Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Arthritis Ask Me Anything Birthdays Bloggers Books Buy More Yarn Charity Knitting Circular Sock Machine Contests Crochet Dyeing Epic Sock Blanket Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Joyful Wednesday Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday March Money Madness Memes Mittens Monday On My Mind Movies Museum of Me Mutterings My Backyard NaBloPoMo One Little Word Patterns Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Ravelry Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sewing Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on the Tenth Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

  • Home
  • Carole Julius Photography

Jackie Is 2!

October 7, 2019 By Carole

Thanks for all of your birthday wishes for Jackie. I thought you might enjoy seeing the two (yes, only 2) photos I took at his party yesterday. I’m sure you know me well enough to realize that I took more than two. It’s just that these are the two I think are worthy of sharing.

First, the cake:

It was a moon theme party because Jackie adores the moon. My friend and local baker extraordinaire Caroline made the cake and I made the cake topper with my Cricut. The cake was not only gorgeous, it was delicious. And that cake topper . . . well . . . it’s all a learning curve. Learning to manipulate letters so that they connect, learning to use the right settings for glitter paper. In the end, I was very happy with it. Jackie was having none of it and literally cried while everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. Ahhh yes, the Terrible Twos seem to have arrived right on time.

Second, the birthday boy:

He loves bubbles, too. And he’s perfectly content and sweet so long as you let him alone to do what he wants. When you try to stop him from doing something, though, watch out because his will is strong and he will protest. As his Nana, of course, I think everything he does, including throwing temper tantrums, is utterly adorable.

Finally, a bonus video:

I made this from all of the 1SE clips I took from October 4, 2018 through September 27, 2019. It’s a sweet look back on our little muffin’s second year. My goodness how he has grown.

Thanks for indulging this Nana!

Filed Under: Birthdays

Birthday Weekending

September 23, 2019 By Carole

I’m going to make a bold statement. If I ran the world all birthdays would be on Saturdays. Logistically, I’m not entirely sure how that would work. But if I ran the world I’d have someone super smart to figure that part out.

My point, in case you aren’t getting it, is that when your birthday falls on a Saturday is it simply.the.best.

Case in point:

Friday Night Snacks on Birthday Eve. What? It’s a thing.

A whole lovely day of doing whatever you want because it’s Saturday. And your birthday. Doing what I wanted included hanging around the house, going for a great walk with Dale (and having two people come out of their houses to greet me and wish me a happy birthday, I love living in a small town), taking the Mustang out for a top down ride, and having a very small dinner party with friends.

There were great apps. I took this photo before Rose got here with her delicious stuffed mushrooms but you get the idea.

It was warm enough to enjoy dinner under the pergola.

I made lasagna, which I must say was terrific, Sean brought roasted vegetables, there was wine and laughter and it was completely perfect.

Speaking of perfect, check out that cake! Sean made it and it’s a 4 layer cake that’s a lot of work, a true labor of love. And really, what says I love you more than baking a birthday cake?

Sunday, my first day of my 55th year and the last day of summer, was a lazy day. There was football. I finished a book that made me cry in a very good way. And there was a beautiful pink and purple sky. It was the perfect way to end a really perfect birthday weekend.

Filed Under: Birthdays, That's Life

Tiny Person Tuesday: He’s ONE!

October 9, 2018 By Carole

Our tiny person turned one last Thursday and his mom and dad threw him a terrific birthday party on Saturday. They all love the movie The Greatest Showman so they went with a circus theme and it was adorable.

I made the banner for his smash cake.

And a clown crudite platter.

There were cupcakes with lollipop balloons made by my friend Caroline.

And cupcakes with animal crackers made by my friend Sean.

And a smash cake, of course.

Hannah helped Jessica with the table settings and they were adorable.

Colorful and bright and completely on point for the theme.

The favors thanked everyone for making Jack’s birthday the “greatest show”. Soo cute!

Grampa came dressed as the Ringmaster and I think Jack spent a fair amount of time looking at him and trying to figure out how come he didn’t look like Hugh Jackman. (I’ve wondered that myself on occasion, I will admit.)

Everyone sang Happy Birthday but Jack only had eyes for that cake.

As my friend Leslie said, a baby and his first cake. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Happy First Birthday, little Jackie! Your family and friends love you so much!

Filed Under: Birthdays

53!

September 21, 2018 By Carole

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Eye Candy Friday to say: It’s my BiRthDaY!

