March is all ready over. Wow. This year is flying by already and it's pretty nuts. I am shocked each week at how fast it goes by. 

March didn't really come in like a lion or leave like a lamb. March was pretty all over the place all month. We had sun, 70 degree days, torrential rains, mild days, grey and sun. We had our share of snow.

Beach days were few this month (only 5 compared to last month's 11 - which was also pretty bad). But we made the best of them and found some wonderful treasure. We are honing our sea glass collection and straining our eyes but becoming better hunters. 

#watchercats, on the other hand, were out in full force. I saw many porch cats, and watchers enjoying the warmer days and the rays of sunshine when they could. Tom even made an unexpected pot sitting watcher cat appearance. 

We drove around a lot this month and made some new discoveries. At home we made the most of new growth. We saw family and friends, traveled some for work, but mostly stayed close to home. We made plans, and started new projects. 

A lot of sewing happened this month, aided by the long awaited addition of a dining room table (more on that soon)!

By far the best activity in March was just hanging with our family cats!

So March was full (but not so warm), and went fast. What do you have in store, April?

Simple Swap: Green Tea

I've been trying to make little changes in my life and routines. Going to the gym, eating less bread, using less paper towels, setting cleaning and food shopping schedules, replacing OK solutions with better ones. I'm making some simple swaps. 

Lately, I've been drinking green tea. I dig it. I like the feeling of caffeine without the jitteriness of coffee. Don't get me wrong, I still love coffee and I wouldn't give it up! I like to have my 2 - 3 cups of coffee, then switch over to tea in the afternoon. I also have been having trouble with my knee lately, and green tea is a great anti inflammatory. What an easy simple swap. 

Anyone else out there working on making some little changes?