Friday finish!

 

This week I worked on a simple table topper for the summer. I have had the sheep fabric for years, and thought it was perfect for a little table I have to keep snacks in. I also got out to the trailer to check it out and get it ready for a trip I planned for next week.

Well, not sure I am going now, not since I walked in the trailer and looked around. Since I broke my foot, I hadn't been out to the trailers myself, so this was the first time I went in the new one. I started to notice little black spots, mouse turds. Then I noticed them on the top of the bed, and then found them in the dish drawers. I started looking everywhere and luckily they didn't go in any of the top areas or clothing cabinets, but what I found was, their nest, in a little drawer. It is the one my husband uses for some shorts and bathing suit and he left them in there and they had made a nest in there. 

Then I looked around and could not figure out what they used to make the nest, until I opened the hidden storage under the bed. They had chewed a hole in a quilt and used the stuffing from inside. As I was taking things out to clean, I noticed a horrid smell in the bathroom and it wasn't until I lifted the garbage can with a swing lid that I found the mice, both dead. They jumped on top and fell in and couldn't get out. So, I have sprayed everything down with bactroban and letting it sit till the sun comes out. Then I have to clean every surface and open windows to air it out. Luckily the smell is gone, but I read up on sanitizing and following those steps. It is going to take me awhile to do all that cleaning, so leaving on thursday seems too much. The Rv is also a mess, seems the workers who installed the new generator made a mess, so that has to be cleaned too. 

So, not too happy with all that and that someone who said things was fine, did not look in every space like I said. So, for now I am just going to take care of me and work on projects and getting my rooms redone so I can be more organized and enjoy being in them again. 

And I finish another painting. I find it hard to follow her directions, but I try and do the lesson parts and a bit on my own. The next one was another sunflower, so I skipped that and am onto a rose. I will keep the ones I don't do for Alex, he loves to paint and I can teach him a bit with watercolor painting.

Last week we went for a walk at the farm sanctuary. Lots of birds, but none wanted a photo, but I was able to catch a funny pair of swallows. Another swallow kept going to their nesting box and they were getting upset. It finally left and the two were happy again.

We stopped at the beach and walked a bit to see if the piping plovers were nesting behind the fences. I took photos and realized when I saw them, I realized I had spotted a group of Killdeer. It is a protected area, so I guess they are using it too. We also spotted an Osprey and a Willet. 

The other day I was watching tv and I heard a loud thump on the back door. I found this poor guy on the porch, who was stunned from the hit. I watched him until he finally moved and then he jumped over to the rail, and eventually a tree, then off to the trees where they stay. I was so glad he was ok, I love seeing the Orioles come to the feeder, they are so beautiful. I have stickers on my windows, but when the sparrows dive in, they scare off others who fly into the window on occasion. 

So it was a week of good and bad, among other things, so for now, I will just relax and decide if I can ever sleep in a bed that had mice pooping all over it, even if I clean it, lol. We had a tent trailer that happened to, and they ate through the mattresses, we sold it. I hope everyone has a nice Mother's Day, another holiday I avoid, but I find a way to enjoy the day in other ways. It looks like warmer weather and less rain next week, so I hope you all have better weather and we can all enjoy some time outside.

Vacation happenings!

 

A vacation at home can be tiring, today I crashed, lol. We have been keeping busy and then I come home and keep up around home. I thought I would do an extra post tonight since I have so many photos and hopefully more to come later. I haven't had any time to do any projects, but sometimes it is good to take a break and then I can get back into the projects I haven't finished.

We took a hike at a local bike path, we went off onto a path that leads to a beach and walked the beach. We spotted this Snowy Egret, along the way.

Another day we went to a farm sanctuary. There is a paved area to walk around, but we found a new path in the back, that goes through grapevine covered areas and an estuary. Lots of birds in the area and I was able to catch a few. A Song Sparrow, Red-Winged Blackbird and a Goldfinch. 

The farm has a few donkeys and horses, I just love this little donkey.

On Monday we headed to Newport to visit Colt State Park, which is further up in Bristol. It is a beautiful park, lots of places to walk and expansive views of the bay. A great place to spend the day with family.

I was trying to get a photo of the weathervane and this Osprey decided to get into the picture.

Yesterday we went for a paddle at a salt water pond, that opens to the ocean. We enjoyed paddling around the little islands and landed on a strip that had a path, to the ocean side. Coming back, I spotted this pair of Horseshoe crabs, I guess it is breeding season.

Along the way, I spotted all different types of shore birds. There are also fenced off areas for the piping plovers, but I wasn't able to spot any babies, they are too well hidden. I did spot a few foraging along the shoreline, a Willet, Piping Plover and a White-Rumped Sandpiper, a first for me.

While on the beach, we watched this Tern dig a nest in the sand. Then every time we got up or moved, she got all upset and flew off. Not the best spot to have a nest, with rough seas and people walking down the beach.

While paddling, I spotted this Great Egret on a point. I had to get into a little cove and take a photo while I rocked in the boat and it actually made a nice effect.

And at home, I was thrilled to see Baltimore Orioles coming to the grape jelly, feeder. The Catbirds are more skittish, but this one came to visit and show off his tail. 

We have one more day of cooler weather and then the heat kicks in, so I am hoping my energy comes back tomorrow and we can have some more adventures. 

Weekend Wanderings and Works!

It is that time of the year where I get out more and we had a full weekend, so I thought I would do my Monday postings to share our adventures with you. I also started prepping materials for more masks. Today I cut out the masks and made more Tshirt yarn for the ties.

It took me about 3 hours to make it, it is time consuming but worth it to get a continuous string to avoid waste. For now I am doing the main shirt, but I did find a video to cut a continuous piece from the upper parts as well, so I will try that when I get a chance.

I cut off the upper and bottom piece, then cut 1 1/4" strips, then I take the piles of strips and watch tv while I pull on the piece, which makes it twist into the rope shape. It is tough on the joints, but worth it to do a lot at once, so now I have plenty to last a while.

On Saturday we took the boys out for a birthday, day. They got their cameras and off we went. We started at a graveyard on the river that goes to the ocean, but Alex fell asleep, so Nick and I just walked around for a bit. Then we took them to a new place, a bird sanctuary that goes to a salt water pond.

The boys loved this place, an easy walk for them.

And of course they had to show off their jumping skills. Nick likes to do the spin and jump technique.

Alex is at such a fun age, everything is fun and exciting and he loves to play superman.

And while we were out I was able to capture a few birds. An Osprey, a Willet and a Salt Marsh Sparrow.

On Sunday we took them on another outing. This time we drove into Connecticut and visited two parks in the same park system. The first we found a great open spot to park in and got to enjoy a hike around the campgrounds.

The second was at another campground and beach area, so we enjoyed hiking around the trails. The photo with them sitting in front of the pond is from the first camp. They are closed for camping but allowing people to come for picnics and hiking, which is nice since our camps are closed to all access.

It was nice to get out and with the new camper, the kids are comfy and we have our own bathroom, which helps since bathrooms are closed. Nick took some photos and this one is my favorite, he loved taking pictures and when he found out it played games, loved it even more. Alex's camera took longer to charge and the next day he forgot it.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. With all that is going on, it is good to get out and find joy in our lives.