Take A Walk With Us: The Calm Before The Storm

Taking In The Sun

This morning there were gray skies to the east, but when I turned to the west.........blue skies trying their hardest to take over.  The succeeded. So, knowing the forecast calls for snow starting overnight and about 8-10 inches to come (we'll see when it's said and done), the Lucan and I took to the field.

The flowers have long since been dead, but I still find them quite beautiful.
I love seeing how they're built so to speak.

There is always something, be it a leaf or a berry or a hanging branch, that hangs on for dear life.

Nothing like a bit of fresh air and nature to clear your head and ready you for the day.

Have you had a chance to get out where you are, or is the weather making it difficult?  I am loving the sun today and may have to steal away later for another quick walk.

Ciao for now,

Take A Walk With Us

Along The Field

Yesterday was a perfectly perfect Summer day. The humidity has finally left (for now). The sun was shining. It wasn't too hot, but hot enough to get into the pool. There was a lovely breeze. The kind of day we've been waiting for and it was quite distracting while working. I just wanted to be out in it. I didn't cave. I stuck it out at the desk until the end of the day when I enjoy some serious pooltime followed by a jaunt along the field with Lucan.

Now, knowing us, we would have gone into the field, but that has been near impossible. Farmer Stuart has been late on his mowing and his hay crop was taller than me. So, we just mosied along side and that was enough for us.

Same shot, different focus.

It was just what I needed at the end of the day.


Oh yeah.............and this...................

Sunset Meadows

So lovely.

So glad I got a shot of the tall field grass, because Farmer Stuarts ears must have been ringing. He just came and mowed it all down.

We've got another humdinger of a day on our hands again here. I will relish it when I am done at my desk. Ah, Summer.

Make it a great Wednesday in your corner of the world, and I'll do the same here.

Ciao for now,

Take A Walk With Us

Snow, snow, snow, snow, snow!

Hi guys. My downtime is nearly complete. We finally got snow. The prior storm, we happened to be on the snow/rain line so got more wet than white. This does not work for me.  The storm that rolled in yesterday afternoon, made me very happy.

We headed over to the field for a walk and by the time we were on our way back to the house, it was snowing. Fast and furios. It snowed to beat the band most of the night.  I'd say we ended up with 6-7 inches.

So sit back and enjoy a little Winter walk.

Did you see the deer? He said, 'Are you looking at me, because, if you're looking at me...........', and was off to the woods with his pal.

There were footprints of all kinds......deer, dog, cat, crow.

The fresh air was just what we needed.

When we got home, we hunkered down for the night while the sky dumped some white stuff.

This morning we woke to clearing skies.

And iciles.

And a little playtime while we shoveled the drive.

Now I'm going to see if I can do a little 'light reading'. Not really.........I'm going to have a look at my camera manual to see if I can learn a thing or two. Suffice it to say, the learning curve on this one is great so you'll have to bear with me.

Happy Day before New Year's Eve. Hope you're enjoying your Sunday in your corner of the world.

Ciao for now,

Take A Walk With Us & Weekend Crafts

Let's Begin The Week With A Quick Break

It's been pretty rainy here this Fall (Can't really complain though because our Summer was as good as it gets). The sun came out on Saturday, and I knew I had to set some time aside at the end of the day for a jaunt over to the field. Sometimes you've got to get, while the gettin' is good.  You might have guessed, this made the dog incredible happy. As soon as I went for his leash he was turning in circles with excitement. No matter how many times we take a walk, at 13 years old, this is still Lucan's ritual. I get the leash, he turns in circles because his excitement is simply uncontainable.

Luckily the field wasn't too wet from all the rain, so the two of us made the complete round.

I need to get back over there today before more showers get here. I'll be armed with the clippers though, so I can nab some of that bittersweet. So pretty.

Get a load of that hive. It's BIG. We must have walked right by it a gazillion times and never noticed it for all the leaves. Now that many have fallen, I could see it from a good bit away. I wasn't sure what it was a first. I thought maybe it was a big bird like an owl, but as we got closer I could see it was an awesome hive. I'd love to nab that too. It didn't look active. Might need Gar to help me get that one though, it's a little high for me.

Beyond the walk, other things I did this weekend included:

-visiting with neighbors
-Friday night youtubing singing and dancing (I know, you're shocked, right?)
-made a biggo pot of meatballs on Saturday so they could cook all day- so good!
-cleaning house & laundry
-illustrating my 2013 desk calendar design. Getting there, but a little ways to go until it's complete. Gotta get a move on because I want to offer them at the craft fair next weekend.
-a little chalkboard painting (more below)

All in all, it was (well, other than the fact that our Yanks lost their first two games to Detroit and Jeter Duck broke his ankle- ugh. If you are wondering why I refer to Jeter as Jeter Duck, there is a picture in the middle of this post that will explain everything ), a pretty enjoyable weekend.

Say What You Mean

As we prepare for the craft show we're participating in next weekend, in addition to my illustrations and paper goods, and Gar's concrete home and garden decor, I wanted to include some other crafts. Yesterday I worked on the sweetest little project. Mini chalkboard trays.

