In Anticipation of Marble Season

Some years ago now, I made my grandsons some marble bags, if one could call them that. They were  simple pouches made from painter's cloth and with ties that require wrapping about the top because they have no drawstrings. Pathetic. I have been looking for something more suitable ever since. 

I found it! *This tutorial* is just wonderful and I can not recommend it highly enough. Even I understood it. Oh there is that one unfortunate bit where she doesn't mention that she sewed a channel for the drawstring, but she did show it so that's good.

Even though I made the bag a little larger than suggested, it's not quite big enough for a marble bag so this will serve as my prototype. I must get something besides ribbon as the drawstring, too — way too prissy for boys.

My poor husband has been suffering this winter because of all the hard work involved with shoveling snow. My arms may hurt, but his neck bothers him most. I saw *this nifty pillow* on Pinterest and created one that better suits him, which means that his is a bit narrower in the center and wider. He finds it helpful.

***

If I don't use these photos, the opportunity will be lost. The red really popped against the snow. John is unimpressed with this shot because he says one can't see the house. Well I can't help it if the snowbanks are this high!

This is a lovely home in our neighborhood...

and that is how it will look in spring. Why, yes, I did climb a tree to take the shot. ; >  Yes, it is the very same house, but John was going way too fast as we passed by for me to get the entire structure.

Be it ever so humble...this is our wee home nestled behind mammoth snowbanks and at the edge of the forest. We have since had nearly ten additional inches of snow. The good news is that the storms are slowing down and not coming as often.

Gotta love a man who'll carry in the purse! A wonderful day to you...

A Photo Drive By

One of my readers said that she'd never heard of this kind of Drive By Shooting. They are the most pleasant kind. 

I first became aware of them six years ago at Melissa's Inspired Room. I think that the decorating blogs are more inclined to do them. I've done them from time to time, though I'm not so good at it. I may show you houses or fields or my husband's profile. I may take my own photo in the mirror and I may miss the house entirely and get only the barn or vice versa. 

Let's start at the reason for the drive...the photo challenge and the lake. 

~too pedestrian~not using it ☺~

Have you ever heard the importance of a diagonal line in art? It's true for photos, too, though this is not the finest example.

 ~I rather like this one. I may use it.~

So here we go, dirty windshield and all...

Spectacular clouds...I think a lot of us have been seeing these skies lately...

Oops! A miss...

I really like Federal Style homes...such large, square rooms. I like the transom window over the double front door as well. I'm sure that the pot of posies is a nice touch for the front steps — too bad it has toppled over.

This is a near miss...wish that it hadn't been a ~whoosh~ because the banking in front of the farmhouse is loaded with all manner of flowers, both garden and wild. The homeowners are working on painting so I may have to return and take another photo in autumn.

The turning point where we stopped for ice cream — blueberry for me, butter pecan for John. See the lake in the background? (I never tire of John's distinctive profile. Folks in his clan often share one like it. People say, "You've got to be an Ess because you look just like...")

For the barn lovers...

  

This sort of landscaping is most common...neat and tidy enough, perhaps a bit overgrown for some tastes.

A country cemetery, no outer gate or sign so it may be privately owned...

I am keeping a promise with a picture of this red barn: Row 2 number 1.

Wending our way home...

 Our valley looking west... I have often shown our valley looking east...wouldn't want you to be confused. ☺

Clouds gathering...

 A neat farmhouse just on the edge of town...

While out driving, I received an "urgent" call from my sister. She and her husband had left six hours earlier to drive to the cottage in Canada. Unfortunately, they were turned back at Canadian Customs and were now wondering what to do. So John and I stopped by for a quick visit with "the kids." We were putting our heads together trying to come up with solutions for Sis. Nothing like a bit of drama. More about that tomorrow!

Anyway, the grands were so cute sitting just outside their Auntie's (my daughter's) apartment. The oldest soon started making noises about how concerning the approaching storm was to him and so got us all rustled safely on our way before the thunderstorm began in earnest.

And that will do it for drive-bys for a while. I do enjoy them, but am not used to posting soooo many photos. ;D

A happy mid-week to you!

Moving Right Along

No, that title has no double meaning. I am not leaving blogging and I am not going anywhere...merely feeling chatty again. (You poor things.)

Yesterday started out in sun and ended in storms — again! 

The morning glory is growing like crazy, yet has not one bloom on it. In former years and by now, it would be loaded with flowers. It must have something to do with this crazy summer. I also read that it could be too much nitrogen in the soil, though I can't imagine how the soil has a nutrient left in it after all this rain.

The drift roses are another story. They bloom and bloom and bloom. There are even three bouquets of them in the house. 

~for Auntie~

Oddly enough, there are still a few day-lilies to finish out. They are usually spent by mid-July.

The dragonfly's iridescent wings intrigued me. I don't think I've ever looked at things the same way since I started taking pictures.

After church, John and I needed coffee in the worst way so had to take a trip to Tim Horton's to pick up our monthly supply. While there, we had soup and a sandwich and then went on a slow drive to the lake. (Note this month's photo challenge in my sidebar.)

 ~too pedestrian...I won't be using it~

I also took a lot of those drive-by shots that I love to do, but that don't come out so great. I'll be showing them sometime this week. Here's a teaser.

So typical of a New England farmhouse — the attached shed between the house and the barn. It is a practical way to avoid being out in a blizzard when heading for the barn or the privy. 

What I like about drive-by photos is that one always finds a surprise later. I wasn't paying much attention to the porch and the colorful chairs, even a child-sized one. They were a bonus! I'd love to sit there on the swing and watch the world go by.

                

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing my part in the tea cup exchange, plus perhaps toss in a few more drive-bys.

A happy Monday to you...