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 Finish and Fun!

 

This week I finished one item that I had been working on. I thought it was a bit plain with the solid blue background, so I added some words and extras and it makes a fun wall hanging for Christmas. The design is a free pattern I got from Heart to Hands. 

I also made up a batch of masks. It seems the 3D is the best and my DIL loves that style and the blue, floral bandana, so I made her 4 from what I had left. I also tried some fun fabric I had for Halloween. My brain wasn't working too well and I cut in the wrong direction and meant to place a pumpkin in the front, but they still look ok. I have a lot of yardage of this print, so I just used a piece from the cut end, the rest will go into a halloween quilt or backing for next year.

Last week my son called to say they wanted to go out with us, so we had a family day. They wanted some family photos, but I think they need to not wear hats and gear for family photos, so once I get better at using the new camera, I can do some nice ones for their Christmas card. I also got lucky and a Great Blue Heron flew by and landed in a tree. He was high up and I didn't have a good area to shoot from, but I was able to get a decent shot. One thing with the new camera is it is photoshop ready, so editing comes out much nicer.

On Sunday Bill and I took Bean out for a hike. We went to a new park in Connecticut called Day Pond. It had nice large parking areas and we got a nice hike through the forest to a beautiful cascading waterfall.

I also have been enjoying the birds that are visiting. These were all near the feeder and the birds do not sit still for long. A cardinal, Carolina wren, Tufted Titmouse and a White Breasted Nuthatch, are a few of the bird species that visit.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy a bit of nature and the outdoors in your area.

Friday Finish and Finds!

I finished my turtle, that was it for this week. I am working on a new stitchery of the month and other projects and gardening and keeping up with the house and animals, it seems I have less and less time lately, to do it all.

I love how he came out, not perfect but he is fun and makes me smile.

And one thing keeping me busy is, stripping and sewing strips for rug braiding. The great thing is, it will cut down on the old wool stash from the thrifts and I will have it ready whenever I want to make a little rug. I think I will make a mat for the cat dish next, the thinner wools will be good for that. This is just a start, I was trying to sew on my machine and the bobbin messed up again, so I think I need to get my little Juki out and use that, not worth wrecking my good machine, sewing on wools. Sew by hand is relaxing while I watch tv, but it will take me forever.

And of course we went to the beach on the weekend. We stopped at the southern beach after shopping and the tide was almost in, but we still found some nice pieces. The second day we went to our favorite spot, at low tide. There were a few beach collectors that got there first, but I found quite a few pieces that they missed.

And I have been enjoying some time on the porch, my way to relax and unwind. Lots of critters and birds are enjoying the feeder. The squirrels are a pain, they knock all the seed out of the feeders and I have seen them batt a few birds to get it all for themselves. The Guinea fowl have been spending more time in my yard, even taking naps. There were six and now there are only two, not sure if they got hit by cars or predators.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. We have rain coming in, but I am s sure I can squeeze in some more beach time.