Pre-Order the Devonshires through August 10, and get the special $100 price.  We’re only making 200 of these shoes, so don’t miss the chance to own one of only a couple hundred pair on the planet!  Visit www.american-duchess.com to order.

So glad that I didn’t have to go out today until the temps went up! Looking forward to the “heatwave” of tomorrow. Woo hoo 30 degrees!

Cutting took the most work…but once that was over, it was just a matter of piecing together the top and adding the border.

Now, I am just waiting for my batting to arrive so that I can put the top, batting, and backing together and get this done! Its going to go on the full bed but I think my next quilt will be smaller…this seems so much bigger than it actually is.

I have vague resolutions for this year, only because I know that they often get forgotten or just fail.

1. Enjoy hiking the Grand Canyon
2. Finish up my kitchen
3. Take more photos
4. Apply for a higher job position
5. Get more kudos for my current position

There are others…but this is a good start.

Spectacle Island is a 15-20 minute ferry ride out of Long Wharf in Boston and is part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area. Today’s island has been reshaped over the years with dumping, erosion, and the fill from the Big Dig to become one of the highest points in Boston Harbor.

The National Park has a green visitor center that has CLIVUS toilets, expansive views of the city, and covered picnic area.

There are a number of trails to walk along and view the city or the lighthouse.  One of these trails takes people along the shore that is scattered with rocks and the occasional dead fish:

The other main feature of the island is the trash that is coming out of the ground and washing up on the shore…seaglass and pottery shards. As an archaeologist, I am always looking down on the sand at the beach for seaglass and random things. At Spectacle, you don’t even have to search…it is all there, but not for the taking.

The ferry to the islands is almost done, just about another month. I hope to get back out to George’s sometime before then to find the dark space again!

Here is what I’ve been doing since I last updated:
In May:

I tried to grow sunflowers…this failed epically. Mostly because there were about a million of them in a tiny pot. 3 of these plants are still alive and one just got a bud on it. How sad am I as a gardener?

I also graduated!
In June:

I went on a 10 day trip to Ireland. I enjoyed most of it, but I was sick for quite a lot of it so that sucked. I might go again just to see if the country and I are more in synch with each other when I’m not coughing myself to sleep.

In July:

I had prime seats for the reading of the Declaration of Independence off of the balcony of the Old State House. It was ok…I always forget how long that document really is, you never hear anything past the first paragraph or two.

I also went on a tour of State Street, which included the Custom House building. Gorgeous! Need to go up to their viewing area…totally worth the 3 bucks.

The next day, I went up to Beverly to try out some awesome cameras and come up with images like this.

And, I made it up and down Mt. Washington for the 7th time!

I went on a whale watch out of Gloucester…it was awesome. We saw 30 whales and had a great time!

Looking back, I realize that I did a lot of cool stuff this summer even if I didn’t think it at the time. I’m going to have to keep up the streak…I want to go find tide pools AND maybe a visit to the national parks of VT and NH if I’m ambitious!

Now, you aren’t supposed to take photographs (Even though it is an exhibit by the Smithsonian and they let you take gazillions of photos) but I still did. I’m sneaky like that

A short description:

“The Museum is pleased to announce that we will host “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World” from April 3, 2010 through June 27, 2010.  The exhibition features 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards that illustrate Henson’s talent as a storyteller and visionary. Among the variety of exhibition objects are puppets and television and movie props, photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and original video productions, including excerpts from Henson’s early career and experimental films.”
You can also download a podcast about the exhibit or borrow a player for free from the people at the museum. You just have to leave your ID with them.

I love that Ernie has his Rubber Duckie with him. They should have put bottlecaps in for Bert.

This now adorns my cell phone wall paper. I love Rowlf…he is a wonderful straight line guy.

Love love love!!!

Should be an interesting summer!