The calendar has turned to a new month and here we are at the end of 2011...hard to believe that the year has passed so quickly. The Christmas spirit is alive and well with us...the Canton house is decorated and my feather tree adorns the dining table at the Nest. These days leading up to Christmas are filling up with family and church activities; and tasks at work are a pleasant reminder of this season of Advent - what better place to work during this time of year!


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Another week gone...

It's been a very busy week.
With the beautiful weather we've been having, Garett and I have been walking every day and enjoying this last bit of November warmth. The gardens have been cleaned up, the window boxes are decorated for Thanksgiving, the house is tidy and numerous computer related tasks are finally done....such a good feeling to have all this behind me. Most importantly though, a family issue, which has been weighing heavy on my mind, is resolving in a very good way, for which I am grateful and thankful to God.
We look forward this weekend to the wedding of a very special couple...we wish them all of life's best as they finally "tie the knot" and venture into the future as Mr. & Mrs!


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Snowtober...

As I sit here at home, with no power inside and seeing snow outside, it's hard to believe that only a week ago I was enjoying the warmth and Red Rocks of Sedona. How can winter come on us when we are only 5 weeks into autumn? Oh well, this is New England after all, and things will change soon enough. Speaking of New England, the Patriots are doing miserably today...another dark cloud...hopefully that will turn around, too.
We have great memories of the trip...everything went well and we left the Southwest wanting more. As a matter of fact, just for fun, we were looking up property for sale in Sedona...that's what snow and cold will do!!!



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More pics from Sedona...

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Enjoying Sedona...

The last days of our trip have been spent enjoying much of what Sedona has to offer...Beautiful landscape, learning the names of the red rock formations, exploring ancient ruins, visiting special sites, experiencing a local winery, dining, shopping, meeting the residents and chatting...oh, and ballooning!!! So much to do in so little time...






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Sedona...a "sweet spot"...

"You are in your sweet spot when you are energized, not depleted...."
With its red rocks, vortexes, hot air balloons and welcoming people, Sedona is surely a sweet spot for me. A close-up tour of the rocks by jeep and a bird's eye view from the balloon have given me a never-to-be-forgotten experience...this is such beautiful country!






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The grandest of them all...

Words cannot describe and photos cannot do justice for the beauty, depth and grandeur of this canyon. President Roosevelt once said that this is one place all Americans should visit...make your plans!









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Glen Canyon and Lake Powell...

While driving to our next destination, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, we were pleasantly surprised to pass by the newly built Glen Canyon dam on Lake Powell... magnificent!









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Me and Red...

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More from Bryce Canyon...

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Enjoying Bryce Canyon...

We arrived at our destination late in the evening on Friday, so after a good night's rest, we had a full day of enjoyment in Bryce Canyon. The views at the National Park were just incredible...beauty beyond description. The rock formations and hoodoos are a site to see!
Horseback riding in the afternoon was fun...my horse, Red, was well behaved and a joy to ride.
More Bruce Canyon photos in next post.







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Driving through Zion...

En route to Bryce Canyon, we spent several hours enjoying the beauty of Zion National Park. The drive out of the park along route 9 was quite an experience...a winding road climbing through the mountains...even tunnels through the mountains...a little scarey at times, but nonetheless exciting!



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Leaving Las Vegas...

We left the MGM Grand Hotel on Friday morning after a quick sweep through the casino and a stop for the breakfast buffet...oh, does my husband love those buffets!



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A very excellent adventure...

In honor of our 35th wedding anniversay, Arthur and I, with another couple, are traveling to the southwestern part of the country. Our first stop was Las Vegas. We visited the Hoover Dam...amazing...and then spent the night in Vegas...fun! An unexpected treat was to see an Indy car parade along the strip...exciting!



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It is not uncommon to see structures like this on the beach, started in a rather impromptu fashion by someone and then further built upon by passers-by.
I encountered this beach sculpture at the southern end of Coast Guard Beach, very near Nauset Inlet. My additions to the work-in-progress include a feather, a clam shell and another piece of "lacey" shell which I tucked into a piece of netting.
Seeing things like this on the beach are, for me, pleasant reminders of our innate desire to create and use found objects, for one never knows what will wash up on the beach.


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Hot and dry...

This class painting is of a place very familiar to the many who travel over sand to enjoy the benefits of a less congested Nauset Beach - it is the check-in shack for the ORV trails south of the public beach.




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Turkey time already?

