Wise Words On Sunday

Saturday Critters ~ 337 ~

With the warm weather, we are seeing an increase in the number of butterflies emerging.

I released 4 yesterday and they all took off quickly, doing what they were born to do,

FLY!!

I did not get any pictures yesterday, these are from other releases we had this week.

They are all Black Swallowtails, the females have more blue and are prettier than the males.

I must say, I do enjoy a few minutes alone with each one,

but I don't always get that.

Either way, 

watching them fly off is electrifying.

Knowing you were a big part in feeding them, 

taking care of them and keeping them safe over the winter.

We started with 52 at the beginning of the winter, 18 have emerged and been released so far!

We continue to see a lot of deer in Allaire State Park on our daily bike rides.

This one was only about 20 feet from us.

The hubs and I have a little contest when we start riding,

"who will see the first deer"

I have been spotting all of them first, so I am winning!

If you follow my blog, you know I love to win.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen

Planting The Flowers

I have such a cutie that plants all the flowers in my gardens.
He has a great technique, he gets to use his power tool, and I'm pretty sure he enjoys doing it!

Pink and White Vincas

here he is in...


He uses an auger on his power drill, things go pretty quickly!


Done...


done...
and the front, center garden is done as well, I didn't get a picture,
and right now it is raining.
The Daffodils are folded back and secured with a rubber band,
 so they can die off naturally and to keep them from looking messy.
This is necessary so that they will come back next year!

The gardens are done for another year, in a few weeks they will be gorgeous!

Masters Of The Yard

The Catbirds have returned from their winter break, in quite large numbers.

We have great offerings here and the word is out, he told 2 friends, and he told 2 friends...

and needless to say, the yard is filled with Catbirds.

A gray bird wearing a black cap, it has a long tail, which is often cocked.

 It meows like a cat.

The Catbirds love suet and grape jelly.

And then we have the Bluejays...

A large blue bird with beautiful markings.

Blue above, gray below...it has a black collar and necklace,

wings and tail are spotted with white.

They will eat any seed or nut, but peanuts are their favorite.

They are loud, 

and I usually hear them before I see them.

Restrictions are lightening up here at the Jersey Shore and most of the beaches are open.

All parks, walking paths and bike paths are open and we have really been enjoying that.

Another day in the books, we are doing well!

Capital To The Coast

This trail is a planned multi use trail route spanning the state of New Jersey,
from west to east, from the Delaware River in Trenton to the beach front town of Manasquan,
on the Atlantic Ocean.
The trail, in it's entirety, will be 55 miles long when it is complete.
There are many inlets and outlets along the way...
my new electric bike has afforded me the opportunity to see other parts of this trail,
ones I have never seen before.
This one is gorgeous!

Capital to the Coast
For walkers, joggers, bikes, hikers and horses.

Another great day in the books!

Waiting For Summer

It was time to make my Summer Bucket List.

It doesn't look anything like previous lists for summer.

It's short...I tried to stick with things I thought we might be able to do.

So many events that are usually on this list have already been cancelled,

listed are things I "think" we may be able to enjoy.

We are opening the pool on June 3rd, I am pretty excited about that.
I know we will be able to enjoy this.

Here is a picture from last year, we had so much fun playing corn hole in the pool!
The hubs was usually the winner, but don't tell him I said that.

I have been reading my journal/book and I have enjoyed so many elements about it.

I have been able to find many beautiful moments to record on the little cards they provide.

I keep them in my beautiful moments jar.

This is something I will keep up with, even when I run out of the cards from the book.

There are small post cards included in the book.

 If you would like me to send you one,

send your address to my email, stangs6@hotmail.com, and I will mail you one via snail mail.

I have 16, they are really small, I hope they don't get crumpled in the system.


I scrubbed the inside of the washing machine, I could not believe how dirty it was inside.
The center agitator, all around the rim, just above "right here" inside the plastic and out,
a lot of dirt accumulates there.
Then I ran the machine with a cleaning tablet I had purchased.


What a difference that made, it sparkles like when it was brand new.

My garden is doing really well.

The hubs or I water all the plants, every other day as we are still experiencing cooler temperatures.

We, the hubs, still needs to plant the Vinca plants around the mailbox and up by the front door.

This week for sure, I will take pictures while he is planting.

The butterflies emerge slowly, and are often happy just to hang out on my hand.

Eventually, they fly off and it continues to be an emotional send off!

Up, up and away, this is number 7!

With so many hobbies, it is easy to keep busy and happy!

Happy Memorial Day

Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion,

but rather the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.

Happy Memorial Day, a day to honor our fallen heroes!

Wise Words On Sunday

Saturday Critters ~ 336 ~

During Thursdays bike ride, I spotted this deer in the woods, just inside the trail,

we stopped so I could take pictures.

It appeared to be alone, 

staring straight at me, it walked directly toward the path and fairly close to me.

I am always surprised at how tame some of them are.

On the way home, we stopped to see and photograph the horses.

This horse was missing one eye, poor baby...

it almost seemed like he was showing me.

He had a beautiful, black/brown shiny coat - he was friendly and very well cared for.

We came home and put a steak on the grill to share.

It was so delicious...I think today was perfect!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at Viewing Nature With Eileen