I love books!

What can I say! I read like some people watch TV. I pick up my book when I sit down during the day. And then I always read for a couple of hours before I go to bed. It’s interesting and relaxing. I check out books from my library and read most of them on my iPad Pro.

I like to read mysteries….they are my favorite genre. But reading mysteries is a little tricky. You can get some very scary psychological thrillers and some story plots that are downright disturbing. So I decided to read a couple of OLD books featuring Sherlock Holmes.

I read The Seven Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer  and thoroughly enjoyed it. Easy to read….classic Sherlock Holmes.

Then I went back to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and read A Study in Scarlett. It seemed very slow and plodding to me but it was short and easy to read. Interesting to read the first book in the series and find out how Sherlock Holmes met Dr. Watson. I will read more of this series. I’ll just add one from time to time.

AND THEN….I read something that had GREAT reviews.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 

I don’t always care that much for a book that gets such great reviews with a cover that makes it look ‘chick lit’! But I was surprised! It really is THAT good! I won’t divulge any many details. It has lots of sad parts but it’s SO worth the read. I’m reading the next one in the series, After You and it doesn’t have as many good reviews but I’m going to ‘find out what happened next’. I fell in love with the main character in this series.

Don’t laugh….hubby came around the corner and caught me with 2 IPADS open and my phone in my hand.

So what’s on your nightstand?

Any mysteries you would like to recommend? I need a good ‘who done it’!

I’m joining the 5 minutes for books party HERE

and I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

It Feels like Spring!

Or maybe even summertime! We’ve had lots of temps in the 80s already and decided to get in a morning hike over the weekend while it was still nice. (It was 80 when we finished at 11 am!)

We haven’t had the Spring showers yet but there are pretty wildflowers popping up everywhere.

Hubby and I both took flower photos on hike #12 at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

I’ve learned over the years to recognize the Yellow Jessamine that we see growing in vines along the trail.

But I’m not sure what this lily type flower is that’s growing in the swamp. It reminds me of a Spider Lily.

The Yellow Pond Lily has the huge leaves lying on top of the water with large yellow buds.

I recognize the bright blue flower as Spiderwort. 

I’m not sure about some of the other wildflowers but they are beautiful!

And now I have to ask for your advice.

And you have to TELL ME THE TRUTH!!!

Should I wear this flower cap? Am I brave enough?

I got it at the Farmer’s Market and I’m just not sure it is ME!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

Taking photos from the Car!

Photos don’t come out very good through the glass, taken with a little camera (while you are driving…EEEEE) but sometimes I just can’t resist!

We have so many beautiful horses here in Florida over the winter and lots and lots of babies right now.

I took these on the way to the Mall.

And these Ibis were on the side street near the Mall.

I still can’t get used to seeing sights like this when we are ‘out and about’. I love it!

I took this one out my side window. A gentlemen had pulled over to photograph this gorgeous Dogwood tree. I may want to go back over there and take photos of it too.

Oh, and I can’t leave hubby out. He took this one from his car, very near our house. He counted 20 wild turkeys! And if you look closely, you’ll notice one is WHITE!

OK…I’ve confessed! Now it’s your turn. Do you ever take a quick pic through the window of your car? Tell the truth now! heehee!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Treasures from the Knap-In!

I thought this was a Geode but now I’m wondering if it is an Agate. Does anyone know? I’m sure someone will read this and have an idea! I picked up the large blue ‘rock’.

(the inside)

(outside)

And my hubby bought these small thin pieces (for ME).

Whatever they are….they are gorgeous!

And here’s my new Navajo jewelry and leather bracelet.

I was wearing a Zuni ring that I’ve had for years and when I chose the Navajo ring, it nested right next to the ring I was wearing. AMAZING!

Out of all the rings I had to choose from, I got the perfect ring.

And the necklace is Navajo too. I have quite a few pieces from years ago but it’s always fun to get something new, or in this case… vintage!

The watch and bracelet I ALWAYS wear!

I’ve been working on some cards (or tags) that are about twice as wide as bookmarks to give as gifts.

What do you think?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Silver River Knap-In

This is an event like no other! Some of the ongoing demonstrations are Native American Basket Weaving, Seminole Canoe Carving, Prehistoric Shell Tool Making, with Tomahawk throwing, Indian Drumming and Scavenger Hunts!

In other words…FUN  for the entire family!

We spent the afternoon looking at the exhibits and neat things for sale. Enjoying the music of a flute and watching demonstrations.

Oh and did I mention shopping? Our anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks and I think hubby has it covered! I got some vintage Navajo jewelry that I LOVE! (I’ll share pics of my treasures soon…thanks hubby)

So much to see! Old Florida!

We had a wonderful afternoon at the Silver Springs State Park and even saw one of the old glass bottomed boats on display.

There was a cute wooden painting that I made into a blog banner.

It was in the mid 80s with bright sunshine.

(a Vendor we bought from….look what the sunshine does to my hair! it turns it SILVER! hahahahaha)

A perfect day in Florida!

Did you have a good weekend?

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

Seeing Spots!

On hike #10 at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon, FL we saw an elusive Wood Thrush.

It’s the first one we’ve seen here in Florida.

We get so excited to see a bird we’ve never seen here before!

It was down in the brush but it stayed put long enough to get a few pics.

One more! (and thanks hubby for some of these close ups!)

Then later we saw a Yellow-Rumped Warbler from the back!

That was an easy ID!

Then last night I ‘spotted’ this Northern Flicker high up in a tree.

I only got two photos before it flew.

Have you spotted anything unusual this week?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope everyone has a special week! I’ve got some things to look forward to that I’ll share soon.

We are having the most beautiful weather with TONS of sunshine.

So it’s a challenge to get a good photo of this little cabinet that you see when you come in our front door (with the big bright window at the other end of the room). It’s a fun place to decorate though!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

Hugs and Kisses

xxxoooxxx

American Bittern

We’ve just started seeing the Bittern in the wild this year!

And on one of our hikes at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon, we saw TWO! I hope they are mates! I would love to see baby Bitterns this Spring!

We always wonder how many birds we DON’T see!

The Bittern has some of the best camouflage, don’t you think?

Just to give you an idea of where we are looking…

the Bittern is in the middle of the photo above!

Sometimes we spot them when they move. And often other ‘bird watchers’ on the bridge point them out to us.

Here’s the second one we saw in another location, preening.

Aren’t those feathers gorgeous !

We have 8 hikes so far this year. Our weather has been gorgeous this week! I know there’s been a winter blast for many of you. How’s your weekend weather?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.