O' Lucky Day - Fly Fishing on the Pond

A friend and I were just talking last week about fishing. I mentioned how I wished I would see someone fly fishing on the pond. There is always lots of fishing going on by land and in boats but there is something truly beautiful about fly fishing.

I like everything about it...the clothes, the gadgets, the rod, the line, the flies...everything! I took a class with my Dad and niece a few years ago and learned so much. I am particularly fond of tying flies, so Dad gave me a class in tying for my birthday which was fantastic. I don't care about the fishing part as touching them is a bit disgusting to me...I'll get my fish at Gardner's Wharf in Wickford thank you...but those beautiful flies mesmerize me and the like the whole fly fishing outfit as well...the fashion side of this sport is also mystical to me.

So I was heading out the door yesterday to do some errands and WHOAAAA...I look over to the island and there standing in the water is this fellow dressed head to toe in a complete fly fishing outfit...rod in the upright position, fishing line whipping in zig zags above his head and a white fly soaring in the air! A fly fisherman on the pond...finally! I scoot back in the house and grab my camera...this is too good to be true.

I walk over to the peninsula and ask if he minds I take a few pictures...he graciously says yes and I start snapping. We had a lovely conversation and I learned his name is Steve.

So enjoy the photos of Steve below...

Dressed head to toe just the way a fly fisherman should be in my opinion...hat, vest, waders, sunglasses, gadgets hanging around his neck and on the vest...

All that line floating at Steve's feet was a few moments ago whipping through the air as he cast...

This is a double hook fly Steve made himself...I wish I could have gotten a good picture of it in the water but I just couldn't. In the water it shimmied and the piece of tinsel caught the sun and sparkled...it was a thing of beauty wiggling below the water's surface.

I had spotted this small wooden box on the shore...I assumed it was flies but wanted to remain polite so I didn't probe...but then Steve offered me the opportunity to look inside...Hallelujah!

What a treasure trove of beautiful flies...I never imagined it was going to be so full of fabulous items! The colors and styles are magnificent...I could have studied that box for hours...my favorite just for whimsical reasons was the mouse but truly each one was super! It would be cool to see everyone of them sliding through the water...

Just as I was getting ready to leave...the water becomes a bit turbulent and oh la la, Steve has a bite! Now my day is made!

Steve tells me this is a pickerel...what a beauty!

A man and his fish!

I am so thankful I stepped out my door and saw Steve today...I met a very nice person who was generous with his time...hope he comes back again...this time I'll just watch from afar...fly fishing is really so nice to just watch...relaxing and a thing of beauty.

Thanks Steve for bringing elegance to the pond.

Elizabeth

Simple Supper

Every once in awhile I crave a pizza...since I eat very little meat this easy quattro formaggi pizza is delightful and hits the spot...I just use a store bought flat pizza round and top it with fresh mozzarella, feta, asiago and Parmesan...hence the "four cheese" name...drizzle a little olive oil, a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper, a pinch crushed red pepper flakes, and a dash of garlic powder...bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.

Ladies and gentlemen - dinner is now being served in the main dining!

Elizabeth

Dinner and Cards - Great Night - Girls Team Won - Need I Say More!!!!!

It has been some time since we have all gotten together for a nice meal and then a card game. So last Saturday night we managed to pull off a night of great food, fun and especially wonderful company!

I set the table with a spring theme...plain and simple with a touch of elegance...just the way I like it!

Laura and Natalie made the salad which was served with a lemon vinaigrette...Laura is married to my nephew Caleb and has her own blog which is full of great ideas, tips and just great things to read...take a look - plant.eat.create

Also take a look at her new shop on etsy...www.etsy.com/shop/handmademachak

When we sat down to eat, the fun began and I totally forgot to take any more pictures...

Elizabeth

Peaceful Foggy Morning

I woke this morning to a world that was foggy and devoid of any brightness...everything looked as though I was seeing it through a veil...it was absolutely divine.

I waited a bit then grabbed my camera before the sun decided to break through and started snapping photos. Enjoy this morning with me as I strolled over to the island...before grabbing the newspaper and returning to reality!

The narrow road over....

Within minutes the sun started to break through and change everything...