When Garett and I returned home from an outing this afternoon, we were greeted by these 7 turkeys strolling down our driveway. Before leaving the yard, they pecked the heck out of my once beautiful petunia planter, which WAS still in full bloom...they also left a few reminders of their presence!

Watercolor...

I once again took watercolor classes this summer...this is my class painting of Nauset Light in Eastham.

Looking back...

Cruising Hyannis Harbor...fifty or so years ago!




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A blast of color...

 

The hydrangeas and lilies have been absolutely beautiful the summer!

A day away...

I enjoyed a lovely day on Martha's Vineyard with my daughter-in-law Tammy last Thursday. Using the very affordable day bus pass, we spent time browsing the shops and enjoying the views of three towns - Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs. Lunch at Atlantic in Edgartown was superb!



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Beautiful gifts...

This hand-made, appliquéd pillow and hand cut card were gifts from a dear friend when she visited me earlier this summer...such exquisite work honoring my summer abode. Thank you, Judy!







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Summer's challenge...

2011 marks the 50th anniversary of CCNS. A challenge booklet has been created and I am definitely in the game! Obtaining the answers requires lots of walking, reading and visits to various locations. Paul, Garett and Joe joined me on this hike at Bearberry Hill in Truro recently...beautiful scenery enjoyed and many questions answered.




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Wine tasting...

During a recent visit from my dear friends Lorna and Judy, we enjoyed the "aroma and bouquet" of a wine-tasting session at Truro Vineyards. Great fun and yet another glass for my collection!

The gang's all here....

The Nest is always filled for the Fourth of July holiday...and here we all are, including the pups (though they weren't cooperating with the photographer very well). I present my wonderful family, left to right....Chris & Tam, Tracy & Matt, Garett, Arthur & me, Jillian & Drew.

Beautiful results from messy beginnings...

A recent class at Colorful Creations in Hyannis led to the creation of these three cards. Using an "elegant mess" technique, we transformed two sheets of paper, watercolor and rice, using a variety of inks and paints. Shapes were cut from each piece and arranged on blank white cards ... such surprising results from what really was "a mess!"

Lunch at Chatham Bars Inn...

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of lunching with my sisters-in-law at the CBI Beach Side Grille. This is the second year we have enjoyed each other's company for our, hopefully, "annual birthday luncheon." You know how difficult it can be to get together at various times of the year for such celebrations, so we decided to do it "once a year for all!" The weather was beautiful, the food delicious, the company delightful, and the view - well - what could be nicer that sitting alongside Chatham Harbor on a summer day!
Until next year....Happy Birthday dear sisters!!

Favorite places...

When Garett really likes something we do, or someplace we go, it inevitably becomes a "favorite place." For walking, Kent's Point Conservation Area in Orleans is top on his list, and, I must admit, it is a favorite of mine, too. The paths wind through a pine and oak wooded area along Frost Fish Creek and The River. Frequent glimpses of the water and the heady scent of earth and pine make this walk a most enjoyable experience at any time of the year. Garett likes to perch on what we call "the sitting tree" for a brief rest before we walk to the water's edge for some "stone tossing." At the end of the path we enjoy a beautiful view of Pleasant Bay, with the Nauset dunes far off in the distance.

The Nest is ready...

After a very prolonged absence, I'm back.....
We have been at the Nest for a few weeks now...it is well feathered and ready for summer - and with the summer solstice occurring tomorrow, not a minute too soon. Our weather has been improving and the water temperature is beginning to rise, a little. On Saturday, Garett and I took a leisurely stroll with Auntie Hazel at Fort Hill in Eastham, overlooking Nauset Marsh. The fields are abloom with daisies, roses, sweetpea and thistle. We think we may even have sighted a warbler, too!
I look forward to a long, restful summer...full of family, friends and fun. Oh...and I have even been boogie boarding already...the water was freezing cold but the thrill of the ride was worth it!

May is finally here...

January blizzard...

My trees and clothesline are heavy laden with snow...
it was quite a storm!

A tangled Cape...

This past week I have been working on this zentangle-inspired piece.
Cape Cod is always an inspiration for me
and taking on this challenge has definitely given me a closer look
at this beloved "arm" of Massachusetts.

A new year's sunrise...

My friend Nancy and I went to Nauset Beach early enough this morning
to witness this most beautiful sunrise.
Surprisingly, there were quite a number of folk on the beach doing the very same.
Could this be a new year's ritual for some...watching the first sunrise of the year?
Luckily the weather was fine...mild temperature and little wind.
May this be a preview of what 2011 holds for us...beauty, splendor and awe!
Happy New Year, friends!!!