The Pomegranate Chronicles

Spring Chicks

It’s that time again…the cutest chicks ever!

Chicks - The Pomegranate Chronicles

It was a great Spring visit to Mercy Hill Farms in Wolfeboro, NH. We got to meet our future roasters.
Chicks- The Pomegranate Chronicles

They are so cute and fuzzy now, aren’t they? We also got a chance to collect eggs from the older gals.
Chickens - The Pomegranate Chornicles

Griff had such a good time collecting the eggs. I think there were only two that were broken in the process.
Eggs - The Pomegranate Chronicles

My Aunt Karen got to get a quick cuddle from her favorite hen, Crooked Beak!
Crooked Beak - The Pomegranate Chronicles

It was a busy day of farm chores, followed by a nice nap by the warm fire.
Napping - The Pomegranate Chronicles

Always a wonderful trip. Thank you Mercy Hill for the wonderful visit!

 

Weekending

We cheated last week and started our weekend early. With April vacation, Hubby and I both took the day off from work and decided to go fly a kite at our favorite spot, Fort Foster in Kittery, Maine.
Go fly a kite - The Pomegranate Chronicles

The site is old fort ruins with vast grassy areas, a beach and pier at the mouth of the  Piscataqua River. It has amazing views of the ocean, the original lighthouse and house (Whaleback Light), and the working lighthouse (Portsmouth Harbor Light).

Whaleback Light, Kittery Maine - The Pomegranate Chronicles

Whaleback Light House - Kittery, Maine - The Pomegranate Chronicles

We hit the beach at high tide, but that didn’t matter to the boys. They played in the rocks all the same!

Rockin it - The Pomegranate Chronicles

 

The Wave - The Pomegranate Chronicles

We couldn’t have asked for better weather. I knew it would be good weather, because I brought the cowlThe never-ending cowl - The Pomegranate Chronicles

We had to put the kite in the air one last time before we went to explore the forts.

The Kite - The Pomegranate Chronicles

It was a good thing we did. While Griff was in the forts, he took a pretty bad fall onto his head. He scraped his whole face and nose. We knew it was nothing a little ice cream wouldn’t fix (a little GMO won’t hurt!)
Ice Cream Fixes All Problems - The Pomegranate Chronicles

A great start to the weekend, even with a few bumps and bruises! I hope you all had a great weekend as well. I can’t wait to hear about them!

 

 

Easter Time

Easter On the Way! The Pomegranate Chronicles

This weekend we started our preparations for Easter. It started with the second year of coloring our eggs with old ties. I just love this method. Here’s the link to last years adventures. This year Griff was a huge help in the process. It really was fun!

Easter Eggs - The Pomegranate Chronicles

Here are some great links to Easter fun…

Sweet Centerpieces - A sweet take on flowers.

Blown Eggs – Remember, from 4-H?

Basket of Bunnies – An adorable and quick sewing project.

Easter Eggs - The Pomegranate Chronicles

**I noticed that the wordpress bug I fixed at the end of last year seems to be back. This means that if you copy any of my links and place them into facebook, you will need to disable the preview. For some reason, I have been hit again, and if you use the preview, it will still be a link to my website, but will say it’s for a male enhancement pill (I’ll let you figure out which one!) I am truly sorry for this issue, but like I said, if you just hide the preview, it will just use the link to my website. *sigh* Sometimes I just don’t understand why they would hack like this. I am thinking my readers are not in their target market. Oh well, I plan to have a fix soon. Please bear with me. Happy Easter All!

Simple Things

After cutting out and mounting a cardboard vintage sheep print, Griff asked “What am I suppose to do with it?” I responded, “Use your imagination”. He spent over an hour playing. I guess I am not such a bad Mom after all.

Simple Things - The Pomegranate Chronicles

 

Awesome vintage image prints can be found at the awesome Graphics Fairy.

 

Keepin’ Clean Product Review – Giovanni Shampoos and Conditioners

Keepin' Clean - A Product Review - Giovanni Shampoo - The Pomegranate ChroniclesThis product has been one I have wanted to write about for a long time. I stumbled across it at TJ Maxx a few years ago. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I took the chance and have been happy ever since. As I mentioned in my original Keepin’ Clean post, I am very sensitive to many cleaning products, but I don’t want that to hinder my ability to enjoy quality hygiene. Giovanni Eco Chic Hair Care has allowed me to stay clean without sacrificing a salon product. It is USDA 100% certified organic, but you won’t see the huge label bragging on the bottle. It quietly states it at the bottom of the ingredients along with the fact that they use 100% vegetarian ingredients, no phthalates, artificial fragrance, dyes, sulfates or parabens. It comes in a few different formulas. I have tried the Tea Tree Triple Treat (invigorating), Smooth as Silk (deeper moisture) and Root 66 (max volume). My favorite has always been the first one I tried, Root 66 for max volume. I have very fine but thick hair, this product works for me. The best part of their system is that each formula has a “dot” scale on the back that categorizes the products from clarify to moisturize for the shampoos and light to deep conditioning for the conditioners. This makes it easy to best gauge which one is right for your hair. Each has a very nice professional grade smell, but does not overpower. The pricing hovers around $10.00 a bottle, but highly worth the price. It doesn’t take much to lather up. I have found this product at Target, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Stop & Shop and my local specialty store. I highly recommend this line.