A forsythia bud plumping up to burst forth in a yellow brilliance...

Can you see the spider web? It is actually just a line rather than the usual "Charlotte's Web" web...there were these web lines everywhere...not one formation just strings some extremely long also! Very interesting...was it that this is what spiders do this time of year or was it they did this due to the fog?

So much moss has grown over the winter...must be due to the warm winter we had...most is cushion moss and hair cap moss....

Down to the water...hard having to wait to jump in for the first swim of the year! My friend, Ray Gandy on the other side of the pond is probably already swimming in the pond every morning...he swam the English Channel two summers ago so he can stand the cold water...this year he plans to do an English Channel double...YIKES!!!!!

This tree was planted by a friend in memory of my Dad who passed away last July...what a lovely tribute and gift. I am so pleased it survived the winter.

We did not have much snow but did have lots of wind...so many branches and dead wood everywhere...I have started making piles to be taken to the campfire location...we won't be short on kindling this year...

Real estate remains available as it looks like no one has taken up residence yet.

The sky is brightening...

Before you know it, I will be spending more time in the day cabin than the "big house". YIPPEE!!!!!

Going back home was very hard this morning...but a girl has to do what she has to do.

Elizabeth

Cake Decorating Class Four - GRADUATION!

Week four already! Another cake required for class...so I baked this one without a problem...frosted it like I knew what I was doing. I picked out a design I liked and saw little dropped flowers were required so I got those done also...something in the back of my inexperienced mind told me these little flowers were not what I should have made but I did them anyway...at least I got some practice.

Cake and dropped flowers...

Aren't they adorable?!

So this week we learned to make roses...this was intense! Also learned how to write on a cake...my penmanship is not the best and then add writing with frosting in a bag requiring one apply just the correct pressure and I give myself a "D" in this area...at least it could be read...

My roses had a bit of a ruffled edge because my tip needs to be opened a bit...my question here is...these tips are made in Korea...why the heck don't they make them right? How is a beginner suppose to know a tip must be adjusted...oh well...lesson learned...

So I made a lot of roses and applied them to my cake...added some leaves and lines and dots for added eye appeal...

Since I was once again gifting my cake to the guys at the car dealership via my neighbor....I used my writing techniques to thank them for the lottery ticket they bought me after the first cake...

My cake on the left and the look I was trying to achieve out of our lesson book on the right...you will notice no dropped flowers used...that nagging thought I had initially was right...I couldn't get them off the board to the cake...oh well...since I now knew how to apply a shell border...I did that instead...pretty cool!

Tonight was our last class and we all were awarded our certificates...we all passed...a lot of signed up for the next series of classes...I am a cake decorating sophomore now!

Oh by the way, this time the fellows who received my graduation cake bought me another "thank you" lottery ticket but this time they doubled my chances...I had ten shots at the big money! If I win this time...I can open a chain of bakeries!!!!!

Elizabeth

Cake Decorating Class Three

So the third week of class we had to bring six cupcakes in...so baked a batch without a snag!

Packed up my bag and cupcakes and off I went.

Nice little batch of cupcakes from a box mix...

We needed to bring in different colored icing, so whipped up a batch of icing and tinted it with the colors I wanted to use.

This week we learned to make a simple drop flower, then we learned by a simple twist of the wrist a swirled flower was produced and then we learned how to make a little swirl that is perfect for a birthday cake to stick the candles in..I really like this opposed to those little plastic candle holders.

Then we practiced making a shell border...this made me feel like I was really getting somewhere...
Next leaves on the practice board....liking this also!

WOW...now we used a rose nail to make a flower...feeling pretty good here!

Lots of steps to produce a flower...

The girl who sits next to me is very talented...her flower came out perfect...so so pretty!

My creations on the other hand remain in need of practice...but I am not giving up...

Then I applied all the things I have learned and proceeded to decorate my cupcakes...these two turned out looking like hydrangeas to me...this was by chance, not intentional...but still gorgeous!

So 24 decorated cupcakes...in the past they simply would have been frosted and maybe some little sprinkles added but now I can make swirls and flowers! I feel like I am making some progress...YEA!!!!!

Elizabeth