Once Upon A Tide – Page 3 – This Old House 2

Wicked High Tide

Wow… between the full moon and the Nor’easter that blew in, we’ve got some serious flooding down on the shoreline, a wicked high tide. We went down to check on Stella, and because she’s at least 15 feet up from the waterline, we’re good, no wind damage either. The “Island” did see some flooding and the water is eerily calm and crystal clear.

Under normal conditions there are a few more steps to a concrete “deck” and then a few more steps into the water –

Below you can see our concrete “deck” under water… and in the distance..

the rock Jetty and marsh beyond it? .. also completely under water.

On the other side of the island, the water is so high, it’s above the road level.

The sea is pushing it’s way through the stone seawall and beach gate,

flooding the road and kidscape.

The beach is completely submerged.

The seawater is about 12 inches up the baracade, see the dark wood at the very bottom? .. and seeping in… quite a sight…

Below is the communal dock and boat launch…. parking lot. Now underwater.

The rock jetty submerged.. with the tide changing… so each side of it is fighting against the other.. it was quite a sight to behold… and the marshlands on the left are invisible underwater.

We were in awe of the power of nature, the way water can take over a landscape with such ease given the right circumstances. We thought this was something… until a neighbor on island sent me these photos this afternoon to compare….

Hurricane Irene, 2011…. Residents were stuck on island with no electricity for 10 days. TEN DAYS. The little guard shack/library/video rental/mail hub we all pass as we enter our little community….

The one road to “home”…. hence, stuck.

We are newcomers, so we did not experience that storm with Stella on the island, although we were told she weathered it just fine.

Amazing, powerful, frighteningly beautiful – mother nature.

Till soon –

Love On the Rocks

This weekend’s weather can be summed up in one word. WET. And ya know? That’s really just fine, because doing farm chores in the rain is easier than doing farm chores in snow and ice, truth.

M and I took a ride down to the cottage yesterday ~~longing for spring~~ to “check on things” and I brought my big lens in case there were some good shots to be had. Indeed there were… crumby weather can set a great mood in photographs.. as evidenced below. People often think a good picture day is sunshiney and bright, but sometimes you get an even better mood in your photos on a gloomy day.

Below are a few homes that sit on the rocks that are the Thimble Islands, more on those HERE. There’s a fun boat tour you can take to explore the islands, too. Link HERE. I love them all. There are currently a few for sale… you, too, can own your own Treasure Island, all one would need is a big lottery win and a boat, for that’s the only way to get to these islands. Link HERE. And another COLORFUL one HERE. Check out that interior! Our little Stella sits in a cove just around the bend.

We had lunch at our favorite little spot in Stony Creek with the Thimbles out in the distance. It’s a simple place with good, healthy food choices. We covet the marble tables inside, well worn ancient treasures with a history nobody seems to know. If you look real close you can see that old gas pump and a few of the islands out in the distance.

While there we browsed a health food booklet with a recipe for butternut pecan bread the husband wanted to try. We picked up a butternut squash at the nearby market and I made the bread when we arrived home. First, the squash had to be baked and mashed, then the rest of the recipe prepared. It is a delicious treat on a dreary winter day and I just had a piece for breakfast, too.

These ceramic measuring cups are one of my favorite things in the kitchen… found them at a local shop but you can buy them at Wayfair too, link HERE. They are made by Creative Co-op. They’re colorful, easy to use, and look pretty on the counter, which is where I keep them.

I hope wherever you are, you’re having a good day. Till soon, friends –

Here and There

Well, darn it, winter is still being wintery ’round here, go figure… We got more snow yesterday and temps were in the teens this morning… just a few inches of the white stuff.

Sadie the hen took two steps outside, took a good luck around, said Oh, Hell No…. and strutted right back inside the hen house where the cozy coop heater is keeping the flock warm. Star, peering out from behind her, took the hint and jumped back up on the roost without placing a mere toe in the snow.

That’s kinda what I’ve been doing every time I attempt to catch a little of the news. Try as I may, I can’t ignore the twilight zone that currently occupies the White House. It’s like trying to look away from a bad accident, you’re just compelled to look back upon it as if you’re not convinced this is really what it appears to be. Wow, by absolutely anyone’s standards, I don’t care who you are or on what side of the proverbial isle you stand, or if you stand in the middle of the isle, outside in the hall, up in the attic, down in the basement or way out in the backyard with your head in the sand… this is all so bizarre.

