In Search of the Swamp Sunflower!

 

I've seen these beautiful sunflowers in years past but never had a proper ID! 

Swamp Sunflower

But this year, I kept seeing them mentioned on blogs and websites I visit regularly. 

Sandra Friend did a post about them HERE. 

Ed Rosack took some amazing photos and a blog post HERE.

And Wally Jones did a wonderful post HERE!

We drove over to the Pruitt Trailhead of Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and took a hike and even saw a few on that trail. And then we drove down the dirt road to another trailhead and hiked Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway trail (Pruitt Trailhead). You can see the other trail from here but it's amazing how different they can be. This trail is always wetter so it's a perfect area for the Swamp Sunflower. 

We were about a week early for one field. It was mostly buds. 

But we walked down farther and came to a beautiful patch of sunflowers.

It was our first 'Fall weather' day....highs only in the 70s and a nice cooler northerly breeze.

So it was perfect! We saw a few other hikers and one man on a horse so that made it interesting too.

Trying to get the perfect pics! I recognize this man! heehee!

We are seeing so many different birds now but I'll save those photos for the weekend. (below the field with more buds than blooms, but we'll go back again soon!)

Has the weather been nice at your house too? Sunflower weather? A special thank you to those who prompted me to go in search of these flowers and to finally have a proper identification! 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Some Favorite things!

 

Of course my MOST favorite thing is hiking! 

And we managed to make TWO hikes this weekend. 

It was hot but not unbearable and we needed to get out! 

I think I'll add some favorite things to each of my posts this month. I just feel the need to share!

Have you visited Laura at Simple and Serene Living lately?

The link to her blog is HERE!

(I borrowed this image from her blog!)

She is doing a series on Healthy Habits for a Happier Life and her posts have been excellent! Be sure you go back and see each post in this series. It's been a hard year for us all and making sure we know about healthy habits that can help is much needed! Thanks Laura for being such an inspiration!

And I bought these Danish Whisks because my blog buddy at the Nutbrown Cottage HERE said they were good. 

I love them! I'm stirring and whisking and loving them SO much! (she has a link on her post for shopping)

And you all KNOW I love Etsy! And it's so nice to find a shop that has reasonable prices AND free shipping! 

Dinglehopper Things is HERE on Etsy!

This Winter journal is awesome! So many nice details. She really put a lot into it and was a joy to message too.

Have you had a good week? Mine has been especially GOOD!

Happy Labor Day! 

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

Also I like Thursdays HERE.   

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.

Money for Books!

I am not a big spender. I tend to use it up and wear it out and sometimes even do without! lol

But I do love books! 

So when I won the giveaway that Brenda had on her blog, It's a Beautiful Life, I spent my giveaway money on books! 

I knew she would approve!

 

I always have books and movies in my wish list and I was going between getting some of the When Calls the Heart DVDs or books. And isn't it funny when you have a gift card, you start looking even more diligently! Like my happiness depends on making the right choice! heehee!

So I've been wanting a journal that I can use for writing AND sketching so I found this one!

And then for inspiration, I bought this book too, Keeping a Nature Journal. I am so excited to have them both and look forward to even more hikes with the nicer weather. 

And adding some art to my hiking journal.

I also splurged on Etsy and got a vintage reader. I already had Busy World and I found To and Fro from Three Bear Vintage.  She was delightful to exchange messages with too.

I might have gone slightly over my gift card winnings but I couldn't resist these wonderful books!

Thanks to Brenda for adding to my joy! Happy blogging to her! The link to It's a Beautiful Life is HERE. Visit her....you'll love her AND her beautiful blog! 

And shop Etsy's handmade and vintage items! 

I am praying for everyone in the path of Hurricane Sally...friends and family! Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Good Books (updated at the end)

Sometimes I go for awhile reading the first 50 pages of books I can't finish! But lately I've read some amazing books that I think you would all enjoy!

I'll start with a book I checked out from the library (info at the end of this post) and gave 5 Stars on Goodreads! The Hired Girl. If you love Anne of Green Gables, you'll love this book. The main character will win your heart just like Anne girl did and you will NOT want the book to end. It's delightful...what more can I say!

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

And for a book that you can enjoy over and over again,

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

It is a work of art with a beautiful story that can inspire us all during these difficult times.

