Friday Finish and Fun!

This week I worked on a stitchery. It is a pattern from Kathy Schmitz's, One Stitch Club. It is fun to get a new one each month and they make wonderful pillows. The designs this year have a bird theme and are all the same size, so those who want, can make them into a quilt.

I made a pillow, something I can decorate with or give as a gift. It measures 10" x 10". I wanted it a bit larger, so I added a little border.

Last weekend we took the boys to the aquarium and then to the owl sanctuary, as well as a picnic. The boys loved seeing the outside areas, now that it is warm enough. The sanctuary was a great place to play and explore.

We went for a picnic in between and I wanted some place close that wasn't crowded, so we went to the Mystic cemetery, which was nearby. It was a beautiful day to sit and enjoy watching the boats and the boys were fascinated by the gravestones. The funny thing was, I told Bill to stop at a place that had an open area and parking, and when we got out, I noticed the gravestone in front, said Daniele. Spelled differently than my daughter's name, but a strange coincidence.

At the sanctuary, they noticed that the different trees, made different sounds when they banged a stick on them.

And a few of the critters we saw at the aquarium, as well as, a Tom who was showing off to the two females in my yard. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Weekend Wanderings!

This weekend was cold, way too cold to be out long, so Saturday we went out shopping for Thanksgiving table items. Well, I never did find that, but I found some new lights to decorate with, one fall set, and a set of bottles with sand and shells, as well as sea glass, for my beach room. And I decided it was time to get a tree and Michaels had pencil trees on sale, perfect for a small space but nice and tall, so I can enjoy decorating it with my kitty ornaments.

Sunday was not as cold, so we decided to take Nick to the owl sanctuary and walk around the shops at Mystic Village. But, he was having so much fun exploring, we decided to stay there longer and pay the fee to go inside too.

Nick helped me hide rocks along the pathways.

He loved walking on the boardwalks.

We walked up to the balancing rock and gave it a push and got goofy.

He really loved hiking on the paths and we let him lead the way, so we ended up on a longer path that took us on the outskirts of the sanctuary and back to the beginning. I was teaching him about path markers and we followed the red ones. Rocks seem to be his favorite thing now, he wants to climb them all.

Inside we got to look at the displays, watch a man feed the turtles something that looked like grub worms and they had a play area for the little kids. A nice respite from the cold.

We decided to get some apples on the way home, then I realized we had to drive out to go up to the orchards, but Nick was tired and fell asleep for the ride. Picking is over, but the store has apples from the orchards that they keep in cold storage, so I got a couple of bags, love eating fresh apples.

I realized it was almost time for the sun to set, but we couldn't make it down to the ocean in time and I was watching it as we drove home, I was hoping I could catch it as it went down over the farm, but it had gone down already and getting dark. I took a photo of the barn area,  you can see the last of the sun rays on the hay. I had to lighten it up a little, the sky was darker.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. This week I started a new project, from one of Cheri's free designs.

Weekend Wanderings!

This weekend was mixed, some good and some bad. Saturday was mostly rainy, but we got out for a ride and I was able to get out of the car and take some shots before it started again. We went to the lighthouse in Westerly since you can park and enjoy the views without getting out.

I spotted some cormorants sitting on the pole, and got a quick shot off, but the minute I hit the beach, they took off, was hoping for some closeups.

I watched a sailboat go by and then the rain started, but at least I got out for a little while.

On the way back, we took a back road that followed the coastline and spotted an egret in the marsh. We saw a whole flock in another area, but no place to stop and park so I could get a shot.

On Sunday we got to get out with Nicholas. My son was working on the house so he dropped him off and I was getting snacks ready and Bill let Bean back in. Bean went flying into Nick and Nick went flying into the dishwasher and smacked his face into it.

It was just open enough that he hit the door with his mouth and cut up the inside of his lip and of course he started crying and crying for his daddy. I called and he was going to come back, but while we were waiting, Nick calmed down and I asked him if he wanted to go home or go to the beach, that made it easy, the beach of course. Nick was afraid to go near Bean but by the end of the day, he asked if we were going to go back and see Bean, so that is good, I don't want him to be afraid of Bean, Bean is just a bit excitable when Nick comes over to play.

We took Nick to the Denison Sanctuary to see the owls and go for a walk. Bill found out that you are supposed to pay, even if you just go for a walk, oops. So, we paid, which I didn't mind since the money helps to rehabilitate the owls.

Nick loved walking around the pond, we got to see the turtles and ducks and a huge snapping turtle came by, while we were at the shore.

He wanted to keep walking, I wasn't sure how much hiking he could do, but he was full of energy and wanted to explore. Grandpa held his hand on the rougher areas, one accident was enough.

We also went inside the center. They have areas with dioramas of different animals and their habitats, along with some live ones. Nick was afraid of the snake, said it was bad, but I told him that our snakes are friendly and helpful. I think he got the fear when he was in malaysia, those snakes are bad, lol.

And as promised, we took him to a beach. It was on the inner harbor, since it was getting cooler, but he was happy enough, just as long as there was sand and rocks to throw.

So the day ended on a good night, he had fun and was happy again, but he will be eating soft foods for a few days. I hope you all had a good weekend.

Weekend Wanderings!

This weekend we got one rain day and one beautiful day. It was so nice to get out and not have to wear a coat. This time I found a new place to explore called the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.

I read up on it and it said that dogs were allowed, but when we got there, I saw on the sign to the center that dogs were not allowed in that area. I asked at the desk and she told me we could hike on the trails on the other side.

The trail was nice, though a few wet spots from all the rain, but it was a nice hike and we didn't see anyone on most of the hike.

Some areas had board walks for the swampy ponds.

There are also farm fields and an old quarry area. One thing the sanctuary has is, plenty of birds, especially wood peckers. I noticed a lot of holes in the trees and even spotted a few babies peeking their heads out. Now I know why so may trees look like faces.

One reason I wanted to go was, they have an owl sanctuary. Bill sat in the car with Bean so I could go and see the owls and check out the sanctuary area. They have ponds and trails and I will definitely come back with Nick so we can explore that area.

This owl seemed to be mocking me. He was making hissing sounds and blinking at me.

This guy just looked sad. He had some strange growth on his stomach, not sure what was wrong with him, but he was not a happy guy. I cropped him in more and used photoshop to make the bars and background disappear.

There are also barns and old homes, and they are associated with a farm, so lots to explore on future visits. I have been by this area when we are in Mystic and never knew it was there. I might even go back next Sunday and bring Nick. Great time of year to see nature as the ponds come to life and the flowers will be budding.

Today we put out fresh feed, so all the birds and critters were feasting on the seed. The chipmunk got too close to the squirrel's spot, so he scared him away. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.