Seaglass Superbowl Sunday

I know there are two teams, both playing their hearts out to win the coveted Super Bowl Trophy, Super Bowl Ring and whatever else that goes along with the win. Grocery stores were crazy, Connecticut is divided and fans just can't eat enough buffalo wings! I am going to watch the game but I already won my trophy.

"What is this?" you may be asking and it is a TROPHY?

To me, this is a trophy. On my seaglass walk today I saw the tip of this rusted old oarlock poking out from the wet sand...a little kick (for the extra point) and I scored!

Still attached to the sea worn gunwale, this "oarlock trophy" will find a spot somewhere in my home. I love it and consider it a true gift from the sea.

Can't rain on my parade!

Last week I took a rainy day walk with my friend Alex. She was reintroducing me to an old mill pond I must have passed a million times but never ventured down the path. I love finding unexpected shots and seem to lean towards very graphic, shape inspired landscapes...even in the rain!

While waiting to get started on our trek I watched the rain through my windshield, droplets glistening.

Reflections just amaze me and even here without bright sunlight the shadows cast as mirror images are so beautiful.

Roots, glorious in black & white and in color are crawling appendages, reaching towards their ground.

Gray treed landscapes with hints of color are holding out until the warmth of spring unleashes them! I can't wait, especially with teaser weather this first of February.

Seaglass Sunday!

My passion for seaglass is finally something I can share. Not just here in thoughts and photos but as wearable art! Mother Nature has taken her time sculpting and smoothing beautiful old glass into these gems and now, after years of saying I would make jewelry of some sort, I have found my time.

First, the space needed to be cleared. My old basement playroom filled over the years with "stuff" took 4 dump runs, a trip to goodwill and a sore back to uncover a corner to set up my new professional drill! I was so excited but also a little nervous to try drilling the first piece.

Success!!!! I watched youtube demonstrations, read any and every web page about how to drill glass, specifically seaglass and took a big gulp. GULPPPPPP. After the first piece I assumed it was beginner's luck but the second piece went smoothly too. I hope I am not jinxing myself now.

I actually had a bag of bails since I had asked another local etsy jeweler to drill a piece for me about a year ago. I wore that piece whenever I needed to remind myself I could do this too! Now I have finally replaced that piece with one of my own and I will wear it with another gem or tiny starfish charm.

The next piece I will drill will be the lavender one I found today on a very cold walk! I hadn't found any purple for what seemed like ages. I really, really hope the drilling is successful since purple is my favorite seaglass color. I felt it was a sign that I was moving in the right direction.

Now I can also finally use the business card I designed for myself a few years back. Obviously, this was something that was in the cards for me..... I just needed to be dealt the right hand!

Last Seaglass Walk 2011

Today was optimum seaglass searching weather, tide and falling on a Saturday, it was perfect to take a long last walk along my favorite beaches. I was very fortunate on my search, just as the end of 2011 brought good fortune to my family as well.

Along with seaglass, I found my very first "seacoin". A penny eaten away by the elements...but found face up, another harbinger of luck for the year to come!

Lastly, I found a seaglass heart. What a way to wrap up the year! Happy New Year's Eve to all and wishes for a healthy & happy 2012.

(This shot is a bit out of focus....hopefully 2012 will bring my photography skills into better focus along with many other goals for the new year!)

Sunday from Shore to Lake

Today I started off on the blustery sea shore and ended at the old family place on the lake. Seemed liked two different days!

Crashing waves, seaglass covered by the night's stormy sands and still finding the remains of Irene wrapped here around a piling. It seemed almost as windy as the hurricane!

So off we went. NEW Fairfield. A little cottage that has been in the family since the 1940's. Mostly unchanged except for absolute necessary improvements! No drinking water, no shower but wonderful views of the lake from the dock and boathouse top.

A pristine, unadorned location. We are lucky to still own a piece of this lake.

Inside, the old croquet mallets, the wall of fame - the original owners, my great uncle and great aunt along with other Hayes family photos and memorabilia. A turtle shell, an old fan, trinkets, feathers, paintbrushes and of course playing cards.