 

 

**I have not been paid to endorse this product, this is my personal opinion.

Truly Hands Free!

Truly Hands Free! The Pomegranate ChroniclesI am proud to say that it has officially been three years since I shut off and disconnected my smart phone. Sometimes, I feel like we are the only family in the world without one. You can read about my original reasons to give it up, and how I made out my first year. This year, I find smart phones just taking over more and more of life. Last year, I wrote about feeling left out. People would gasp and say, “I can’t live without it!” This year, I find things a little different. People are still shocked I choose to not have one, but they now respond almost defeated, “I wish I could live without it”. It’s an interesting shift. They sure look hard to live without. There is an app for everything. I have an iPad, and have access to many of the apps that are available for smartphones (I’m not living in the stone-age!) I have to admit, I am a bit addicted to my iPad. It is not mobile, so I need to be in the house to be connected; however, I find it a constant reminder that it is a good thing I don’t have a phone. I know it would become even more of an addiction. I do think texting would be nice to have, I know I miss a lot of get-togethers because I am not on the “text list”. If it’s important, people call our old fashioned land line. I think of how much money we have saved now not having a cell phone (the tally is $3600) and I am amazed. I know the prices, plans and phones keep dropping, but I still like being not so “connected”. It’s nice to remain present in the moment and enjoying the company of who I am with without worrying about picking up a call, answering an email or responding to a text. Does this mean I’ll never get one? No. My situation is simple now, I work from home and don’t travel much. I am sure if this changed, I’d feel compelled to be a bit more connected. But until then, I remain hands free!

Do you have a cell phone? Would you give it up?

A Boatload of Snow

I hope you are not sick of hearing about the crazy amounts of snow we got in the North East last weekend. You’re not? Oh good, because here are some scenes from how we spent our weekend.

Boat Load of Snow - The Pomegranate Chronicles

 

It was hard to measure exactly how much poured down on us because of all the wind and snow drifts. As you can see, we sure got an amazing amount. We measured 27 inches at the lowest point of snow.

Boat Load of Snow - The Pomegranate Chronicles

We are from New Hampshire, we are use to the snow. We know how to take care of it and move it. But I have to say, this was a two day project.

Boat Load of Snow - The Pomegranate Chronicles

 

The poor hubby and neighbor were outside for a 6 hour day the first day, then another 4 hour day the next. It was just incredible.

Boat Load of Snow - The Pomegranate Chronicles

 

There is always a sliver lining in all the hard work of winter storms though, once the clearing clouds always give way to the most amazing sunsets. The neighborhood glows pink, then orange as the sky is set ablaze with amazing colors.

Boat Load of Snow - The Pomegranate Chronicles

It’s always hard to capture the true beauty of the sky with my camera. This gives you an idea of how beautiful it was. We can officially say, we made it through the storm. It was the 5th largest storm in Boston history. I am not sure where it ranks in New Hampshire, but I can’t imagine there have been many more like it.

How did you weather the storm?

 

 

Photography Fun

I’ve been managing the websites of two local magazines for the last two years. They are food & wine and home & garden publications (can’t be more perfect, eh?) Over the last two years, I have been more and more involved in the creation of online content. This has been such a pleasure for me. I have really enjoyed the work. This month, it was great to have taken three photographs for the monthly newsletters. I wanted to share them with you…

The Pomegranate Chronicles

This is the “Hot Buttered Hagg”. It is an amber rum hottie toddy that is started by creaming butter, brown sugar, vanilla and all spice. It’s truly amazing!

Chocolate Chunks - The Pomegranate Chronicles

These are bittersweet chocolate chunks to complement a Chocolate Pate recipe. I like how the chocolate shavings crumbled everywhere around the shot and on the cutting board.

Paperwhites - The Pomegranate Chronicles

This last shot is to showcase what’s blooming in January for the home & garden magazine. It accompanied a quick tutorial on how to force Paperwhite bulbs for a touch of spring in the cold of winter.

I really love the food styling shots and have been researching how to better my photography. Maybe I have found a calling? Gosh, that would be fun, wouldn’t it? I do so love food!

What are you shooting with your camera?

 

 

A Walk in the Woods

We have been so lucky in the North East this winter. It has been so mild. Well, I say this just before the deep freeze is scheduled to move in. We’ve been taking advantage of the warmer days enjoying the snow and some nice walks in the woods. The fluctuations in temperatures has set the backdrop for some beautiful photography.

A Walk in the Woods - The Pomegranate Chronicles

The paths near our house still lay snow covered with a magical cloud of fog floating on top.

Winter Walk - The Pomegranate Chronicles

A Walk in the Woods - The Pomegranate Chronicles

A Walk in the Woods - The Pomegranate Chronicles

As I mentioned, a cold snap is suppose to settle in. I am hoping it will turn around before the weekend. I’d sure like to get back out on the trails.

A Walk in the Woods - The Pomegranate Chronicles

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

This Moment - The Pomegranate Chronicles