I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to display these at two different galleries.
Loon Piggy Back
The photo on top was displayed in metal print at a gallery about 2 hours north of the city for a month. Only one piece or artwork could be submitted. The same image was also displayed in print form at another gallery.
Loon Door Dash
The image from on top and the image under were both on display in a small gallery in Manhattan for a short period of time this month. I submitted the prints for the show and someone else framed them. Not a big deal, but a big deal for me.
This duck was drinking out of the Hudson River. Not the best lighting conditions, but I will take it. Bad weather is predicted for here tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Duck drinking the Hudson River water.Drinking duck
Are you running low on ideas for elf on a shelf? Are you looking for ideas for next year? Below are a few I came up with on one of our rainy New York weekends.
Breaking a Piñata
Elf on a Shelf Piñata
The stick was a wooden skewer. They sell mini pinatas at Walmart. The Yeti or Abominable Snowman is from Rudolph. He works well for this scene with his enthusiastic, almost I’m hungry look. I think I got the yeti at the Dollar General.
Popcorn and a Movie
Elf on a Shelf Popcorn and a Movie
Not sure where I picked up these little popcorn cups , but they are a great size for kids. Elf is the perfect movie for an elf.
Hot Cocoa
I believe these mini cups are from Hobby Lobby. There is nothing better on a cold snowy day than hot cocoa.
Camouflaging with the Owls
These owls are Christmas ornaments. They were obtained I believe at Hobby Lobby. I do not like breakable ones. I am too much of a butterfingers.
Letter to Santa
Elf on a Shelf Letter to Santa
Mini mailboxes are a great prop for letters to Santa. Thank you to the US Post Office for putting out elf stamps this year. Nice touch!
Mini Pop Tarts
They sold a box with multiple bags of mini pop tarts at one of our local Dollar General this year. It is elf sized.
Elf Cookies
With the Elf on a Shelf assortment this year I believe at Walmart they had Alphabet Cookies that went with Elf on a Shelf. Any alphabet cookies would do.
Toasting Marshmallows
I picked up the stones to make the fire pit from the shore of the Hudson River. Many large grocery stores sell mini marshmallows.
Santa’s Sleigh
Did the elf sleighjack Santa’s sleigh? Vintage stores and garage sales are great places to pick up some items for your future Elf endeavours. I believe this Rudolph was from the Dollar General.
Admiring Pretty Dolls
I’ve had this doll for years. They used to sell Barbie dolls in the traditional dress of other countries. This one is Mexican Barbie. I wish they would start making these again.
Winter Sleigh Ride
I used a white fleece blanket to make snow. It was something I already had.
Begging and borrowing is also a great way to get items to use for a day in the life of Elf on a Shelf. I looked through a relative’s toy bin and found elf sized sports balls. I am trying to see how to come up with a setting for some of those.
Have you done Elf on a Shelf with your family? What ideas have you come up with? Incorporate the older kids into idea production. They may actually get into the holiday spirit.
The following were on display in Manhattan this summer/ early fall. I was on my way south from Grand Central and it was nice to see this on little strips of land between north and south board lanes. These are all phone photos.
There were others to see. I love the art that is viewable to all. Enjoy the rest of your week!
I do not have the lens for this, but I thought I would try anyways. I made a quick trip up to Ontario, Canada during the Thanksgiving holiday. This is one little town I like to stop in. It is on the lake and has a river that goes downhill emptying into it.
In the late summer or early fall there is a salmon run going up the river. Fishermen line the river hoping to snag one. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Here’s hoping the coming one is too!
This bird seems to be a big deal in my area. Some have acted like it was a major tick on your bird watching list. We do not seem to be in its breeding or non breeding range, however, there are maps that show in huge swathes of areas that are breeding and non-breeding areas. I am told this is a loggerhead shrike, although it was far away and I could not get a clear picture.
I did see the tell tale signs along the trail. I saw low bushes with pointy branches with impaled insects on them. Oddly this reminds me of the shish kebab I ate last night.
I do not think I would have spotted this bird on my own. I have issues spotting the smaller birds at long distances. Luckily a few others spotted it in the general vicinity of the bushes I found, although not close, and closer to another taller bush with an insect impaled on it. It was quite a distance and I’m not sure my lens is working so great in the past coupl of months.
Regardless of the poor quality of the image I was happy to get the chance to see this bird. Is this bird really that rare to find? I’m sure other bird watchers have seen it.
Some people listen to music while driving. Other people listen to news stations and talk radio. Another option out there for long trips is to listen to podcasts.
For those of you with an iPhone, Podcasts is one of the icons on your phone. You can click on it, then click on the search button on the bottom and type in the name of the podcast. If you look under Browse it gives you ones Apple recommends. I will give you a list of some of the ones I listen to on my long commute to and from work. Many of these can be brought up through multiple platforms, not just Apple.
