Saturday Critters #636

 - good morning friends -

I am writing these words today, as I have slept for the better part of the week.

It is 3 a.m. on this gorgeous Saturday morning and I decided to share some images I took on

Valentines Day.

While writing, I am keeping a watchful eye on the back window.

I have convinced myself that I will be rewarded for getting up early with a beautiful sunrise, 

we shall see.

I feel better, a little happier and I am now certain I am not going to die.

It was touch and go for a few days there.

The last time I was outside the house was last Saturday, for our Valentines Celebration.

 Sunday morning I woke to undeniable Covid symptoms.

I did not pick it up at the lovely restaurant, 

as it would have taken longer for the symptoms to rear their ugly heads.

These pictures are from our special day...

after eating we parked at the inlet across the street to watch the afternoon happenings.

We saw 2 of the more common winter ducks, ones we only see at the Jersey Shore during winter.

The first 5 pictures are of one of my favorites...

The Long Tailed Duck

Sexes are dissimilar, I believe all of these are males.

They are attractive diving ducks and only the males sport the long tail.

In all of the pictures I took, I could see the tail falling and cascading in the water.

I think they look like puppies.

This is the best picture that captures the long cascading tail. 

The next 4 images are of a...

Female Lesser Scaup

Although a familiar diving duck, they only visit us here at the Jersey Shore in the winter.

They are said to be similar to the Greater Scaups counterparts 

but the peaked crown is a reliable diagnostic feature as is the upper wing pattern when in flight.

I am fairly confident these are all females.

This is my collection of bird books...the ones I use to identify my feathered friends.

The tan book on the left was my Aunts book...she was my favorite person.

We spent many hours watching birds at her dining room window.

All of these pictures were taken on Valentines Day.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters

Cook Unity

For over a year now, maybe even longer, we have been receiving meals from Cook Unity.

I still enjoy cooling, so I do not order every week...I usually order every other week.

The meals are chef prepared fresh meals and you cook them 3 minutes in the microwave.

Delivered right to your front door,

Cook Unity

Not meals kits, fresh, never frozen meals.

in this insulated bag...

they look like this when you open the insulated bag which keeps them cold.

When I order, I usually get 6, that feeds us for 3 nights.

Mom's Sunday Sauce

Rigatoni Pasta with 4 meatballs, I always make one breadstick to go with an italian meal.

k 

Pappardelle with Beef Ragu

I always add a little heavy cream to this one and it is our favorite.

Both italian meals come with parmesan cheese.

They fit nicely in the frig 

and we always enjoy having them and eating them when I don't feel up to cooking.

This post was not sponsored, we really enjoy the meals.

ps...I have not been feeling well, did not post yesterday and have not visited anyone.

I just tested positive for Covid, so I do not think I will be around.

I put this post together a few days ago and figured I would just share it because it was done. 

Please do not feel obligated to comment.

Let's Talk About Valentines Day

This post is a "little" wordy...maybe a lot wordie, please read it, it is so worthy!

 I like Valentines Day...for us, it is an easy holiday to celebrate.

Here, it's all about love.

I don't want a gift, flowers or jewelry...I do love a pretty card and we generally eat out.

In December, the hubs tried to make a dinner reservation at a restaurant we were curious about.

They had nothing available.

The girl suggested Valentines Day, 2 months away.

The hubs was going to wait until she said all she had left on Valentine's Day was 2:30, he grabbed it.

WoW!! that was a great decision, and the name of this restaurant you ask...

Sinners Steakhouse

in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

Everything about this place is amazing!!

Two young, very happy people, dressed in their Valentines best, met us at the door.

We chatted for a minute and our table was ready.

A great table, by the window with an awesome view of the Point Pleasant Inlet.

If you have been following my blog for any length of time, 

you know this is where the hubs and I went on our first date.

Complementary Bruschetta came first, yes please, it was delicious.

We shared a Ceasar Salad, this was half, the chef split it for us.

The hubs had Filet Mignon,

with a baked potato,

and these yummy onion rings.

I know they were yummy because I ate two of the four.

I had Pasta Carbonara with Filet Tips and Pancetta, it was heavenly.

Huge chunks of filet and big pieces of pancetta.

These are some pictures from the dining room...the ceiling was covered with the decore.

Here we are, this was not just dinner, it felt like a culinary celebration.

The wait staff was impeccable, the restaurant was exquisite, artistically decorated for the holiday.

Sadly, we did not have room for desert.

I saw the deserts they were serving and they looked amazing, very elaborate, but we just couldn't do it.

Backing up just a tad, there seemed to be a little confusion about it being our anniversary, it was not.

I struck up a conversation with the lovely young lady who seated us...

and she asked if we were celebrating a birthday, or special occasion.

We both said no but I went on to say, you know I did, that we have been married for 48 years.

After dinner as we were waiting for our check...this appeared with a shooting sparkler.

The girls announced to the entire restaurant that we have been married for 48 years.

Everyone in the restaurant clapped and cheered, even me.

There was more, I babbled and babbled and turned as red as my valentine napkin.

That young couple seated behind us were so sweet, congratulating us as we left.

Here we are leaving, wow, there are no words...except,

we will be back!

Thank you everyone, even to the few people I did not meet!

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Saturday Critters #635

A few days ago I talked about visiting our local aquarium,

Jenkinson Aquarium 

We went on Thursday and had a great time.

Located on the Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk, in Point Pleasant, it is just a short drive from home.

It was a beautiful winter day, a "balmy" 36 degrees, with blue skies and sunshine.

It felt great to be out, camera in hand.

The aquarium has been renovated and updated since the last time we were there.

It was clean, colorful and well staffed with very knowledgeable people.

Most of the animals and fish here have been rescued and are not capable of returning to the wild.

I took way too many pictures but I could not help myself...scroll quickly and you may enjoy them more.

This is the scene as you first enter the aquarium.

This is a Map Turtle and it appears to be missing a limb.

The array of colors in the fish tanks were really amazing.

- moon jellyfish -

- stingrays -

- sharks -

- we had fun posing with this -

This is a look at the displays downstairs,

 I will be sharing more on Monday if you would like to avoid stopping by, but maybe you enjoyed this.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters

- Happy Valentines Day -