The Hospital...

- the good, the not so bad and the not so ugly -

It wasn't bad...

I got a private room, with a great view...I saw the sunrise each morning.

At this hospital, they have room service...

and the food is pretty darn good.

It works like when you stay at a hotel, you call, they make whatever you want...

then someone brings your food up to your room, piping hot,

always with a kind word and a smile!

I won at cards, War and Uno

and you get flowers.

These came from my sister and my niece...

these came from my mom!

So are you getting my drift, it's not so bad...

and you won't believe what you get when you leave...

A Goodie Bag

I had one good cry, it was necessary and cathartic!

Wonderful nurses, amazing doctors and 3 meals a day severed to me...

pretty flowers, an amazing view, what more could I have asked for.

and just a small fyi, my hair looked great.

I usually rock the Marge Simpson look but for some reason, that didn't happen.

Life is good!

SaveSave

Saturday Critters ~ 189 ~

We were walking toward the restaurant...as we rounded the bend, I saw it.

Me - "get the good camera"

The hubs - says nothing and runs toward the car.

He knows the drill and knows I have spotted something good...

something special, something picture worthy.

The butterfly danced from bud to bud, but stayed on this beautiful yellow Lantana Bush.

- The wings of transformation are born of patience, struggle and strength -

May you have all three!

Sharing today's images with 

Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen 

Hydrangeas

The hydrangea bushes have been producing the most beautiful blooms and colors this year.

Here are the ones I most recently picked, 

right before getting admitted to the hospital on Wednesday.

I have a private room, 

on the 4th floor with an awesome view.

I have a Room Service Dining menu and the food is excellent.

The nurses are all so nice to me, I'm not sure how I got this lucky.

I am going to try to blog, 

if I have the time and energy but if you don't see me, don't worry,

it just means they are keeping me busy.

Treasure every day, don't waste them, laugh, have fun...

and do what you think is impossible.

Life is a gift!!

Summerfest

Our town hosts a few nice music festivals during the summer...

- Summerfest -

They are outdoor festivals, a few vendors, some food trucks,

great live music,  followed by beautiful fireworks. 

But they are way too crowded for me...and it always seems they are the hottest summer nights.

So far, they have all been cancelled because of rain.

This past Thursday, it was on, but a big storm was predicted to hit around 9 pm,

just when they launch the fireworks.

They went ahead with the show, and lit the fireworks at 8:30.

We planned to drive across town, opposite the park, just to watch the fireworks.

We arrived just as they started to light them off...

Summerfest is held at a park on the Metedeconk River.

We found a perfect side street on the other side of town to view the fireworks.

We weren't alone, seems many residents had the same idea.

We went for Rita's Ice and the rain started as we were sitting in the car, enjoying our ice.

Good idea I had...

a great way to beat the heat, enjoy the fireworks, and no crowds!!

The Monarch Butterflies

I went outside to water the garden a few days ago...

and much to my surprise, there were three monarch butterflies enjoying the cone flowers.

Each butterfly was gorgeous, no wear or tear and their colors were perfection.

I was equally as happy to see them selecting perfect cone flowers

to do their thing with.

Beautiful cone flowers and gorgeous butterflies, what more could a girl ask for!

It's butterfly season, are you seeing them yet?

I am on the lookout for a caterpillar, to bring in the house and raise,

like I did a few years ago.

I am looking on my dill, swallowtails love dill.

Peter Pan

The Algonquin Arts Theatre

quaint, "antique", close to home, a broadway show, far from broadway, 
this theater is really incredible.

We have never visited this theater before and I am not so sure why.

The performance was outstanding, as good, if not better, 
than anything I have ever seen on Broadway. 

It was Peter Pan, the Disney story we all know and cherish, it is one of my favorites.

The singing, the performances, the costumes and sets all outstanding. 

It's an old building, been in town forever.

No pictures were allowed, these last two were pictures of the curtain, which were allowed.

I'll keep an eye on there upcoming shows, we will definitely be going back.

July 21, 2017

p.s., it was so good to get out!!

The Red Bellied Woodpecker

I get so excited when I see this bird in the yard.

If you are not familiar, this is a Male Red Bellied Woodpecker and it is actually pretty big.

Although I always prefer to photograph my birds in the trees,

- so much prettier -

I have to settle for the deck rail with this bird.

Nuts on the railing of the deck...that's the only way to bring him close to the window.

 I am using my "new" camera all the time now, we have actually become good friends.
It took a little time to figure things out, but I am so glad I invested the time.

If you are new to my blog or just wondering,
I take most of my bird pictures from inside my home, 
in my home office, through an open window.
That's how these were taken!!

Sharing today's images with 

Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin'

Saturday Critters ~ 188 ~

I get by with a little help from my friends...

Sharing today's images with 

Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen 
and 
Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin'

Pasta Salad...

What's better in summer than a nice, fresh 

- Pasta Salad -

homemade, of course.

This one is super easy, and since my herb pot is overflowing with Dill,

I just had to make this one.

Morning Sunshine on the ingredients, it was early in the day when I put this together.

Fresh Dill from my garden.

I always soak the red onion in cold water, to take the sting out.

While your pasta cooks...

you have enough time to make your dressing...


and cut up all your vegetables.

Here it is finished, isn't it pretty and colorful.

It is a Family Circle Recipe - 

you can find it here.

The recipe calls for putting grilled chicken in it, but I have never done that.

I'm sure it would be good but I like it this way.

Of course, you could add or delete any vegetables and serve it as you like.

The fresh Dill is the star of the dish!!

I made some Deviled Eggs, we picked up some fresh white corn...

and this was dinner!
Perfect - on a hot summer day!

My Summer Garden...

I have been gardening this way for so many years,
I actually can't remember when I adopted this style.

It is much easier to manage, 

less weeds, more fun and it produces plenty of fruit for the hubs and I.

I started with seeds, it was a slow go at first, 
but it is rebounding nicely and looking pretty good today!!

Peppers

Slices of Tomatoes

Celebration Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Herbs and 2 Vinca Plants

This is the Summer Squash on July 17th

here it is on July 18th.

and on the 19th...what a difference a few days makes.

I go out early every day and water,
if I forget, the hubs takes over and waters for me.

The Vinca's around the mailbox are doing very well...

and here's a peak at the birds nest.

It's just as big as it was when we took it down a few days ago,
 the sparrows have been very busy!!