Rehobeth, Delaware 

Whew, what a rush. At least I think it was, it all happened so fast I don’t remember too much! That is how the last couple of months of my life have been.  These past few months I have been in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland (OK, that was seriously all in 10 days) and then my man and I went out to California! I’ve been cleaning like a mad woman and we just recently began the monumental project of turning our backyard, which has been a lovely playground for the past 17 years, into a retreat for adults, somewhere we can go and relax, play cards, entertain... We definitely have our work cut out for us but progress is being made.

I’ve been to parties and a couple of Bar-B-Qs, hosted a party myself and have even gotten to know several of my neighbors much better. It hasn’t been a bad few months, just busy. I like busy but I have completely neglected my art and my blog which has lately been catching up with me and making me noticeably cranky!

My studio has a thin layer of dust covering it and my projects are looking forlorn in their unfinished glory.  The kitchen witch I started for my cousin is still only a head, she is waiting patiently to get the rest of her body and some clothes so she can head to her new home, Alice is really, truly, almost done. Her clothes are mostly finished, I am toying with re-sculpting her hands since I singed them when I baked her, but all she needs is to have a few minor details taken care of and her stand completed and she is done!  The fairy for my birdhouse is still just an armature and the dragon STILL needs his skin!

This is truly the first time I have spent any time in the studio in months and before I can even begin to work I need to clean and do a serious purging! I am a borderline packrat. I can’t help it. The art I create can use clay, fabric, paper, buttons, metal scraps, copper wire and feathers, and that may just be one part of the whole. I have scrapbook papers, inks, rubber stamps, wood shapes, yarn, paint, charms, feathers, stencils… and so much more and the thing that is starting to get to me is that I know I haven’t used or even looked at lots of it in many, (too many)years, AND I am starting to crowd my work space.

This coming weekend I will be putting together a box (or 2) of goodies, I’ll post it on Sunday and I’ll be sending it along to someone who wants it – details to follow –yes, on Sunday! This will hopefully help me to clear out some of the lovely things I have an excess of while making room for me to work again and at the same time I’ll be sending them to someone who will give them a good home!

That idea just hit me as I was typing and I LOVE it!

I am off to start cleaning. I’ll be posting more soon- really!

The vacation is almost over...

I am currently enjoying the last day of a 10 day trip to the area where I grew up. It has been a great trip and I have been waxing nostalgic with friends and family the entire time. I will be back home next week and finally catching up here!

Here are some snapshots of my week, more to follow as I catch my breath and update the blog. The beach pictures are from Rehobeth, Delaware and that lush river is the Brandywine river in Wilmington, Delaware.

See ya soon!

Gold Panning

While my son and his girlfriend were visiting we decided to do something that none of us had ever done. We went gold panning. My man has a friend who actually owns a gold claim and he gave us directions and a map and told us to have fun.

So the kids and I took off, just picture it, me, my 3 sons (ages 14, 20 and 22) and my son's 21 year old girlfriend. My guy couldn't go up with us due to a meeting but he was going to meet us there later.

When we arrived we stopped at the wrong claim, the owner of which came and told us we had to move. He was very nice and when he realized that we were just panning told us we could stay. After talking to him a while he told me where to find the claim I was looking for and off we went. I really didn't want to intrude on his claim,no matter how nice he turned out to be!

We drove down the dirt road until we found what we were looking for. Then we geared up and got busy. The funny thing about doing things outside with my kids is that they all seem to be allergic to fun in the sun, all four of them are serious gamers and while they made an effort I think it was so they could say they had done it and really for the novelty of it. I however had a blast!

I love being outdoors and being in the water is just a bonus! I didn't take too many pictures because I was playing. After an hour the kids were pretty much done. Unfortunately for them we had to wait at least another hour and  a half to make sure my man wasn't driving up to meet us. So I played in the water gold panning and they sat in the truck playing on their smart phones - all of us were happy with that arrangement.

When we did decide to head home we had yet another adventure. Since my jeep won't hold everyone we took my guys truck. Usually that is great however as we were leaving the site we got a flat tire. The funniest moment for me was when I got out of the truck and announced we had a flat. All 4 kids climbed out of the truck and there we were, in the middle of nowhere California, in the middle of a dirt road, standing in a semi-circle around the front end of the truck staring at the flat tire. It makes me giggle every time I think about it.