I started out taping off, the area in the center I wanted to paint.

I soon decided though, that it was best to free hand it and opted for a smaller brush as well.

These are easy as pie. Just a matter of drying time between coats, that made this a practice in patience.

Once they were dry, I put the next coat on and really love the way they came out.

If you happen to live near by, we'd love to see you at the fair next Saturday.  Here's the poster I designed for the library. Stop by for a visit!

Here's to a new week. Make it a great one. Hey, if you follow us on Facebook, stop by for Meet Up Monday and share your links (i.e. facebook, etsy shop, pinterest, twitter, etc.). 

ttfn,

Take A Walk, or Maybe Two, or Three With Us

Open Air

The weather cooperated this week, walk-wise anyways (not poolwise). It was perfect walking temps. This all meant happy ends to the days for me and the hound. Unfortunately, Gman wasn't getting home early enough to enjoy the walks with us. That didn't stop Lucan and I from heading across to the field.

The sky was blue most days, found some raspberries (which I proceeded to eat... you didn't think I was leaving that surprise fall treat there, did you?), there were still flowers in many colors, the trees were barely starting to turn, whispy clouds made their way across the sky, and fall berries beckoned the new season.

Hoping we might get one in later today, if it's not raining. Kind of a rainy gray day here. I have to say though, I like waking up to rain on a Saturday morning. Not all the time of course, but once in awhile. 

Last night we enjoyed a campfire with the neighborhoodlums at Tom and Joans.  Thinking we'll grill a burger later and if the weather cooperates, we'll have a campfire out back tonight.

Off to take care of Saturday errands which included dropping off a check for our space reservation for our first craft fair (Saturday, October 20th from 10-4pm at Stratham Municipal Center in case you're in the area), which supports the town library and is being organized by a fellow etsy shop owner, Lori from BeJewelled NH. Lori and I might finally get to meet each other face to face. I haven't done a craft fair in years. It should be interesting doing one with Gar where we both sell our wares.  Since it raises money for the library, I offered to design a poster for the fair that will hopefully get people's attention. I want people to see all the wonderful handcrafted work available from local artisans.  

Speaking of artisans.....there is only about a week left to enter the Muse September giveaway for $180+ in handmade and vintage prizes. Have you seen what these talented folks have given you a chance to win? Man, oh man I'd really love to enter, but it just wouldn't be right.

I hope you're enjoying the weekend whether you have a long to-do list or are taking it easy.

Ciao for now,



It's Been A Long Time...Take A Walk With Us

Put One Foot In Front Of The Other

Hey gang, as I mentioned yesterday, there was a storm heading our way.  We totally lucked out. After we battened down the hatches, we still had time before it hit to head over to the field for a good stretch of the legs.  Needless to say, Lucan was thrilled.  It's been such a hot summer, meaning we didn't get too many of our walks in, so I was thrilled too.

Gar was lead-man through the field and into the woods.

And yes, we did beat the storm.

The field across the street is our go-to place to walk for a few reasons: 

1. it's literally across the street. 
2. when you get to the top of the hill, it drops down and nobody knows you're there and the dog isn't distracted by what's going on in the road.
3. there is plenty of room for Lucan to run 
4. we nearly always score something special to bring home, yesterday it was the hawk feather. 
5. if you go up and down the hills, it's a pretty good workout (which I could really use at this point)
6. we often share the field with deer and turkeys. we hear coyotes at night, but thankfully haven't run into any during the day. i usually have a big stick just in case.
7. at the far end of the field, there is a trail of sorts that goes into the woods. it's a great place for quiet thinking and destressing. we've seen an owl and a porcupine in a tree in the woods. the owl did the entire headtwist while looking at us, and the porcupine stayed way up in the tree. good porcupine.
8. our town conserved this beautiful open land a few years ago and nothing can ever be built on it
9. it's the backdrop for sunset meadows

I feel very lucky to have numerous routes for walking and enjoying nature, including the field, the trails around the corner and at Phillips Exeter, and of course, the beach. Now, I do enjoy a walk in our neighborhood too, but I'd choose an off road walk over and on road walk any day.

What's your favorite place to walk?

By the way, as far as the storm goes it did get very windy and it lashed rain. No trees down in our yard but close....our neighbors Lauren and Jay lost one out back at the edge of the woods. They didn't even know it until Gar went over to offer his chainsaw.  Good thing the storm was a quick mover.

$180+ of Handmade and Vintage for You To Win

No kidding. 

When I say Mercantile Muse sponsors are awesome, I am not pulling the wool over your eyes. This month they've been kind enough to offer prizes totalling close to $200. Did you enter yet? Somebody has to win, but you can't win if you don't enter.

Since they're so damn cool and I think you'll really like them, you will find them in the righthand sidebar.  When you have a chance, you really should check out their shops. I think you'll be happy that you did.

Did you notice it's Wednesday already? Woohoo to that!

Ciao for now,