Color us happy!

Happy Days are here again in Vero Beach with the reopening of one of our favorite breakfast, lunch, snack stop off-The Patisserie of Vero Beach.

Vero Beach, FL- July, 2017

We were so excited that our counter stools, too short for our kitchen, will give customers comfortable seating while sipping their morning Joe

and savoring the most delicious pasteries 

We were so happy, we decided to experiment with a filter

Thank you Barry and Papa

follow them on Facebook- The Patisserie Vero Beach 

Forty-first time is a charm?

This photo was difficult to come by.  First there was attracting birds to the bird feeder, second keeping the squirrels at bay, which meant buying a squirrel proof bird feeder.  Back to square one, however, the squirrels did not realize that the bird feeder was them proof.  That meant we had to move and modify the squirrel proof bird feeder, which would have been fine, but by then the birds had given up - imagine happening on a good restaurant that keeps moving to a different locale.  After three weeks, we were situated; the birds found the feeder and the squirrels were making considerably less attempts, and succeeding at a fraction of what they had been.

By this time, Brian had reversed snowbirded down to Florida, and I was left at home with the camera.  Birds were eating but my iPhone lacked the zoom necessary to catch them feasting.  I had to punt with the Fuji.  To make matters more complicated- if that is even possible- birds don't look at the camera when they're dining and more than that, they move quickly.  No, make that really quickly.

Here is the result of the multitudes of pictures I took.  #thankgoodnessfordigital

 Pawling, NY- July, 2017

Don't ask me

 Pawling, NY- July, 2017

Before our photographer hit the road en route to Florida yesterday, he asked me to take a shot of this barn off the side of the road.  I'm sure I didn't do it justice.  I'm not sure what he sees in it, but I'll keep checking it out during the day as the light changes, hoping for some inspiration.  

film

 1985

New York, NY- July 2016

 photo by Kerry Cervini

Film is attempting a comeback.  Although I've been digital for almost seven years now, a film camera is (one of many things) on Kerry's wish list.  This was a shot he took using his friend Owen's Canon.

Photo Back Up

 Venice Beach, FL- December 2015
photo by Michele Barlow

Moose Pond, Bridgton, ME- July, 2017
photo by Meaghan Tompkins

While leading from behind isn't a desirable quality, photographing from behind can lead to some picturesque results.  Peyton and Asher are the oldest and youngest of Augusta and John Cervini's  great grandchildren.

Accidental Grace

Definition of grace

1.  a :  unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
    b :  love and mercy coming from God
    c :  a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance
   d :   the amazing small business owner of www.SacredHeartGiftsandApparel.com
   
   
   
   
   Yesterday it happened that I accidentally misplaced my rosary.   Cindy mentioned a Catholic gift shop that she passes by on a new route to work (yes, she is still working even though it is mid July)  and off we went hoping for a replacement.  
   
   
   We received so much more.  Grace Pietrosanti, the owner of Sacred Heart Gifts and Apparel in Mahopac, NY is an exuberant, vibrant woman of faith who not only helped me locate a possible replacement rosary but sent us to a local gem - a prayer garden- located across the street from St. John the Evangelist RCC in Mahopac.  What a winner (both Grace and the prayer garden).  We plan to return to both locales many times.  
   
   
   Best of all, after leaving Grace and arriving to the garden, Cindy located my rosary which had fallen between the seats.  
   
   
   A grace filled day on so many levels. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    Mahopac, NY- July, 2017
   
   
    

Church by the side of the Road

 

 Millbrook, NY- July, 2017

 

Out for a Sunday drive we stopped to take a shot of this church, forgetting to check out its credentials, specifically the name.  Worse yet, we forgot again on the return trip!  So, until further notice, this gem will be called 'the Church by the side of the Road' after the country song of the same name.

Enforced relaxation

 

 Pawling Lake, NY- June, 2017

 

Kerry broke his ankle in May so he is having a summer of stillness, sometimes solitude.  He's making the best it hammocking with Hemingway.

 

Picture courtesy of Kerry.  Hammock courtesy of 💗Karen💗 

Pull Over

 Wingdale, NY- June, 2017

This is a close relative of 'Get out of the Car' back in May.  This is a barn we pass all the time, but that evening the summer solstice sun shone splendidly on the silo and surroundings.