Monday, June 27, 2011

IA Weekly Challenge: Nursery Rhymes

My favorite nursery stories were always the Beatrix Potter books.  Each book tells the story of a different animal, each with their own unique personalities and adventures.

This canvas growth chart combines some of my very favorite characters;

Squirrel Nutkin

Peter Rabbit
Jamima Puddleduck

Jeramy Fisher



 This particular chart was a custom order.  If you'd like one of your own, or if you have another idea for a custom canvas growth chart, then drop me a comment or visit my Etsy shop;







Monday, June 20, 2011

May 26, 2011; The Progressive Loon Hunt


When I arranged with my sister to come and spend some time with her at her beautiful home in Western Maine, one of the questions she asked me was, "What is one thing that you really want to do or see?"


It didn't take me more than a minute to respond, "I want to see and/or hear a loon!"  I've been a birder most of my life and although I'd been to Maine a couple of times already, I'd never seen or heard a loon.

A couple of days after my request Ginni emailed me the exciting news,  "I have some friends who live on lakes.  We can go kayaking and they guarantee you'll see a loon!"

(Now, I'd never met her friends, but I've lived with me all my life and I know, when hearing a phrase like that I'm pretty much sure I won't see a loon.)  But, ever hopeful, I got excited and looked forward to not only seeing my loon but meeting my sister's friends as well.

Ginni, as I mentioned in an earlier post, is a yoga instructor and the ladies who so fervently assured me of a loon viewing are all members of her Thursday afternoon class in Rangeley, Maine.

Our first stop was to visit Jeannine, (a poster artist) who lives on Long Pond, in a wonderfully funky cabin that was originally built in the 1960s.  It's filled with wonderful art, a mad collection of fabulous antique furnishings and the most amazing view of the lake!  Dawn,  another yoga enthusiast joined us there as well.
Long Pond (aka Bear Mountain Lake)

Notice the ripples in the water?  It was very windy all day long.  Not a good day for small craft boating!  80(  But we got the binoculars out and scanned and scanned.  And Ginni was pretty sure she saw one!  Just near this lovely point.  But look as I might, I couldn't see one.  But what I did see was wonderful!  And Jeannine was a gracious host, providing wine and snacks and introducing us to her newest small furry doggie friend.

After this, the first leg of our adventure, we jumped in our cars and drove over to the home of Ainsley and Dolly.  They live on Loon Lake.  (Sounds like a likely spot, eh?)  Ainsley and Dolly live a log cabin, right on the edge of Loon Lake, with their four dogs.


Ainsley is an artist, working as stone turner.  She makes exquisite bowls, bottles and vases.  Her studio is in a little cabin that sits right next to her home.  www.sherocks.net
alabastersteuben
loon





We walked through the pines to the edge of the lake.  We steppped out on the boulders and we ventured onto the dock, but, search as we might, there were no loons!

Loon Lake



Left to Right;
Jeannine, Ginni, Dawn, Me and Ainsley
Porter is in front.
This is Dolly.
She took the photo



So, intesad of standing around feeling sorry for ourselves, we went inside and had a little wine!






The next stop on the Progressive Loon Hunt was to Dawn's house.  She lives on Quimby Pond.




She is a scientist and world traveler and makes stained glass as a hobby.
Quimby Pond




Well, the wind still hadn't died down.  It was late in the afternoon, really more like early evening.  We stood on the dock and scanned the coves for signs of loonage.  We did actually think we'd seen a couple, but they turned out to be something in the water that wasn't moving.  That's a dead giveaway that they aren't alive.  But we went inside, met Mr. Dawn and got to see her little cubby of a stained glass space.  And we got hear about the time her cats cornered the mink in the cellar!

After that it was definitely time to say our farewells.  No loons. 80(
But I had a wonderful time.  I feel that I really got a chance to know the great folks my sister hangs out with.  They are all such special people, each with their own unique artistic leaning.

As I've mentioned before, Ginni has an incredible gift of hospitality, truly an artist in her own right!

On the way home we made one last stop at Rangeley Lake, just a stop at the scenic pull over, but by then sun was setting, the wind was still blowing and there wasn't a loon to be seen.

Rangeley Lake




Ah well.  What a wondeful day I had!



Sunday, June 5, 2011

Smalls Falls, Madrid, Maine


The week before Memorial Day my hubby and I took a road trip to visit family in New England.  Our first stop was Madrid, Me, home of Star Barn B & B the most wonderful Bed and Breakfast Inn I've ever visited.  (And that has nothing to do with the fact my sister owns it!)

On day two of our visit Ginni and David took us to a local state park called, Smalls Falls.


Under the canopy of fragrant balsam we climbed the path that led us up to the top of the falls, which careened down over a series of steep cliffs.







Being unusually hot for Maine, the mist that the falls sent shooting into the air were delightful!



















The falls take several steps down the side of the mountain, each creating a new and fascinating
cascade, some of which  plummit into natural bowls created by centuries of pounding water.






















We saw lots of wildflowers.







I don't know what the other flowers are called,
but these are "Stinkin' Benjamin"!









Our generous hosts;
David and Ginni











Judy!!  Get down from there!!






My honey and me!

A quiet moment's grateful "thank you"
 to the Creator of all this beauty.


Friday, June 3, 2011

IA Weekly Challenge: Over the Rainbow!

Hi all!  I was away on vacation last week but now I'm back!

And here's my submission for the weekly challenge;
 The very first ever Rainbow! 






If you like this hand constructed, hand painted canvas growth chart, you can purchase it at Measure Me Charts



Thursday, June 2, 2011

Star Barn B & B, Madrid, ME; My first vacation blog post...

...and the first leg of my "whirlwind" weeklong vacation!



Madrid, Maine is waaaaay out in the western part of the great state of Maine.  Near to skiing, hiking,  antiquing,  but right smack dab in the middle of the most beautiful, peaceful and restorative place on earth!

This is the unlikely place that my New Jersey suburban bred and raised sister chose to call home and where she and her husband created a destination spot for those who crave natural beauty and a place to partake in all the wonders of an active outdoor life.
















For this where they bought an 1860 farmhouse with a big ol' barn and over 100 acres of woodlands, streams and ponds.  They renovated the farmhouse into a Victorian showplace, filled with antique treasures that were left by the previous owners.  The first time I visited and saw all the splendid furniture and curios I felt like she had certainly hit the jackpot!  The barn was turned into a five bedroom bed and breakfast, large enough for her to offer single rooms as well as use as a retreat center for folks who come together there for interests from  bible studies to quilting to yoga.



This is Ginni's yoga studio in the "barn"


This is my sister Ginni and her husband, David.

If you'd like more info on Star Barn Bed and Breakfast, Madrid, Me., then visit their website;


LIFE IS JUST SO FULL OF COOL STUFF!

My photo
Manchester Township, New Jersey, United States
My nane is Judy and I've been a christian for more than 3/4 of my life. I believe in redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that God, the Spirit lives in me and gives me the power to do His will and to live a joyful life. I have a Godly husband, a grown son and daughter. I live on a farm with 3 goats, 2 chickens, 2 horses, a cat, a dog and a python. I am an artist and a singer. I was a full time stay at home mom, the hardest job you'll ever love! I have two handmade shops on Etsy. Leaning on the Promises www.leaningonthepromises.etsy.com (Hand Painted Walking Canes) and Beaver Creek Pottery www.beavercreekpottery.etsy.com and an Etsy shop for selling Vintage and Antiques. Jersey Pine Pickers www.jerseypinepickers.etsy.com I post about my relationship with God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, about the things He teaches me, delights me with and how He uses me.