Friday photos!

 This week hasn't been the greatest. Bill got the cold, that Billy had and I got it from him, so for the first time in years, I got bronchitis and still fighting it. We were able to get out for a few days, before the cold knocked us out.

We did make it to the kid's birthday party. They had it at a place that does nerf guns and areas to run around in, so a bit hectic. It is also hard to get good photos with kids running around.

This is a shot of the kids at the party.

And here they posed with the Jeep. There were beat up cars and other things, sectioned off into rooms, so it was a bit dark for photos.

We were able to enjoy a day at the beach the next day. When we went to one, I noticed a few people with cameras and this is what they were looking at, a Great Egret, fishing in the cove. I also took a photo of ship, as it passed by the lighthouse.

At one beach I spotted this Mockingbird, at another, the Cormorants, nesting on the rock. I caught one as he came in with dinner, to his mate. I also found a few nice treasures.

The rest of the week was spent at home, resting, getting a few things done when I could and watching the birds. I got lucky and caught a Northern Flicker, feeding on the ground. I hope you all are in good health, seems a bad common cold is going around now. We had the boys tonight, so my son could take Ivy out for her birthday dinner and tomorrow we will have them for dinner and a family party. 

Friday Finish!

 

Tonight I shut down and it hit me, I forgot to post my blog, lol. The holidays have been hectic but worth it and today I spent all day taking down fall and putting up my Christmas decorations and I am still not done. I think I have too much, so just using my favorite things. 

I wanted to make some balsam pillows for the kids and Ivy likes gnomes, so I found some clipart to copy and made up some stitched pillows for them. They were fun to do and I added glitter thread for the inner stitching, details.

On Saturday we went for a ride and unfortunately, the new park we went to was impassable. The only way to the trails was across a stone slab bridge and the waters have been so hard and high, the river pushed them over sideways. No way was I going to try to walk on that. So, we ended up at another park and enjoyed a nice walk there.

I have also been seeing more hawk activity. This time it was a pair of Red Tailed hawks, flying over my house. Of course they got higher as I came out with the camera, but beautiful to watch them.

And Sunday was another birthday. I really don't like celebrating, so we spent some time at the beach and then the kids came over for a bit. The boys made cards and gifts for me. I found a few treasures at the beach, but it is getting colder and harder to stay out long. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a wonderful week ahead.

Friday Finishes!

I hope everyone had a good week, mine was up and down. The up was time with my grandsons, the down was Bill's surgery was messed up, so his eyesight is worse. Now he has to wait for that to heal up before they do another one.

Another good thing is my ability to make things, that keeps me sane and even if they are small items, it was nice to have some new things to enjoy. The first thing I finished was a small braided mat for Moki's bowl. It is the perfect size to sit in front of the corner cabinet and more homey looking than the junk rug I had.

This is a great way to use up old wool that is not great for hooking or applique. The green was given to me and the moths got to it, but it still works in braids. It measures 22' x 16" and I realize, it kills my bad arm, so if I make big ones, I will have to work on them a bit at a time. I messed up on the end, but I just wanted to finish it and it is good enough.

I also made up a stitchery, a lavender pillow which went into the box of wool strips, that I rolled up. The lavender keeps the wool, fresh smelling and moths do not like it. The design is by Diane Knott for Lori's facebook group, Humble Work Hand Embroidery. There was more to the design, but I wanted to keep it simple. I used colored pencils before I stitched and a twisted yarn around the edge. It measures 5 1/2" x 3 1/2".

Today I got all my paint supplies out of my sewing room and set my machine back on the desk. Next I will clean up and organize and start practicing on my quilter and prepping some new pieces, time to quilt.

Saturday we went to the boy's birthday. I got Nick a  Vtech smart watch and Alex got a fun kid's watch. Nick's can take photos and video, so he can use it when we go to the beach or on hikes. Their party was at a science center, so they did experiments and got to make slime, to take home. Alex was more interested in getting a cupcake.

