Pinecones and Pinterest

These days many of us have fallen in love with "pinning". It is certainly another vice that keeps me at the computer much longer than I ever plan on. First there was aol, email and instant messaging. Moving forward was google, blogging, facebook (which I steadfastly avoided until earlier this year) and now Pinterest.  A site that people post fun images on their "boards", it is a go-to for ideas on multiple topics. Pinecone decorating was my Pinterest search and yes, I cheat for ideas!

My Pinecone Swag idea began as a collection gathered on many walks and progressed into....what to do with all these beautiful works of art from Mother Nature!

Enter Pinterest, blogger Sweet Paul, a love of burlap and off I went to the craft store. Although I loved the simplicity of Sweet Paul's Pinecone Swag seen below I wanted to make the idea more my own.

Things didn't work out exactly as planned but I compromised to complete my swag before Thanksgiving.

 Eye hooks screwed nicely into the bottom of certain cones and jute tied easily around others.

A multi layered collection of three different cones hanging from natural jute was more the look I was going for.

This is when a compromise occurred. Seems everyone loves burlap ribbon this year and I was not able to find the size I wanted! So I had to make a bow from a larger roll of burlap and secure it with more jute....not too bad so far.

Tying the bow to my bundle of pinecones and finding another smaller roll of burlap ribbon to make the tendrils was the part I am not quite as happy about. But c'est la vie, correct? I also added a bit of color (thinking back to why didn't I just outright copy dear Sweet Paul?) with a purple satin ribbon I had on hand, wrapped around the descending jute bundle.

As you can see I made two of the swags to back each other up on my glass interior front door.

When all was done, we finished preparing for the Thanksgiving feast. The living room became the extension of the dining room, tables and tablecloths were laid out as the first turkey was roasting. T'was the Night Before Thanksgiving and all through the house, Carol was working along with her spouse! (Pappa D)

We had a wonderful day and were so lucky to have friends and family joining us for one of my favorite holidays. Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

P.s. Can I add just one image I found on Pinterest that I fell in love with? The dream to become a proficient watercolorist lives on. I could add many but this one goes along with the theme!

Sands from Sandy

Once again, I am writing to journal a hurricane. Last year it was Irene, this time Sandy. Destruction and aftermath all rolled into one this time and done mostly for reason of passing photos to friends & family members that may want to see how our coastline was "Sandyfied". I don't relish the task and I know many people were more adversely affected. We were actually fortunate comparatively. 

So here goes....

This was Monday morning at Long Beach, Stratford. Tattered flag still flying proudly.

Stormy seawall but not too bad!

Just starting.....

Hangin' in there.....

We did go inside and safely slept. Upon waking we found our Lordship aftermath wasn't too bad.

Not quite the case other places.

Water levels on the next photos are easily recognized by the "scum line" on buildings etc. This one is in Milford where my daughter lives (or did until displaced). The water was dirty, possibly with sewage from the flooded sound, sometimes oil from oil burning heating units, backwash from streets. The next are from the Fairfield family cottages.

Remember the wall? It may have helped after all these years of being buried!

Outwardly, we look pretty good but go inside....

Surfcoot (for all that know her) had a good amount of water flowing through.

Old Squaw, the matriarch of our cottages fared quite well but the her undersides are drenched and insulation torn apart. Don't know if any structural damage occured. Hopefully will know soon!

Wild Dog (Duck?) was 2-3 feet under water. We were not able to get inside. Always my favorite cottage because of old memories. In fact I remember weathering a storm there when I was very young and watching my dad try to secure the screens, etc. 

Is this sand or snow? Looks like drifts after a blizzard. Our driveway may have a few years worth of sandbars covering it.

And then there was the Owl. Never thought the surge would go this high. Notice the "scum line" on the house. Our dear old concrete bench was found in the middle of Beach Road and someone dragged it over to the parking lot. Thank you to whomever helped save an icon of beach front living along here. Family, traditions, history. I didn't realize how sad I was until I sat down and tried to show my findings. The cottages – Old Squaw, Surf Coot, Wild Dog, Owl have been in the family since ? Please help me with a date my cousins. My youth, my children's youth and many, many family members will all agree our precious place is just that. Precious, not pretentious whatsoever.

I hope the sun will shine and make things right for those in much more need....again, we are lucky here. Mother Nature is quite a force to reckon with.