Weekend Wanderings!

 

This week I didn't get a lot done on my new piece, so hopefully I will finish it this week. I am thinking it is time to start Christmas. I have a few unfinished pieces and ones I wanted to make, along with crafts to make, so a good time to get started.

I got a reservation at our favorite spot in a few weeks for four days, so a great midweek break to get out and try the new trailer. Yes, a new trailer, a much bigger one, so we have room for the whole family now. We will keep the RV since it is great for weekends and day trips and some parks have a size limit, the new one is 32 feet. 

We did get out a few times over the weekend and week. We tried the new double kayak around the lake and did much better this time. I like that we can go to the far coves and have a private spot to relax and swim. This is an old camp that closed down and the state just left it, so a great place to stop.

We got to the lighthouse for a nice walk, lots of butterflies now.

And a Monarch

And lots of birds

And a group of kayakers coming in to practice kayaking and landing at the rocks. 

We went to the beach for a swim at the park, afterwards, but I was so busy trying to get photos that I never did get a swim in.

During the week we went to the town beach, close by so perfect for a swim before dinner. This weekend is iffy, rain on and off, so hopefully we can get out for a paddle before it hits. I hope you are all enjoying your summer. I can't believe it is almost over, but we always enjoy being out in the fall, when the crowds are gone.

Friday: Almost finished

 I tried to push my punching so I could finish my piece. It is finished, but a mess. I did use less floss and that tend to be more puffy, so it looks sloppy. Since I am tired and don't want to leave it like that, I will fix up the problem areas and bad contrast on some areas, so it stands out more. The photo makes it look worse, but you can get the idea, this is what happens when you rush.

Last weekend we took the boys fishing. They love to fish, but have no luck. I think it is because they have small lures and no weight to cast out, far enough. Others were catching fish, but they were using live bait, so we will have to get some better gear for them.

The park also has a lot of hiking areas. The boys enjoyed exploring the areas around the pathways. There are a lot of birds there too, but with noisy boys, it is hard to get any shots. 

The next day Bill and I went for a ride into Connecticut. We stopped at a few places and did some hikes, but couldn't catch any birds that day. We enjoyed getting out and Bean got to have fun too. I really want to come here with the RV and spend the day. The problem is, the road has been collapsing so there is no way we can get it there. 

During the week, Bill had to take a day off for an early appointment, so we had the day to get out. We went to a new place that is owned by the college. They have several areas for gardens and fisheries and allow visitors. 

We walked along a path to an area that is full of trees, all types that the students plant and study. It is also a place full of birds. We heard a lot and saw a few that were too quick to shoot, but I was able to catch quite a few,  and the grove is so peaceful, that I enjoyed just walking around, under the trees. 

In some areas they also had bee hives. It was warming up and you could hear them, so we kept our distance. I think I will go back and bring my portable seat and just sit there.

We took the scenic route home and as we were heading out of the Lighthouse road, we saw a few cars and people milling around. This is why, a Snapping turtle was crossing the road. I got out and took a few shots and then a local lady and I walked along his side, till he got back to the pond side. 

And at home, I have seen an influx of new birds and our summer visitors are returning. Today we spotted a huge Woodpecker, so hoping it will come back for a photo. It looked like a Downy, but bigger than a Hairy should be, so not sure what it was. 

I hope you all have a nice weekend and good weather. We have Alex's first communion tomorrow, and possible rain on Sunday. I am looking forward to nicer weather, but not the heat of summer.

Friday redo!

 

This has been quite the week. We had reservations for camping this weekend, but I ended up cancelling. We had decided to look at larger trailers and were told that we could get back what we owe on ours, plus get cash back. I decided to cancel the trip so we could get things going on a new trailer. Well, once we picked out what we wanted, they tell us we would get back less money, so it was a waste of time. 

I started a new project, so today I was able to finish cutting out the appliqués and the backing is all ready, so I can start that, this week. I redid an area that had a quilted piece in a frame, so that was my project this week. I added a little border and made it into a mini quilt. This is an old design I had done and have always loved it. 

