Saturday Critters #582

Out for a drive, on the back roads of course...

we stumbled upon this adorable little farm in a homeowners front yard. 

The home has been on this land for years, but the tiny "ranch" in the front is new.

The homeowners cleared their front yard and built this small farm to house a nice variety of animals.

"Dwell On The Land, and Enjoy Safe Pasture"

A couple of Donkeys, Billy Goats, Sheep and Lambs.

4 pigs, they could not have been cuter.

The Pigs came to the fence to greet us, the rest of the animals did not, they were enjoying some fresh hay.

This is such a charming farmstead, we will definitely return to keep an eye on it's progress!

I finally went to Lake of the Lilies for a drive around the lake.

I saw a lot of our winter ducks...I will share their pictures in another post!!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

 

Forcing PaperWhites Indoors...

When we take our annual trip to Longwood Gardens at Christmas time, 

I always try to buy their new calendar and my paperwhite bulbs.

I enjoy seeing new, seasonal pictures from Longwood Gardens at the start of each month,

and when my paperwhites bloom,

 they somehow feel more delightful because they came from our special trip.

I use this large pot/bowl each year...

space the bulbs and fill the open area with rocks, no dirt is needed.

Add enough water to come within 3/4 to the top of the stones.

I usually plant the bulbs in January and they have shorter sprouts.

       But these are fine and the bulbs were very healthy.     

I store the bulbs in a paper bag, in the garage, after I buy them but before planting them.

 

All done, I place them in a sunny location.

As they relax and root, they will straighten out.

Here they are today, 

I planted them on January 28th and just 9 days later they have grown to look like this.

I have a small indoor garden, just enough plants, that need only a little care.

My Thanksgiving/Christmas/whatever cactus continues to blooms.

I have scallions growing behind it.

I thought my orchid was dead, gone...time for the trash when I noticed 2 new shoots on it.

So it will be interesting to see what it does!

It's raining, we only got four snowflakes...yes, you read that right FOUR flakes!

The National Harbor

I prepared this post back in December and it was "on deck" prior to getting sick.

I loved the pictures and we had such laughs taking them, I did not want to leave them out.

Waterfront Street at The National Harbor in Maryland is a great destination during any season.

The streets are filled with unique shops, restaurants, the Capital Wheel and so much more.

Christmas is an especially beautiful time to visit.

Duty   *   Honor   *   Country

Imitating the poses is such fun...This is George Washington.

Abe Lincoln and the hubs, sharing political stragorgies. 

  George Washington Carver

Louis Armstrong

Marilyn

The decorations on these streets were so pretty.

It was a warm, beautiful day, you barely needed a coat.

December 16, 2024

The Little Things

 So much has happened in the last "500 days" that were January...doesn't it seem that way?

This past January seemed like the longest month of my life, I know it did that way for others also.

In many ways, I missed most of it, yet it still seemed to take forever.

I missed New Jersey's deep freeze, the little sprinkles of snow, the crisp air that smells like winter...

and the short cozy days that define winter the best.

At times it is dark, windy, freezing and snowy...

but those are the things you miss the most when you cannot experience them...especially fresh air.

I saw some really pretty sunrises over the river once I came home.

I always miss the sunrise as I usually sleep through them...it was nice to see!

Each evening I looked forward to the sunset...

each one more beautiful than the night before!

Don't Count Me Out...I Am Coming Back Stronger...

 

I am home, I am feeling better and just now starting to feel like myself, just a little.

Pyelonephritis, kidney stores, hydronephrosis...my left kidney was in trouble.

The kidney infection made its way into my bloodstream and took the infection to a much higher level.

My autoimmune disease, Multiple Sclerosis, jumped into high gear and also needed to be treated.

I did not have a good experience in the hospital, I usually receive excellent care.

The road ahead is not clear...

the only thing that is clear is that I have missed my camera, my writings...and laughing at funny stories.

Let's get to work on that!

On Hold...

 I am in the hospital and I do not have the ability to post on my blog.

I am going to be here for at least 3 more days...bummer right.

I am turning my comments off, I know you all wish me well.

We got snow that I was able to see from my room.

- this was me in 2016  -