Friday Finish!

 

This week I wanted to try something new, a silverware holder for our table setting. I didn't have any good fall fabric, so I used a christmas one, that looks a lot like a fall one. They were not hard to make and I did them in a day. I cannot remember where I got the original pattern from, but I just used it to get the idea and figured it out myself. Here is one with diagrams you can use, if you want to make your own. You can also do a search and find a lot of different types. I definitely plan on making more for Christmas.

Last weekend we took the boys for the day. We stopped at a farm that was having an event, but everything cost money, and the rides were more for toddlers. They did have fun feeding the farm animals and they got apple cider slushies, which they loved.

Since the farm had their own brand of corn meal, we headed to Kenyon mills, the only one I will use. I got our supply of corn meal and then we got to take the boys to the mill for a little tour. This mill still does stone ground cornmeal.

The next day we headed to a new place in Connecticut. I was interested in finding, what was left of an old mansion in the woods. Luckily it was easy to find, though the trail was rough and rocky. It was a cool old mansion that was there during the mill days. It is also said that they had their own electric system in the house. 

The trail was too rough for me, so we headed back to the parking lot and we walked a little way up the road, where I saw an interesting wall and my instincts were right, it was an old cemetery.

From there we walked to the old mill area, and then across the street on another path. It is an interesting area, with rivers and ponds, so it is another place I will go back to in the spring, when the birds come back.

I hope you all had a good week and can enjoy your holiday. I will be busy with cleaning and cooking, so hopefully I can get all that done and another unfinished project done, during the week.

Friday Finish!

 

This hasn't been my best week, but I was able to get meds and feeling a bit better now. I decided to make up some simple stitcheries to work on, while I rested. These are filled with lavender, which I do need to replenish the old ones. They are free designs by Deborah Cade on Facebook.

Last weekend we went for a paddle on a smaller lake, that follows the state park and then homes along the shores. It is a great place to go for a swim on the little island in the middle of the lake and half of the lake is in Rhode Island and the other is in Connecticut.

There were a lot of butterflies along the shores and on the island, magical day.

We also spent a few hours at our favorite beach, we always seem to get lucky and have the beach to ourselves, most of the time. At home, I had a few visitors come, lots of young are coming to the feeders by themselves now.

Today I was feeling better and after a quick storm, we headed to our beach. It was nice to walk along the beach and go for a swim, even though the water was cold and rough. I enjoyed watching the birds and other flying objects in the sky.

I hope everyone had a nice week and enjoy your weekend. 

Camping has ended!

We came home yesterday earlier since we had the boys and I was tired, easier to pack up before it got dark. It was a week of good and bad, the bad was our new neighbors, they were a group of families that were around us and their kids were non stop noisy when they were at camp. Quiet hours meant nothing, was awoken by them screaming by our trailer at six in the morning.

The good was the quiet time, paddles and time with the boys. It seems the birds finally arrived and each day they flew around the trees at our camp. They never set still, so hard to see what they were and get shots, but I was able to get a decent shot of this Downy Woodpecker.

On one of our walks, we spotted this deer, at dusk, so not the best shot.

The last day, we had the boys. It was not the best day to have them since we were leaving, but we had fun and they were picked up in time for us to start packing up. On the way back to camp, we stopped at a farm that we had spotted on the way up. I knew the boys would love it.

They had a large penned in area with lots of animals and a variety of fowl. This guy liked making faces at me.

And so did this one. And he got photo bombed by the cow.

And if that was not bad enough, the kids were doing it too. I wanted a nice shot of them in the flower garden. Not only do they make faces at me, Bill had to stand there and hold them still.

And then it was back to camp for rock painting. Nick wanted to paint, so he had fun painting a few rocks. His method was to mix as many colors as he could, to see what new colors he could make.

And of course, I cannot take my eyes off of any of the boys, for a minute. While Nick was painting, I spotted what these guys were up to, playing in the turtle tank.

Even though it was a little cooler the boys wanted to swim. Alex loves being in the water now and they both love playing with Bean and Bean loves playing with them.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and making your own memories. And prayers for those in the hurricane's path.

Weekend Wanderings!

We had another nice weekend, though a bit windy and a little cooler, but still nice enough to enjoy being outside. On Saturday we went to another town and then stopped at the ocean for some fresh air. It was nice to get out, but it was too cool to stay out long and walk the beach. As you can see, it was sunny on one side and the other side was foggy. As we were leaving, the fog came in fast, so it was a good time to go.

We stopped by a park and took a walk down the point, a little warmer and a short enough walk that I could handle it. Still sore from my fall, so doing a bit at a time. On the way back we passed the Umbrella Factory, a small farm with stores scattered about in the old buildings. We stopped for a quick walk and to enjoy the animals.

I think this goat is pregnant, her belly looked a bit over sized.

This Emu always cracks me up, he has the strangest eyes, but they wouldn't stay still to get a nice clear shot. Then they decided to show us how they mate, lol.

In the parking area, they have an old truck, part of the eclectic and funky landscape they have. Now everything looks bare and sad, but in the spring, all the gardens will be in bloom.

Sunday I didn't have a lot of gumption so I told Bill to decide where we went. He decided I wanted to go to the antique barn, lol. I think he has more fun than I, and he plays with everything. I didn't see anything I wanted this time, but I got some aged cheese cloth that I can use for projects.

On the way I noticed the bird sanctuary that we always pass and thought it would be fun to check it out. It was just what I needed, a good walk and fresh air made me feel much better. It as a nice walk along fields and wooded paths and several streams.

We found an old fireplace, but the red brick looked new, so not sure if it is from an old home or someone built that as a picnic area.

We walked to the end of the pond, a nice view across to the bridge. The bad thing was, a lot of the land is private so you have to take detours and the bridge area is private. It was still a nice walk and good exercise.

I hope you all had a nice weekend. Today I started a new punch needle design, so that should be ready by Friday.

Weekend Wanderings!

We had a beautiful weekend and perfect weather for walking. It is the perfect time of year for walks along the cliffs, the sun is shining and the cool ocean breezes are so refreshing.

This area is especially nice since you can walk along a trail or explore around the rocks and the tidal pools. A container ship was heading for the open waters.

The gulls were gliding with the winds.

Another path follows the cliffs and veers off into the woods. Fall is grape season and even though I can't eat them, the smell was heavenly.

Beautiful flowers line the path on both sides.

And some strange plants, as well. 

It was still early when we got home, so what better way to end the day, then apple picking. We went home first and grabbed Danielle, she picked a smaller bag for her brother and his wife and I got a bag that I am wondering, how I will eat them all, lol.

Yesterday was another great day for a ride and a walk. We walked along the salt marshes but the bugs were so bad, we walked really fast and I didn't take photos. On the way home I saw a sign that we go by, every time we are there. It says, The Fantastic Umbrella Factory. I thought it was a shop and decided we should go check it out. 

Well, it was much more than a shop. It was a group of buildings that are interconnected by paths and trellised arches. It was well worth the visit and we got some more walking in. Most of the items were made by local artisans, but not my cup of tea. 

This was a fun part of the walk, a bamboo forest. I am not sure if it had an out, we couldn't find it, so came back the way we started.

It also had a garden center, ducks and other fowl walking around and even some goats and ostriches.

It is amazing what you find in your own backyard, so it is well worth exploring places in your own neighborhood. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. 

Lots of Wonderful sights to see on the walk around the grounds, but I never did see any umbrellas;)