Work in Progress

I am sick this week and we have gone on a field trip to a glass-blowing studio. But I thought I'd still show what I am working on at home. This is a portrait of our Va neighbor Christie's niece. It isn't where I'd like it yet but I trust it is headed in the right direction.

Cape Cod

Joan and Eddie have been gone almost a week already and I still haven't caught up showing the lovely scenes we witnessed together. We have been catching up on school work and hanging out with the Pres.  These pictures are from our time with Joan and Eddie on Cape Cod last Saturday. 

It was a little cool out, but we still saw a few people beachcombing when we did. I was surprised to see the grasses growing right out to the water. It was so pretty. There were not many shells, but we did find a few old pottery shards. I was amazed! We didn't stay long, as there was so much to see elsewhere.

These are artist shacks in Hyannis Port, a little greenway right past the docks, as you can tell by the boats in the background. Artists rent these shacks and are open on the weekends working in these studios and selling their wares.

It turned into a beautiful day and we saw lots of boats, but most were motor boats, as compared with the hundreds of sailboats we see daily in Newport. We took a tour boat right out of the port and for a little over an hour we heard local history and saw points of interest on the coast. The boat we were on was 101 years old. I didn't get a picture of it, naturally.

While we were on Cape Cod we shopped and sampled at the local brewery (and didn't bring any beer home since it was still early in the day and were told the beer would spoil in the car), toured the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory, and stopped at artist Peter Coes' yard sale and studio. We passed cranberry bogs and made a mental note to come back during the harvest.

 This weekend there is an arts festival here in town but we have been frequenting our low tide haunts instead of buying art work. The things we find are free, and sometimes very exciting! This morning after his devotions, Eddie sent me a verse for the newsletter that I think is perfect for today...

Proverbs 24: 3-4  "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

Beauty All Around

The two weeks we had with my in-laws went by so quickly. We ate seafood, barbecued, tried new recipes, and just enjoyed being together. I hardly know how to catch up with showing all we did. These pictures show just one day's events.

 

We went to the Green Animals Topiary Gardens and had a tour of the grand house on the property. Fidget's favorite part were the toy exhibits. One room was all doll houses. The woman who lived there loved children so she hosted a children's party every July. They still carry on her tradition. Too bad we missed it. I wonder if we'll be here for it next year.

There were dozens of animals and people created in topiaries on the property. Fidget delighted in running through them, back and forth. She even hugged the giant bear, right before we were told not to touch the bushes. Oops!

The dahlia garden was exquisite. I could have stayed there all day. There are times when I look back through pictures of all we've done and think, was I really surrounded by all that beauty? 

 The inventive scarecrows welcomed visitors more than scaring any away. 

 Even the gates at the property were distinctive.There was no way to photograph it all!

That same day, we switched gears after lunch and took a boat ride out in the harbor. Not only did we get a closer look at some historic places, we also passed Mirabella V, the tallest-masted sailboat in the world. She was in harbor for the International Boat Show over the weekend. This was the highest-priced boat there, on sale for 49 million euros! I wonder if they had any offers?

  
The first woman light house keeper lived and worked here.  Her father had been keeper of the light before her. I think this sounds like the perfect start to a children's book...

The far boat in this shot, we were told on our boat tour, is the one from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. We knew there was something familiar about it. There were so many beautiful boats and things to see on shore, it was hard to take it all in at once. Looking back, I wish I had more pictures. I am so glad we have at least three more seasons to enjoy here!

On Remembering

Today cannot pass without remembering ten years ago. The Lord has carried us this far and will continue. This hymn which we sang at worship this morning states it well. Words by Edward Mote, ca. 1836. Still just as true today. I find comfort in knowing the Lord has always existed and will continue no matter what happens. And He has promised to take to Heaven all those who love Him and call upon Him for forgiveness of their sins. In this I rest.


My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

September Beauty

  
Yesterday was beautiful at nearby Fort Adams. Grandma, Grandaddy, The Pres, Fig and I all went over there to take advantage of the rare sunny day this week. On the way we found the local farmers' market and got fresh organic meats and cheese to take home. We also got warm, flaky blueberry and strawberry cream cheese turnovers. That started the day off right. Never mind that we already had breakfast at home.

The water was chilly but Fidget ran right in. She brought dishes and a shovel with her and played cooking for hours, dashing in and out of the water. She also did water shows for Grandma, who was the captive audience in the beach chair. We had the beach to ourselves for most of the time we were there.Maybe the locals think it's too cold for the beach now that Labor Day is past. But we wanted to enjoy it before it turns truly cold.

 Even though it was chilly water, it got up to the low 80's outside.  Dad and I waded in looking for starfish and other pretty sealife. The Pres snorkeled around the cove and brought back some impressive pottery shards (they called them pot sherds when we were in art history class).

 Dad and I headed over there and found some lovely pieces too. In the cove the shoreline is all covered with a fine silt, disguising pottery pieces, which may explain why they're still there hundreds of years later. They are so old, they must be colonial, like many of the houses around here. I was fascinated. I can't believe Fidget had no interest.

 Here is the pile the Pres and I brought home, with some bottle necks and bottoms, pieces of dinner plate and bowls, cups, who knows what else. One piece looked like it had been shaped around a thumb and the Pres said that is likely part of a man's pipe!

 We were not too tired when we got home, so changed clothes and went to the Tennis Hall of Fame, and shopped the street it's on, and even hit the Portuguese Festival on Bellevue Ave. It was such a great day. When we got back Mumsy and I wound my new skeins of yarn into balls. This is Manos Maxima by Manos Del Uruguay, color: Chrysanthemum. I can't wait to start knitting Fidget a new winter pullover. It was supposed to rain today but the sun's coming up in a clear blue sky. I may not get any knitting done today after all. There are still plenty of sights left to see here in Rhode Island.

Happy Sunday!

Today my inlaws are on their way. All the talking and planning and cleaning up are over. They're really coming! Fig and I have a list a mile long of things we want to do with them. The topiary garden, the water, bike riding, the gelato shop, the knitting shop,the cliff walk,  the mansion tours... We can't wait! I hope to get some great pictures over the next couple of weeks.

The Pres ordered an underwater camera too, so I hope to have fun shots of all the things he finds for us. When I go down looking I realized I can't see well through the mask or goggles because I leave my glasses at home. But he is a good sport. He brings up lots of unusual things like sea stars and urchins, the other day he found a live conch, and he has salvaged useful things like a Razor scooter for Fidget.

There are several hours left til the folks come. The house is vacuumed, the laundry is clean, the bread just came out of the oven. Maybe there's still time to finish Mumsy's knitted birthday gift before they arrive. It's a toss-up though; I'm also reading Alexander Mccall Smith's The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, the latest in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. It's so hard to pull away from a good book!