Wise Words On Sunday

Saturday Critters ~ 302 ~

I am back to photo secessions with the birds, as the butterflies are starting to fade.

A feeding/photo secession starts with this, the hubs putting peanuts out on the deck rail.
A few seconds later the Blue Jays come, in droves...
and a few minutes after that, the peanuts are gone.














Sharing today with Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen
Also sharing with Anni at I'd Rather Be Birding

Red Tailed Hawk

As if riding your bike on the boardwalk, along the ocean

was not thrilling enough, the hubs spotted a 

Red Tailed Hawk

on one of the light posts, right above us.

I liked this image, showing off the talons.

Like all Hawks, the talons are it's main weapon.

The Red Tailed Hawk is an extremely large bird of prey. 

These hawks have variable plumage,

most have rounded wings and a short, wide, red tail...feather patterns can be different.
They are very common in this area!

Searching For Fall!!

We took a drive to Colt's Neck, searching for some early autumn colors.

We didn't quite find the colors we were looking for,

but we did find a beautiful farm with some gorgeous horses.

There were a total of three, at first they played uninterested and hard to get.

It didn't take long before all three gathered at the fence...

they were as interested in me as I was of them!

YeP...I could smell his breath!!

There were so many farms on this little cut-de-sac,

the homes were stately and well cared for.

It is a beautiful neighborhood to visit when the leaves change color.

We will go back...perhaps I will bring some carrots for these beautiful horses.

Yarn Along

I have been knitting, but not as much as I would like to be.

I have been busy working on a few other craft projects that I can't show here.

I think, perhaps...maybe those people look at my blog,
they are surprises so,

I will share those projects after I gift them.

I am still working on this gray
Neapolitan Cowl
It is the fourth one I have made, 
I would like to gift one to each of my nieces for Christmas.
I am working with a lively, hand dyed dk weight yarn,
90% super wash merino, 10% nylon.
This is a pattern Leanne recommended and I really love it.
It would be a quick knit for the dedicated knitter.

So now, what are you guys working on?
Have you started thinking about your Christmas gift giving?

The Wishing Tree

My good friend and knitting teacher, 

Leanne

recently wrote in her blog about a local wishing tree on the "bike path".

The "bike path" as it is known to the locals is what I know to be 

The Capital to the Coast Bike Path.

55 miles, lots of branches, we often ride a small part of the path that ends at 

Allaire State Park.

In all the times I have enjoyed parts of the path, I have never seen the wishing tree.

And not just that, 

I know now that there are at least 2 of these trees,

both of which I pass in the car as well and have never noticed.

geeeeeez, that is so unlike me.

There with the tree, is a plastic bin with markers, tags, string and instructions.

Unfortunately, the box was empty, so we were not able to make a wish,

but we really enjoyed reading some of what other people were wishing for.

Some wishes were light hearted,

most were "tissues required".

I loved this one, what a kind wife!

This Little Library was there as well.

I love these, take one, leave one libraries, it's such a wonderful idea!

Barlows Garden Center...

Barlows Garden Center
Hands down, my favorite garden center,

it has everything you could possibly need or want for your home or garden!

Each season, everything is displayed beautifully, 

whether you come in to just walk around or fill your home or garden with goodies, 

you have come to the right place!

oooooh and I ran in to my good friend Liz 
from the Alpaca Farm while I was wandering around taking pictures.
Liz taught me to crochet and I love seeing her, 
she is so fun and has a delightful, sunny, bubbly personality.
That was an unexpected treat.
We talked for a few minutes, the hubs would say a half hour,
but he is so happy I have friends like Liz and her sisters.

It's been a family affair here at Barlows Garden Center since 1983.
70% of the plants they sell are grown right there on the property.
Open year round and located just a few miles from the beach in the cute little town of Sea Girt.
If you are ever in the area, stop in for a visit, you won't be disappointed.