Raising a Butterfly!!

I hadn't really thought about it, I didn't set out to raise a butterfly.

But there it was...

a caterpillar eating and resting on my "dying" dill.

I did a little research and it's not a bad idea to bring them indoors.

Only 2% of all caterpillars survive in the "wild".

They are easy to care for and feed,

and with just a little attention, they will easily thrive,

and become a beautiful butterfly.

I brought this little one indoors on July 20th...

 I used The Joyful Butterfly site as a guide in getting started

and double checked that information here as well.

 You need to include some sticks, which it loves to climb on.

 Since I found it on my dill, it was easy to determine what to feed it.

The container needs to be cleaned everyday for now.

And a little p.s...it eats and poops a lot.

And based on it's appearance and the fact that it was hosting on my dill,

I am pretty sure it is a Black Swallowtail.

I will surely keep you posted!!

Sharing with 
Stephanie at the Enchanting Rose
stop by and join in the fun.

Family...The Bigger Picture!!

All the family came up from Florida last weekend,

and we had a family reunion of sorts.

Celebrating Addie's birthday and the love of family,

it was awesome to all be together again.

Not everyone was able to attend, but most of us were together.

Chuck's dad lives in Florida and he had three children
with his second wife, all of whom live in Florida.

Everyone came up, kids in tow,

those three have five of their own...

and when we are together, it's like we are together all the time.

 Cousins
Tyler, Mallory
Addie, Anthony, Timothy and Katie

 a little pushing fun...

with great success!!

 Mallory is such a good sport and what a sweetie!!

 This is Timothy, with a capital "T" for trouble!!

 Anthony

 Lorelei

Anthony, Addie and Timothy

Addie's cupcake, birthday cake!!

 The Gang

Mallory wanted silly faces but not everyone got the memo!!

Last shot of all of us, it was such a fun day!!
Love you all!!