Happy Day After!

 

I thought I would post today, since I did finish something and I will be out and about this week, so I will be boring you with more bird and scenery photos, lol. I think that I will have to start new traditions next year, two Christmases is getting too much and today I was worn out.

The good thing was, I got things done around the house so we could get out for a ride tomorrow and I finished a piece, for next Christmas. It is a free design offered by Grandma's Trunk and you can get it on her website.

I was trying to do a gray shade at the bottom and realized it was green, so I rubbed and erased it, as much as possible. I may add some star buttons in the sky, but I need to get the right size.

Christmas Eve was our night, the boys got some presents and we had a nice dinner. As usual the boys were hamming it up, Alex loves his new Bean, look a like.

And Christmas was at their house. The boys got more presents and Nick had to show me how good he is, walking on stilts from Santa. I got Alex a robot that follows lines, made by a marker. He did not get that you cannot draw tons of scribbles, the poor robot was confused on where to go. 

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas, whether with family or a quiet day at home.

The week before Christmas

 I thought I would do an extra post this week, since we will be busy for the next few days and I may just put up some photos on Friday. I had some nice time out this week and started making masks for my niece who works at a vet's office.

I wish I had known they were all woman there, I wanted to get fabrics that anyone could wear and not too bright. The store had some beautiful fabrics for ladies, but she seems pleased with the ones I made up, so I will be working on more, so everyone has one.

We also got out for some rides and nature viewing. There are more Great Blue Herons this year and they stay during the winter. I spotted this guy in the marsh and just as I got out to get a shot, he flew further away, so I wasn't able to get a good close up.

At another area, I spotted two more, in a marsh. They look small since they are resting, but they are the same size as the ones above.

We sat at the Breeze way and watched the boats go by, and was treated to this seal, who popped up for a few minutes to lounge on his back. I always seem to spot them when they are moving away. 

And the most fun was watching these Common Eiders. They were fishing and the seagull was following them around. He tried with all his might to steal a crab, one had caught, but he was no match for the Eider.

And we got home in time to watch the boys go sledding, at the nearby school.  They loved sledding and it was a joy to see them having so much fun.

And at home, I am enjoying my feathered friends. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and are able to spend it with family. May you be filled with the peace and love of the holiday spirt.

Friday Finishes and Feathered Friends!

 

Even though I do not need more decorations but I cannot resist making new things during the holidays. It is fun and a good way to fill myself with the holiday spirit. This week I finished a stitchery with a design by Kathy Schmitz. It is in her book, Stitches from the Yuletide. I was able to get a copy from our library and I copied the designs that I wanted to do.

This was a fun one, but a lot of stitching. I like making pillows since I can place them on my chest or the couch.

I also made an ornament for the kids. It came out bigger than I wanted, but Nick loved it and I do enjoy seeing the joy on his face when I give them a gift. They also got their boots tonight. Snow came early and they needed them, so they got an early present.

I also enjoyed watching the birds this week. I have been getting more birds since they have discovered the good feed is at the porch.

And with the snow, came more birds.  It was blowing so hard that I kept the porch feeder full and had visitors all day. It is nice to be able to enjoy nature in my own backyard, it is a way to relax and find joy amidst all the turmoil in the world.

Friday Finish and Fun!

 

This week has been busy trying to get last minute things done. Christmas is getting closer and I wanted to finish some things and get packages out, so most of it got done. Just a few more things this weekend and then I will quit, I need some stress free time to enjoy the holidays this year.

I was able to make a pillow with an old block I had made. It was a fun design by Tiffany, I do miss her designs and wish she hadn't stopped designing.

I also made up masks with the Christmas fabric. A few more for the boys and the rest is being sent to family and some donations.

We were able to get out for the weekend after the rain stopped. We took a drive down to the ocean and enjoy the views. Of course I spotted a hawk, and he flew off but the seagulls are always easy to catch a shot of.

And just as we started to pull out, a seal popped up but didn't stay long enough for a good shot, but the seagulls were more cooperative.

We also enjoyed watching the ferry and fishing boats, as they came in and out of the channel. It is a great place to park and just relax.

And I always enjoy sitting on my porch and watching the birds that come to my feeder. A Dark Eyed Junco, a White Throated Sparrow and a White breasted Nuthatch. I heard a bang on the back slider and the Nuthatch was sitting there stunned. I watched it for a few minutes and it finally flew off with no problem, so glad it was ok.  I hope you all had a nice week and this posting, finds you healthy.

Friday Finish and Fun!

 

This week I planned on finishing my snow people but I got a new stitchery from Kathy Schmitz for the club, so of course, I had to do the first. The design was perfect for an idea I had for the boys. Nick is always worried about Santa showing up, so this way he has a sign for him.

I added the lettering but I do wish I had used a kid's scrawl and spread it out more, but I am sure they won't care. I used a yarn that is more like roving to get the puffy look on the edge. I also used glitter threads on some items.

Last weekend we went for a walk at a river park, to try the side path. It was a nice walk, nice views of the river as we walked, but then we ended up walking sideways on steep hills, so we went up and walked the tracks for awhile. Of course the minute we turned to go back, it started to rain, seems to be our luck lately.

On Sunday we took the boys out. We had to drop off the trailer, so we took the truck and headed for the fishing pond. The boys had never been and loved hiking in the woods, lots of trails to explore.

After hiking they got to practice casting. Nick had a worm and Alex decided he wanted one too, no hooks but they didn't seem to notice.

And I had a new visitor this week, a male House Wren. I have only seen one in our bush area, and this one seems to be alone. He sat on the rail and watched the other birds eat, then flew off. He was back today, so I think he just wants to be around other birds and doesn't mind when I come out.

I hope you have a nice weekend. We have rain coming in and I am still decorating. So I will finish that and make the masks for the boys. I have a few projects to finish this week, one from an old block, so something fun to finish.