Troll Trek

 I can't remember where I read about this...

maybe I googled "fun things to do in New Jersey" or maybe I saw it on Instagram...

all I can say is I love finding things like this on the internet.

I find the most amazing things to do and add them to my Bucket List.

The Troll Trek is new to us, it is like a scavenger hunt but so much better.

The website is here and contains all of the addresses you need to be able to see all of the tolls.

18 in total we found and saw 9 and had a blast doing it.

Wrong turns, deserted roads, they were not all easy to find but we did well. 

They each have a name, they are all handmade by a different creator using all recycled materials.

So off we go...introducing the Trolls, in the order we found them.

Edward & his Trollmate

Weft

Gracie the Gardener

Troll on a Stroll

Retlaw

Bucket Head Bobby

Woody

Pipsqueak

Big Rusty

Big Rusty

With a total of 18 we plan on going again and finding the 9 we did not get to see.

It was a full day, breakfast at Cracker Barrel and the rest of the day finding the Trolls.

All 18 Trolls are in Burlington County,

you have to travel by car, from display to display, they are not within walking distance.

In fact, there was very little walking involved...

most were located in very beautiful parks, schools, a public library and very nice areas of the county.

If you have the chance, do it...it was so much fun!!

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Saturday Critters #588

The Osprey have returned to the Jersey Shore.

Every year, during the same time, in the same nest...they return to mate and raise their young.

Their home is a large nest by the train station in Spring Lake, they return to it every year. 

An employee from the nature center told us they always return on St. Patrick's Day, 

but I was not able to confirm that on Google.

Google says they arrive in New Jersey in late March to early April.

New Jersey has more than 800 man made platform nests and it is estimated that more than 75% of these nests are being used.

The once endangered Osprey is not only stable now, but thriving, we see a lot of nests while we are out.

On this day, there was only one, unless the other was out looking for food.

I believe this is a female because of the brown "necklace" on her chest.

Males chests are primarily white.

She was very focused waiting on her partner...

and guarding the nest.

This picture is from last year, showing the nest and family of 4.

Osprey usually have 2 ospring.

While on Google I found this Live Osprey Cam that I enjoyed watching, I hope the link works.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters

Out On A Limb

 This was a first for me...

driving around Spring Lake I saw a pair of Mallards hanging out on a broken piece of tree.

Can you see them?

They looked so out of place, but maybe this is a habit of theirs.

Male Mallard

Female Mallard

I think they were "together"...if you know what I mean.

And this Red Winged Blackbird, found a branch of its own.

Belting out its song for everyone around the lake to hear.

Yesterday was a beautiful day, the sky was so blue, the sun was beaming brightly 

and the temperatures were in the 60's.

It seems all the winter ducks and birds have left...

but

the Osprey are back, I will share pictures of them tomorrow!

In The Kitchen

 If you are lucky enough to live by a Costco, 

then you are lucky enough to know about their 5 dollar Rotisserie Chickens.

The hubs and I happen to love the bargain chicken... 

but I understand there are many people who do not agree with the way they are farmed and prepared. 

  

Day 1 - The hubs hits Costco on his way home, and brings us a 5 dollar chicken, for dinner that night.

Once the chicken comes in the house, our home smells awesome.

We usually eat about one third.

Chicken, Homemade Mashed Potatoes and stuffing/dressing.

Day 2 - I used the second third of the leftover chicken to make a big bowl of chicken salad.

Chicken Salad before mixing with mayonnaise.

- sweet onion, sliced almonds, diced chicken, and diced celery -

S & P

Last step, mix in the mayonnaise.

Deviled Eggs

- egg yolks, mustard, onion powder, sprinkled with Paprika -

S & P

I often add cooked, crumbled bacon to Deviled Eggs, 

but I did not have any in the house to add today.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Deviled Eggs and Celery stuffed with flavored cream cheese.

Day 3 - Chicken Noodle Soup Day

I do not have a recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup, pictured are the ingredients.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Not this time,  

but on other occasions, I make Chicken Pot Pie with the last third of the chicken.

 

I don't have a recipe for the Chicken Pot Pie,..I just wing it with the ingredients I have on hand.

The ingredients I used for this pie are pictured above.

I think everyone has a recipe for Chicken Pot Pie, that they favor.

Put whatever you want in your Chicken Pot Pie

Anything goes and it will always be delicious.

- so the moral of the story is you can feed 2 people, dinner for 3 nights for 5 buck-a-roos -

-what a deal -

The Special Tree

 I imagine it was once a large, tall, grand tree...filed with branches and leaves,

birds and squirrels.

But something happened, perhaps wind or lightning struck and tried to break its spirit.

But even in that storm, broken as it must have been....it learned to shine.

Some very talented person, carved this tree and made it beautiful again.

Driving around the other day, we stumbled upon this amazing tree.

I saw it once, more than 10 years ago, but I could not remember where it was.

- dolphins, fish, turtles, sea horse, mermaid, jellyfish, horseshoe crab, sea turtle --

A beautiful work of art that has been well maintained and cared for for years!

It represents the Jersey Shore well!

The Days Have Gotten Longer

 Because of daylight savings time, my life has shifted, and my routine and schedule have changed.

I  don't mind the early sunsets, they symbolize the busy day is over and it is time to rest, 

knit, read or otherwise craft.

I have been sleeping later in the morning, that is something I do not enjoy....

I was always the early bird, who got the worm.

Let's start today off with something fun...

I finished my Spring/Summer Bucket List

I keep this list on the refrigerator...

for those days we are looking for something to do.

I know we will not accomplish all of this, these are just 

"suggestions"

so we do not waste a free day.

I started my Easter decorating...

This hangs on the outside of the front door.

Handmade, and painted, this is my favorite Easter decoration.

Garden Flags, large and small.

Up by the front door,

Mr. & Mrs. Rabbit and a brightly colored Easter doormat.

My Daffodils have started to bloom, 

I always cut some to bring in the house to enjoy.

I picked these yesterday when the sun was out,

these were the only 2 in bloom.

Today it is raining, so I will wait until tomorrow to cut some more.

Remember, the hubs planted 450 bulbs in the fall, mostly tulips.

I have had these daffodils for many years and

 the group gets larger each spring.

Today they are getting nourishment from the rain, 

tomorrow they will be open and beautiful!

And after a full day of rain, 

the sun made an appearance just as the sky was changing.

It created a mirror image of this tree...it was incredible!

Wise Words On Sunday

Arrow Acres Alpaca Farm

I love coming here, this farm evokes a feeling of community...love for each other and the animals.

The affection is difficult to put into words...

- fresh air, freedom, rural open land...open skies, farmland, the country -

My fondness goes way beyond this, 

I met the owners, their family and I learned how to knit some 10 years ago.

The Alpaca are well cared for and beautiful, the farm is pristine.

Last week,

I neeeeeeeeded yarn and I love when I need yarn.

I came to the "Coop" the farm store, and emptied my wallet.

After I was done "shopping" I spent some time with my favorite animals.

They were very chill, and up for lots of photographs.

Arrow Acres Alpaca Farm 

is a family run business, owners Don and Dee, their children and grandchildren.

2021 Bentz Road, Wall Township  NJ  07719 

I forgot to take a picture of the yarn I purchased but look at the project bag I picked up...

~ gorgeous right ~

Handmade by Liz!

Be sure and stop by if you are ever in the area.