Onward.

I’ve been playing with my new camera lens and eventually got a few moon shots I’m pretty happy with… one was an evening shot without a tripod so there is blur from the slight motion of holding up a camera with a really big lens…

And a few days later – this morning at 7 a.m., a moonset over the hill behind the barn… The tripod makes a huge difference when you’re trying to capture clarity… see the craters below? Amazing when you think of the distance between me and that moon, what a camera can do?

Meanwhile, down at Stella by the sea, another photographer who catches some beautiful landscape shots on the shoreline took this awesome photo in our cove… that’s one hardy clammer right there at very low tide.

Speaking of the cottage and cove – On one particularly cold afternoon I made this sea glass tree to hang on the wall down at the cottage. It was surprisingly easy to put together, the simple materials not expensive at all, and I love sea glass displayed in a way you can see all the pieces. When the natural light hits this piece, the sea.and.salt tumbled glass looks beautiful. If you’ve got sea glass you’d like to create something with, Pinterest, that great time suck, has tons of ideas.

It’s superbowl time! Do you have a favorite? I’m a Patriots fan.. they have many many fans, and just as many haters, funny thing. I had a football boyfriend in HS and our team back in the day was incredible – our senior year was a shut out season and in a burrough of NY, there’s a lot of talent. Currently one of our schoolmates has just been taken on by the Giants as a defensive coach. I went to every single game wearing one of the BF’s ratty old jerseys, cheering like no one’s business in the stands with my friends. It’s how I came to truly understand and love the game itself, except for the violence in those tackles. Yes I know, there isn’t one without the other, truth.

Here’s a recipe I’m making tomorrow, it’s always a hit and great superbowl fare if you’re serving it up. Easy to put together too, we can all use some -easy-, no?

Pillsbury Antipasto Squares… recipe HERE.

Go Pats! Let’s hope the commercials are not political and just plain fun or inspirational. We could all use a little of that…

Have a good weekend, all –

Frozen Cove

We had two days of 50’s temps and pouring rain for one of them, much of the previous storm’s snow gone. It was practically Tee shirt weather, I’m tellin ya! Today.. however.. we woke up to temps in the 40’s… now dipping down and shall reach the teens again.

The Mr. and I drove down to Stella, our cottage-by-the-sea, with the intention of getting a walk in around the island. When we got there, however, the wind and cold changed our minds. I did walk around with my camera to capture the beauty of this frozen world at water’s edge.

Where the water was exposed, the sun’s reflections danced like diamonds… this is not edited.. see the shapes of the sunlight on the water…. it was amazing to behold.

To give you a sense of the scope of the place… that’s me with camera out there on the little jetty off the swimming beach. Those large chunks of ice rise and fall with the tide and current and incoming waves, staying together in their jigsaw puzzle formation as they shift and bobble in the surf. Occasionally there’s a large cracking sound, so deep and loud even my half-deaf self can hear it. Truly peaceful out there today, silent but for those sounds – I breathed deep, let the cold salty air fill my lungs and let the tide of anger and fear for our Country leave me with every exhale.

Till soon, friends….

Frozen

Here in New England, we’re experiencing crazy cold weather. I believe the snow fall in my neighborhood was approximately 8-10 inches, but the biting cold and wind are what make it a dangerous issue. We’ve spent the last few days layering clothes, shoveling, ice bucket clearing and water refilling, and the guys have been out plowing and sanding.

The horses have their winter coats on, even the minis! Lacey and Coady have the typical very heavy winter coat, so under normal conditions they don’t need a blanket….but at -4 degrees with wind I’m not confident that they can be comfortable without them. The chickens have a cozy coop heater in their coop and the rabbit’s hutch has been fortified with lots of hay for tunneling and two horse blankets over the coop to keep out the wind.

Meanwhile, down by the sea – before the big snow storm we did a quick check of the cottage, I’m happy to report so far no “meece” encroachment. How can I properly describe the bone chilling cold inside an unheated summer cottage? Stunningly frigid, to say the least. The Cove is frozen over, although not the safe walking kind of frozen. Quite a feat with ocean water if you think about it, and a testament to just how cold it is ’round here.