And this is what 53 looks like around here:

Okay, so technically that’s 52.999 since I took it last night right before we went out to dinner. And yes, it’s edited, because I’m a photographer and no photo is ever the best when it’s straight out of the camera. But it’s still my truth. Some fine lines on my face, gray in my hair (I stopped highlighting it over a year ago now and I’m glad), more weight than I’d like . . . but that’s me and I’m okay with all of it because another trip around the sun sure beats the alternative.

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Birthdays

The Birthday Dinner

September 25, 2017 By Carole

Just a warning: today’s post will make you hungry. #sorrynotsorry

Back in July I told you that we would be visiting Just Right Farm for my birthday dinner. We went Friday night and when I tell you it was amazing just know that I could be using so many more adjectives! The weather was a huge disappointment as it was rainy and windy and, in the words of my darling husband, “probably the worst night we’ve had this year.” He was pretty spot on with that description but Kimberly and the staff at the farm rose to the occasion.

Generally at these dinners the guests arrive and have a cocktail (it’s BYOB which is pretty sweet) while wandering the grounds, feeding the goats, and admiring the bountiful vegetables and gorgeous flowers. Since the weather was utterly uncooperative on Friday the cocktail hour was set up inside the antique farmhouse. While I would normally have been disappointed by this change, in this instance I was actually pretty happy about it. I mean, we had already toured the farm back in July but we hadn’t been able to go into the house. With this change, we got to see the gorgeous house, meet the chefs and the kitchen staff, and relax on couches while we waited for dinner. Win-win, I tell you.

Dinner was served in the screen house, as always. It was warm and cozy inside, probably made even more so because of the blustery conditions outside. We were greeted by this stunning arrangement of kale and hydrangeas.

And on the same table as the flowers was a big framed menu. I already knew what we were having (it had been posted on the website on Wednesday)  but I love how they present the menu and I took this photo so you could see. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?

The screen house is set up with long tables, encouraging conversations and meeting new people. I wondered how that would work – if we would have to secure a spot and how we would decide where we wanted to sit – but that was all taken care of as our seats were assigned. I was happy with that arrangement, honestly, and when we found our name we saw that the bottles of wine we had given to the bartender on our arrival were labeled and waiting there for us.

This is not the first course but rather a little extra something. Dale, being a wise guy, took a photo of this and posted it on Facebook saying how anxious he was to get to the rest of the dinner! It was so yummy, though, that I could have eaten another spoonful or two. It was chevre with a dollop of hot pepper jelly and a fennel blossom. So simple and a great combination of simple ingredients.

This is the first course and I have to say it was my favorite. Grits and greens with housemade smoked sausage. It was an explosion of flavors and they were all fabulous. The creaminess of the grits with the crunch of the greens and the smokiness of the sausage was just incredible.

Course number two, a sugar pumpkin and roasted onion soup, was Dale’s favorite. The bowls were placed in front of us with a sprinkling of pepitas and crispy bacon on the bottom and then the soup was poured into each person’s bowl by a server sporting a little carafe of soup. It kept it piping hot when it was served and added a bit of flare to the presentation as well. And it was very good.

Next up: beautiful tomatoes (grown on the farm, of course) along with an eggplant confit and fennel slaw. You know what? I grow tomatoes and they are good but these were fabulous! Sweet and vibrant and really wonderful. The eggplant was flavorful and the fennel with a bit of caraway was terrific. What a fun take on a salad! There was also a bread station set up at this point and the bread was amazing as was the herbed butter.

Finally, the main course, and as you can see I started eating before I remembered to take a photo. It was roasted cod with blistered tomatoes and a really silky and delicious lemon and shallot sauce. The cod was set on sliced roasted fingerling potatoes and it was perfectly cooked.

But wait! There’s more! Dessert! It was roasted apples with an almond cake with caramel sauce and bourbon whipped cream. It couldn’t have been more delicious. The apples were perfectly cooked, firm but tender and very very flavorful. The cake was fabulous, I love anything with almonds.

Then, for the chocolate lovers in the room, the chef came around with a chocolate ganache tart. Talk about fabulous! The chocolate was rich and smooth and so decadent.

And decadent just might be the perfect word for the entire evening. Luxurious, too. Everything was perfectly cooked and presented with style, it felt more like a performance than a dinner. I originally said we’d just go this one time because, let’s face it, it’s a big splurge. But now that I have gone and now that I know how amazing it is, I can promise that we will go back!