My mother and her siblings (she is the far right beauty with the big white bow). An art project of past...saved with a found feather. We pretty much have a rule - no TV, no internet etc. Just crafts, reading and lots of cooking in the outdoor fire pit.

Sweetcake Mountain hiking trail meanders up a wooded path behind our place. 

And when we reach the top we see our lake. Candlewood is a large man made lake, a valley flooded back in the 40's (I will make sure of the exact time). Islands seen here were tops of hills. Cemetary Island across from our dock was an actual cemetary! The others seen here we call Sand Island and House Island...and beyond are Candlewood Shores.

The woods are so different than my home by the shore. Bird houses, leaves underfoot and the quiet!!!

The cottage is always a work in progress...but not too much! Old paint colors remind us of the past.

A marker by our door that we have never figured out but to us, it is truly the trail end anyways, end of day and time to relax.

A view from the screened porch. Welcome to the Lake. Well said.

Weekend Walk & Winery!

This weekend, being what I believe to be a true Indian Summer occasion that was perfect for walking...we did! Sleeping Giant Mountain in Hamden, CT allows dogs (leashed) so up we climbed.

Not sure if Sally needed a rest or we did!

The tower at the top looks out over a beautiful valley and Quinnipiac University. I stayed below though to watch Sally while heights are not my cup of tea I must confess.

The Mountain Laurels (our state flower) twist and turn their faces to reach the sun leaving barren branches that seem haunted.

A downward jog of sorts pulled by Miss Sally ended in thirst all around.

Just by chance, on our way to buy some much needed apples we spotted a Connecticut Wine Trail sign!!! What would be better than that to end this day? After getting lost thanks to the iphone GPS and possibly some bad navigating by the novice iphone user (me), we found Chamard Vineyard in Clinton, CT.

A very welcome sight, seeing the sign and arriving before closing time!

Quite the location! The vineyards, the grounds and tasting areas were calling out to us, stay, have at least one glass...but we had someone (Sally) waiting in the car. So we decided to hold our own taste testing at home.

So much fun staging our little wine tasting. The wine was good, feeling great from our walk...we need a few more weekends like this!

Can Summer Possibly Be Over?

I know that Labor means the End of Summer for most although we all also know that the Autumn Equinox on September 23rd is the official end and turning point into the new season. Labor Day Weekend followed the Irene Hurricane Weekend so walking the beaches was a MUST!

Early Saturday morning I awoke to see the sky turning pink...red sky in the morning, sailors take warning? I worried that the day would become dismal so I got out and down to the Seawall in time for a spectacular sunrise. A lone fisherman and virtually not another single soul. So peaceful...

The next walk we took was a very long one! 5.5 miles out and around Pleasure Beach. We tried our best to NOT look for seaglass on the way out knowing our destination and how far we wanted to travel. Pleasure Beach extends into Bridgeport Harbor and partially encircles it. This is a gem, a place that once was a thriving industrial seaport and this stretch above was once a destination spot for many!

The old McLeevy pier at Pleasure Beach looks directly across the harbor to an old Lighthouse! It is in center of this photo...a small black and mostly ignored icon of Bridgeport's past. I have loved this little unknown beacon for years. Not sure many people have noticed it or have any idea it exists! I will write about this again soon!!! With the nickname Bug Light, you can't NOT want to know more.

 The seaglass I found on my trip around Pleasure Beach and into Bridgeport Harbor was unique! There were very large pieces...and a few with identifying letters. As you can see, the "Cola" was an old Coca Cola bottle but the "DJC" Jersey City piece I will have to investigate. The hurricane may have brought up some bigger, older pieces from the harbor depths. What else lies beneath?

Even when I am working I have to acknowledge the End of Summer or the beginning of any other time of year. It is always hard to see it in print especially if I am the one to design the Point of Purchase displays.  I am hoping for a warm, sunny "Indian Summer" to phase us into the fall.