Easter and Springing into Projects after Finishing at Kent (March 13 - April 30, 2021)

There hasn't been a lot of ice in the strait this year which led to seals having a hard time finding places to birth their pups. In 3 different incidents, seals were found wondering on land. Police came to the rescue and got them back to water, which included a drive in the backseat of a cruiser for at least one of them. I saw pictures of seal pups taken on PEI and decided we'd head out to look for them at Point Prim. No luck but we had a nice walk and found gaggles of geese on the way home.

Chowder House and Oyster Bar - open in the summer at Point Prim

Hundreds of geese stopping over on their way further north

Made sure to wear green on St. Patricks Day

It's been a turbulent, maybe typical, spring weatherwise. Gorgeous one day, not so much the next.  I spent quite a few early mornings bundled up, heading to the car.

Ready for tundra like conditions LOL!!

Always seemed like a long, cold walk to the car - Don't miss that

Got some lounge furniture for the screen room and love sitting out there on a warm day. The plastic on the windows makes a huge difference. Scott's got the BBQ in there for the winter which is also great.

Enjoyed a snowshoe around the yard and the shadows the grasses make.

Inside, Scott tiled "my" shower. I like the guest bathroom best.

We had a terrific storm one night - mostly lightening

In the dark of night, lightening lit up the sky - as if it was daylight
We bought and hooked up a generator this year, so of course, no power outage :-)

The gorgeous sunrise necessitated a stop at the Montague waterfront on the way to work this morning.
The figures are wooden carvings of people playing instruments. 

My time at Kent was winding up. Myself and Russ left at the same time. We were spoiled with treats and gifts, cards and flowers.

Love the wrapping Nicole

Kenny's flowers - really nice

Easter was spent hanging with the family - Lots of fun.

Dominic, Kayla and Emily

Dom showing off his dance moves

Jacob and his Dad Trevor who doesn't like getting his picture taken
or more likely just likes to mess up pics LOL!!

Pam and Chasity giggling

Scott totally relaxed

I saw a course "Tiny Tattered Houses" online and treated myself to something new. I was introduced to the term "mixed-media" referring to using everything and anything from old books, photos, fabric, etc..., combined with paint and glue to create pictures. I decided on lighthouses rather than houses and ended up with a more structured look (go figure) but I'm happy with the results. 

I'll definitely play with mix-media again. Great for making cards, personal wrapping paper or pictures.

Beware: If you get into this, you'll start collecting every piece of paper you find.

Panmure Lighthouse - layering, using my photo along with 
paint techniques and random pieces.

This is a photocopy of one of my photographs (North Cape Lighthouse) altered using the paint techniques I learned.

People often asked me what I'd do at home and not get bored. Well, the list is very long, not much chance of getting bored. I don't let it overwhelm me though, one day at a time. The first order of business was to finish up a telephone table I'd started a while ago.

Before (came as part of the house)

Very happy with how it turned out - There wasn't really a spot for it in the house so I sold it.
I'll plug away at refinishing the furniture I have as time permits - very satisfying.

Three big spring jobs in no particular order are:

1. Renovate the motorhome

 (at least the front living room and kitchen portion so we are able to use it during the summer)

2. Add a front porch to the front of the house and a back porch on the back

3. Prepare and plant the veggie gardens

We've made some good progress with the motorhome. Removed cabinets we didn't want, took down the ceiling carpet, replaced with wallpaper, painted the walls and started on the cabinetry.

I'll share some before and after shots when we're done but for now, here is some of the work in progress.

Carpet was glued up and left quite a mess behind.

Put the wallpaper up in 2 foot squares to give it the tile look and because it would've been impossible to get anything bigger to stick properly. This will all be painted and not look so raw when it's done. If you do this, best not to paint for at least 3 weeks to ensure the paper and glue dries completely before painting.

Crawling on the floor to undo the bolts and move driver and passenger seat
in order to remove the carpet. 

Might be a bit awkward on long trips.

Since we put the wallpaper up, definitely a 2-person job, I've been painting. 3 coats on the walls and I've got one more on the top furniture. Still thinking about the exact base colour. It's definitely looking brighter. I'll share more when I'm done so as not to bore you.

We able to get some gravel on the worst parts of the driveway (top and bottom) which means no more leaving the car at the bottom. Very happy.

Tilling a spot out back was no fun, or at least that's what Scott told me. Didn't look like fun.

Inside Scott has become a planting machine.

The grow light definitely helps

We should have a lot of tomatoes, onions, peppers, lettuce, along with a variety of others.

A day out exploring Guernsey Cove, Cape Bear and Machon Point. Love being close to the water.

One of the views from Cape Bear Lighthouse

We walked a long way at Machon Point - Could've gone further.

Before spring takes hold and everything sprouts, I spent a day time cleaning and clearing the area beside the parking.

Started by pruning the larger trees so we can walk under them and clearing out the garbage.
Got the back half cleared (not pictured) - still need a few days.

In the past week, it got nice enough for Scott to get out and dig some holes. 4 footing holes are in and cemented, just waiting for us to start the front porch. Looking forward to building it together.

Just like old times at Hickory Dickory Decks.

"Before"  Action shot of Scott starting the first hole.

Wide holes to accommodate the "big foot" footings

Wheelbarrow = Concrete mixing vessel

Four footings - done and dusted
(only 2 in photo for the literal people reading this)

Took an afternoon to scout out a good location from which to photograph the lobster fisherman and boats early in the morning on setting day. It was scheduled for this morning but has been delayed due to weather so we'll see.

Great Blue Heron back from the south - no border restrictions for them.

Someone pre-soaking their new lobster traps so they sink better.

Kept missing the birds flying to and from but the houses are cute.

Boat in the background coming in after it's spring test run.

Lobster traps lining most of the wharves in preparation.

I think everyone was hungry and I caught all except Uncle Gerald off guard. We had fun sharing
lunch with (L-R) Aunt Eleanor, Veda, Uncle Gerald and Scott celebrating Veda's 86th birthday April 27th. Went out with Pam, Trevor, Emily and Veda again in the evening. No pics but had fun too.
Happy Birthday Veda

I'll leave you with a view out our front door which will be much changed next time. It's about a 2 foot drop at the moment. Looking forward to be able to walk out and enjoy a tea on the porch.

Lots of Love from PEI - stay safe everyone.