"What do you think success is? asked the boy. To love, said the mole."

Thanks Terra for reviewing it on your blog, Terra Garden! I'm so glad you did! Terra is a blog friend and an author as well!

And another book to inspire and uplift us by another favorite blogger is

 Through Love's Eyes by Marilyn Moseley. 

Marilyn blogs at Mountain Top Spice. Don't you love the name of her blog! The words of her book are as beautiful as the photos she's used. She really created something special and it's a perfect time to surround ourselves with books that inspire. 

Thanks Marilyn for sending me a copy of your book. I will cherish it. 

Books....a lot to be thankful for today!

 

Have you read a book lately that you think I would enjoy?

PS I check books out from the library as ebooks and read them on my IPAD. 

Easy peasy! I love it! 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

    

Most of you know that I raised 4 boys! And during that time I learned to love football! I watched football and during half time, I went outside and caught passes and kicked field goals. Well, that last part may be a bit of an exaggeration! But I HAVE watched and ROOTED for the Dallas Cowboys since the '70s! So I'm looking forward to the Fall football season! I have a new bag of thin and crispy Tostitoes, sharp cheddar cheese and salsa to make nachos! (and low carb beer in the fridge)

 

And yes, I've dressed some of my dolls for football season! 

My husband even ran in Dollar Tree and bought a little nerf football.

I wonder if I can make a field goal with that?

 Wendy has an Arkansas Razorback outfit on! Thanks Aunt Cindy!

 And Mellie has the Carolina Panthers dress on (thanks to a clearance rack)! 

The little Cowboys pjs are from the Etsy shop HERE!

And completely off the subject of football....I have a new favorite blog that I think some of you would love.  The Homemaking Daily...lots of great ideas and insights on happy homemaking!

What's new in your corner of the world? What team to you root for (if the Cowboys aren't playing! heehee)?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

 

 

Old Clothes, Old Shoes, Old...

...well let's stop right there! I like what Carson said in Downton Abbey. He said, 'I'm young!' Then when Mrs. Hughes rolled her eyes at him, he said, 'Well, I'm not OLD!' (we've been watching Downton on DVD, can you tell?)

I'm happy and healthy and that goes a long way in making me feel young. And maybe that's the reason it's been hard for me to admit that I can't keep going hiking EVERY day! I want to. But I have to accept the fact that my body needs a rest some days. My youngest son told me that I could use those days to do some strength training. 

And my husband...what did he say?

Yes, I found my favorite old pair of hiking shoes 'under lock and key'! We even had to have a little talk. But it was good and very encouraging!

And then I talked with my second son (I have 4 sons and we all talk on the phone regularly). He said I should treat myself to some new hiking gear! 

Hubby took me shopping to a couple of nice sporting goods stores here and then I went on Amazon and found what I needed. A new day pack! I have to carry water and a few things when I hike so this is small but the perfect size. 

(it was compacted tightly into a small pouch but the wrinkles have already fallen out of it) 

And here's a peek into my Amazon package.

 So what about old clothes? I've been wearing a pair of capris and a blue top that I got at the thrift store. Now wearing loose clothing is good but not 4 sizes too big. lol So I bought a few things. When I wear them I'll have hubby takes pics. And I promise to retire my old clothes. I wonder if they are good enough to donate back to the thrift store! Hhhhhmmmmm!

 I'll keep the pink cap...OF COURSE! 

I'm thankful for good health, happiness, a sweet hubby, precious sons, good advice, Florida trails and new hiking stuff! Now where's the key to that lock!

What are you thankful for today?

(an OLD Lavender Dreams too banner)

I had this post written before my blog was removed. After a week of the stressful task of trying to get it back...I'm dragging it out of draft and publishing it on my OLD BLOG, lavenderdreamstoo!! How perfect is that! (and yes, I did go hiking some during the past week and I spent time at the Hospice House doing patient visits. I can't think of much else I accomplished though! lol) 

We'll keep the new blog, lavenderdreamsnew HERE to share our blog removal story and for any updates we get or helpful information we have to pass along. (comments are closed on that blog but you can email me with any questions)

I'm thankful for my OLD BLOG!!! 

And very thankful to have all of you visiting me here today!
Please keep visiting me right here on lavender dreams too!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.