Elizabeth Thomas Photography of Cape Cod

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A Week In Provincetown

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 23:30:00 +0000

My husband and I just spent a week vacationing in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Although “PTown” as its called for short, is on the end tip of Cape Cod, it still takes us an hour and a half to drive there.

PTown is a mecca for artists in every form, unique little shops, galleries of every kind and many phenomenal restaurants. It also hosts a large gay population.

The town itself from May through October is so exciting and full of energy. Commercial Street, which runs along the ocean is the hub for most of the shops and restaurants. The whole area is jammed with people during those months. On a good weather day you can barely move in the streets.

Beautiful homes dot the side streets. Large and many restored to perfection make for a perfect walk on a sunny day. On one particular side street near the center of downtown there is the most spectacular walled yard. The creator spared no extravagance when building it. The yard itself is full of original sculptures of art of a massive size that are intriguing.

We stayed a short walk up the hill from Commercial Street. Each day we would venture down the hill and explore new shops and try the many different restaurants. One day we jumped on our motorcycle and took a ride along the coast. The beaches were desolate as it was early October but it was still incredibly scenic.

PRINT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE...

All in all it was a stimulating week and we thoroughly loved our time there.

Plymouth Massachusetts

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 18:44:00 +0000

Print available for purchase here:

About 30 minutes north of where we live on Cape Cod is Plymouth, Massachusetts. At one time I lived in Plymouth for a number of years and I have worked there on and off for 40 years. To me Plymouth Harbor is so scenic. I love looking out at all the boats on their moorings during the summer. From the wharf you can catch a boat to take a whale watch or even catch a ride over to Provincetown for the day. The town has endless eating and drinking options. Main Street and Water Street are full of restaurants and bars that offer every type of food and drink you can imagine. Well worth a day trip if you have not been there before Plymouth offers a little something for everyone.

Vermont Red Barn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 16:58:00 +0000

Vermont Red Barn. Print available for purchase...

Weathered and worn
But oh so proudly
The old barn preened in the summer
Mid-day sun

He had seen her earlier,
Noticed her shape, angles
On the drive to his desk and cube

But now she shown
The aged wood, elephant skin
Or maybe the skin of a Burmese elder
Lit at the edge of the cut field

Tawny, creosote, browns in varied hues
Tingled his fancy, his synapses
Starkness of the vertical and horizontal lines
Breaking the field and forests
Softer edges

Ready for a picture or two
To catch the eye, the imagination
Of the traveler of the byway
Proud in its skin
In the light

~ Raymond A. Foss

The Year That Went to the Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 00:42:00 +0000

Where has this year gone? The months have flown by and it seems like 2017 just began. It has been a blur. Why? Our lives became consumed by dogs. How did this happen? Actually I know how it happened and it was all-deliberate.

Coco

In March of this year Hubby and I went to St. Martin with our friends Lori and Rich. While on the island we got onto the subject of animal rescues. Rich wanted to stop by and drop off some dog food. I told my husband that if we went to the animal rescue it was going to be impossible for me to leave without a dog. Just wanted to be sure he understood what he was getting himself into.

So we set out and first stopped at a local grocery store and bought large bags and cans of dog food. Off we went pulling off the main road and down to the end of a side alley. We had arrived at SXM Paws.

In we went to the area where the dogs were kept. All the dogs came bounding up to the end of their cages, tails wagging fiercely as each looked bogglingly to be picked and taken home. It was too much I started to cry. I wanted to take them all home.

Brady and Coco

Further down the cages I came across a beagle mix. She had an eye that was all infected and oozing god-awful stuff. She was not looking her best but I instantly fell in love. I wanted to take her for a walk. Down the alley we went and I fell more in love, as did my husband. We inquired about her and her name was Melody. She hadn’t been fixed yet and her eye was scheduled to be removed with a prosthetic marble put in the socket. But unfortunately we were leaving for the United States in two days and we didn’t have time to wait for the surgeries. With a broken heart we left Melody there. I walked down the rest of the way to the end of the cages and there were three little puppies. Two males and a female. The little girl puppy was adorable. And so we decided we would take her home. Come to find out after the fact, Coco as we called her was Melody’s puppy. I had not known this when I picked her.

Our friends Lori and Rich did their own searching and settled on a little female they have since called Maddie. Short for Mademoiselle. They were leaving the next morning. We all waited for the woman who ran the rescue to arrive, Corinne Mackie. Once there we began talking arrangements for taking the pups. We did not want Coco and Maddie to fly alone but to be together as we felt it would be too stressful if they were in the cargo hold of a plane by themselves. Lori and Rich called the airlines to make arrangements to have the dogs flown home. Because it was winter the airlines would only fly them as far as New York City because the cargo holds are not heated. Apparently the additional difference to Boston would just be too cold for the animals. Lori and Rich changed their travel plans. They decided to fly to New York with the dogs, rent a car and drive the rest of the way back to Cape Cod. Two pretty amazing people if you ask me! And so the next day the Lori, Rich and the dogs flew home.

Melody (Mama)

Fast forward several months and both puppies had settled into their new homes perfectly. As happy as things were around here, St. Martin at the same time was pummeled by Hurricane Irma a category five storm during the summer. The island was heavily damaged as were many others in the Caribbean. After unbelievable pulling together SXM Paws was able to organize a mass evacuation of two hundred animals to Tennessee. It was with a lot of effort, fund raising and coordination by quite a few incredible people to make this happen.

Michael my husband had never forgotten Melody and had been following SXM Paws on social media to see if she had been adopted over the months. She hadn’t. And so we decided it was meant for her to be with us. We made arrangements to fly down to Tennessee on a Friday, pick her up Saturday and drive 15 hours back to Cape Cod with her. She had already just come from being in the cargo hold of an airplane to then be driven 14 hours to Tennessee. We did not want to put her back in the belly of a plane all by herself. And so we drove home with her.

What can I say? We are so in love with her and she and I are attached at the hip. There have been adjustments. Mel does not initially like men or large stature people. She does not like big dogs. Concessions and patience are given. After initial trepidation with my husband they are now very attached. She and our lab Brady took about six weeks to finally show major progress in liking one another. She and Coco play non-stop all days. They are two peas in a pod. Mum and Pup reunited and loving their time together.

Brady, Mel (Mama) and Coco (Pup)

And so three dogs now consume our lives. And I can tell you we love them all wholeheartedly and would do it all again in a second.

Mum and Pup reunited

And if you are wondering how Maddie is doing, well she is living the good life with Lori and Rich. They couldn’t love her more. We try to get Maddie and Coco together on occasion to play.

Cape Cod Police K-9 Relief Fund Motorcycle Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 23:30:00 +0000

This weekend, Hubby and I with a group of friends participated in the annual Cape Cod Police K-9 Relief Fund Motorcycle Ride which began in Dennis MA and ended in Provincetown MA. What a great ride. With police escorts the entire way it was a relaxed and beautifully scenic ride. All day there was the threat of rain. The sky at times was pretty ominous but we lucked out and it seems the rain fell all around us but never on us! Unfortunately because of the threat of bad weather the ride didn’t get the huge turnout that they normally would. However there were plenty of diehard riders and supporters of the cause who did partake!

Provincetown, Massachusetts

The ride goes down along Route 6 on Cape Cod and then once in the PTown area it winds out along the National Shoreline. Finally the ride brings you right through the center of Provincetown and finally out onto the pier. Waiting there is food for all the riders who participated.

After filling our stomachs we all decided to walk along the Pier and into Town. Although it was a cloudy September day and a little cool the streets were full of people. We stopped at one establishment for refreshments, bought some fudge, hit the local farmers market and then headed back to the bikes. We rode home again with the threat of storm clouds all around us but never feeling one drop of rain. All in all it was a perfect day. We were able to celebrate a great cause and spend the day with friends. What more could you ask for?

We Will Get There Some Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:30:00 +0000

There are times and places in my life that when I look back upon remind me of how fortunate I am. My husband and I are not wealthy. We both work full time jobs. But when our children got older we were finally able to start traveling beyond New England to places we had always wanted to go.

One of those places for me was France and in particular Paris. At first when I would tell our friends we were going to go my husband would shake his head and say no. It was only a pipe dream. When the time came and the airfare was paid, the places to stay reserved, he realized just how serious I was. Unlike me my husband had no desire to go to France. I knew I would love everything about France and the people. But again my Hubby was not so sure. By the time our trip was over my husband was already saying how he would love to go back and in particular spend more time in Paris.

Fortunately I was able to recall enough French from my elementary and High School days to get us through every situation. Communication was never a problem.

What a gorgeous city! The outside cafes, the markets, the shops! Oh how I loved them all! It is hard for me to believe that it has been three years since we made that trip! I look back on my photos and it brings it all back. Oh how I wish I were there right now!