 

Filed Under: Adventures of Dale and Carole, Birthdays

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • …
  • 14
  • Next Page »

Archives

carole AT caroleknits DOT net
my read shelf:
Carole's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

2021 Reading Challenge

2021 Reading Challenge
Carole has read 15 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
15 of 75 (20%)
view books

carolejuliusphoto

Friday night snacks look better from here. And als Friday night snacks look better from here. And also, I’m not oblivious to today’s news, I’m devastated. I’m also extra grateful to (a) live in Massachusetts and (b) be privileged enough to ignore it for right now while on vacation. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #baysidemaine #cheeseandcrackers #myhappyplace
Pizza night. What can I say? Wednesday is the new Pizza night. What can I say? Wednesday is the new Friday. #oonipizzaoven @ooni.it #pizzanight #outdoorliving #margaritapizza #imadeitmyself #homemadeisbest
Happy FriYay, friends! #fridaynightsnacks #friyayn Happy FriYay, friends! #fridaynightsnacks #friyaynight #helloweekend #martinitime #cheeseandcrackers #charcuterie #outdoorliving
Happy Sunday from Fred and George! #sundaymorningv Happy Sunday from Fred and George! #sundaymorningvibes #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecats #fredandgeorge
Friday night is pizza night these days. And those Friday night is pizza night these days. And those napkins? They sum up the secret to our 25 (next Tuesday!) year marriage! #oonipizzaoven #fridaynightsnacks #peaceloveandcocktails
It’s a perfect June morning for Sunday brunch un It’s a perfect June morning for Sunday brunch under the pergola. #sundaybrunch #brunchalfresco #pergolaliving #outdoorliving #inmybackyard #juneismyfavoritemonth
My patriotism is sorely lacking at the moment. Sti My patriotism is sorely lacking at the moment. Still, I’m grateful to head into Memorial Day weekend focusing on the good, remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, seeking common ground and (always) looking for hope. If all that fails, at least I’ve got a martini. And snacks. #fridaynightsnacks #memorialdayweekend2022 #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime
I love a hotel conference room with a view! #massl I love a hotel conference room with a view! #masslib2022 #libraryconference #aroomwithaview
Flower haul, day 2. #flowersaremagical #containerg Flower haul, day 2. #flowersaremagical #containergardening #timetoplant #givemealltheplants
It was a good day for plant shopping, my annual tr It was a good day for plant shopping, my annual tradition with my gardening bestie @doemack87 . I think we even left some plants behind … maybe. 🤣 #plantshopping #containergardening #plantsgalore #flowersaremagical
Pizza perfection tonight! Margherita for me and pe Pizza perfection tonight! Margherita for me and pepperoni for him. I’m loving our @oonihq pizza oven. #oonipizzaoven #ooni #margheritapizza #pepperonipizza #homemadeisbest #imadeitmyself #summernights
Fred has assured me that there is no pea under tha Fred has assured me that there is no pea under that pile of quilts. #fredandgeorge #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecat #princessandthepea #pileofquilts
First al fresco breakfast of the season, air fryer First al fresco breakfast of the season, air fryer hash browns with avocado and crispy fried eggs. Delicious! And so nice to enjoy under the pergola. #breakfastalfresco #inmybackyard #airfryerhashbrown
Fridays on the deck are the best Fridays of all. # Fridays on the deck are the best Fridays of all. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #cheeseandcrackers #happyhourathome #itsspringbutfeelslikesummer
Ranunculus season is short, gotta enjoy these beau Ranunculus season is short, gotta enjoy these beauties while we can. #ranunculus #flowersaremagical #springblooms #crossstreetflowerfarm
Two kitties in a basket! #fredandgeorge #siameseca Two kitties in a basket! #fredandgeorge #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecorner #siamesecats
It’s Friday night, friends. Time for snacks. Ooo It’s Friday night, friends. Time for snacks. Ooof, what a week. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #thosenapkinsthough #iwishiwasaunicornsoicouldstabpeoplewithmyhead #fuckyouscotus
Egg in the hole for breakfast this Saturday mornin Egg in the hole for breakfast this Saturday morning. So delicious with @paindavignoncafe bread and local eggs. #saturdaymorningvibes #egginthehole #itswhatsforbreakfast #localfood #eatlocal
In this week’s adventures with the Ooni, we have In this week’s adventures with the Ooni, we have expanded to pepperoni. It’s quite good! @ooni.it #oonipizzaoven #homemadeisbest #pepperonipizza #pizzafriday #fridaynightsnacks
Hoppy Spring! #happyspring #happyeaster #easterdec Hoppy Spring! #happyspring #happyeaster #easterdecor #daffodilbouquet
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Birthdays Bloggers Books Charity Knitting Contests Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday Memes Monday On My Mind Movies One Little Word Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

Copyright 2014 Carole Knits · Log in