It is always good to see the boys having fun.

On Sunday we took the boys out and got a slip and slide and other fun things to have a fun day in the yard. Then their dad said he wanted us to come back for an early dinner, so we ended up at their house for a Birthday dinner for Bill. We gave Ivy a gift certificate for her Birthday and she got a new fire pit. This time my son made a dinner I could eat, so it was nice to relax and let them do all the work and spend time together.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Parties and Paddling!

This weekend the kids had their belated party. It was fun to spend time with the family and friends and see the boys having lots of fun. Alex was more interested in smashing his cake than eating it and Nick was having fun watching him make a big mess.

Even though we got Nick a present, I wanted to get him something to open. The problem was, we got a cheap scooter and when Bill went to put it together, he realized it was a returned item and basically junk. So, we spent half the day running around, trying to find another scooter with double wheels. Nick loved the new scooter and much better since he can ride it on the grass or road and not have it fall apart. We took it easy on Alex, since he could care less, he got a talking bear and a new outfit.

Alex had his first pizza and Nick was having fun jumping in the bounce house and riding his new scooter.

On Sunday we went to my sister in law's to paddle. It was nice since we could park at her house and paddle from the beach at the end of the road. Much better than fighting for a space at the boat launches and no crowds. We hit the water when the wind shifted, so we were paddling against the incoming tide, winds and huge waves from all the larger boats, but it was fun. I love riding the waves and on the way back, we got to do some surfing.

It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed paddling towards the Newport Bridge, though I couldn't make it all the way, we just enjoyed the fresh air and the scenery. The nice thing is, when we got back, we could go for a nice swim and relax our stiff muscles. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Holiday Weekend!

This weekend was nice for a few days and rain today, but we had plans to stay home, so we got out for some rides and a little outdoor hiking.

One place we love is Trustom Pond, a sanctuary so no dogs allowed. I was excited to try my new camera there, with the zoom. That is, until I realized I left the zoom at home, ugh. We enjoyed the walk though and the wildlife and got a nice 3 mile hike in.

The views are always beautiful from the first point and deck. Looking into the cove, a pair of swans.

An old windmill from the farm is still standing.

The rains bring more water to the streams and everything is so green and lush.

Sunday was shopping first, and we got some tin tiles to do the kitchen backsplash, hopefully Bill can get them on without messing it up too much, lol. We came back and got Bean and went to the lighthouse for a walk around the circle. Of course most of the time was spent stopping to let people pet Bean, but we got to enjoy some time on a beach and enjoy the views.

A couple were fishing, as a sailboat came by.

Today we had a little party for Nick. His birthday was yesterday, four years old. Alex was born on the same day, so his birthday was at Ivy's mothers and when she comes back tomorrow, they will have a big party for them.

Nick loves presents and we got him something small but fun and he loved it.

Of course the buddies had fun blowing and catching bubbles.

He wanted a puppy patrol cake and at walmart they do special cakes, it sure looks pretty but according to the guys, it is horrid, way too sweet and the frosting was a bit thick and rubbery. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Now it is time for me to get some things finished, get ready for our trip and build up my strength so I can do more paddling.

Monday this and that!

Not a lot this weekend, it was overcast and with threat of storms, we didn't want to go out in the kayaks and get stuck in a storm. The good thing was that they air was cooler so we were able to get out for some fun time.

I also worked in my garden and now I need to figure out how to design it. This is the basic layout, I put the fence there for now, but that will go. I planted flowering bushes in the back and will line the outer edges with flowers and plants and put benches on each end. Bill is going to make me a ladder trellis and that will go behind the garden, then I can grown flowering vines to grow over it and hang bird feeders from there. We will also be able to add some bird houses to the sides. My sister is coming up next month and wants to help, so I will hold off on some things till she gets here. I got a simple bird bath for now, but would like to make or buy a waterfall feature, so I can wait until I find or make just what I want. I used the old bath for food, since it is cracked but perfect for the birds and of course and squirrels and chipmunks are enjoying it too.

