What have I missed? Mosaics?

 

I took a week off from blogging. I would like to say that I stayed off my computer for a week but my hubby would say I did NOT go 'cold turkey' no pun intended! I did limit my time online but it didn't seem to help my headaches. And I missed everyone SO much! I look forward to doing some visitin' but I will still have to be prudent. So let me know what I've missed on your blog in your comment. 

We did a LOT of hiking this past week and that always makes me feel better. 

The grasses in the fields look so beautiful. 

We spent one afternoon hiking the Ross Prairie State Forest loop.

I received a fun gift box from my friend Kathy from Looking at Life through my Bifocals HERE. I won her blog giveaway and she filled a box with nice things for me to enjoy! Thank you Kathy!

And my blog buddy, Tom the Backroads Traveller HERE sent me a wreath again this year. I am getting spoiled having a fresh wreath from NY to enjoy all Christmas season. It hangs on my front door but we keep our big door open most of the time during the day so it puts the fresh evergreen scent into our house all day. Thank you Tom! 

I baked yeast rolls using King Arthur Flour for Thanksgiving dinner. I love their catalog and wish I could afford to order things from it. But I'll be happy with the flour! It really is the best.

Have you had a good week? I know it's been difficult for many so let's continue to keep each other in our prayers. My friend Barbara from Sweet Tea and Sandals lost her precious Beloved husband a few days ago. Please keep her in your prayers. And let me know if you have someone that needs my prayers. Let's encourage and hold each other up in these hard times. God bless you. 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

AND my Monday post HERE.

The Barred Owl meets the Eastern Bluebird

 

Well, I don't really think they met but I began this hike on the Florida Trails with Eastern Bluebirds flying along with me. And ended the hike very near the same spot but under a tree looking up at a Barred Owl.

Hubby gets credit for spotting this beautiful Barred Owl.

He flew across the trail very near where I spotted one a couple of weeks ago.

And when he landed in the tree, it was an easy walk to get close for better photos!

He was gorgeous!

But we noticed he seemed to have trouble keeping his eyes open.

Hubby walked on the other side of the tree for a different view and the sun was shining right on the owl. (hubby is at the base of the tree, owl near top)

And you know how it feels when you sit in the sun! 

It's hard to stay awake, even with a crazy lady in a pink cap standing under the tree! (do you see a bike whizzing by in the background?)

It was exciting to say the least!

But let's not forget the Eastern Bluebird.

Time to slow down and enjoy the sights.

And even though I know this is a bluebird, aren't the colors different in this view?!

I mentioned in my last post that I am taking a break from my blog...for just a week or so. I'm going to miss visiting everyone but I am having some bad headaches and need to stay off the computer for a few days and see if it helps! Enjoy your week!

 See you back in blogland SOON! 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Be Careful how you Spend your Time!

 Your time is your life. Be sure you are spending it on things that matter. I'm always telling my 'kids' this. Even though they are still in the work force, they have some 'spare' time and I want them to do things they enjoy and that benefit themselves AND others. When you get older, you realize how quickly it passes. 

I'm blessed to have a good life and good health. I live in a place I chose, surrounded by things I enjoy doing. I love being out in nature, taking photos and sharing them on my blog. It's become a passion.

And I'm going to keep hiking and taking photos. But I'm going to have to take a little break from my blog. I'll see if I can stay off my computer for a week or so. Or at least cut back on the time I spend with a computer or IPAD in my lap! I'm still having some bad headaches and I'm trying to figure out what helps and what hurts. 

So I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving next week!

 And I'll keep praying for all of you that have asked for prayers. Please say a little prayer that I can get over these headaches. I've never had headaches in the past so it's a new experience for me. Most of the time, I just keep going. They are not so painful that I can't do things around the house or hike! So it's more of a nuisance than anything. 

I'll share my owl photos on Saturday and then take a week or so off. I'm especially thankful for all of you! I value your friendship and I'll miss reading all of my favorite blogs! But I'll be back soon! It's a great way to spend time!

Photos all taken on the Florida Trails from the Pruitt Trailhead.

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Photos that get left out!

 

A lot of photos are forgotten when we have an amazing sighting on a hike.

I'll give you a hint! When we were hiking the Florida Trails this week, we saw something that I had seen a couple of weeks ago. It was very near where I had seen it before and may have been the same one. lol It deserves a post all it's own because it was a Barred Owl! Coming soon!!!

And on that same hike we saw this neat bee or fly. 

Does anyone know what it is? It was pretty small but oh so colorful!

And there were beautiful moths.

Flowers in bloom.

Another moth and a Flycatcher!

Trails leading into the deep woods with spiders in webs to avoid!

The beauty of the flutterby tree (I named it that...it flutters)!

And someone came out of their shoes at the trailhead! We didn't see anyone else on the trails so they were either lost in the woods or they went home without them. Are you missing your flip flops?

And even though I couldn't get any photos of it...

I stood in my backyard last night and watched Falcon 9's launch of the Dragon's first operational crew mission to the International Space Station. Read more about it HERE.  It launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida and I could see it from a distance. What a thrill! 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio,

AND my Monday post HERE.

Safe from the Storms

 We didn't have any damage from Hurricane Eta here in North Central Florida. Damaging winds and rain and of course tornados are always a threat but it passed through without any of that. We woke up in the middle of the night to wind, rain and leaves hitting the bedroom window but it wasn't bad.

Now we are left with much improved weather! And even more birds that usual.

We are seeing big flocks of birds fly through, some we haven't been able to identify! 

And one day we drove in to the Pruitt Trailhead and saw these Sandhill Cranes under the trees, where we expect to see them.

You've seen a photo of ME here at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve.

And I've taken a 'few' of sweet hubby here.

You've even seen a coyote on the trail a month or so ago.

But what do we see through the grasses before we turn the corner?

Sandhill Cranes on the trail?

Yes, they were finding all kinds of bugs and insects on the trail.

Eat them all!

Then there will be fewer to eat on me! lol

Several times I've seen them flying overhead.

Time to migrate to Florida! Come on down! 🌴

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

The Christmas Robins are here early!

 

We usually see a big flock of Robins on the golf course on Christmas day. 

(And isn't my red mum lovely?)

The Robins came early this year! They must have known we needed a little encouragement.

We haven't had bad weather this week but we had a shower this morning and they were out there again pecking in the mulch under the palm tree.

I don't get a lot of junk mail but I did get a cute catalog from Walmart this week. It even had stickers to mark what you wanted for Christmas. Reminded me of the Sears wish books from days gone by. We  picked up our groceries this week too and got a little orange thank you!

I ordered new Swedish dish cloths in pretty Autumn designs and I love them!

And I even bought another Columbia hiking shirt in a pretty shade of blue.

And yes....this is toilet tissue! But look at the little embossed butterfly! 

Have you bought anything new this week?

(I need to make a new wish list! lol)

We have so much to be thankful for! Hiking is still close to the TOP of my list!!!

Please keep us in your prayers today as Hurricane Eta barrels through this part of Florida. I'll give you an update in a few days....God willing and the creek don't rise. (as my Dad used to say!)

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!