Our next “wish list” destinations will be Key West Florida (I have wanted to go for years), Portugal or a Mediterranean Cruise. Key West may have to wait now after the damage it sustained in Hurricane Irma. But we will get there some day! And as with France I am sure I will document it all with a 1,000 pictures!

Lake Kezar, Lovell Maine (Part Two)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 23:00:00 +0000

Bryce

Dan

Kerry

Emma

Bryce fighting to stay awake

And he lost the battle.

Chris and Bryce

Sean

Dan

Allison and Emma

Danny

Emma and Sean

Allison and Kerry

Random lovers.

Lake Kezar, Maine (Part One)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 23:25:00 +0000

It’s been a very busy summer and I really haven’t had time to blog on a regular basis. Work, play and life in general have gotten in the way. But I haven’t forgotten about my blog just been prioritizing.

One of the great things Hubby and I did this summer was to cruise around Lake Kezar in Maine on a pontoon boat. We spent the day with our daughter Allison, her husband Chris and our two grandchildren. We were also with the Kelleher family, Dan, Kerry, Danny and Sean who are always guaranteed to be a lot of fun!

The day started off warm but a little overcast. However as the hours passed the clouds cleared and the temps rose. We cruised along as Captain Mike manned the wheel. At times we pulled near to shore so the kids could drop their rods and do some fishing amongst the rocks. We also just cruised along, ate and drank. At one point we pulled the boat up to a beach so the kids could jump off the docks and do some swimming. Later we all took turns jumping off the boat in the middle of the lake and just floating. All in all it was a perfect day. We hope to do it again next year.

The day ended with all of us having dinner together and then heading back to the cabin in Denmark.

Danny and Bryce

Sean

Bryce

Bryce and Sean

Captain Mike aka Papa and Bryce

Emma

Chris, Bryce, Emma

Dan, Sean, Kerry

Allison, Chris, Bryce and Emma

Hubby Mike

Bryce

Danny

Sean and Danny

Allison and Kerry

Chris and Bryce

Emma

Chris and kids

Le Petit Musee Du Chocolat

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 23:30:00 +0000

There are less than a handful of things that are near and dear to most women’s hearts, flowers, and diamonds and of course chocolate. I might put chocolate first on my list, as I love my sweets. While in Paris near Montmartre, we came upon “Le Petite Musee du Chocolate” or “Small Museum of Chocolate”. Be still my heart there was no way I was just walking by this store. It was sensory overload! I have never seen so many delectable chocolates, candies, pastries and cookies. The sculptures made of chocolate were amazing. The interior of the store itself took me back in time as it was like stepping into the early 1900s. Hubby and I bought a little of this and a little of that. It was so hard to make a decision. But we both left happy with bags full of goodies. I can say this woman truly had a very happy heart when we were all done!

From The Back of a Bike #1

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 23:30:00 +0000

Hubby and I have been married for 27 years and all during that time he has wanted a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Every time he would mention it I would have one reason or another why we should not get one. Most of my reasons had to do with the danger of them. Not the motorcycle driver per se but mostly other drivers who weren’t paying attention.

Over the winter we were thinking of buying a boat. We went to the boat show and somewhat narrowed down the type of boat we were looking for. In the meantime we took a trip to St. Marteen with friends and as chance would have it they have a Harley, which they love. They along with some of our other friends have been after us to buy one for years. Always I said no. While in St. Marteen our friends worked on me and finally when we came home I acquiesced and said “yes”. Well Hubby was not waiting for me to say it a second time. The search began for the perfect bike. As one of our friends said it was like the “Hunt for Red October”. But we finally found one and the color is magnificent.

Rootbeer brown with some burnt orange highlights and orange fleck that really stands out in the sun. Truthfully I’m not sure who likes the bike better, my husband or me. Why oh why did I make us wait so long! I love, love, love going for rides. The wind blowing against your face, while the sun warms you! What a fantastic feeling. Although one night coming home from our granddaughter’s Tball game the temps did drop into the 50s. That was invigorating.

I have come to the conclusion, if you live your life afraid of how you might die, then are you really living? And the answer is “no”! While Hubby and I are both always alert while on the bike, we are not afraid. We are just loving the moment. And I must say we have met some great people over the past couple of months.