Another thing I did, was buy a new machine. I got a Pfaff quilt expression 720. I was looking at a pricier one, but this one was on sale and just what I need to get my quilt tops finished. Now I need to list my quilter, so I can get back my space.

At home I have been seeing more occupied nests so the moms are busy feeding and more juveniles coming to my feeder. I saw my first Red Bellied young one, so hopefully it will get used to me and I can get a photo.

We also spent a few afternoons at the beach. The water is much warmer this year, but still cool enough to feel good on a humid day. We have a nice weekend coming up, so hopefully we can find places to enjoy without the crowds. We also have bad water quality from the rains at some ponds and the ocean beaches are littered with debris from the floods on the Connecticut river, that wash down into the ocean. 

I hope everyone has a nice weekend and nice weather. It seems we have all had a year of weather extremes.

Friday Finish!

 

A new month means a new design by Kathy Schmitz. This year she is doing another contest where we can make at least 8 of one type of item, from new or past designs. I have decided to go with hot pads, since they are fun to make, I have a ton of Insulation-brite and I will have gifts to give to friends and family members.

The original design is a robin, in red shades, I have gone with actual colors for mine. It also had a thistle type flower on some tops, but for some reason my brain stopped working and I traced them into smaller leaves. Mine is all leaves since I colored them before I realized my mistake. It still looks nice with all the green and the robin and I have a few nieces who love birds.

Last weekend we got a day with the boys. The weather was nice, so we took them to the Umbrella Factory, which is a throw back to the 70's. The boys got to pick something out in the shop and we walked around the grounds. They have Emu's and Chickens that roam about the property. 

We stopped at a couple of beaches and the boys had fun on one beach looking for treasures.

At another they enjoyed the playground. Nick ended the day, telling me he had a good day, which always makes my day.

And we got to spend a few afternoons at the beach. I enjoy the afternoons when the tide is just right to find treasures that get thrown up with the tide.

This week I will be getting ready for Easter. I have gotten the boys a few small toys and candy eggs to hide for our Easter hunt. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Friday Finish and Finds!

 

This was quite the week with the storm, but we made it through without any damage, but we did lose power for 2 days. It was a good week to work on a project so I whipped up some mini sachets that I could work on. It is still hard to do things with my finger but where there is a will, there is a way, lol.

I enlarged it a little since these were minis, perfect for little sachets I can add to packages.

We went to the beach, before the storm rolled in. Beautiful time to enjoy the cleaner air that storms bring in.

The storm bought in a lot of seaweed, hard to find glass under all that mess.

The next day, the beach was a lot cleaner. The temps have been on the humid side but always cooler at the beach.

And of course I found some treasures, quite a few large, old pieces.

And another problem with storms, fledglings fall out of their nests. I found this young Robin on the ground so I put her in the old feeder. She is gone now and the parents were around, so she will be taken care of, no matter where she is hiding.

I hope you all made it through the storm without any damage and have a wonderful weekend.

Camping Month and Birthdays!

Well, the month is over and the last weekend, which is the one we looked forward to, was a washout, so we came home early. For me, camping is being outdoors and if I am stuck inside for 3 days, I would go nuts, lol.

We did get to spend one day before we left, so at least I got in one more paddle and time enjoying the wildlife. It is amazing how many birds and animals live along the waterways.

I was able to find a new nest and  get a shot before I disturbed her enough, to leave the nest. I would think the blackbirds would be used to all the boaters who paddle and fish on the pond.

And here is another Redwing Blackbird couple, she was not going to take that worm to her babies until I left the area. The male just makes a lot of noise and hopes I will go away.

Since the weather was on and off that day, we took a ride to the observation deck and spotted this Hummingbird high in the tree. There were a lot of birds, but they move too fast and hide in the bush, so that is a hard area to get shots.

And I tried to get some shots of the birds near the waterfall, but the rain was blowing into my window, so I couldn't get a clear shot. I decided to make a montage with a saying, for them. 