That’s Horse island out in the middle of the cove – there is a house on it, no winter residents, of course. This photo was taken at sunset a few nights ago by a local photographer who captures some stunning views of local landscapes.

I understand even my Florida friends are wearing winter coats – stay warm, friends, I hope you’re safe and snug, where ever you reside. Till soon –

Winterized

We’ve been making little trips down to Stella to batten down the hatches in preparation for the winter season, the Un-Season for summer cottages. Frasier needed some one on one time away from the puppy a/k/a the terr0rist so last week I brought him with me and we took a walk around the island to bid farewell to the summer breezes, the queen anne’s lace in the little fields by the beach, the towels hanging over deck rails to dry, the water warm enough to wade in, still.

There are no more boats in the water, all tucked away till next “season”. Most folks who live on island for the summer have gone home. Out of the 140 cottages, there are about six winterized homes that are lived in year round. That must be just a little lonely come those cold winter months. Or perhaps the solitude is heavenly.

While on our walk I discovered a kindness rock placed near the roadside…

We could all use that reminder, eh?

I washed bed linens, folded and stored them and the pillows in rubbermaid containers lest the meese try to take up residence again. They shant, I tell you, for we have fortified these walls with mighty….. well I don’t know what we fortified these walls with, but the husband hates meese, so I know he fortified it somehow. Steel wool also works great in any leftover little peep holes, like where the plumbing comes in.

I also emptied the fridge and food from cupboards and the garbage has been collected and the bin taken away – the water will be shut off next week and we’ll blow out the pipes so they don’t freeze and burst. I’m not sure if I’ll cover the furniture with sheets. Any of you have a summer place you’ve closed up for periods of time? Advice?

I plan to check on ole’ Stella often, as she’s just 20 minutes away – and the dogs and I will continue our walks around the island through the winter if snow isn’t too deep. We won’t be alone, as several others do the same. It’s sad to close her up, though, even for just half a year.

Till soon, Stella –

Summer’s swan song and the K List

We’re squeaking out every ounce of seaside enjoyment we can get at the cottage, dancing in between work and farm responsibilities and the need to soak up what’s left of the summer that sort of wasn’t. The weather has been odd – kinda wet, kinda cool, kinda cloudy. While I don’t appreciate hot humid days because they truly make me wilt, some of that heat would have been appreciated.

If you’re a woman looking for a kayak that is stable, versatile in quiet and slightly choppy or running waters and easy to maneuver, I strongly recommend the Necky Manitou Sport- love my little red Ruby. She’s accumulated quite a few scratches along with the miles on her plastic bottom but so far nothing seeps through- I hope I enjoy many more years with her.

Not for nothing here.. but I think it should be an unbroken unspoken rule – If you’re the fisherMAN, you’re also required to actually touch the fish you catch to get it off the hook. No squeamishness allowed.

– Just sayin.

My mom has gotten a few week long stays in, when weather was agreeable, and entertained friends on occasion as well. One of the most rewarding things for us is that my mother can enjoy this little place too. Having grown up in a similar small seaside community of which she has many fond memories, (Cedar Grove Beach, Staten Island – now defunct)… she introduced us to the notion of such a place, and is also part of the reason we were able to acquire Stella when we did.

Ask me how much we love marshmallows toasted to the extreme…

We accounted for all family and friends living in Florida – I hope all your loved ones are safe too. seems IRMA was not quite as horrendous as it could have been, although there is much damage and work to repair in the forecast. The VI’s were hit the hardest – I cannot imagine what lies ahead for them as they rebuild – in some cases their entire island. For a location that depends so heavily on tourism, what a double blow to their economy.

I’m waiting for a sign from one dear blog friend, Sally – to be sure all is well there too…

Update: Sally and family are fine – still no power several days in.