Print available for purchase at www.elizabeththomasphotographyofcapecod.com

Floral in Black and White

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 May 2017 23:30:00 +0000

When ordinary becomes incredible in black and white.

The Baseball Season Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 21 May 2017 23:30:00 +0000

There is something iconic about baseball and summer. They just go hand in hand. What is fantastic is the gathering together of young boys and girls to learn how to play. T-Ball their first foray into the game is as much entertainment for the parents as it is instructional for the kids. Watching them bat and manage to hit the ball, everyone claps and cheers as they run for first base. In the outfield a mass of children run towards the ball and all pile on top. On a warm summer night it is a social gathering for both children and parents. After having been cloistered inside all winter its great to get out in the fresh air and see your friends and neighbors and just enjoy an age old past time.

And that is how it's done!

I caught it!

Taking the bat for a ride.

Dogs are welcome too!

Sharing secrets.

I got it!

Enthralling Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 11 May 2017 23:30:00 +0000

http://www.elizabeththomasphotographyofcapecod.com/p449428160/h89F48C27#h89f48c27

What is it about spring that so many of us find enthralling? Is it the promise of things yet to come? The warmth of summer and sun filled days. Or is it just that the dreary, cold of winter has finally come to an end? I guess it’s a mix of all that and more. I know I look at the budding trees and flowers with such excitement each spring you would think it was the first time I had ever witnessed it. But truth be told they’re the same year after year. And yet I look at them with such awe and excitement. Each day I walk my flowerbeds to see how much they’ve grown and what new may have popped through. I like to see the flowers that have reseeded themselves and are popping up in new places. Believe it or not I find that exciting. Okay so I guess it doesn’t take much to excite me but any gardener I’m sure can appreciate what I’m saying. And so with that, each one of these photos represents the wonders of spring that I find so enthralling.

http://www.elizabeththomasphotographyofcapecod.com/p449428160/h89F48D05#h89f48d05

http://www.elizabeththomasphotographyofcapecod.com/p449428160/h89F48DC8#h89f48dc8

http://www.elizabeththomasphotographyofcapecod.com/p449428160/h89F48AD4

Spring Fever

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000

When the warmth creeps in on a weekend day everyone flocks to the beach. The temps may only be in the 50s or 60s but with the sun shining bright spring fever sets in. People walk. Dogs swim and play. And the brave just drop on the sand and sun themselves. It is a promise of what is soon to come day after day.

Ear noogies.

Two Distinct Coastlines

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 23:30:00 +0000

Orient Bay on St. Marteen has two distinct coastlines. At one end and around the point is a coral shore that easily traps boats caught in the surf. On the other end is flat glorious sand without a rock in sight. The rocks are trapped in the reef that is offshore. One end of Orient Bay epitomizes doom, gloom and treachery. The other end, the beach, represents relaxation, happiness and a little bit of heaven.

Print available for purchase here...

My Happy Place

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 23:30:00 +0000

I have a happy place and it’s on Orient Beach, St. Marteen. My husband and I have been to the island six times now and we never tire of it. Also known as St. Martin if staying on the Dutch side. Each winter it is something I look forward to that gets me through the cold and dreary days. Our typical day on the island starts with a leisurely breakfast on the outside veranda of the condo we rent. Then I take a dip in the pool, which is only steps from our patio. After that we pack up our bag and head to the beach for the day. The beach is steps beyond the pool. We always rent an umbrellas and chairs at Bikini Beach club where we have a waiter who brings us our food and drink all day long. Eric has been our waiter on the beach for the past three years. Each day he reserves our chairs in the front row by the water. Whether we get down there at 9 am, 11 am or the afternoon the chairs are available to us. Eric helps to make the trip perfect. The service he provides is top notch. He is always agreeable and pleasant and we never want for anything. We lounge on the chairs, eat, drink, swim, read and people watch. On occasion we will spend the day elsewhere but only for a couple of hours as we have seen all of the island at this point. The food at Bikini Beach and anywhere else on the island can only be equaled in France. All of it is amazingly fresh and delicious. I have never had a bad meal even at the shadiest of places. At around 4 pm we leave the beach and go up to the bar for a final few sips of whatever the day’s libation has been. Without fail Eric brings us over a bottle and shots of the latest rum concoction for the day as we pay our tab.

This year we brought our friends Rich and Lori as well as my mother-in-law to experience this wonderful place. Rich and Lori rented their own condo just down from us. Year after year we had told them of our incredible experience on St. Martin. This year they decided to check it out for themselves. It did not disappoint and they said it was the best vacation they had ever had. We were thrilled to hear this.

