Halloween fun project!

 

This week I got an idea for a Halloween banner. I found some fun ghost templates and printed them out on card stock. I left them uncut until I painted them, to save on mess. I used glow in the dark acrylic pain and brushed 3 coats on them. When dry, I added the faces and then cut them out. Simple and fun to do.

I used yarn and threaded it through the tops of the ghosts until I covered the area, I was using.

And this is how they look in the dark. And this is where you can find the templates. 

Last weekend we took the boys to the orchard to pick apples. It is always more fun with the boys.

I let Nick have his own bag, he loves apples. Alex wasn't in a good mood and he wanted a pumpkin, so I let him pick his own and he was much happier after that. 

Another day we got to walk on a new path. The path goes by a camp and has a path along the fence line. It also goes along a beach area. 

It is a beautiful area, very quiet and I could see the lighthouse on the island, a new perspective.

At the end we spotted a few fishermen, braving the surf.

Last night I was hoping to see a bit of the lights from the Aurora. I didn't expect it to be so bright and so beautiful, it was mesmerizing and I could see it in all directions from my porch. This is one of the photos I captured, with my iPhone.

And another with a different hue.

Today we got to camp. As usual it was windy, very windy. Since I seem to have caught something else, I am taking it easy, no biking or paddling. We went to the fishing area to see the sunset tonight, something we can do from the car or the hill, without walking too much. The clouds turned the sky into beautiful hues of yellows to red.

Looking to the light, the sun cast a reddish glow. Luckily we got a waterfront spot so I can enjoy relaxing and enjoying the views. I did bring some sewing so I can work on that. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Working on!

 Last weekend we finished our camping trip and on Monday, I woke up sick. At camp, lots of people stopped to pet Bean and talk and a few wanted to look inside our trailer, so not sure if someone gave it to me or I got it while shopping. It's been a rough week but I am finally at the end of it and feeling better today. 

Since I did not want to just sit and be miserable, I made up a project to keep my hands busy. I took snowflake fabrics and made up a table topper, for my side table. Just basic stitching and I will probably just do an X in the centers. 

On the last day of camp, we got a nice walk in at the beach. The tide was low, so we were able to walk to the end.

And I was able to spot a Semipalmated Plover on the rocks.

And they I decided to go to the bike store and check out the electric bikes. I ended up getting a good deal on a basic street bike. It is easy to peddle and when I need to go up hill, I just hit a button and the motor kicks in. You have to peddle for it to work, but going up hill is like going on a flat surface, with the peddle assist. So, now I can bike and go up hills, but I didn't think, it is a street bike and I felt every bump, so not sure if it will do well on trails. For now I can ride on easy roads and build up my strength, then I can use my mountain bike, with shocks, on the paths.

Today I was feeling good enough to walk at our favorite beach. It is private but no one cares after the season. It is mainly flat and a good place for Bean to play and swim.

And when I got home, I was visited by a Praying Mantis. He was just hanging out and resting. Then a Dove came up behind it and a sparrow landed in front. They were just coming to the feeder, but the Mantis went into attack mode. It is funny, because both birds took off.

I read that they bring good luck and right after, I went onto the computer and found a waterfront opening at the campground, so that is where we are going again, next week. 

I hope you all had a good week and not affected by the rains and flooding. Prayers for those that are.

Weekly outings!

 

This week we have been at camp, so no crafting got done, just lots of walks and sight seeing. One of the things I have never done is walk along the sidewalks in town. We parked at the boat launch and started our walk into the boat yards, where all the fishing boats dock. One thing that I liked was, the lobster guys, sell fresh lobsters on the docks, so if I ever want to get some, I know where to go.

We walked the entire length down to the end and Bill had to get himself some ice cream. We enjoyed seeing all the boats along the docks and if I hadn't had Bean, I would have been tempted to go in for lunch at the docks.

We came back to the bridge and I caught a few birds in the area.

And we ended that night with another beautiful sunset.

Another day we went for a walk along the cliffs. The waves were coming in heavy, but always beautiful scenes from this area. I even found a beautiful piece of blue glass that has splashed onto shore.

This area is slowly losing a lot of ground, a popular spot to sit when the tide is down.

There are always boats coming and going, we watch some at the breachway and some from the beach.

And this is the time the Pipers are at the beach, some sit still long enough for a photo.

We had a few cloudy nights and some rain, but even before the sun sets, it is beautiful to watch, before the clouds swallow it up.

One day we rode to the other side of the cove and I got some shots of the migrating birds. A variety of Egrets and Blue Herons.

Yesterday we got out for a bit before the rains came and went home for the night. I did loads of laundry and Bill cooked to dinner. Today we had a little sun but it was nice at the beach and I caught this girl surfing at the end of the beach.

