A Little This, a Little That

We’ve a lot going on at the McDermott house! Spring has sprung, our flowers are starting to bloom, we’ve got the house looking like spring inside and out! I’ve been trying to wrap up projects for the even busier months ahead. We’ve got a planned trip to see my parents for my mom’s (my sister and niece will be there!) 70th birthday, a slew of dr appointments as they sort out what they need to schedule a surgery for me in the next maybe 2 months - which I am told I’ll be recovered enough to hike after a few days/week, but I won’t be able to lift anything much for a bit. On that note- I am trying to get some big stuff done before then like swapping out the rug at my desk, which I just did and so feel like I have a whole new art space! So, on to the good stuff!

I love the refresh of my art space.

This small (5”) painting was a 2nd commission from a couple who are hanging it in their travel van that they are currently living in as they travel the country! I’ve become friends with Jess on Instagram and love seeing the hikes she takes. You can find her there @jess.off.trail

I’ve had the materials for this picture board for a while with the intent of making it for Cory’s office and we just did it the other day. I usually see them with the ribbons crossed and tacked down, but Cory preferred it this way and really I do too. The fabric is by Tula Pink and I picked it out because growing up Cory always had fish tanks. I wanted to bring that idea back into his office. Green is also his favorite color.

I’ve got all the sides quilted for matching tote bags for Emily and I as I’ve been trying to wrap up things I want to have ready by our visit.

This blanket is another gift made to be ready for the trip for our niece Elaina. Top and bottom pics are front and back.

We recently renewed our Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens membership and have been taking advantage this spring. The nutria have been sunbathing, and we even saw a green backed heron!

This I am sharing just because it is a happy thing and feel like it :)

My mom’s uncle, Uncle Mike, sent me an etching that belonged to my great grandma and hung in her house in St Louis. I had it rematted and a custom frame made for it and let him know, and asked about her. I never got to meet my great grandma Margaret, and I wondered what stories he could tell me. Mike turned this into a project and wrote down tons of anecdotes, facts about her, stories about her with other family, copied pictures of her and other relatives and shared it with not only me but the family! It’s a wonderful gift and going through the pages feels like I know her some. She was the mom of my grandma who I called Mawmaw, and she was my favorite. Is my favorite.

The art from uncle Mike in its new custom frame.

This was Margaret with her nurse training uniform.

Lastly, some of our blooming tulips. I love the abundance of spring!

Yaquina Head

Yaquina Head is a favorite place of Cory’s and mine (we have been going there a few times a year) since we moved to the PNW. Along with some photos of this amazing place, I wanted to share a bit about it and some tips for if you go.

The lighthouse sits at the end of a peninsula effectively putting you about a mile out to sea. Weather here can be different from the rest of Newport- so I’d recommend always bringing a jacket and a beanie. Sometimes it’s much warmer there, but often the opposite can be true.

At the gate you pay to enter, but if you have an America the Beautiful Pass it is free to enter. These passes are also sold here (and if you’re a vet the forever pass is available too)

At the gate they will offer you a map but they rarely offer the tide times charts as they are trying to get people through quickly. Ask for one! It’s good for the whole calendar year and will let you know when to explore tide pools!

The gift shop and museum is a good place to learn about what animals have been seen that day, tide times, and lighthouse tours. They also have the best gifts and the prices are really reasonable.

The quarry is the best chance to see seals close by, though you will always see them from the cobblestone beaches.

I’ve had some luck seeing whales from the end of the peninsula past the lighthouse, and once one in very close near the cobblestone beach.

Hike to the top of the hill for 360 degree views.

I love when the tide is out and you can explore. Careful where you step!

Seeing whales is always a high point.

Cory and I both scored sweaters featuring the 150 year anniversary of the lighthouse (1873!).

After a day on the beach in Newport we love to get dinner at the Rogue Brewery.

Axe Throwing

At my birthday my friend Emerald’s 7 yr old daughter (our Portland niece as we think of her) was telling us about this camp she did where they were throwing axes and throwing stars. I had NEVER heard of a kids camp doing this and Cory, me and our friend/neighbor Dave wanted to go throw axes ASAP.

Or throw spades?!

We three friends went, threw axes, ate pizza and poutine, drank beer and were talked into joining the winter axe throwing league. So now for the next several weeks we meet one night a week, throw axes and hangout. I am pretty terrible at it, but I think getting better, and we all got axes for signing up so we can set up a target at home and practice! (I think the axes might be a this time only thing-unsure) The group is a really positive bunch that encourages each other so the atmosphere is cool too.

A few years ago our friend Emerald got us a small branding iron to mark things with our last name. It fit our axes perfectly!

I can’t wait to tell my Portland niece about it tonight and how she inspired us to go try it. She’s such a fun kid!