Last Week–This Week! A sign of Spring...

Last week we had snow!

Maybe, three or four inches of the stuff. There is still some remaining on my lawn. This week started out quite cold. One night it was 29 degrees. Brrrr! But, yesterday it was GEORGEOUS! Bright – Sunny – beautifuly mild. I think we made it up to 65.  WOW!  I’ll take it.

Today, is another great weather day. Sunny and we are supposed to be in the upper 60s by this afternoon. (somewhat windy, though)

All in all – a lovely taste of spring.
See what I discovered yesterday morning?  Flowers!

Sign of spring!

Job Situation

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Don’t see how the employment situation is getting better.
I picked up the Ipswich Chronicle newspaper the other day and was totally shocked at the lack of employers seeking workers. Granted, many employers use internet adds these day, but this was ridiculous. There was less than 1/4 of a page! And, a couple of them weren’t actually real jobs, they were come-ons for schools.


When I first moved here – many years ago, there would typically be a few pages of job adds.  Not good…

Blessed with good weather…

I don’t want to jinx us, but our February weather has been great! No snow. No snow! And, often above average temps.  I’ll take it.  So, I’ve been out walking a lot and it does help a person’s mood.

Here are more Bradly Palmer photos.  I finally got a better picture of the stone building. Now, mind you, I’m taking these photos with my iphone g3 camera.  Nothing fancy at all. I’ve been fascinated with this form of photography and experimenting away.  I love that I have a camera on me at all times.  Of course, it could use a flash and a zoom, but I’m hoping for such improvements in the future.  Meanwhile, it’s just fun to see what I can get with my phone and the few new apps I’ve uploaded.  I was amazed at all the dead wood and fallen trees in this area. 

               Everyone was out and about that morning!

                                              Even the ducks.  

I’d love to hear from you if you are having fun with your iphone camera, too.

 

Bradley Palmer Park

I guess I’m in love with this place.  It’s where Kevin and I go walking often. It’s a state Park, and there is a paved road through the park.  

There are numerous other trails off into the woods.  We take those trails sometimes, but it’s just so easy to walk the paved road, and go home.  We don’t have to worry so much about deer ticks this way.

But, before we turn around and head back we stop at the stone house.  It fascinates me, and I love to photograph it. I only had my iphone with me the other day, but I’m sharing some of the pictures.

      
               

             

 
I’m hoping the state doesn’t let this beautiful stone structure go to ruin.  It looks like that may be happining.  I’d love to see the inside, too.  Well, I would have loved to have visited the inside before it sat for so many years.  I’m sure the inside is damp, and full of spider webs and nests. This will be an interesting subject to paint...


 

My Valentine Contributions

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I’ve been playing around with hearts.  It’s been fun !

I came up with 3D heart earrings, a few felt pins, a couple of journals, and a “Heartfelt Doodle.”  All in the name of Valentine’s Day.

These are an example of my 3D Heart Earrings. 

They are kind of unique because I fashioned them out of specialty paper and even tissue boxes. As you know my Muse likes to Upcycle.

Here are the beginnings of my felt pins…

This is my Heart Doodle!

Last, but not least – Valentine Art Journalas…

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                  Wishing everyone a Sweet Valentine’s Day!

Hearts! & More Hearts!

For some reason I have always loved hearts.  They were fun to draw when I was a kid, and to me they are a lovely symbol. 

I’m always seeing hearts – when I go walking - gum stuck to the sidewalk looks like a heart.  Out in nature – I see hearts on tree bark or a leaf on the ground looks like a  heart.  Even some potato chips have heart shapes.

There are hearts everywhere.

So, today is dedicated to  hearts.  I’m making earrings out of paper hearts. I’m painting wooden hearts and even making hearts out of my denim scraps left over from past “upcycled” projects. 

Hearts are FUN!  Lets see what I come up with today.

Birthday Trip

On Dec 1st I went on a neat bus trip to Newport, RI.  We visited the Marble House which was all decorated for Christmas.  It was enjoyable learning about the history of this “summer cottage”!!!  Wow! 

Next, we went out to eat at the Atlantic Beach Restaurant.  The food was Ok, but the wait staff had much to be desired.  From there we toured around Newport looking at other beautiful mansions and the lovely ocean views. 

Then, to top off the day, we went to Attleboro, MA to the LaSalette Shrine.  There we caught the end of Christmas Concert and happily explored the gift shop. 

At 5:00 PM there was a prayer service at the beautiful outdoor manger with caroling, too. When that was over they lit up all the outdoor lighted displays at once!!! It was spectacular. Everyone, was oohing and awing!

I enjoyed walking around and looking a all the lights and taking pictures.  What made the trip was the mild December weather we were having. The day was clear and sunny and not cold and the evening was lovely. 

All in all, I had a fun BD.