Family Adventures and Exploration ...on the Rhode

 

Off we go to Rhode Island with the kids for a bit of adventuring and exploring.   

The Cliff Walk in Newport was our first stop for an afternoon walk to stretch the legs after our drive down.  

Emma and Tom are adventurers at heart and hop off the trail looking into the nooks and crannies finding treasures along the way.

Chris and Jim are the explorers who forge ahead to see what lies around the next bend... 

                                            and through the tunnels...

The following day an early morning ferry ride to bring us out to Block Island for the day.   Departing from Point Judith and the quaint fishing port of Galilee.  

A perfect day on the ocean with a little fog, a warm breeze and

the smell of the salty air. 

We spot the next ferry coming through the fog as we depart Point Judith

Our first stop on the island was the trek down the Mohegan Bluff stairs...

141 of them down to a secluded harbor and beach  

here we built a small family cairn as our token of appreciation.

The mopeds rentals were a big hit with the kids.

We'd keep passing them and them passing us as we skirted around the island - toot toot!

Us ol' folks were on our bicycles.    

Tom throwing a little bit of his signature style into the sand - smiles for days!

Following a picnic lunch our last jaunt of the day out to Settlers' Rock and a walk out to the North Lighthouse. Watched seals feeding out off Cow Cove and birds guarding their nests out on the lighthouse point.  

A return to town for an ice cream before catching the last ferry back to mainland.  

Thinking of a visit to this area?  I would highly recommend it this time of year ~ the crowds are small as they are just beginning to gear up for their busy summer schedule.  We found it to be a charming and delightful place   

                        ....adventures and explorations family style! 

enjoy,

k

RAKU Firing

                Earth - Fire - Air - Water      

RAKU tradition began in Japan and instantly reminded me of "Wabi - Sabi"

     ...we've been participating in a wonderful learning adventure for the past six months that we call 

            "Clay Club"

We gather each week and make pieces with our hands along with our willingness to explore.   Sarah guides us through her knowledge and sense of fun.  Some of our pieces have been a work in progress over the winter months.  But on this day we ventured out to experience the RAKU process.  

 It's a low fire kiln unlike the wood kiln. 

Our pieces will sit in the kiln until they've reached a little over 1800F.  It didn't take long and gave us a chance to enjoy conversation and the warmth of the Spring sun.  

The pottery pieces, removed while still red hot, were quickly cooled in water then placed into a small can along with combustibles of sawdust and paper ...plus a few acorns for good measure in my case.

All this smoldering created some extra "crackle" on our pieces.  Placing them in the water bath prior gave us the snap and pop!

As Sarah pulled each item from the cans - we looked on with delight.  Each piece had it's own identity

as the glaze and heat sealed their fate.

As I was applying the glazes I had tried to imagine what my finished piece could look like. 

In true RAKU fashion I was pleasantly surprised with the grittier aspect on the results.  

A great day! 

...to see more on Sarah Burn's work go to www.sweetfernpottery.com or check her out on Instagram.

I feel fortunate that our paths crossed and so enjoy hanging out with my fellow "Clay Clubbers" Claire and Jenna.  We always look forward to what the next adventure will bring.....

enjoy,

k

Giving Thanks ~ Thanksgiving

Another Thanksgiving upon us and I got out my trusty Betty Crocker Cookbook.  She's been with me from the beginning.  

Stuffing 

... and pie 

Trusty and true recipes I've used over the past 30 plus years.

I came up with the idea to go out and play some disc golf as we went on our walk before dinner. 

The kids were game and it was fun to head out on the trails from our back door.  We've been walking, skiing, biking these trails for 30 plus years.  And today did not disappoint.  Enjoyable time together.

I also had the idea that I'd take a family portrait while we were out on our walk.  Had a little bump in the road on our original plan out in Labonte's Field but it didn't deter us - we chuckled and worked our way back towards the homestead.   Tom piped up "hey, we should do our photo here"  ...and so we did.

Forgot to bring my glasses and I ended up picking the wrong setting for our series of photos.  I went to multiple exposures instead of my sequenced timer.  The result made me laugh and I'm thinking I'll be keeping this photo in a frame.  

Little bumps - they're all around us these days.  Don't let the those bumps deter you - keep moving along. 

  

I did manage to get my settings back and was able to get a cute photo of my two remaining "willing" subjects ;)  

Love my fam  ...a bit shaken and blurred!!

enjoy,

k

On the Fly...

Set out on an adventure with my girlfriend Polly.  Headed up to Pittsburg for some fly fishing with Nick Proulx of Northern Water Guides.  We had touched base with Nick on our drive up north and he said "the fish are biting ...."early"

Both of us were game - so "early" it was.  We met up with Nick at 5 am donning our waders and headed to the river.

As he was setting up our rods, reels and flys he gave us instruction on how to cast with the sounds of fish jumping within a few feet from us.  Even saw a set of eyes through the darkness giving us a look.

 Once we were set on our own it was a methodical learning curve.  With each cast I found that I was catching on and slowly began to believe that I may even be able to catch something!  The peacefulness on the river was calming.  Once in a while a splash from a fish close by, a few birds here and there and us three. 

I did manage to catch a little brown trout - his colors illuminated by the early sun.  A quick catch and release and back into the rhythm of casting and stripping.  We learned a few techniques during our morning on the river.  Those "big" fish were toying with us newbies.  Making a splash or jump just close enough to us to make us think we may get the chance to reel them in.  As Nick told us they don't get that big without being quite smart!  Yes, they outsmarted us on this trip but certainly gave us an enjoyable outing and the excitement to come back again for another try.

I would highly suggest giving Nick Proulx at Northern Water Guides in Pittsburg a try.  He was a great teacher and made us feel quite accomplished after our 1/2 day spent on the river.

enjoy,

k

Garden Bounty

 enjoy,

k

Meet Tuck

 

Not a typical Thursday morning as our day started with a surprise visitor to the back deck.  A juvenile barred owl had taken up residence for the day seeking shelter while awaiting mom's return.  

At first "Tuck" appeared nervous while we watched from inside the house.  But as time wore on I believe he sensed we meant no harm.  I was happy to see that he was able to catch a few z's in the shade. 

The morning commute traffic was diverted...

...and confirmed at noon that diversions were still in place. 

As afternoon approached "Tuck" came out from beneath the chair to take in his surroundings.

Oh, those

pesky

flies!

Truly a sweet creature...

I was drawn in by his movements and personality.  Perhaps getting a little frustration out!

Loved that he got a bit of exercise in too!

Funny that he didn't leave his perch - the temps on this day were above 90 degrees.  He found shade underneath one of the chairs that was fortunately draped with the grill cover.  

Afternoon grooming - gotta love a bird that takes pride in himself.

As we returned home from work and with evening fast approaching Mama returned.  

"Tuck" was out on the back lawn and it appears that a sense of happiness came over him in seeing her. 

She would fly off in a northerly direction as if to guide him "home".  

"Tuck" took refuge in areas that would camouflage him as he made the trek up the hill. 

It wasn't an easy trek - but he was persistent...

...as was Mom in watching and guiding him along the way.  

One last glance back towards our home as he made his way back to his.  

I was tickled when I saw that Mom was no longer concerned about me watching as she was about "Tuck" getting where he needed to be.  

Tuck's arrival early in the morning set about a series of phone calls to try to find help.  Not knowing that Mom would return I didn't want to leave him on his own.  My calls were diverted to several lines along the chain - none bringing about a resolution.  

It felt right that Tuck's story with us ended as it did.  We don't know what the future holds for Tuck but we do know that he's in good hands.   

enjoy,

k