MAIDEN VOYAGE

We took our new canoe out for a sunset voyage! We set off from the boat launch at Kingston Point Park and paddled north along the shore of the Hudson. Except for a few distant barges, we had the river to ourselves. And my goodness was it picturesque. The swallows were out in force, and there were deer drinking along the banks.

Justin sat in the back...so he did most of the paddling. Luckily, summer camp served him well and he's quite the canoer! And the boat? She is indeed yar.

Now we just need to name her. Some ideas: The Harvest Moon, Colonel Mustard, Trocadero (after my favorite Swedish soda), The Hello Yellow, Golden Girl, Josephine (after my gram), and The Crescent Moon (in homage to Henry Hudson's ship The Half Moon). What do you guys think? Suggestions? Opinions?

DREAMS DO COME TRUE

We got a canoe! It's a 17 foot vintage mustard yellow Old Town with a light minty green interior. I did some serious craigslist hunting and this was one of the cheapest boats out there. And it's pretty darn cute too.

We had to drive an hour and a half to get it....which was totally fine. After all, it was a bargain. But...driving an hour and a half back with a giant canoe strapped to our tiny old car was a little bit nerve wracking. Once we were convinced that it was not going to fly off of our roof and on to the Thruway we were fine. Apparently our canoe strapping skills are better than we gave ourselves credit for!

Next up: take her out and see if she's yar.

CANOE LUST

Ever since our neighbor took us kayaking a month ago Justin and I have been wanting to get a boat of our own. We considered getting kayaks...but I think a canoe is more our style. There is just something old-timey and romantic about a canoe.

If money wasn't an issue we would totally get a beautiful hand-crafted wooden one...

But, honestly, I think we'll be perfectly happy in whatever inexpensive canoe we manage to find on craigslist. And we can just spruce it up with some adorable canoe accessories.

Like some pretty wooden paddles...

And some lovely canoe packs...

And some old fashioned wooden seats....

Hmm...now if only we had a vintage Chevy wagon...

sources: vintage postcard of girls in canoe found here; american traders wooden canoe; sanborn canoe co. wooden paddle; john mcguire canoe basket; mcgarry's canoe pack via selectism; essex industries canoe seats; chevy wagon photo by john wilmot. and as always: if i used one of your photos and you would like me to take it down or credit you differently please let me know. i would be more than happy to change it. xx darbie

CAMPBELL’S À LA WARHOL

Did you know that in 2004 Campbell's Soup issued a limited edition set of Andy Warhol inspired tomato soup cans? I had no idea! They exclusively sold them at Giant Eagle supermarkets...which only has locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia. Not that that would have been a problem if I had known they existed. I mean...Pennsylvania is only a few hours away. I would have happily driven to ALASKA to buy some.

But, alas, I found out about them 6 years too late. I scoured the internet for more info...but all of my google research led me to believe I would never get my hands on a set of my own. Until...lo and behold...what is this in my search results? A craigslist post? Somebody in Dallas selling several sets of the Warhol cans?!

To make a long story short...I bought them. Justin's parents live in Dallas and the seller was nice enough to drop them off on their doorstep. Now we just have to get them up to New York. I can't wait to see them in person!

PORCELAIN BERRY BASKETS

Every Saturday I come home from the farmers market with a slew of berries. I always have intentions of baking some kind of pretty little tartlets...but I usually just end up making fresh whipped cream and eating them as is. Simple AND delicious. Can't beat that.

Unless, of course, you are eating them out of these adorable porcelain berry baskets from Jayson Home and Garden. I mean...I NEED these. Right?

image from Jayson Home and Garden via Oh Joy

ANIMAL FAMILY

Meet the newest member of the Kitterson clan -- little Julian.

On Sunday Justin and I stopped by the Beacon Cat Sanctuary on a whim...and obviously didn't leave empty handed. (Can you blame us?!)

We've always kind of wanted another cat but we weren't even supposed to have ONE cat in our apartment let alone TWO. (When our landlords found out about Steve they freaked out...yelled at me in Polish...threatened to evict us...and convinced me to pay them $50 more a month and an extra $1,000 (!!) security deposit. Needless to say, Steve was worth every penny...and I DO NOT miss my landlords.) But now that we have our own house my dreams of becoming a crazy cat lady can finally come true. Just kidding. I only want two cats. Two is enough. For now.

OVERLOOK DRIVE-IN

Last night we went to see Inception at the Overlook Drive-In in Poughkeepsie. So fun! And cheap! Monday is bargain night -- $5 for TWO features.

Unfortunately, we don't own a sweet old convertible...but we made due with Justin's hatchback by putting the seats down and throwing an air matress in the back. It worked surprisingly well.

At some point we want to check out the other drive-in near us in Hyde Park. And next time we'll know to bring blankets and bug spray. Live and learn.