What a hoot!

Is this just the cutest little owl you've ever seen?!?!
This adorable little creature was created for me by my dear friends Nancy & Bill to honor my owl siting earlier this year - and it makes me so happy just to look at it. Nancy is a genius with fabric and her sewing machine and Bill can work wonders with a piece of wood - put it all together and you have a masterpiece.
I absolutely LOVE it!!! Thank you, dear friends!

I do so love a good swap...

A fun project created for an upcoming yankee swap I am participating in. Upholstery fabrics form the base of the sack, onto which I collaged some lace, paper and metal findings. I will fill the sack with a few small items - it'll be so much fun to see who gets my little treasure - I hope she likes it!

December 4, 5 & 6...

Advent 2009...

...another Advent Season
...another set of Advent ATCs
Enjoy!

Gobble, gobble...

Well, here it is - Thanksgiving Day - the beginning of the holiday season! I look forward to going to Worcester today to celebrate with my Mom and siblings; along with my nieces & nephews (and their significant others). And, of course, my husband and sons will all be there, too! This has got to be my favorite holiday, because it is the only time that ALL of us are able to be together. Hopefully we'll have some good photo ops today. My assignment is complete - two pans of bread stuffing, one large bowl of cole slaw, and brownies. Thankfully my sister Tina makes, totally from scratch, all the pies....and they are soooo yummy. Joe is cooking the bird and everyone else will bring the rest.
Well, off to get ready and hit the road...
My best wishes to you for a happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

And life goes on...

Just plugging away at life...working, cooking, housekeeping, caregiving, church doing....you get the basic idea! I've been working on a few creative projects, too, which I will post sometime soon. Looking forward to a day trip to NYC with my sister on Saturday...should be fun in spite of all the travel time.
Well, off to do more 'living!'

Three owls...

While browsing at Barnes & Noble last week, I spotted this journal; and considering my owl siting of several weeks ago (see Oct. 4 posting), I just had to have it!

Happy Halloween!!! Garett and I created this J-O-L last night....

Getting back to life off-Cape...

Well...I haven't posted for a while now, but it's not because I haven't been up to anything...quite the contrary! Settling back into an off-season routine has been a challenge. (My season, as you well know, is summer...so the rest of the year, all eight long months of it, is my off-season!) Getting back to work, re-immersing myself into my church activities and adjusting to life in my "winter home" have been rather time consuming, but always interesting. Additionally, I had the pleasure of traveling to Atlanta last week for a wonderful visit with friends there.
Nevertheless, I have still maintained my dedication to ATC swaps, and present here the most recent card, created for a swap at Scrapbook Cupboard in Bridgewater. The theme was "Trees" and I knew immediately that I just had to showcase Joyce Kilmer's poem...an all time favorite of mine.

Uh oh...

Uh oh....I just found a spot of mustard on my sweater...I wonder how that got there?!?!

I can't believe I ate...

...Hot Dogs!!!

Not being much of a meat eater, hot dogs are one of the last foods I would ever eat; but this afternoon, while visiting family in Worcester, my brothers and I took a trip down memory lane and went to Coney Island, a Worcester landmark well known for their hot dogs. Not only were the dogs to die for (grilled & smothered in meat-sauce, onions & mustard on a steamed roll), but just being inside the place was a trip back in time. All the furnishings, along with the carved names and initials on the booth surrounds, are original - and everything is remarkably clean. Coney Island and its attached bar, George's, were established in 1918 and are still going strong. To see the old neon sign aglow at night is a real treat. I can just imagine being there in, say, 1946, when Worcester's finest were returning home from the war and reuniting with friends, listening to Sinatra's latest hits on the jukebox and chowing down a few dogs...

So if you ever find yourself in downtown Worcester, it will be well worth your time to satisfy your hunger by getting a "Coney dog" or two ($1.50 each) or, as I did, three! Ah, I can still (burb) taste them now!

Owls in my yard...

An exciting thing happened here at the Nest a few weeks ago...on September 13th actually (coincidentally the day of my 60th birthday). Being an early riser, I was enjoying my morning coffee and reading from Beston's Outermost House in the quiet and solitude of the upstairs sitting room. I could clearly hear what I suspected were the calls of owls just outside. So I stepped out onto the deck, and much to my delight and amazement I saw two large owls in trees very close to the house. A third could be heard responding to their voices, but not seen. Since that morning, I have heard them again (most recently at 5:30 this morning), and upon listening very carefully, believe that they are Great Horned Owls...distinguished by their resonant hooting - hoo, hoo-oo, hoo, hoo. Though the presence of these owls may be relatively common in this area, I consider my siting and hearing to be a distinct pleasure and gift, a truly memorable experience!

(P.S. I did not take this photo; it was downloaded from the net.)

Happy Birthday, Paul!!!

