Saturday Critters #558

 I don't have much for today, I did not even preplan what I was going to share.

With my wonderful son here, I have been busy showering him with love.

Both of our moms need so much care and the hubs mom is in crisis, she needs so much right now.

With that said, 3 of my Black Swallowtail Butterflies emerged this morning.

They were quick to fly off...ready for their new adventure, it was difficult to get pictures, but I got a few.

- this is a girl -

- this is a boy -

A Painted Lady visited the Butterfly Bush while I was releasing my babies!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

Celebrating Birthdays

 Do you love birthdays?

I love birthdays and still celebrate them in anyway I can.

I have one son who loves my celebrations and one who does not...the hubs is good with whatever we do.

My youngest son is turning 41 on September 2, my oldest will turn 42 on September 5th.

For 3 days each year they are the same age.

Youngest son will be home from North Carolina today and he loves a good birthday celebration.

Here's one of the things I did...

I cut out these little strips of paper to put inside each balloon before I blew them up 

(I had a little help with this part).

This one pictured here says "Happiest Childhood Memory"

Another one says "Best Christmas Present Ever" 

All 8 Balloons have a strip of paper inside to provoke a childhood memory.

I can't wait for him to pop them open.

We wrote down what we think he will say, it will be fun to see what he actually says!

We got him a new cell phone which he desperately needs.

We always give 2 cards, 1 funny one and 1 serious one.

He does the same for each of us.

I covered the bed in the guest bedroom, (which was his room growing up) with the balloons...

I included a "pin" in one of the cards...

I can't wait until he starts popping the balloons, and to hear how he answers the questions!

Looking Forward To Fall...

My friend Leanne wrote a post yesterday about "Slowing Down", enjoying the little things in life.

Her post is very poignant if you have time to read it.

She wrote that as she is getting older she does not love the summer like she did when she was younger 

and neither do I.

Her post inspired me to write about it here as I try so hard to love the summer. 

I love to be outdoors, to visit gardens, festivals, car shows, craft shows...the list is endless.

But the heat and large crowds here at the shore take all of the enjoyment away.

I am looking forward to fall and winter...

I get couch and movie time, knitting time and time to do all the things I love doing at home.

We did a lot...

there is a lot we did not do, and I am fine with that!
 

The Never Ending Sweater...

 I go away with my knitting girlfriends, they are all my "friends", every October for a knitting festival,

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY

When you attend the festival, you are suppose to wear a sweater that you have either knit or crocheted.

I am not a sweater knitter but this year I was determined to wear a sweater that I knit.

I started it in January, plenty of time, right, 

 and was doing really well until I hit the hard part around the neck.

I had made several mistakes and knew it was time to bring in a professional, Leanne.

I scheduled a lesson and she helped me so much and I was back on track, at least I thought so.

I need to make this long story short, I have had a host of problems, I had to bring in another helper,

the very lovey Mandy....

But I think I am advancing with confidence!

The top is straight, it just curls when you lay it down.

I have this book where I record when I start and finish a project,

 I also include a strip of the yarn!

This shows the fun detail seam up the front and back, so far so good, it's straight.

My knitting teacher designed this logo for the festival and it won.

It is on the website and will be featured on all the signs, the program and all the gear...

bags, mugs, tee shirts, sweatshirts, pins...

This is her second win, her logo won 2 years ago.

I am so excited, less than 8 weeks to go...I may be wearing a vest!

Wise Words On Sunday

 

- I really need to remember this today -

Saturday Critters #557

A few weeks ago, it seemed to be the week of the Egrets, I saw them in so many places.

I was thrilled to get these pictures 

as the Egrets will be leaving soon to spend their winter in a warmer climate.

They are a huge, hard to miss bird that usually hangs out in shallow water to fish.

I was surprised to see this stately bird up in the tree, although I do know they sometimes hang out there.

I saw at least 6 Egrets on this day during our drive around Lake of the Lilies.

The one in the tree was my favorite.

I thought these flight shots were so interesting...not good, just interesting.

And because I can never get flight shots, I wanted to share them here!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

The Big Boats At The Inlet

 There are so many boats docked in and around the waters by the inlet.

It's really fun to get out of the car, walk around and take pictures.

The boats vary in size but most of the boats in this area are commercial fishing boats and they are huge.

This is the first time I have wandered around in this area near the inlet.

These large boats are clamming boats.

When they come in, their baskets are filled to the top with clams.

I watched the Northern K come in the inlet, they were just starting to pull the riggers up.

Christi Caroline

Northern K

Christy

Betty C

Christy

We had dinner at the Atlantic OffShore Fishery, the food was delicious!

If you want fresh seafood, come to the Jersey Shore!

Surf's Up

 Manasquan is a really down to earth, ride your bike everywhere, seashore town.

It's a town where almost everyone surfs.

Manasquan is the town on the other side of the jetty we visit all the time.

Each year the town hosts a surfboard decorating contest.

Plain, white boards can be picked up at the lighting store in town, 

you paint your own design and the town displays them.

Visitors can vote for their favorite, 3 winners will be picked.

This first one was our favorite.

I loved this one too!

There were more, but I got so tired walking...

Afterward, we had 2 big salads at the Committed Pig...they make the best salads!

Do you have a favorite surfboard, tell me in the comments...

I Love Lucy

When we went to see the 

Clydesdale Horses, 

a bonus was that the horses came right past 

Lucy The Elephant

Lucy is a national historic landmark at the seashore, she stands six stories high and weighs 90 tons. 

Built in 1881 she is currently 143 years old.

Restored and moved in 1974, you can climb to the top on a staircase in one of Luy's legs.

The staircase down is located in the other leg.

There was a time when you could stay overnight in Lucy, that is not available at this time.

The last time we came we got pictures of us holding up the tusks, 

 we rushed this time and did not get them the way we wanted to.

These 2 pictures are from 2018, this is what we were going for!

She gets her toenails painted every year in July.

This was a super fun day except for the heat.

It was so hot and humid as we waited for the horses, I wish they had events like this in the fall.