Then I think, No problem, I've changed a flat before and I had all three of my boys with me - we can handle this - sure that sounds right. NOT! First off, I had no idea where anything was in the truck. So we got out the owner's manual, found where everything was located but then couldn't get any of it out of the truck. Since we had no cell service I sent my middle son and his girlfriend off to try to find somewhere they could make a phone call - turns out that is about 8 - 10 miles from where we were but at that time we were blissfully unaware of that little bit of information.

Meanwhile my oldest and I got to work figuring out how to get what we needed. After what seemed like hours but was probably only about 15 minutes we managed to remove both the jack and the spare tire from their clever homes. It was then that a car with a young family - mom, dad and three adorable little girls arrives - along with my son and his girlfriend. They all got out of their car and the three little girls walk over and look at the flat in the same way that the five of us did, it was the cutest thing! Dad then informed us that cell service was an 8 - 10 mile drive out. Since we had everything under control at that point they went on their merry way and we changed the tire.

What would normally have taken 15 minutes took 45 but we finally were on our way and everyone was still in good spirits. About twenty minutes later we met my guy, who finally was able to make it up to us. He and I went back to the site in the truck while the kids took my jeep and headed for home. We panned for gold for another hour or so and then headed for home since we both had to work the next day.

The drive was stunning. We saw all sorts of wildlife, a coyote, deer, wild turkey and just before the turn off to the site there is a Buffalo farm - seriously cool!

The last stop on our adventure was the Polka Dot ice cream and sandwich stand in Quincy,California. They make the best butterscotch milkshake and grilled cheese on rye bread- I'd drive back to Quincy just for that!
The top picture of the gold pan links to a site that has a bit of information on gold panning. We had a great time and plan on going again. Now I know more of what to do and what to look for, pyrite looks so pretty and gold yet the gold, looks more like copper and is so shiny and so beautiful!

You are probably wondering if we found anything... well we brought back a small amount of shiny fools gold and a few tiny flakes of the real thing. Once I figure out how to take a picture of it I will post it, right now my camera just can't focus on something that small!

Northern California/Northern Nevada Adventure

Looking towards Reno, Nevada

This weekend, since we were not to able to work on the roof of the deck (see previous post) John and I decided to take the top and doors off my jeep and head out to the Toyiabe National Forest and play. We took a very narrow path and headed up the mountain. It was such a beautiful day.

We saw this lovely deer. She stopped to look at us and once she went into the brush we continued on our way. We drove to a place that was wide enough to park and then hiked through the silent back country forest. It was amazing!

I'm pretty sure I mentioned that I like to travel. On the walls of my home and studio l have framed pictures that I have taken from all over the world yet until this weekend I didn’t have any from the area that I call home. So here are a few that I took over the weekend. I think I even have one or two that I will frame!

Looking towards the Valley

 A Hazy view of Reno

View from the road - very narrow road!

The Sasquatch Tavern & Grill, Verdi Nevada - Last Stop!



Seattle

This past weekend my boyfriend and I went to Seattle to visit my son and his girl. Even though it rained the entire time it was a fabulous trip! My son is so happy and his girlfriend and her family are gracious, warm and friendly. They love my kiddo and it shows in how they talk to him and in the way they treat him. It is so nice to know that my son is surrounded by people who love him.

While we were there we did the touristy stuff, we visited the Space Needle, Pike's market (above), and the Experience Music Project (below).

Experience Music Project

I also hit as many thrift stores as I could. I make spell bottles out of antique salt and pepper shakers and I found a wonderful set of 6 crystal shakers at Goodwill while in Seattle.

I can't wait to get to work on those. By the end of March the spell bottles I make with those babies will start to show up in my ETSY shop Beneath the Witch's Moon, opening on March 1st - only a few items will be available on opening day due to my travels but I am working on quite a bit more and should have a very nice selection of gifts and supplies by the end of March.

I  am heading out to see my daughter in Orlando tomorrow. What a busy month this has been! I can't believe that March will be here in a matter of days!

