ringing in 2015

Happy 2015!! I really hope this year is much better than it's predecessor.
It started out with a lot of inspiration and I was able to make these mixed media snowmen.  I'm saving them for a craft fair this Nov.  I know I started REALLY early.  But I am hoping to get a big jump on holiday crafts this year.

Hubby and I spent New Years at the Theater watching "Into the Woods" then back home to spend the rest of the night with our doggies. Hubby said I ruined Star Trec  for him when Chris Pine (Young Capt. Kirk) started singing in the movie, his character was "Prince Charming"

Happy New Year from my family to yours. My son is missing form the photos, he was back in his home in Dartmouth.

 Meeka our 2 year old dog is missing from this photo because she is frighted of cameras. Silly girl :)

Apple blossoms in my yard

Today the Apple trees are in bloom.  Unfortunately there is a very short window of time in which I can enjoy them.  (Every second year and only for about a week) The flowers appeared Monday, then Tuesday 1/4 had bloomed and today 99% of the tree is in full bloom and smelling amazing.  Pure magic.  It will be in bloom only a few days, I figure by Saturday the blossoms will be gone. Of course I was out with my camera, just like I am every year they bloom.  I must have a million blossom photos by now and yet I must go and try to capture the magic and beauty of it.
I hope someday they make a scratch and sniff photo so I can capture the scent and beauty of the blossoms.

 This is from our Crab Apple tree, I think they are the prettiest of the blossoms.  Who'd of thought a pretty blossom produce such a sour apple??  These remind me of my Mom's favorite treat...pink popcorn.

A side view of one (the biggest) Apple tree

 Coming on to evening, I wish I knew how to photograph a sunset.

 Of course I can't take photos without being photo bombed by my cat Puska.

iPhone photos

Bermuda Day 5 Sights to see

We visited Bermuda's Crystal Caves today. They were the most magical place I've ever seen.  For any Harry Potter fans it reminded me of the Crystal Cave that hid the horcrux in the Drink of Despair.  I found myself looking for a ferry boat to drift on by and pick us up.

 Next was the Aquarium and Zoo, the only Zoo where you are actually part of it.  Yep some of it is open and birds and other animals actually walk around like you aren't there.  It was pretty great.

 Octopus and skull friend

 Close encounter of the turtle kind

 Just hanging out with some flamingos.

 Galapagos Turtle, this guy is HUGE!!

Not sure what this guy is but he was awesome.

 Talk about camoflauge!!

Phat Starfish.

You gotta love Bermudian humor :)

Bermuda things that make you go "WHAT?????"

Well this is one way of curbing my "tea addiction" just charge me $4.10 USD for one cup!!

Or how about a couple snacks for just $9.20 USD

I DO NOT recommend eating at the Fish Bone Bar and Brill at the Naval Dockyard

We ordered 

ASSORTED YUMMY PLATTER $26.95 

For 2 persons, lots of goodies: 

bruschette, turtle eggs, chicken tenders, chicken wings, calamari, mozzarella sticks, fries and sauces

For 2 persons???  Only if you plan on eating 1 of each item :(

  What you actually get is....

2 small pieces of bruschette, 2 turtle eggs (jalapeno peppers)

1 chicken finger CUT IN HALF

2 chicken wings, 2 mozzarella sticks

and frozen calamari, a couple onion rings and fries.

Definitely the worst meal yet. 

If your looking for the best Oreo Cookie Milkshakes ever then stop by The Swizzle.

It's one of two restaurants on the entire island that does not include a gratuity in the bill.

Great menu and you determine what you'll tip.

Bermuda Day 4 Dockyardians

When visiting Bermuda scooters are the way to go.  They are a blast minus the exhaust fumes, and the fact that no one drives the Island wide speed limit of 35 km.  This is my husband who calls his scooter "the Hog".  It makes me laugh every time.  The thing sounds like a whiper snipper on crack and when your going any faster than 45km.  And hills?? Well you find yourself cheering for the thing to make. It's like the little scooter that could and your so proud of it when you get to the top.

 We visited the museam at the Royal Naval Dockyard and saw the most amazing mural.  It took 3 1/2 years to paint this thing.  It's so full of people and details of Bermuda's history you could spend an entire day just to see everything in it.

 I'm using my hubby to show the scale of this mural that wraps around the stair well.

Here's the part that made me laugh, I knew I had to take a photo, cause only I would find this tiny little detail in such a huge painting.  

A giant canon

 Giant Anchors

Teeny tiny hallway

Can someone pass the salt....salt.....salt??

Bermuda Day 3 Some FYI's

There are some things that really surprised me about Bermuda today.

No.1
 Public transit.  Not that the bus is something new to me but the manner in which it was driven took me by surprise.  The only words I can think of to describe my uummmm "adventure" is that it was just like a scene from the Harry Potter movie when Harry travels on the Night Bus.  Yep it was that scary, thrilling, grabbing my husband's hand and gasping kind of experience. If you haven't seen the movie here's a YouTube clip of that scene.

 Do you see that arrow below? It's pointing at the bus going the other way, that's how close they drive to each other and anything else on the road.

No.2

Bermuda is SERIOUS about not going down the wrong street.

 One way streets are for one way only people.  Do not dare and challenge this or you will reap this reward.

No. 3
When purchasing bottled drinks the cold ones have a premium on them.  For example this drink costs $1.75 warm
and $3.00 cold, yep I had to pick my jaw up off the floor with that too!

Or how about a medium size popcorn for $6.75, I totally recommend it if you have low blood pressure. And because it's so humid here the fresh popcorn tastes stale :(

No. 4
I'm posting this cause I think the detail in this graphic is funny. The message is great and people definitely obey it, cause the only thing I've ever found on the side walks so far are snails.

No. 5
If your feeling a little home sick there's always KFC where you can purchase a BUCKET of coleslaw.

Bermuda Day 2 Water play

There's this GIANT volcanic rock on Elbow beach and of course we just HAD to go hangout on it.  I've never seen volcanic anything let alone touch it!! Super cool.  Now I've been there and done that.

 Geesh it looks like my husband in on a throne. Hahahaha

 Sandpipers scouring the beach, it was pretty neat to see how they traveled in a group gradually working their way up the beach.

 The best part was watching my husband play in the ocean.  Bermudians don't swim in the winter (the water is too cold) but it's like bath water for us and really fun.

Butt shot :)

going....

 gone.