At last weekend’s farm market I bought a dog lead for my Sally girl from a really awesome vendor – Elliot of the WashAshoreStore. Elliot reclaims washed-shore items like boat rope and refashions them into dog leads, etc. Sally’s is pink…

Eliot seen below at market working a new lead. Her beautiful dog lay patiently at her feet the entire market. She and her mom have been rescuing and adopting out unwanted dogs for many years – good, good people. Browse her online store, buy your pup a new lead, this one will last a very long time and it’s upcycled – good for the environment.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch… I’ve been asked many times what kind of dog Sally is, mostly because she’s such an odd combination of body part sizes. I don’t think she’s a dog… I call her our house elf, AKA the terrorist.

Leaving you with a recipe I just found on facebook…. Looks like an easy-to-make crowd pleaser – a great pick-on for football season, cottage season, holiday gatherings, a meal all by itself, you name it. Has some healthy qualities too… and a gluten free suggestion for those (like me) attempting to go gluten free.

Broccoli Cheese Balls…

*this is NOT my recipe or photo – found on recipetineats.com

Ingredients

2 cups (packed) roughly chopped soft cooked broccoli (well drained) (~400g/13 oz raw broccoli) (Note 1)
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 eggs
¾ cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Colby or Tasty cheese are my usual)
2 shallots / scallions , finely sliced
2 cloves garlic , minced
¼ tsp salt
Black pepper
Olive oil spray

Garlic Lemon Yoghurt Sauce:

2/3 cup plain yoghurt
Zest of 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ garlic clove , minced
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (adjust to taste, depends on fat % of yoghurt used)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 200C/390F (all oven types).
Line tray with baking / parchment paper. (Note 2)
Place all ingredients (except oil spray) in a bowl. Mix well to combine, mashing up the broccoli as you go (like when you are cooking mince).
Scoop up a heaped tablespoon, then press in firmly. Flick out into your hand then form into a ball. Place on tray. Repeat with remaining mixture – should make 15 – 18 balls.
Spray with oil then bake for 25 minutes, or until the surface is slightly crisp and golden.
Serve with Lemon Yoghurt Sauce – it also goes great with ketchup!
Sauce: Mix ingredients together then set aside for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

Recipe Notes

1. This can be made with fresh or frozen broccoli. If using fresh, you’ll need 1 giant head or 2 medium heads. Ensure the broccoli is cooked until soft so it is easier to “mash” and mould into meatball shapes.

Chopping and cooking fresh broccoli: Cut the florets off the broccoli then break up into medium pieces. Cut the thinner stem into about 2.5cm / 1 inch pieces. If you want to use the thick main stem, peel the outer skin (which is tough) then cut into 2.5 cm / 1” x 1cm / 2/5” batons. Boil water in a large saucepan (or do this step in a steamer). Plonk the stems in first, cook for 2 minutes. Then add the florets and cook for 3 minutes, or until soft. Drain well.

2. Storing: Cool then place in an airtight container. For a quick reheat, use the microwave, or otherwise reheat in the oven. These also freeze well once cooked. Can be made ahead, form balls, then refrigerate (not freeze), then bake later.

3. Pictured in the photo in post with: Lemon Rice Pilaf and quick sautéed kale (tear off a few handfuls of kale, rip leaves off the tough centre stem, tear into bite size pieces. Saute in a bit of oil with a handful of pre shredded carrots (I always have Just Veg from Woolies on hand), season with S&P and finish with a sprinkle of crushed almonds.

4. GLUTEN FREE OPTION: Sub breadcrumbs with 3/4 cup almond meal.

5. Nutrition is for 1/3 of the recipe which is a meal size serving (for an adult). Gluten free option: increases to 387 calories, carbs decreases to 17g.

Till soon, Friends –

Troubled waters, restless sky

Throughout my younger years I often reflected on how lucky I was to grow up in a time of relative peace. Too young to know the horrors of Vietnam personally, born decades after the World Wars… I felt relieved that our world had learned it’s lessons in the atrocities of war. This is not to imply that there hasn’t been turmoil around the globe, that there haven’t been major issues brewing under the thin veneer of “peace time” since. I think it’s crystal clear, particularly now… just how thin that skin was.. and is…

Passed this in my travels last week… I want to hug the person who displayed it. Amen. One of the many issues before us.

