Marigold

When we were out on Friday, 

we decided to have lunch at a cute little restaurant we had read about on the internet.

Marigold Market and Cafe'

in Spring Lake Heights, new to us, they have been open about 2 years.

Family owned and operated...

the decor was bright and beautiful, well thought out and well coordinated.

The open floor plan gave the cafe' a friendly atmosphere.

The art - all marigolds...

these cute orange decorative shades allow all the beautiful sunlight in,

and these adorable lights, all add charm to this lovely space.

We sat at that little table on the right, 
next to the window.

We had lunch and the sandwiches were fresh and flavorful.

They came with french fries, that were hot, crisp and freshly made.

The staff was very attentive and welcoming.

They are open for breakfast and lunch, 

lunch was so good we are going back to try out their incredible breakfast menu.

We brought home a cupcake and a brownie, yum - yum!

Spread Kindness Like A Wildflower

Morning walks out in the backyard are magical...

the early morning light dances on the pedals of the wild flowers.

I water these gorgeous flowers early, when it is still cool out back.

After I water, I cut a few each morning to enjoy in a vase indoors...

I have always felt it best to bring some inside where you can enjoy them all day long.

I also have more Basil ready to cut.

Garden Cosmos

Garden Cosmos

Marigold with Skipper

Marigold, Skipper and a little guy flying in...

Marigolds

Garden Cosmos

Garden Cosmos with another little guy flying in.

Zinnias

Garden Cosmos

Zinnias

Cosmos with a little guy.

This is my purple Butterfly Bush, with a bumble bee enjoying it!

- may all your weeds be wildflowers -

This & That

 This area is all a buzz as there is a Limpkin in Wall Township which is the town right next to mine.

It made the local news last night, 

there were about 50 photographers out front of the man's home where it was...I was not one of them.

The news lets you in on the town, but not the address, of course, 

so it looks like I will not be getting a picture. It looks a bit like a turkey, brown, no color, 

but still it is an unusual sighting here as this bird is usually seen in parts south, Georgia and Florida.

I'm not sure how long it will hang around here, we have been having some very cold nights.

Out for a drive yesterday, I saw this cute display for Thanksgiving.

I have seen a few others, but have not stopped for a picture.

I got my nails done while we were out, I keep them very short and pink.

I started my September book club book.

I hope I can get through it, 408 pages and the print seems a little bit small to me.

I made some egg salad last evening, I have been dying for it.

Hard boiling eggs perfectly cooked is so easy...

start with your eggs in cold water, when the water comes to a boil, turn off the flame,

cover them, and wait exactly 10 minutes and they will look like this once you chop them.

I like it simple, mayo, just a small squirt of mustard, a little salt and a little onion powder and that's it.

Made and cut into little tea sandwiches, they needed something to fancy them up,

but it was just the hubs and I and we were too hungry to wait!

I took these two pictures on a recent walk around the reservoir, our sunsets have been so pretty.

My wildflower garden is still producing a lot of flowers, 

primarily marigolds and a few cosmos and zinnia here and there.

Arrow Acres Farm

 The hubs was able to get away for a few hours on Saturday and asked me where I wanted to go?

I said I wanted to go out for lunch and to the farm, he said, no problem of course.

But lunch - out, we have not been doing that...but we were about to.

I knew where I wanted to go, 

they have outdoor seating with overhead tarps and it is a place I have written about before and love...

Marigolds

I had this Grilled Romaine Salad

Cider-Balsamic Dressing, Crisp Apples, Applewood Bacon, Red Onion, 

Hard Boiled Egg, Pecans and Blue Cheese

It was delicious!

The hubs had a Burger, I had 2 bites of it, it was delicious!

The fries too, the hubs shared, they were hot & so good, 

We arrived at the farm around 3 pm,

 but the alpacas were off schedule because of daylight savings time,

 they thought it was 4 pm, meaning they were all in the barns.

Don had to bribe them down to the fence with hay and carrots, that was easily done.

Four came...

they are so soft, squishy and sweet, I don't think I could love them more!

This is Peanut Butter Dickens, he has the sweetest, natural smile.

The Coop was open, I got to see Liz and I bought some beautiful yarn, I'll show you tomorrow!