I certainly cannot let this day go by without posting a special birthday wish for my brother Paul. This ATC was created using a childhood photo of him taken, obviously, after he had injured his arm. Paul has dealt with a lot during his lifetime...accidents, surgeries, therapies...but survived it all and is probably a stronger person because of it. One thing I can say for sure is that he never complained about pain and discomfort...he was a real trooper through it all! Paul has been a very special friend and uncle to my son Garett, and for that, among many other things, I am deeply grateful.

Happy birthday, dear brother...we love you lots!!! Garett sends birthday wishes, too!

ATCs to share...

In addition to the beautiful card shown in my last post, my dear friend also sent these wonderful ATCs. Judy and I have been exchanging Artist Trading Cards each month for the past two years, many of which I have shared through blog posts. The detail in Judy's cards is exquisite...each little flower cut from fabric and arranged into a bouquet...bits of fabric cut and placed to form a delicate silhouette...bold colored felt & hand stitching creating "almost a circle"...all so lovely and uniquely "Judy"...enjoy!!!

"Evening Song"

This beautiful piece of paper cut-work was created by my dear friend Judy. The foreground, with all its fine detail, is hand cut from black cardstock and overlayed onto a beautifully hand-colored 'sunset.'

As it sits on my bedroom bureau, "Evening Song" will sing its quiet tune of beauty, peacefulness & friendship evermore. Thank you, Judy!

Fantasy destination...

Another art journal has come my way. The owner has requested participants to reveal a place they would travel if they could go anywhere in the world. Well, this was an easy one. Since forever, I have always dreamed of going to Egypt - a destination of mystery, antiquity and beauty. These are the pages I created...probably the most I will ever see of my fantasy destination.

The Newlyweds....

Yesterday was an exciting day for the family....our niece's wedding. With the Atlantic Ocean as their background, Joanna & Sean exchanged their vows at Bass Rocks in Gloucester, under a beautiful, sun-drenched sky. After the service, family and friends joined together for a dinner reception. The beautiful bride and her groom are pictured here, dancing their first dance as Mr. & Mrs.!!!

Congratulations and best wishes, Joanna and Sean, for a long and happy life together!

Bye, Lorna...

I know I've said this before, but one of the greater pleasures of having a summer home on the Cape is being able to share it with friends and family. The last few days have been days of fun, fun, fun with my dear friend Lorna. We talked, ate, drank, talked, swam, sunned, talked, shopped...well, you get the idea...we did all the stuff girl-friends do! Her 'significant purchase' this visit was a Trollbeads bracelet, which is absolutely stunning! As a matter of fact, I may just have to start one of these gem collectors for myself!

Well, Lorna is gone now...the house feels strangely empty and quiet...but wait!...who's that coming up the driveway?!?!

Two brothers, one sister...

The last few days have been a fun-filled time of reminiscing and reconnecting with two of my three brothers. This is probably the first time since I left our family home (33 years ago) that we have actually lived together in the same household - and they were just kids then - John was 17, Joe was 12. To have experienced them as adult men with history was a joy, and yet, in many ways they are still the little brothers I have always adored. We spent many hours at the beach and lots of time remembering our shared childhoods. We even became nostalgic for some of Mom's home cooked Lithuanian food; so, needless to say, we made some borscht (beet soup) and keugele (potato cake), which turned out great!
Well, the boys are gone now, but the memories will remain forever. I love you guys, thanks for being here!!!

Garett on horseback...

As part of his capeAbilities program, Garett has been receiving "horse-therapy" this summer - he is not only riding, but also learning about the grooming and care of horses. The fact the he is actually in the saddle absolutely amazes me!

I am most appreciative and thankful to program staff member Patti J., who has afforded him this opportunity. The program is available to capeAbilities clients due to a grant written for this purpose. Therapy sessions take place at Diamond's Edge, a stable in W. Barnstable.

Sunday Worship

One of the finer joys of summer on the Cape is Sunday worship at the beach. Hosted by the local Methodist church, this early morning service has been a tradition for many years and is well attended by locals and visitors. Worship always begins with a hearty hymn sing and time for silent meditation; and being the beach lover that I am, nothing is more satisfying and fulfilling for me than hearing God's voice reflected in the sound of the waves, wind and shore birds. Prayers, scripture, and a meaningful message are always central in this worship service, along with musical offerings and more hymns. If you ever find yourself on Nauset Beach at 7:30 on a Sunday morning, please join us in the gazebo - you'll be glad you did!

Beach glass

Wow! It's been way too long since I have posted and I hope to be more regular from here on out...

Much to my delight, the past weeks have been busy with visits from family and friends. Whether at the beach or lounging at home, time with loved ones always passes too quickly. Fortunately, our weather is improving - lots of sunshine and less rain. Our nights continue to be cool, providing perfect sleeping conditions. Imagine, mid-July and the air conditioner hasn't even been uncovered!