And since we came home early, we had a little party for the family, Ivy, the boys and Bill, all have birthdays this week. Nick got his new bike, which was too big for him, and since they couldn't take it home, we offered to drop it off the next day. In the meantime, I had Bill take it back and get one a few inches smaller. I rather have him ride a bike that makes him happy than one that he is afraid to ride. Once he got used to it, he was riding like a pro and smiling, that was all I needed to make my day. Alex loves space and wants to be an astronaut, so we got him a play mobile spaceship, play set. 

While we were there, I noticed a lot of activity in their backyard. I guess I don't need to go far to find birds, I can just sit in their backyard.

I spotted a robin, bring dinner, only one baby in her nest.

  

On the side of the yard, another nest, this one a Catbird. She had two smaller babies in her nest.

I also caught a Blue Jay, who was kind enough to pose for me.

And a few of the other visitors to his yard. A Downy Woodpecker, a Carolina wren, one of the neighbors chickens came to visit, a Chipmunk and lots of bees. It definitely was a lot easier than taking photos from a moving boat. 

I hope you all had a wonderful week and a weekend filled with joy. 

Weekend Fun!

 

I am not sure if I should say fun, I did a lot, enjoyed a few paddles and the kids visited for the afternoon on Mother's Day. But, by Saturday I was sneezing and blowing my nose non stop. My DIL started doing the same thing after an hour at camp, so I hope it isn't going to be a regular thing. I paid for the month and can't get my money back, so camping in a wetlands area, in the spring, might not have been the best idea.

It was cooler this weekend, so I wore my nylon suit. It kept me warm and covered my skin, my burn is gone and now I am tan for the summer, lol. I love sitting on the pond, in a quiet cove, so much activity around me.

I lucked out and spotted Baltimore Orioles flying by. I was able to catch one, as well as a Hummingbird and a female Mallard.

Red Winged Blackbirds are nesting all over the banks. I spotted a few nests and if I got too close, the Males would fly off to distract me. I was also able to find a spot to catch this Mother goose on her nest, I didn't want to get too close or she would leave the nest.

In the afternoon, I decided to go for a little bike ride. Wooded pathways, long hilly roads that pass by river and ponds. I love riding in the forest, but I need to work on my leg strength, I still have to walk up hills.

After my ride, I cooled down by taking Bean for a walk. No one was around, so he was able to go off leash for awhile. 

On the way back to camp we stopped at the observation deck and I caught a few visitors at the picnic area. A White Throated Sparrow, a White Breasted Nuthatch and a Robin who looks like he was attacked.

For Mother's Day, I did what I love, another paddle. This time I went up river. I went up to the fork and spotted a few Yellow Warblers. They are nesting in the swamps, so once I got close, they flew off into the bushes, but I caught one that was trying to hide. We also have birds at the camp, the cardinal and his mate are frequent visitors.

And the catch of the day, a Hummingbird on her nest. She always flies off when I come close, so I picked a spot near some bush and sat, until she came back. It is amazing how well they camouflage their nest. I read that they build their nests so that they expand as the young get larger.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. We are home for the week and I need the rest, lol. I have some projects I am working on, so I will post on Friday with some finishes.

Friday Finish and Feathered Friends!

 I actually made time to finish a project. I received the new design from Kathy Schmitz's club and of course I wanted to do it right away. This is the first one, a house design in which you can change the bottom part, this one has the rabbit. I am making one more for my cat sitter so that is next.

I was also able to get out for a few days, loving the warmer spring weather. One day we went to a local beach. I get out for a walk and bird watching and Bill enjoys the views and the fresh air. And Bean gets to go too, he loves the beach.

Another fun thing was watching the Ospreys, this is one of my favorite, that I took. He was eating a fish and got a bone stuck in his throat, which made him gag and shake his whole body. This is how he looked when he was done shaking.

His mate was in the nest, screeching at him to bring some to her, but he was being greedy. She finally gave up and flew to the inlet to find her own dinner.

The next day we went to the island and I spent some time beach combing, while Bean played and had fun on the beach. 

I also got to enjoy some more birding.

And we spotted two nests that were occupied. 

And last but not least, we had a wonderful Easter Day with the boys. We had a hunt for the boys and they loved finding all the goodies that I hid for them. I hope you all had a wonderful week and a wonderful weekend ahead.