BBC’s You’re Dead To Me
BBC’s You’re Dead to Me is a History Podcast. Each episode they have the podcaster, an historian, and a comedian to talk about some famous person in history who is no longer living or something of historical significance. They often bring out interesting details you may not have ever heard before. Some episodes include: Ivan the Terrible, PT Barnum, Leonardo Di Vinci, Fredrick Douglass. and Victorian Body Building. If you are into history, this will not disappoint. Available on Apple, Spotify, BBC Sounds and Utube.
Pretty Lies and Alibis
If you are into true crime: Pretty Lies and Alibis is a great podcast. I am acquainted the podcaster through my trips to England to see the filming of the TV show Doc Martin. GiGi McKelvey is all about the facts and does not go after the wild theories. She covers the cases with her South Carolina wit and wisdom and advocates for the victims and their families through her coverage. GiGi will bring to attention missing persons cases as well. Law and Crime network (TV) has used her to report on some cases and she has been a guest on various shows. For some cases she was observinf in the courtroom. Some of the cases she is or has covered include: Lori Vallow/Chad Daybell, Bryan Kohberger, Alex Murdaugh, Rex Heuermann and Brian Laundrie/Gabby Petito. Available on Apple, Spotify, Audible, Google, Player F.M. and Utube. Website: https://www.prettyliesandalibis.org
Inside the Asperger’s Studio
I deal with some people on the spectrum as a part of my job. I listen to Inside the Asperger’s Studio, put out by an American. The podcaster, Reid, is on the spectrum and brings on the show Autism experts as well as other people on the spectrum. Reid got his master’s degree from the University of Kent in England. Some episodes involved interviews with violinist Stuart Carlson, Temple Grandin, and the Assistant Minister of Autism for Australia. Available on Apple, Amazon Music, PodBean, Player FM, and Utube. Website: https://aspergersstudio.com
Do you listen to Podcasts? What are your favourite ones? If you are in the car on a long journey try some variety.
Disclaimer. I lifted the images for the podcasts online to show what icon comes up when you search for these. I do not make money off this blog.
I have seen art displayed outside via murals on sides of building in NYC. I have seen poetry on mailboxes. I was surprised to find artwork on the sidewalk. This street art is by Goat. As their website says they are the first street artist to blend AI with street art.
Always take the scenic route, you never know what adventures you will find.
Unknown
Deciding to travel on some more rural roads on a trip I came across a cool little farm stand in a trailer. I decided to stop and check it out.
Location
Hardeman Orchards is located west of the Village of Red Hook in New York on Route 199.
They had different varieties of apples for sale including my favourite: JonaMac. JonaMac is a cross between a Jonathan and a Macintosh. They also had pumpkins, other vegetables, apple cider and donuts.
Apple Cider Milkshake
This was the highlight of my stop. I believe the farm stand worker said it was apple cider mixed with vanilla ice cream. It was surprisingly light for a milkshake. It did not taste very sweet either, which is a plus in my book.
If you are in the Red Hook area check out the Hardeman Farm Stand on Route 199. Eat the donuts, get a milkshake or buy some fresh picked apples. The village also has some quaint little shops and restaurants that are worth checking out.
Some signs of autumn include the changing colours of the leaves, cooler temperatures, and birds flying south for the winter. In Saugerties, N.Y. another sign of autumn includes the Rimington’s new Minions Hay Bale display presented during the start of the Garlic Festival.
The Rimingtons
This year I finally got to meet the couple behind this display. This is my fourth year documenting it. The Rimingtons told me this is their sixth year putting it up. This year’s theme is hip hop music. This year they incorporated some artwork in the form of banners as well as a few skeletons. RIMS Driving School is their business.
As I was talking to the Rimingtons, people were showing their appreciation by yelling thank you for the display from their passing cars.
This year they are also advertising their business, RIMS Driving School.
Hip Hop Banners
Skeletons
The candy corn road cones are a nice touch! Skeleton D.J. Exit 20 on his shirt represents the location of Saugerties along the New York State Thruway.
Location
This display is across from Dunkin Donuts as you are heading into the village from the Thruway exit. It is on 127 Ulster Avenue. I recommend pulling into the shopping area across the street and parking. You can view it from that side of the street or cross over. Ulster Avenue in Saugerties is a very busy road and there is no parking street side in that area.
If you are leaf peeping in the Catskills and in the area of Saugerties head into town. Besides this display there are a variety of businesses in the village to stop for a bite, go antiquing, or walk to the Lighthouse from the parking area on Lighthouse Drive.
What a fun way to celebrate the start of autumn and Halloween. Thank you to the Rimington Family!
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 