Summer Keeps Holding On!!

This past weekend was quite warm,

I feel like we are bouncing from summer to fall,

and then back to again.

 I am still getting wildflowers from my garden...

each time I pick a few, I think this will be the last of them,

then more come!

Holding on to the colors of summer...

these morning glories are so pretty.

Even the Cosmos continue to bloom.

The days have been ending in such a beautiful way, all of these pictures were taken this month.

- my Chiefs had a great week -

They played the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

KC played well in the second half and appeared to be the better team.

They won at home in Arrowhead Stadium 37 - 20.

Watching the game at home is good...watching live, in the stadium, priceless!

September is winding down and it's been a wonderful month.

Have I mentioned how much I love this calendar?
My 2025 Bucket List Calandar

The 2026 Calendar is available for preorder.

Celebrating A Special Day

We celebrated a special day here in Asbury Park going for a Pedal Boat adventure on Wesley Lake. 

In the background, you can see the Victorian homes of Ocean Grove, this is a nice size lake, 

separating Asbury Park and Ocean Grove. 

It is a very calm body of water...no motor boats are allowed.

These are the

Asbury Park Pedal Boats

I always thought they were "paddle" boats but alas, they are not.

This spot in Asbury Park is really beautiful and a great place to watch the sunset.

The people who own this attraction are usually here but on this night they were not.

I missed seeing the "Swan Lady", she is just so kind and fun to talk to.

The boats are immaculate, they wipe down the life vests and boats before they are reused,

and offer so much help getting into the boat.

The girl that was working on this night was amazing, just as kind and helpful as the Swan Lady.

Here we are...

I remember when the Swan Lady told me she was getting a 

Purple Swan, she was so excited for me.

We had dinner at 

Moonstruck

We started with a Caesar Salad

and end shared these Parmesan French Fries...they were awesome.

I had the special,  A Skirt Steak with a Balsamic Gravy, it was delicious.

It came with mashed potatoes and a vegetable.

The hubs had a Filet Mignon with Shrimp, Mashed Potatoes and a Vegetable Medley.

This restaurant has a really nice vibe and most nights they have live music.

We shared this Black & White Creme' Brulee

It is served warm and is the best Creme' Brulee I have ever eaten.

Our waitress was lovely and took this picture for us.

It was a wonderful evening!

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Saturday Critters #615

I've had a busy week and I have been so tired...

out just for a drive I saw a few critters to photograph and share.

I stumbled upon what seemed to be a Cormorant Family, 2 large and 2 small.

They were pretty far out but using my zoom, I was able to get some decent pictures.

This looks like the Juvenile Double-Crested Cormorant in my book.

I have zero expertise with these.

The main reason we stopped was so I could take pictures of the Egrets.

They were so far away, I knew the pictures would not be good...but I was shocked they were still here.

I snapped a picture of this duck, I was not sure if it was a hybrid or a 

American Black Duck

It had the black feathers outlining the beak so I decided on the black duck.

Please let me know what you think.

This is a lousy post...I will try to do better next week.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters

Indigo Dyeing...

I needed a new hobby, 

a new outlet for my creative side, and my friend Liz always comes through with a great class.

This class was called "Indigo Dying" which I knew nothing about.

Doesn't matter, I will be on the farm, with fun people, I was probably the first person to sign up.

Liz began the class with a detailed explanation of the art which involves reducing indigotin, 

which is naturally insoluble, into a water soluble state (a greenish-yellow color) using a reducing agent and an alkaline base in an indigo vat.

There was something about flowers too, I can't really remember!

I made 4 cloth napkins...machine washable and dryable.

I forgot to take pictures of the folding process.

The white napkins were folded in ways that Liz recommended,

 depending on the design we would like and how much blue or white we wanted to showcase.

We could make them all the same or all different...I chose that my 4 would all be different.

After folding and securing with rubber bands, they went into the dye.

Placed on a rack for a minute or two, different folds create different designs.

They can also be dyed with a block on top...

which creates this look.

My first one...

this was my second.

This was so fun...a little bit like dye dyeing but much more creative and artsy!!

 

Dining At HIRO Ramen & Bubble Tea

 I was so excited about dining here.

I saw this new restaurant a few days ago while we were out and about, 

so we stopped and picked up a menu "to review"!

I always like to read the menu and therefore know what I will be ordering before I go.

I really love Ramen...

It's a cute little place, on the back wall are post-it notes that people leave.

Comments about the food, their experience and recommendations for what to order.

- nice to meet you -

There's no waitress...this robot brings you your food.

We shared everything...

the food was good, there is Shrimp Tempura, back right that was outstanding 

and the strawberry bubble tea was out of this world.

Shrimp Udon

I thought the sides were big but the meal was small.

The place was very clean, the staff extremely nice...and the menu had a lot of options.

I think we would go back and maybe try one of the Ramen bowls.