Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

September 30, 2015

September 28, 2015

Stunning Fall Evenings

Best time of the year right now.  I love fall.  Not looking forward to winter though.  But trying to get some nice shots of the clouds and sunsets.

I wish the pics of these clouds could do justice to what the light looked like the day I took them.  The sun was on it's way down and while it was a bit cloudy in the west, the east had these gorgeous white clouds with blue sky.  It was reflecting the light into my yard such that it looked like sunrise, not sunset.  


Then they turned this colour.


Next night we had a pretty moon.

Two nights later it was stunning!  I should've driven to the beach but I knew this would be fleeting so I stayed in my driveway.




September 25, 2015

Craftie Update

I love all things celestial, so when I saw a picture on Pinterest of Galaxy Cookies, I had to try them.  So I made up a batch of sugar cookies, and I purchased a large, round cutter because I knew I would need a big surface to work on.  HERE is the link to the tutorial.  Of course me being the super impatient person that I am, I decided to cut corners on the icing.  For one, I just mixed powdered sugar with milk and added the food colouring, rather than deal with royal icing which can be a pain to keep moist.  I also opted not to pipe the colours onto the cookies and used a spoon and plastic knife to spread.  The icing was of course a little too runny, so dragging the toothpick through it yielded so-so results.  Then I did the white stars but again, with runny icing, the dots came out big and globby.  I had the patience to do only 5 cookies this way before throwing in the towel and doing the rest with the leftover icing.  Still though, very tasty.


Yet another fall project I had to try:  Glitter on acorns.  Came out pretty!

My friend Lisa gave me a bunch of wine bottles over the summer.  I spray painted 4 of the large ones with frosted spray paint, drilled holes in the back, drew the tree scene with a paint pen and stuff a strand of orange and purple lights inside.  I have 3 more bottles to do.

Finished the skull cross stitch and framed it.  Giving it to my stepdaughter.

I made a counting error on my shells so that set me back because I've had to go back and rip out stitches twice.  Still chipping away at it.

September 22, 2015

Beach Therapy

Now that beach stickers or parking lot fees are no longer required, I am free to resume my beach combing endeavors until next spring.  Headed over to Scusset late one morning on my way home from Plymouth.  I thought I was going to hit the end of low tide but it had already started coming back in.  I was surprised to see so many people still sun worshipping.  I thought I'd have the place to myself.  


It was crystal clear but the fog horn over there on the breakwater was sounding every few minutes.


The water photo bombed this picture and ended up making it better than if it was just wet stones.

Lots of 'dump ducks'.



Tons of tiny clam shells at the tide line.

I actually made a terrible error with them.  As you can see in the above pic, and the one below this one, several of the shells are open.  I assumed the clams had been eaten by the gulls.  I scooped up a whole bunch of shells to bring home to do crafts.  After I got home, I dumped everything in my baggie into a colander to rinse.  Only then did I see the clam shells closing on their own.  I realized, oh crap, they are still alive.  I felt horrible.  I frantically texted Russell to ask if they would still live if I got them into the water at the beach near my house and he said they would, so Operation Clam Rescue 2015 was put into action.  Drove down to the beach and dumped them into the water there.  I hope they survive.


Gentle waves.


It was so hot on the beach that I was tempted to just go in the water fully dressed.  But I didn't.




Here comes my yacht!



Heading into the Canal.  I wonder if it went all the way through or stopped at the Sandwich Marina.


Not much glass....I didn't expect to find any at all, but I got 5 pieces.  The olive and white ones were very nice pieces.  And cobalt blue, no matter how tiny, is always appreciated.  


September 20, 2015

Scorton Creek Trails

As with most places, you never tend to explore your own home town area even when you pass by a place literally thousands of times.  While I had driven down the little road to Scorton Creek in the past a couple of times, I never actually walked the trails that lead out to the old game farm, which is now gone.

I started out at the parking lot which is off Rte 6A a piece.


Weather was absolutely perfect for a nice walk in the woods!



Lots of bird houses.



I walked out to Hoxie Pond.  I was only on this little beach once before when I was very young, with a friend.  I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8.


Headed back to check out the rest of the trails



There are a couple old boarded up buildings.  Not sure if they are open in the summer.



These tracks run past the cranberry bog across from my parents' house.  I used to walk them all the time as a kid.  You can walk all the way to Sandwich and beyond if you are so inclined.

It's funny, when I shot this, I thought my horizon line was level.  Apparently not!


 I veered off on the marsh trail and came upon this little bridge.  Only when I turned back to go to my car and saw the trail map did I find out that it links up with Talbot's Point, another recreational/trail area off Old County Road.  I'm going to have to go back later this fall.





Foliage is starting!

Back at the parking area.  That's Rte 6A where the bridge is.  Kids jump off it into the water at high tide in the summer, although I never did it despite growing up very close by.