Garden Items
A monumental J.L. Mott Urn with swan's neck handles, a pair of pinky-peach faux bois cast iron bench ends, lots of garden planters, loads of wicker and two custom made armillary spheres.

Lighting
a French empire style chandelier with putti, a few new Italian tole chandeliers, a sweet little hanging copper lantern, a small cast brass Dutch baroque chandelier and a big vintage Williamsburg style chandelier.

Gates and Ironwork
several groupings of nice fence and gates, a spectacular floral gateway with matching 19th c. posts, a 19th c. iron archway from Pennsylvania.

Oh man! Norm at the Crystal Lake Farmer's market last Saturday had a bumper crop of beautiful, sour pie cherries - practically fluorescent red just tinged with yellow and full of sour cherry flavor! It's the whole reason we live here contained in a tiny red fruit.

Nancy was so exhausted after pitting them all that she goofed up her crust recipe and only made enough for half a normal pie so she decided to make four tiny pies. This is why you want to be me... perfect little individual cherry pies for breakfast, lunch, dinner and my midnight snack.

The Crystal Lake Farmers market starts at eight across the street from the train station in downtown Crystal lake. I don't think you're out of luck, I expect Norm will still have some cherries this week.

So, here's the drill for the summer movie series -
First, I pick out an award winning film that I want to see - old, new, it will be a surprise. Next, I set up my fancy-schmancey digital projector and as soon as it's dark enough (usually around 8:30), I show said film on the side of my big white barn. After a moderate recovery period of several weeks, I repeat the whole process.

Now here is where you come in. Round up your friends, your picnic blankets or lawn chairs, a delicious picnic dinner and whatever you want to drink. Arrive around ""seven-ish"" to stake out a spot on the lawn and get ready to have a great night under the stars in the country. Oh, don't forget to bring a dessert to put on the communal table to share after the movie. Think of it as a miniature Ravinia - minus the parking nightmare.

In order to wring the most enjoyment out of these evenings, we ask everyone to please leave the kids at home (unless you happen to be a junior high school teacher who's dating one of your students, In which case this might not be the right kind event for you either). It's free so you can pretend I'm paying for the sitter. Come on! live a little, you deserve it - and so do the rest of us!

We're adding a little twist to the festivities this year. There'll be prizes! We're starting a little competition for the and most entertaining and creative picnic dinner spreads. Design something beautiful or make something kooky, maybe even come in period costume... most of all just do something fun. See you Saturday, the 22nd of July!

We still have a few of Craig Bergmann's darling little succulent bowls to put on your patio table as we head into "Death valley" season around here.

Lots of sun very little water - they're just what you need to replace your exhausted Spring things this time of year.

Here are my dining recommendation for this month - I've eaten at all of theses places and can give them the Beau Kimball thumbs up. Pay attention to the comments, a place sometimes only needs to be good at one thing, not everything, to get my nod of approval.

Pennsylvania
The Speckled Hen Cottage Pub and Ale House go to Judy's for the food - this is for great local beer and a chance to see the oldest building in Reading , Judy's on Cherry both in Reading, Nancy's Mediterranean Food at Renninger's Kutztown Market in Kutztown

Ohio
Casa De Emanuel in East Liverpool - Old time Italian supper club

Kentucky
Seviche A Latin Restaurant in Louisville - Wow!

Indiana
Palais Royal Cafe in Centerville - sit outside and have the chipoltle salmon or steaks.