Have a lovely week

Autumnwind

Vacation Pictures... Finally!

I know I have been promising some vacation pictures since I got back so here are a

few of my favorites from out trip to the Eastern Caribbean.

This is our stateroom. It was a nice size and the balcony was huge!

Here I am on the balcony before we left Miami.

This is a side street in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. I love the colors of the houses!

Pirate ship anyone? What else would you expect in the port of St.Thomas?

This is the 99 step staircase at the site of Blackbeard's Castle in St. Thomas.

We walked back to port from here. St.Thomas is a lovely island.

I saw some of the most beautiful sunsets while we were at sea.

This picture was taken on the night between St.Thomas and St.Maarten.

St. Maarten was our last port of call. We made a mistake and took a non-cruise-sanctioned tour. I do NOT recommend this to anyone. We went on Mr. Toad's Wild ride with a stranger who, once we were out of the city, appeared either drunk or high. Good times - NOT! Fortunately we survived, we have a great story to tell and I did manage to get a few nice pictures. All in all it was a nice day.

We had 4"at-sea" days, one of which I spent reading on the balcony. I had a great time with my husband and our friends and even managed to relax on my vacation!

Have a lovely day,

Autumnwind

Back from Vegas- Get Off Your Broom Week 3 Update

Las Vegas was fantastic and I am happy to report that I maintained my weight. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I was away from home for 5 days, 2 of which I spent with one of my best friends and we DID Las Vegas. I had so much fun and managed to not only NOT have a hangover but I exercised 3 times this past week. I worked out with a routine that I could do in my hotel room, my friend, her husband and I hiked in Red Rock Canyon (so beautiful!) and then we walked the Las Vegas strip... till 4am (It counts).  We also hit a strip club for a friend's Bachelor party and had some fantastic margaritas as we did the whole Las Vegas touristy thing. It was great!

Check it out...

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon - from the trail

Me getting ready to hit the strip with Friends

That shirt was way out of my comfort zone but I wore it and I felt pretty good in it. This week was fabulous on lots of levels. My work presentations were very productive, I ate healthy, got in some great exercise and I got to spend time with my friends.

This coming week I will be really watching what I eat. I think I eat a fairly healthy diet and will be journaling what I eat again, that is one of the keys for me to be successful and also one of the important pieces of the Weight Watchers Program that I have been skipping. I want to eat much more whole foods and a lot fewer processed foods. I also plan to step up my exercise routine. I joined a fitness challenge with work and plan to walk 20 miles per week for the next 3 months!

I don't have to go back to Las Vegas until December so hopefully things will calm down a bit!!

Have a lovely week!

Countdown to Halloween…

This is my favorite month! I love Autumn, I love the crisp fall air, the changing colors of the leaves, and the plump pumpkins you see on so many porches. I love the colorful pots of mums and the scents of baked apples and bon fires – or fireplaces, either work! I just love this time of year. During this season I feel alive. I have more energy, I get more accomplished and I am in a great mood almost all the time!

This year, as I count down to my favorite holiday, I will be sharing a few of our family traditions.

Every year, my hubby and I head over the hill to Apple Hill located in Camino, California. This area is known for the abundance of produce including apples, pumpkins, gourds and some of the best baked goods you will ever eat! We enjoy the lovely scenery, the decadent pies and the festive atmosphere that this area is famous for.

This year we were there on a beautiful, sunny day. The temperature was perfect, the sky was full of puffy white clouds and traffic wasn’t too terribly bad. All in all it was a lovely day.

These pictures are from Rainbow Orchards. I’ll be framing one of them for my office. Rainbow Orchards has the best Apple Cider Doughnuts I have ever tasted! If you go, make sure you get a least a dozen of them and if you are driving more than 15 minutes and want those doughnuts to make it home be sure to put them in the trunk!!

This picture is from another stop on our tour of the orchards. I am sad to say that I forgot their name but they made some really tasty pie… just saying!

I did visit this amazing place before I officially started the "Get off theBroom" fitness challenge but I didn't eat my way through the orchards. I had a couple of doughnuts, a piece of pie and some really delish apples. You can visit Apple hill and eat healthy, really, it can be done!

AutumnWind