Ted & Puzzles

This Puzzle Has Been My Project For 2-Months Now
Ted Tries to Help....But Mostly Sleeps On It...
...Or Moves Pieces Around

#NotHelping

Birding from Old Ford Road

Look "WHO" visited the house this evening!

A Barred Owl!

Preserve Auction Donation

On Saturday, June 10, the Mohonk Preserve will be hosting their Annual Auction at the Mohonk Mountain House. Last year, I noticed that a few staff were able to donate things to the auction that they made including artwork. Me, being a competitive artist, wanted to donate something to the auction and of course, show off my artistic talents! So I wanted to submit something that reflected the Preserve. I have been admiring many of the Preserve's volunteer photographers and wanted to draw one of their drawings (as long as I got permission). Submitting a piece of art that was 1). produced by a Preserve staff member; 2). inspired by a Preserve volunteer photographer; and 3). showcased a local fauna that can be found on the Preserve...definitely reflected the Preserve in many ways.

For the past month, I have worked on this drawing pretty much every night after work. It was a great brain break and it felt good to get my hands dirty with charcoal again. I definitely want to get back into my art on a regular basis and giving myself projects like this can get me back into the groove.

I cannot wait to see if the auction attendees like my drawing and hope they decide to make a bid on it!

TheChristyBel

The Inspirational Photograph of a Spring Peeper
Photo Credit to Renee Zernitsky

Phase One

Phase Two

Phase Three

Phase Four

Finished

Complete in the Frame

Cross-Country Skiing at Lake Maratanza

A few days after Winter Storm Stella finally left us, I was able to leave my house and venture back to work. Although I left work early to actually go play in the new snow. I decided to get my money's worth of my cross-country ski rentals. I drove on over to Sam's Point and decided to xc-ski around Lake Maratanza. It was amazing. Want to know why? NO ONE WAS THERE! I got to make the first tracks on the tracks! Soooooo awesome! The day was gorgeous with bluebird skies and the ski was a little challenging (as with any breaking of trails).

Breaking Trails! #FirstDibs

No One Was There!

Half & Half of the Burn & No Burn

After getting around most of Lake Maratanza, when you are at the most northeastern part, the wind began to pick up and the ski got really challenging. Since the wind was much stronger, the snow would drift and pile up in random large berms. So I had to side-step and fishbone to get down and up about a dozen berms on the loop. And the wind was so intense, I thought it was going to fling me up into the sky or at least knock me over. 

Lake Maratanza Covered in Snow & Ice

Lake Maraanza

When I got past the windy and snowy part, I passed the fire scar - again so cool.

The ski was awesome and I also found some cool nature finds too!

I am glad I left work early to get this ski in!

TheChristyBel

More Charcoal Pitch Pine Cones

Opened From the Fire

Who Was Here?

Winter Storm Stella

This winter has been very different from last year's winter - there is more snow! After Niko, I thought that spring would be coming upon us...however, that is not the case. Winter Storm Stella closed the Preserve for 2-days giving us about 16+ inches of snow. I worked from home, cuddled the Ted, had a constant fire going, and just waited for the plow to come and shovel me out of the house. I really hope this is the last snow - Pond Keepers is coming up and I really would like to get into the ponds!

The Solar Panels would avalanche snow onto our front doorway...literally snowing me in!

Ted Trying to Help Me Work!

Just keeps piling up!

Ted Getting Stir Crazy

Post-Plow

Bertha is Halfway Covered!

Had to Make a Tunnel to the Front Door

Pond Keepers: Creature Collecting at Louisa Pond

Today, I wanted to head out into the ponds to gather some more creatures for some upcoming Pond Keepers programs. However, mother nature was not up for it. The weather was still too cold for any dipping into the ponds. I guess I need to wait just a bit longer, but not too long - I have programs coming up soon!

TheChristyBel

A Frozen Louisa Pond

I Cannot Get Through The Ice

The Ice May Be Clear....But Was Way Too Thick to Get Through

Marc Has Some Competition

This morning we met up with Amanda (my co-worker), her husband Matt, and their son, Everest, at Main Street Bistro for breakfast. Everest is my favorite little human of all time! I get to see him pretty much every day at lunchtime at work when he visits his mom. He definitely smiles and grabs my face for hugs whenever I see him. We have a connection for sure! haha. But let's just say that Everest does not like sharing me with anyone else. Today, when we were eating breakfast with him, Marc leaned in for a kiss with me and Everest did NOT like it! He literally gave Marc the stank eye.

It was beyond adorable and funny!

Marc, I believe you have some competition here.

TheChristyBel

New York Botanical Gardens

We visited the New York Botanical Gardens today to check our their Orchid Show. I guess being completely fond of Longwood Gardens and their Orchid Extravaganza, I was definitely very skeptical. But in all, it was a very gorgeous show. Marc and I had a great time - me, nerding out on plants and Marc just photographing everything.

I do not remember what most were called, but it was incredibly colorful on a dreary, winter day!

TheChristyBel

Elephant Topiaries

Orchids

Phalaenopsis

Yellow Lady Slippers!