I have always hoped and believed we would never come back to an all out war between super powers, surely the powers that be would learn from past mistakes… would not allow, ever again, the mass destruction, the horrors of war, because… NO ONE WINS. EVERYONE LOSES… isn’t this clear to all by now? Hasn’t history taught us enough of those lessons? Lately, it seems power and greed and corruption and ego are winning out over common sense.

Such a beautiful world we live in. The simplest truth is… every living being could exist here in comfort, in relative peace, in harmony.. together….having what they need. It’s absolutely attainable, if not for greed and ego. How very sad that we can ruin it for ourselves. This is where the idea of a divine creator is lost on me. What a cruel joke, to create a race that will probably eventually destroy itself based on those two traits. I want to believe good will always slay evil. I don’t think I have to touch on what we’re all seeing in the world news … lately, that scenario doesn’t seem likely.

Yesterday I paddled my trusty little red Kayak, Ruby, out into a choppy cove and let the wind and salt spray cover me. The warmth of the sun felt good on my skin… the rhythmic motion of the boat as we bobbed over the waves soothed my soul. Sunlight like diamonds on the waters before me… looking out into the Atlantic waters from the safety of our little cove… all I could think of was how healing it might be if I could instill that calmness, that appreciation of the beauty of our shared world, in the hearts of the men who can’t see beyond their own egos and greed.

I have been trying, lately, to avoid watching too much of the news – to refrain from spewing my disgust on social media… taking some advice from my son, the 21 year old who hasn’t been around as long as I have.. yet. “Mom, why get yourself all worked up over something you have no control over. It’s not worth the price, let it go“.

Like ego and greed, another simple truth, yes? Out of the mouths of not a babe anymore, but youth nevertheless.

So I’m taking more walks with my dogs…

My old boy, Ben, and I took a stroll last night in the fields just before dark. The sky seemed restless, moisture and humidity have returned and I wonder if this is the beginning of the newest hurricane heading toward the states. More stormy weather ahead….

I’m not religious, but I believe in the power of prayer – go figure. Praying for the safety of all in Hurricane Irma’s path – praying for the healing of our people all over the world – praying for sanity and good will to settle in the hearts of our leaders so that we avoid destroying ourselves in the pursuit of… Greatness? *sigh. We already have profound greatness…. beauty, bounty, resources. May we collectively figure out how not to destroy it.

Till soon, friends…

Hate when that happens..

…. When you walk into the (insert any retail store) in the middle of July and the Fall decorations are already out. Heck, around here the Halloween candy has been out for weeks. To underscore all this.. summer seems to have made an exit early here in New England. Notice my blog has a fall feel? Well this morning it just seemed like the right time to change it up a little as I dressed in sweatpants and a hooded sweatshirt to feed the horses, chickens and rabbits.

Figures, our first season with Stella (the summer cottage), we’ve had unseasonably cool and wet weather. Seems like the summer just flew by, blink of an eye. Even lit our first fire in that fire pit the other night, toasted our first seaside marshmallows and I have to say, they were the best crispy burnt salty air marshmallows I have ever tasted. We’re squeezing in as much time as possible before we’ll need to close her up for the winter.

The remains of an osprey’s bluefish dinner on our waterfront cement dock… although I’d prefer to tell you I had a lovely waterfront chat with a mermaid.

I am encouraged by all the outpouring of care and effort on behalf of the people of Texas and Louisiana who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. The destruction is heartbreaking, but the show of humanity, of outreach, of positive interaction amongst all is much needed and I hope it continues and the ripples of camaraderie blanket our country. We need a morale boost.

Till soon, friends…

Let there be Light

Last week because we hung around the cottage past dark before heading back to the farm, we noticed the solar lights in our neighbors yard and how beautiful they looked. So… a few days ago I walked into a nearby discount store and found all their outdoor solar light selections half price – perfect! These are the cheap variety, I’m sure you can spend more money on really good ones, but I’m proud to tell you I got these beauties for $2.50 each, on sale from $5. Since they’re made of mostly plastic I don’t have high hopes for their endurance, but for now to see if we like the effect it’s not a bad way to figure that out.

I stuck them in the ground immediately and with two days “charge” time, last night I made dinner for the guy and I down at the shore, cleaned up the dinner stuff… and waited patiently for the “show” to arrive.