Mass Audubon

Tuesdays are my favorite day off. Though I love to spend time with friends on weekends, weekdays are much more suited to adventuring. With fewer people and tourists about, it is far more enjoyable to go out into the world and expand one's horizons. Yesterday I made it up to the Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, MA. They're currently running a membership special (includes two passes), so I signed up my mother and myself. Among other things, the membership allows you free access to all 45 Mass wildlife sanctuaries. The Pleasant Valley Santuary is I believe one of the largest state-wide, with 15 acres of woodland trails a long list of recent wildlife sightings.

In photographing these caterpillars, I'm trying to overcome my fear of them....

Fall Sunday

I love the change of the seasons, especially Fall into Winter because the transformations out in in nature are so quickly apparent. Yesterday was spent mostly outdoors, from the Bershire Botanical Gardens' Octoberfest, to the Norman Rockwell Museum, to a final stop at Taft Farms before going on a little hike up Jug End Mountain with Katie and Stefan.

Ocean Grove

Today I went to Ocean Grove, NJ, with my father. Even though the forecast predicted thunderstorms, neither of us will turn down a trip to the beach. My father used to go to Ocean Grove and Asbury Park as a child and therefore loves to reminisce. It was so foggy at times, that Asbury Park was hardly visible as a deserted ghost on the horizon. The surf was extremely turbulent so we did not venture out too far out into the waves. However, I had to get my head wet at least once by kneeling down into the water and was at one point completely knocked over dragged a few feet by the current.

Jellyfish

These "butterflies" were my favorite growing up.




Sand crab.
My father reading the paper.
Asbury Park is just a dream.

Where we first had breakfast and later ice cream.
There was a torrential storm on the way home.

Barred Owl and Blue Jay

Two more animal ornament attempts. The owls are tricky and I think I will try to edit my pattern for this one even though he is still sweet.

Craft Night

Recently my friend Katie and I decided it would be a great idea to hold craft night every other week or so. This way we could be inspired to make things in an ongoing way, learn from each other's ideas, and encourage the giving of hand-made gifts during the holiday season as an alternative to buying them. Below I've included some photos from our first gathering, including the official invitation Mr. Bunny* was so inclined to create:

*Mr. Bunny is one of many Christmas tree ornaments I make for my mom each year. See some of the previous ones posted on one of my older blogs.

Mr. Bunny, Oscar my mom's parrot, and Miss Mousey introduce the event!

Woodpecker is the next to join the group.
Katie diligently sewing.I'm flying! Let's see who's working over here...Jess pausing between knit stitches to read up on some crafting ideas.Katie is proud to present Bluebird!Hello.I am so fine. Please check out my profile view.New friends flying together.OK, we'll calm down and stay still for just one moment.Close-up of Jess's jar cozy.
The morning after. My first latté ever. I am buzzed like a hummingbird!

I love the ocean and that is where I want to be. Always.