And the fishing boats were coming back with their hauls, along with the ferry. Another group of pipers and the Cormorants were sunning on the rock. It is always nice to enjoy the beach when the crowds are gone and Bean gets to fun free, which he loves.

One more day and then we go home. With the leaves starting to change, we are hoping to get out for a few foliage weekends. I hope everyone is well and not in the path of the storm. I was able to catch some of the videos and photos and I feel for those who have been affected by its wrath.

Final Finish

 This week I have been getting ready for our trip, so not a lot got done in my craft room. I did finish the stitchery and made it into a wall hanging. I added some buttons and an outer stitch and hopefully the recipient will love it. 

Today was cooking, I made corn bread and a big pot of thick soup. I call it a cross between minestrone and  Pasta Fagioli. I make mine with beef and it makes its own broth and then I use petite chopped tomatoes, which I chop a bit more, before I add it.  For vegetables I use frozen mixed veggies, white beans, onion and garlic, so hearty and healthy meal for cooler days.

The weather is horrible, rain this weekend, but Sunday should be better and then a few nice days. It may rain at the end of the week, so it will depend on how bad it gets, and whether I stay all week. Hopefully we can enjoy time outside, paddling and biking. That is the one good thing, cooler weather means I have more energy to do things. I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Friday Finish!

 

First I want to thank those who comment, I appreciate them all, even though I don't always reply to them all. This week was a lot of catching up, but I always like to have a project to do. Since we are going on trips and getting into hiking weather, I thought I would make up a few rocks to hide.

I found the designs on the web and I hand draw the design as best as I can, with my fabric marker. I have been using my paint pens, since I have quite a few and I want to use them up before they dry up. I do think I like painting better, for better control on colors and shading, but the pens are easy to use.

Last weekend it was cool enough to go for a walk at the bird sanctuary. We saw turtles enjoying the sun and an Osprey hanging out in the cove.

In another side I spotted a group of swans and an Osprey flew over with a fish, but I didn't catch him in time and had to shoot from a distance when he landed in a tree.

The nice surprise was when we came inland and spotted a Green Heron, fishing in the pond.

Another shot after he had his meal. He had dove in and caught a huge frog, but hid in the bush to eat it. I couldn't believe he ate something that big.

Down the road, at another beach area, I found a large group of egrets. Lots of birds are migrating now and will gather in the cove areas.

And sitting above them were a few Blue Herons. It is nice to have an extended summer and this weekend will be warm again. Hopefully we can get into the launch and get some swimming in and a little boating tomorrow. This week I will be getting ready again, we have a site at the local camp again, and this time we have back to back weekends. After that I am hoping to get out for some fall foliage tours. 

Friday Finish!

 

Since I never got a chance to do any drawing at camp, I decided to whip up a stitchery from one of my photos. There are so many birds at camp, but most are hard to catch. I happened to spot a group of Goldfinches and caught one who sat for a few seconds.

I decided to make a stitchery from a photo I too, which you can see in the photo below. It is not as detailed, but perfect for a little pillow sachet. I would like to do more ideas with my photos and add sayings to them, for patterns.

During our walk, we saw a lot of birds and critters. The area is beautiful and even though the camp is full, the back areas are quiet.

I also got to paddle one day. I went under the bridge and around the corner, I spotted two Green Herons. 

And in the inner cove, an Osprey was hanging out on a post. We got a lot of walks in and even on the rainy day, we had breaks so we walked in the cove, during low tide. Bean loved that, could walk for miles and never go over our lower legs. This week we are resting, catching up around the house and planning our next trip. We want to take a week and head north, so not sure yet. I hope everyone had a good week and enjoying the cooler fall weather.

Vacations!

 

We got back from one vacation and I spent the week cleaning up from that and getting the new trailer ready for the next. When you live in a raised ranch, that is a lot of stairs going in and out of the house. Last weekend we enjoyed a day with the boys and they got to sleep over in the RV, which they loved.

We were able to go to the beach for a bit and the boys had fun playing in the waves. Alex wasn't great at the board, he like jumping in the waves more.

Nick loved surfing with the board. The waves aren't big but big enough for them.

After dinner we went back for the sunset and the boys had fun finding hermit crabs in the shells.

As we walked back along the beach, they had fun, treasure hunting. Lots of pails and a few small beach toys.

And of course the sunset.

Today we made it back to the same camp, but a different spot. The driveway is so big, we could fit two campers and lots of grass with privacy trees.

We rested and did a few walks and after dinner, sunset at the beach. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach during the day, so after they close, we can all go. Bean made a new friend. I was surprised at how well he behaved, just sitting while she petted him. Usually he jumps on everyone and tries to give them hugs.

I will leave you with tonight's sunset and wishes that you all have a wonderful holiday weekend.