A Walk along the River Trail at O'Leno State Park!

 Well, it's really TOO hot to walk anywhere in Florida right now but I still have a 'few' photos that I took last month. We are stuck inside right now but at least I'm being productive. I've been decluttering and cleaning. And hubby has made a few home improvements. So it's been a good summer so far!

O'Leno State Park is one of the best parks in Florida, in my opinion. 

There are trails along the Santa Fe River and miles and miles of nature trails in the forest.

I was almost finished with this hike, when I looked down a forest trail and saw these deer.

I saw the 'mama' and baby first.

And then I backtracked and saw 3 deer and a bunny.

(no photos of me chasing the deers and bunnies, thank goodness! hahaha)

So that was really a neat sighting.

This trumpet flower vine was winding it's way up a tree and dropping trumpets on the trail.

And a Red-bellied Woodpecker was pecking away.

The river had duck weed growing in a big swirl.

And the turtles were basking in the sun.

The bridge over the river.

Altogether a really good hike. I'll be SO happy when we can get back in the camper van and go again.

But I'll stay busy in the meantime. 

Is it too hot to hike at your house?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

  and Mosaic Monday HERE. 

It's Uphill all the Way!

We live in Florida on a golf course and we love it! 

And so does a variety of wildlife. This week a lone wild Turkey walked through the backyard.

He didn't bother getting on the cart path! 

He took the short cut! heehee!

I've been able to hike 3 times this week by getting out a little earlier and putting up with the heat. There's been a nice breeze so that makes all the difference. But we've had quite a lot to see right here at home. We have babies at the feeders again.

 Bluebird babies and Cardinal babies. I would love to get a video of the Cardinals. Those babies flutter for all they are worth! I don't even have photos of them yet and you know how quickly they grow up!

This was the sign at the entrance to our neighborhood all decorated for the 4th of July.

And here are a couple of photos of our 'new house'! 

Well, it's a new roof and it feels like a new house now. (and yes...it is indeed lavender gray!)

One evening I walked to the pond and saw a big bird in the Cypress trees.

It turned out to be a Great Blue Heron.

And doesn't this Moorhen look like he's looking at all the clover in bloom and smiling? (you really have to use your imagination to see the smile....but come on.....you can do it!) 😀

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

If we can just make it to the bridge!

We hiked at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon this week! But oh my it was hot and humid. AND buggy! We usually have wind or at least a nice breeze here during the summer months but on this particular morning it was still. So you had to keep moving!

There are lots of beautiful birds and wildlife along the way. (we spotted 3 alligators in the river) But let's keep moving. Once you reach the bridge it opens up and you can feel a nice breeze.

And of course it's beautiful!

Lots of people out taking advantage of the nice day!

Lots of water sports!

Fishing boats are my favorite!

I couldn't decide which mosaic I liked best!

So I'm sharing them both!

AND had an added surprise that day!

A Super Hero!

To Save the Day!!!

It's always fun to get outside! Have you seen anything interesting this week? Any Super Heroes to save your day? I have to say the men that are putting on our new roof are  Super Heroes! 

Thanks guys!!!

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 

I'm linking with All Seasons at the Jesh Studio too!

How many birds do you see?

I had to look twice when I saw this old dead limb.

It looked like 4 birds practicing social distancing!

But it's really 2 birds 

and 2 knots on a log! lol

I'll share photos from a hike I took on the Florida Trails one morning.

Northern Flicker

Mockingbird

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-Headed Woodpecker

Rufous-sided Towhee

And then I'll see if I can find one room that's quieter than the others. They are putting a new roof on our house this week and it's taking longer than expected. Most of Thursday, all of Friday, half day Saturday and they'll finish on Monday! WHEW! But they are doing a great job! It's been wonderful to get the professionals to do things right! Our house is over 20 years old and it was TIME! The Florida sunshine really cooks the shingles on a roof. I'll share more photos when it's finished!

What's new with you this week? Have you been able to get outside and enjoy nature? It's awfully HOT to enjoy the outdoors here this week. 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’. 

Shalimar

It's been awhile since I took photos of Shalimar. 

She's a doll made by the doll maker Linda Rick and one of my favorites.

I have a doll room so most of my dolls are in that room but I've always had Shalimar in my bedroom.

Because of the leaky roof and plans for a new roof this week, I decided to move her into the library. The photo above shows my dresser with nothing on it! You'll never see it like this again! I HOPE!

I hate having so much stuff 'out of place' but I don't want a mishap when they work replacing the plywood where it leaked. They are replacing our skylight in the kitchen too with a better one. I don't even know HOW to prepare for that! lol (I hope I'm still laughing after it's over)

I received some pretty things from Aunt Helen this week that I wanted to share. She is always finding neat things and beautiful cards that she knows I'll like.

Thanks Aunt Helen for all the special things you do for us!

Shalimar

Have you had a week filled with things to be thankful for? I don't really look forward to the mess of getting a new roof but I'm very happy to be able to get one when we need it! 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Home Improvements!

I've put together a lot of pretty mosaics in the years we've shared Mosaic Mondays!

But this is not one of them! lol

 Let's see if I can at least find a pretty flower to start.

Home Improvements...aaaahhhh...it brings a smile to my face!

It was a LOT of WORK for the plumbing crew that came from Mike Scott Plumbing but they 'got it done'! They arrived at 9 am sharp and left at 7:30 pm and it was all complete! 

Are those toilets on my driveway? OH MY! What will the neighbors think! 

 And once you start, you don't know when to quit!

 We bought a small bookcase for the corner of the kitchen and I filled it with old timey jars and baskets. Lots of old cookbooks and cookie cutters.

 I told Happyone that I had these old glass jars from my Grandmother and here they are! The top of one has Old Judge Coffee on it! I love these old jars!

I'll be 'tweaking' this for awhile but at least I've got it close to the way I want it. Not sure about the tea towels and cloth napkins though! I may 'move' them!

So what's new at your house this week? Or old? I love old things! Just not 'old' plumbing! hahaha!

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Amaze me Monday HERE.