Lots of Snow Weekend!

We got quite a bit of snow this weekend, so we couldn't go out for any long drives. I was upset about my lens being sent back so we called back and explained to the company, which was actually a foreign service but at least he connected us with the manager of the store. It would be nice if they actually had a number you could call, but  you get an automated message only and no way to talk to an actual person.

The manager was nice and she said she would call back but after two hours, I got tired of waiting. The snow was starting to fall so we headed to the store before it got worse. At that point I was tired of going in circles, so I stated that I didn't like the fact that I would have to buy another lens and since the standard lens was junk, I would want a better one which was twice the price. It still came back to the statement that they already sent it back to the warehouse. No idea why they just didn't shelf it and sell it again and what happens when it goes to the warehouse, it disappears? Haha.

So, we came to an agreement, I get to keep the wide angle for free, so I came out ahead on that since it cost more than the other. Then she said I could have a discount on a new lens, so how could I resist. I decided to go with a better quality 55mm, so I have something for regular shots and it is also nice for portraits.

Of course I had to try out my new lenses, but even with the sun out, the roads were snow covered and slippery.

The first is with the Zoom. I usually shoot at 200, since the full 300 will come out blurry. I shot this from the porch and Bill and Bean are in the back yard. I was hiding under the umbrella, the boys didn't seem to care that it was near blizzard conditions.

This was a phone shot, Bean would stay out, till he turned into a popsicle.

Since we got a late start Sunday, we headed to the village. The first stop was the wharf. As usual the sun was in the wrong position but I caught this cute little guy, hiding in the pots, to keep warm. They like to eat the bugs and things that are on the seaweed that sticks to the cage.

On the other side, I noticed some sailboats, so had to go check it out. It was cold and windy, I would not want to be in a boat now.

In town is another wharf, where you can sit and enjoy the views. 

I was just about to take a photo of the seagull, sitting on the post, when he decided to fly off.

The last stop was at the town launch. It seems someone forgot to bring their boat in. I love the coves in the winter, but it is so cold, I had to give up and go home, to warm up. I hope you enjoyed seeing our town in the winter.

How we spent our New Years!

This weekend we stayed close to home and no partying for us, I had enough of that in my younger days;) Saturday we stayed home most of the day, but I got bored and we took a trip to the antique store. I needed some lavender and they carry fresh, by the scoop, so I am all set for making sachets to add to my boxes when I restore things. It is a great way to keep the moths away and the musty smells from my basement.

Sunday was our big day. The day there is a polar bear plunge in almost every town near the ocean. We decided to go to our local plunge and luckily the temps went up to 45 that day, haha. I was surprised to see so many kids at the plunge and a few old timers, but I also noticed a lot of people just ran in and ran out, no dunking. At ours, people pay a fee to participate and bring a jar of peanut butter for the local food pantry, so it is all for a good cause.

Here are a few photos I took, the tide was going out at the town beach, so not only was it further to run in, but further to get back out to a warm towel.

After a rest and warm up at home, we went back out for a walk at Fort Getty, while the sun was out. Bean was very excited when he saw where we ended up, one of his favorite places. We walk down to some inlets, where he can run off leash.

Through the maze of rocks to get to the beach.

Lots of room to run and play, though he didn't seem to understand it was not a good time to go in the water.

On the way back, we stopped at the other side for some views of the inner bay and the Dutch Island lighthouse. When I was little, we took our little boat to the island for picnics and exploring.

After a ride up to the other lighthouse I realized how close we were to sunset. I hated missing out, but I didn't want to sit in the car that long and it was getting colder, so no more walking. Instead, we went to the other side of the island to Fort Wetherill to see what the sunset was like there.

The sun was right at the opening of the channel and casting beautiful glows across the water. I wish I could have gotten a nicer photo, one of those things, you have to be there.

The sun sets fast, but we got up the hill on the other side to catch the last golden colors as it streaked across the sky. I added a saying to the photo, it seemed perfect for this one.

On the way home it was dark and the village was all lit up. This is a set of stores on the dock, my camera decided to light it up for me, so it looks like twilight instead of night. I hope everyone had a wonderful week and ready to get back to creating again. I have two pieces I made and more this week, so there will be some new things on Friday.

If you are a cat lover and looking for a free project, Theodore Cleave is offering free cat designs that you can use in a quilt. She also offers fun buttons that you can add to your pieces, that match her designs.

Weekend Wanderings!

We had another beautiful weekend, but it was hot. We stayed home most of saturday and waited till the late afternoon, before we hit the Wickford Art Show. It is the oldest running art show in New England. There was a lot of beautiful paintings and unique art, as well as photographers. The artists are lined up on the sidewalks, on both sides of the two main roads, so a lot of walking and art to take in.

One booth that caught my eye and drew me in was a photograph of rocks with a red heart rock in the center. The work was by Patrick Zephyr and he truly captures the essence of the scene and evokes the emotions of his photographs. The heart photo can be seen HERE. I bought a card with the heart photo, that was in my budget;) I am inspired to try some photos with the rocks and beach items, I have collected.

Here is the end portion of Main Street in Wickford. We also stopped in the shops along the way, but most are specialty items and geared for tourists.

Sunday we visited my SIL and enjoyed her beach. I got to try my little sit on kayak, which I realize is only good for playing on, not to do any distance. Of course, Bean had a good time, he was able to go off leash and run along the beach and enjoy some time in the water.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend, as well.

The day after!

The storm is over and tonight the moon is out, all is good.

We had a lot of wind and one tree that came down, on my fence, so that has to be fixed.

Our village was under water and today we drove through to see how things were. You could see the water that was still around the homes and a few with pumps, getting the water out of the basements.

Usually a boat or two gets thrown into someones yard, but today, just one left it's mooring. 

Since we were in the village, I decided I wanted to go see the old church. When I was a kid, I went to a  Baptist church in town and we would hold special services in the Old Narragansett Church. It is the oldest Episcopal church in the Northeast, built in 1707.

Here is the church from the side with the old gravestones. Now it is open for tours only.

We decided to take a drive south and go to the URI bay campus. It is a nice place to enjoy the views of the bay and the coastlines. There were still some waves and this poor guy couldn't sit and relax for long, before he got hit with one.

And a few were just too much, so he had to get off the rock when those hit. It was nice to get out and I hope that the rest of the states are able to get back to enjoying their lives again.

Sunday Paddle and Caption Giveaway!

The weatherman said that it would not be as humid today, but I think he lied, lol. It was a beautiful day and a nice breeze on the bay, but still hot and the type of heat that you do not notice until you are done and totally exhausted;)

This weekend was the art festival, but I had a choice and I wanted to paddle, so I decided to go into town to check it out. 

Going into the town's harbor, we were greeted by feathery fowl.

You can see the artist's tents, over 200 artist's displayed their work, this year. 

Way too hot to sit in the coves, it was time to leave and head for the bay. We went out and straight for our town beach, the perfect place to go for a swim.

That helped refresh me, so back out on the bay and down the coast. Blue skies and blue seas, is the only place for me.

Around the next point, the water gets rougher, wind, tides and lots of boat swells, better than a roller coaster.

With high tides, we can go into coves that are normally cut off by land. Usually the island to Bill's right, goes all the way across during low tide.

In the cove we paddled down the river that runs behind the old mill.

And now for the contest photo. As I was getting this one ready, I noticed some funny things, sooooo, give me a caption for the photo and I will put all the names into a drawing and one lucky winner will receive one of my epatterns or booklets. I will draw a name on Tuesday night and announce the winner on my blog post. I will be doing a traveling box, just need to decide on a box size and what I will put in it, so stay tuned for that.