I added some mulch but have more to put in, the bags are heavy so Bill can put the rest in tomorrow. I also got some red stones that I can lay around plants or pathways on the side, still thinking about it.

On Saturday we went to the lighthouse, it was a perfect day for a walk and not too many people. Bean loves going there and loves greeting everyone we pass. I think I could sit on the rocks all day, it is just so peaceful and relaxing.

Sunday we stayed home, but I needed to get out for a bit, so the dog beach was perfect. Close by and not crowded so Bill enjoyed a swim and I walked on the beach and found some nice hearts and stones to add to my collection.

My son is still in Malaysia and sent me a few photos. This is the baptism at her parents church. I was surprised at how casual everyone was dressed. I was raised in a family where we dressed to go to church and special dresses for special occasions, and I am still that way, I wear dresses all year long and in the winter I wear fleece tights under my dress. Yes, I am old fashioned in some ways;)

I guess they had a late party for Nick so my son would celebrate with them. I have no idea what Happy Full moon means? He just sent photos, no explanation. It cost more to text from there, so he sent me a few photos and hopefully I will see more when he gets home.

I hope you all had a nice weekend and hopefully I can get myself back into sewing and doing things this week. I am on full meds again, my lyme doc wants me to stay on them longer so putting up with yeast over load again.

Weekend Wanderings!

This weekend was beautiful and I finally got out of the house more. Saturday was another party for Nick, the last one was just a few of us and this was his big party with family and friends. It was nice to be with people and spend time with my sweet grandson.

How can you not smile with that sweet face.

Sunday was church, which always helps me to get back on track and fills me with the inner calm to get me through the next week. They also had a fair and we got to enjoy watching the choir sing a few traditional songs. They had a raffle and I donated a basket filled with quilting goodies. I have won so many things over the years and have so many things that I thought It was a good way to share and help the church out.

I bought wrap and ribbon for the basket, but had no idea how to get it on right, so I gave it to the ladies and let them wrap it up. On the bottom is lots of fabrics from my winnings and collections that I didn't use, so all new yardage.

Then we went to the lighthouse. It was a humid day so that is the perfect place to go for a walk and enjoy the cooler breezes. There were breezes but it was still humid.

Bean and I enjoying the views.

Bill enjoying the views, Bean is people watching. 

Today was raining. I called the rental cottages and they do take credit, so I paid for the cottage and sent in the form by priority mail, so I guess we are heading up to Maine on Saturday. Today I started organizing lists for what to bring and getting some things out to clean and get ready. Bill bought Bean a new friend to play with, they are both tuckered out from all the rough housing;)

Weekend Wanderings!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and got to enjoy some nice weather and time with friends and family. Memorial day is a time that we remember our parents, who have all passed and except for my mom, were in the armed forces.

We also got out and enjoyed some nice weather between the rain storms. Saturday was a day for a drive to the ocean and walks at the lighthouse and then along the rocky cliffs.

The tide was low so the seagulls were coasting on the wind, looking for tidbits along the rocks.

Black Rock was the perfect place for a hike and walking around the rocks.

We weren't the only ones enjoying the beautiful day.

This week is Nicholas' first birthday, so Sunday was time with my sweet grandson and sharing his special day with him and the family.

Dad and son, who I think have that same sweet smile.

The fun was birthday cake, this was his smash cake, just for him to make a mess with. At first he started crying, then he finally realized that it was fun and tasted good too.

He got lots of presents, and Grandma and Grandpa could not resist getting him this special present just so we could see that wonderful happy smile, on his face;)

Today we went for another walk. It was raining in the morning and then I thought it had stopped but it kept showering on us. The good thing was, the woods were so thick and lush, we didn't feel it in the woods.

It started raining again when we hit the beach, but I decided to keep walking and was rewarded with being able to watch this guy, catching a crab in the shallow waters. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.