A recent walk along the shore with my daughter-in-law yielded this bounty of beach glass. The piece of golden amber is especially beautiful - an uncommon find to be sure!

Secretaries' Retreat

This past weekbeginning (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) I had the pleasure of attending the Church Secretaries' Conference/Retreat at Craigville Conference Center on Cape Cod. An annual meeting of women called to a common 'ministry', this event is an opportunity to connect with others who know my job only all too well. We all serve in differing capacities, from full-time office administration to part-time work in specific areas, but yet recognize and honor the common thread of our focus - service to God and our churches. In addition to attending an informational seminar on Safe Church Policy, we ate, played and worshiped together, strengthening our friendships and appreciation of and for one another.

A nature walk...

It may not have been the seashore, but it was a wonderful walk nonetheless! On Wednesday morning I joined a group from the Museum of Natural History for a pleasant trek through the trails of Beebe Woods in Falmouth. Once a privately owned estate, the densely forested acreage of this conservation area provides well maintained & marked trails for nature walking. I delighted in seeing many lady-slippers in bloom and renewed my appreciation for the beauty and rich color of the moss which skirted the trails. The kettle pond we encountered (The Punch Bowl), which was once thought to be "bottomless," enhanced and reflected the beauty of this incredible place. My thanks to our guide, Connie, for transporting us and introducing me another Cape Cod gem!

Whale watching...

Garett and I had the pleasure of doing some whale watching yesterday. We departed from MacMillan Warf in Provincetown at 10 am, aboard the Portugese Princess II of the Dolphin Fleet. The trip to Stellwagen Bank passed quickly as we traveled out of the harbor, the shoreline providing beautiful scenery along the way. Before long we were being entertained by the many whales we encountered as they surfaced, breached, rolled and flapped their tails in the chilly waters of the Atlantic. Much to my surprise, there was always a whale in sight! After about an hour of watching these beautiful creatures, we headed back to the harbor.

While on the trip we met a couple from N. Carolina who were visiting Massachusetts to attend a wedding. They were doing the whale watch to fulfill a lifelong dream...I think they got their dream's worth!!!

Well...yesterday's class with Ted Mullett was great...I learned some new techniques which I'll be spending lots of time playing with! As soon as I come up with a few creations, I'll post them.

I also started reading a new book yesterday - The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. Recommended by a couple of friends, it is already proving to be all they said it would be. A work of fiction, it tells the story of a man's face to face experience with God. Definitely a worthwhile read - lots of food for thought.

Well, off to do some needed organizing and decluttering...and more reading!

I'm back....

Hurray, hurray...back to the nest at last! Actually though, I am here a bit earlier than in years past, which is a very good thing.
Yesterday was a special time...my niece Joanna's bridal shower - a beautiful occasion for a beautiful person.
Today I am looking forward to learning something new and interesting at a class at Colorful Creations in Hyannis. The guest artist/teacher is Ted J. Mullett, who designs some absolutely wonderful nature themed stamps, of which I have many!
The weather is warming and brightening, a welcome change after such a cool, dreary spring. I plan to do some much needed gardening this week and get back on track with creative endeavors. Oh yes...and the beach beckons to me...so many more footprints to be made in the sand!

Please come again...

To any who have visited here recently, I apologize for my absence of late. The winter blahs seem to have gotten the best of me, and I am struggling to pull myself up & out. June now within sight, I anxiously await my arrival on the Cape for the summer months...and with my move, so, too, my spirits should lift and take flight. I look forward to spending time at the Nest, and hope you will find me home when you visit again.

Who is Jesus?

On this Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the most important question we can ask is "Who is Jesus?"

In his famous book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis makes this statement, "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg - or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us."

Happy Birthday, John Mike!!

Well, another day, another birthday. No, it's not quite that ordinary. Today, St. Patrick's Day, is my brother John's 50th birthday. I share this ATC I made using an old photo of him basking in the glow of the candles on his 3rd (I think) birthday cake...made by me! My favorite thing about this photo is the wonderful look of wonder and glee on his face...he just couldn't wait for his birthday to come! I love you, John...Happy Birthday, brother!!!

Happy Birthday, Joey!

Before any more time passes today, I want to post a special message....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY BROTHER!!!! Joe being the youngest of the six of us, and me being the oldest (with 15 years between us), I guess I will always remember Joey as the baby brother I often looked after and cared for. Having been born on a leap day, there's always the question of when to celebrate in the off years - on Feb. 28 or March 1. This year I choose March 1...hope you have a happy one Joe!!!

Happy Birthday, Tina!

Today is my dear sister's birthday. I won't tell her age...because to me she is still the little sister I grew up with, played with, and, I must admit, fought with (all in love, of course!).

Happy Birthday, Tina...I love you!