Chugga, Chugga...Choo, Choo!!

 This spectacular train display sits on a 440 foot platform

with several running trains, animated attractions, buildings, lakes, bridges,

automobiles, amusement rides and so much more.

Many of the businesses of Spring Lake are represented throughout the display.

Inside of a firehouse, the firemen put this together each year.

The details in this display are incredible!

We visit every year,

the more often you go, the more new elements you will discover. 

Dugan Hall

313 Washington Avenue
Spring Lake, New Jersey

This Christmas Train Village will be on display through January 6, 2020
If you get the chance to go, go...it is definitely worth it! 

Winter Bucket List

 It's that time of year again when the "Winter Bucket List" is prepared.

It's officially done and hanging on the frig...

and there are still some empty spaces for things that may come up.

There will not be a trip into New York City.

We always enjoy the city...

there are so many Christmas themed things to see and do...

but neither of us feel extremely safe in the city, so we decided to scrap that this year.

Still, we have a lot of fun things planned for the winter, and I can't wait to really get into it.

With 4 things crossed off already, we are off to a great start!

Wise Words On Sunday

Happy Thanksgiving...

 
Happy turkey day...don't forget to wear stretchy pants!!

The Birds At The Window

 The trees in my yard are almost bare...giving me a better view of my feathered friends.

I gave the feeders a fresh refill and decided to spend a few minutes,

camera in hand, at the window, with my beautiful birds.

Tufted Titmouse

This distinctive and endearing bird is inquisitive and visits my bird feeders year round.

Male House Finch

This pretty bird hangs around my house year round.

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

With small yellow patches on each side, I only see this beautiful bird during the winter.

Male Downy Woodpecker

North America's smallest woodpecker, only the males have a red patch on the back of their head.

Males and Females visit the feeders and trees year round here.

Female Red Bellied Woodpecker

Widespread, I see this woodpecker year round in my yard.

 It enjoys the suet I provide.

White Throated Sparrow

Back to spend the winter here, I see them in the trees but more so on the ground eating scraps.

- may the joy of simple things color the canvas of your soul -

I must remember to spend more time at the window!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

The Last Of Fall

 Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees.

There are still a few lingering, hanging on for prosperity...

those floating, flying and those laying on the ground, 

"nature's way of decorating for fall".

- autumn leaves don't fall, they fly...they take their time and wonder on this their only time to soar -

Saturday Critters #466

While outside the house for business or pleasure, I always try to spin past

Lake of the Lilies 

and check on the wild life there.

It's the time of the year when the waterfowl switch over...

many are leaving for parts south and the birds and ducks that spend the winter with us are just arriving.

I am sad to report that 30 swans, geese and one duck have died at the lake due to 

Bird Flu

All of these pictures were taken from the car as signs are posted urging people to stay away from the lake.

The wood duck has been here since October and I did not see him today.

I hope he was not the one duck that died.

The population was heavy in the lake, there were a lot of swans but I did not focus on them.

There had to be at least 50 Coots, they spend the winter here.

There were quite a few American Wigeons...

they also spend winters here.

There were so many Ruddy Ducks, too many to count.

The Swans usually leave for winter...I hope they go, stay healthy and avoid this bird flu.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

After The Accident...

 Driving in the car is still difficult for me, 

the hubs has a little anxiety as well, but we are trying to get out more often, and it is helping.

The car we were driving during the accident was totaled.

We got a check from Chubb very quickly, 

and the car dealership found us a car right away which is no easy task these days!

 Both Chubb Insurance and the car dealership were outstanding,

we took delivery on our new car on October 25th.

The new car is almost identical to what we were driving only better...

- the silver lining - 

it is a 2023 and there are not too many of those on the road right now!

The young woman that hit us was issued two tickets, she was 100% at fault in the accident.

Now we need to name the car, here's what we are choosing between...

Silver Shenanigans

Silver Swan

Silver Sleigh

Steely Dan

Do you have a favorite?? Tell me in the comments and help us name the new car.

ooooooh and p.s., I got my cast off yesterday and the arm is feeling good!!

Get Busy Living...

 Things are starting to get really busy around here...

  the calendar is starting to fill up quickly with both fun and necessary things.

This is the last of my Wildflowers.

I replanted this garden this year after 

all of my wildflowers were dug up 2 years ago,

during the installation of our new deck.

It did really well!

Out for a fall drive, we passed this..."Welcome to the Pumpkin Patch"

I had to go back for a picture!

I got a library card, joined a book club...our first book, 

Once There Were Wolves

I'm not totally diggin' it bit I am trying...

I am cooking again...

Italian Sausage Campanelle with Grape Tomatoes and Toasted Panko

by Home Chef

I am still getting 3 or 4 meals per week from Home Chef and the hubs and I have been cooking together.

I still have the cast on but I can "stir things really well"...

this meal was delicious!

We've had a few "fake fires" in the "fake wood burning stove"!

It gives off heat and sounds just like a fire, we love it!

And I made it to my great nieces cheer competition.

They did so well and finished in First Place.

Next they go to Florida!

This is Lorelei 

she really stands out, I can always find her

because of her red hair.

I can never find Addie, from a distance she looks just like all the other girls.

- life is a long journey, full of joy and happiness -

Autumn Is Falling

 Autumn leaf color is a phenomenon that affects the green leaves on trees and shrubs 

by which they take on shades of yellow, orange, red, purple and brown.

The phenomenon is commonly called fall foliage, fall colors or simply foliage.

We refer to the season as fall because the leaves fall from the trees.

I missed much of the "colors" this year, catching the tale end of it during a nature walk in 

Allaire State Park

New Jersey is gorgeous during autumn!

This tree is at the entrance to the walking paths.

I used my zinger and we were able to explore many of the paths!

These grass paths are so pretty, they are the "paths less traveled"!

The train was running...

it was filled with passengers enjoying the fall day!

We played with leaves, they were so big and still colorful!!

The hubs spotted these next 3 tiny creatures...

Woolley Bear Caterpillar

This caterpillar has an interesting story behind it, 

that it can predict the coming winter weather.

Some say it is a worm, but it is definitely a caterpillar...click on the link if you are interested.

Praying Mantis

I looked up this snake but had a difficult time identifying it.

Any thoughts - maybe a "black rat snake"!

Fancy Fungi - maybe a Fly Agaric Mushroom

This looked like a prehistoric flying dinosaurs head...

- autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower -