Author: Bridgette Mathews

Back from my vacation from Baxter State Park up in Millinocket Maine and although we didn’t see any Moose to photograph, it was a such a peaceful few days just taking in the scenery!

This American Bittern which I’ve never seen before appeared out of the marsh.   Not being much of a birder, I looked it up and it’s in the Heron family.   If he hadn’t moved I would not even have noticed him, as he blends in very well with the marsh grass!

Back in July I had a post about the Kindness Rocks project which I happened to hear about through my friend Stephanie Deltorchio’s blog.    Well Stephanie took her kindness one step further and enlisted Mark Cole to get the city’s permission to “plant” a KINDNESS ROCKS garden at Stage Fort Park with the help of her 5 year old grandson Gabriel McQueeney, who worked hard collecting & painting the rocks.  They also left a basket with blank painted rocks for anyone who wants to make one.   Gabriel also “planted” a few in the playground area for children.   What a great lesson to pass on to the next generation!

Stephanie said she fell in love with the idea (as we all did!)  immediately and has since contacted Megan the originator and now Gloucester is listed on the Kindness Rocks website thekindnessrocksproject.com. People can post photos of rocks they find or their own on Facebook @TheKindnessRocksProject and can tag their rocks #thekindnessrocksproject on Instagram too.   She told Gabe that small acts of kindness can make someone’s day and he really hopes the rocks make people happy!    Anyone interested in contributing can certainly drop some rocks off to add to the kindness garden….I know I have a pile ready to go!  Thanks Stephanie and Gabe!!

Neil and I are headed out early today with another fun adventure to the Great North Woods of Maine!  We will be spending the rest of the week in Baxter State Park with some photog friends hoping to see some change in foliage, some great views of Mt. Katahdin and maybe even a Moose or two!    Here are some photos from our visit to the area a few years back.

Being sunflower season, sharing some images from another one of my favorite sunflower spots.  Buttonwood Farm in CT whose blooms are now past but every year they have an event called Sunflowers for Wishes.  They sell bunches of sunflowers to benefit the Make-a-wish foundation!   Love that 😋

Ran into this movie set on the way to find some cloud shots this morning at Lane’s cove….wonder what they are filming!

Last week in the wee hours of the morning this couple and their photographer got up before the sunrise for what I hope was an awesome engagement shoot.   They brought some props like a teepee and lanterns, but what better prop than this beautiful sky and sunrise! 

Every year our family (& friends) get together in the fall to have fun making some VINO!  In the past we’ve tried many varieties of reds, Chilean, Nero D’Avolo, and Sangiovese.   This past week we put our grape order in for 26 cases of Montepulciano grapes grown in Northern California but originating in the Abruzzo region of Italy.   This comes out to be about 936 lbs of grapes which will yield 50 gallons of wine that The Mathews’ will enjoy at all of our family gatherings throughout the year!!   We never know when the grapes will come in and are pretty much slaves to the harvest for the month of October….so until then…we will sip some Sangiovese from last year and  patiently await the grapes!!

Headed down to Good Harbor after work last night to have dinner with some cousins and we were in good company!   Lots of people out enjoying the warm breezes and ocean.

Playing in the surf

The Devlin/Lafata clan

The clouds were gorgeous!

..and made for a beautiful sunset

Got to see the Zuiderdam leaving port with her lights on

The Holland America’s Zuiderdam is nestled on our horizon today for a visit.

This place just makes you smile!  If you are in the area and just want a feel good moment, stop by Colby Farms in Newbury, MA and wander over to their Sunflower Field.  You can check out their Facebook page and get updates on the blooms.   As of 9/2 the field was about 25% in bloom so I’m sure this week they will be at peak.   Our friends at Colby Farm are great to do this each year so make sure if you go, don’t pick the flowers and be respectful of the area.   Their farm stand is right next door so pop in and show them some love!   Enjoy some pics below of my visits the last couple years.

The best part of a long weekend is a short work week!   Enjoy some extra images from the beach this weekend before the storm.

These kids from the Gloucester Museum School rowing program were having a blast at yesterday’s Parade of Sail!

Wandering the beach this morning during sunrise…hoping we will be able to squeak out a couple more beach days before the fall sets in!

My favorite spot on the beach…first boardwalk

Found this mixed congregation of Egrets and Herons on my way to work this morning at the Mill River next to Capt. Hooks….a few ducklings thrown in for good measure!  Wonder if it’s a sign of getting ready to head south for the winter.   Of course no zoom lens with me but they were a pretty sight on this sunny Friday morning!

Looking forward to the long weekend and more views like this!

These two were here for quite a while watching the backhoe….guess boys will always be fascinated with trucks and heavy equipment lol!!

After spending a hot, humid, draining morning moving our youngest into her first apartment, we sped off (waving in the rear view mirror) to get home and grab the kayaks so we could steal few hours of paddling.  It was a perfectly, beautiful, peaceful afternoon on Annisquam River!