These photos were taken early in the morning as we walked the beach. Orient Beach is a mile long stretch of beach and water unequaled elsewhere on the island. It was still quiet as it was early in the morning but once the cruise ships dock on the Dutch side all of those chairs fill up and the beach can be very crowded.

We rent our condo from the same woman each year. Laure pays particular attention to all the details that make our stay absolutely perfect. She has several condos and the rental information can be found at https://www.vrbo.com/445221

So what is your happy place and why?

Learning to Write

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 23:30:00 +0000

The Wise Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 23:30:00 +0000

Print available for purchase here ...

All the complicated details

of the attiring and

the disattiring are completed!

A liquid moon

moves gently among

the long branches.

Thus having prepared their buds

against a sure winter

the wise trees

stand sleeping in the cold.

~ William Carlos Williams

Print available for purchase here...

Mute Swan and Babies

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 23:30:00 +0000

To me a swan represents total beauty and grace. One day I was fortunate to visit with Kathryn Kleekamp, an accomplished Cape Cod artist, at her house. Her yard backs up to a pond that hosts swans and geese. She asked me if I wanted to feed the swans and see their babies. I was thrilled as I had never been that close to swans before. Out we went with bread in hand. First Daddy swan came over to make sure it was safe. He scoped us out and I imagine because he was familiar Kathryn he felt I was okay too. Then Mama with babies in tow came over. Mama and Daddy stayed very close and kept a watchful eye on us at all times. The babies were so fluffy and adorable. I think one of the things I love about swans is that they mate for life. Generally Mute Swans are very territorial. You will only see one pair of swans on a pond or lake although if it is large with enough feeding ground you may see more. Once their babies are grown, around 4-5 months they leave the pond to find a mate and habitat of their own.

Glitz and Glamour

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 23:30:00 +0000

I love to surround myself with pretty things. The more they sparkle the more I like them. I'm sure some would say some of it is gaudy but truth be told I don't care. I think I get some of it from my mother. One thing I inherited from my Aunt Stelle is my love for pins. Not typical for my age group but I have always loved pins. I got one or two of my mother's when she passed and I completely treasure them. I feel a pin can take a so so sweater or shirt and just dress it up. And while I may not deck myself out in rhinestones often there are times when nothing else will do!

Gerber Daisies Add A Little Sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 15:36:00 +0000

Print available for purchase here...

There comes a point each winter when enough is enough and I am ready for spring. I have reached that point. Although there is snow on the ground and another impending storm on the horizon, I needed to add a little sunshine to my house. These Gerber Daisies were just what the doctor ordered. They may not have warmed the outside but they did bring a little warmth to the inside.

A Cold Day Puts Me In The Mood To Bake

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 00:30:00 +0000

Saturday the bitter cold weather returned and I felt like staying home. Who wants to venture out when it’s twenty degrees out? Not me. I don’t know what it is about the cold but it always puts me in the mood to bake. So bake I did. I made several dozen Shortbread cookies. They’re so quick and easy but satisfy the sweet tooth. Although I really didn’t do much all day at least when I bake I feel like I have accomplished something. And Hubby always appreciates my efforts!

Strawberry, Strawberry, Strawberry

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 00:49:00 +0000

Are wild strawberries really wild?

Will they scratch and adult, will they snap at a child?

Should you pet them, or let them run free where they roam?

Could they ever relax in a steam heated home?

Can they be trained not to growl at the guests?

Will a litterbox work or would they leave a mess?

Can we make them a Cowberry, herding the cows,

Or maybe a Muleberry pulling the plows,

Or maybe a Huntberry chasing the grouse,

Or maybe a Watchberry guarding the house,

And though they may curl up at your feet oh so sweetly,

Can you ever feel that you trust them completely?

Or should we make a pet out of something less scary,

Like the Domestic Prune or the Imported Cherry,

Anyhow, you’ve been warned and I will not be blamed

If your Wild Strawberry cannot be tamed.

Maine Character

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0000

One thing I have noticed in Maine is there are some really interesting places and homes. This particular house and barn are an antique shop in Denmark Maine. All the items on display outside are very interesting. Unfortunately every time we happen to be in the area it is not open. I would love to explore all the unique items I’m sure they have. If they’re half as interesting on the inside as the outside I’m sure there is a trove of treasures.