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.

Good morning!

I find it hard to write a post about nature and birds at a time like this. But I know that many blogs are doing a great job of sharing what's going on in the world right now and our feelings about what's happening so I'm going to carry on. It's not because I have my head stuck in the sand. I think other bloggers have said it better than I can so I'm going to do what I do best and share the beauty I witness every time I hike! And of course I'm going to continue to pray for our country and our world.

I pray a lot. 

We drove over to the Pruitt Trailhead and hiked our favorite trail, HTP. 

NO ONE was there so it was nice and peaceful and we could just enjoy being outside!

Sharing some of the pretty wildflowers.

Didn't this bug make a mess of this flower?

So much in bloom right now!

We saw lots of pretty birds and then when we got in the car to leave, we looked over and saw the Blue Grosbeak on the fence! That was an exciting end to the hike!

I'm thankful for the wide open spaces here in Florida!

"God Bless America"

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Nothing cuter than a Carolina Wren!

It makes me think of a little chipmunk! 

So here we are looking through the window into the courtyard!

We'll pretend the glass is nice and clean....

and the leaves haven't blown into the bird bath!

I hope he's not SHY!!!

Because this little Wren just couldn't be happier.

Shake Shake Shake

Which makes us ALL happy too!

Well, maybe all of us except for this little fellow.

What about me?

Isn't there anything left for ME?

I hope you have some sweet birds at your feeders this week too. What have you seen? My Florida blog buddy Pam has already seen hummingbirds at her house! I'm on the lookout for those now too!

How are you doing? Have you been well this week? 

We are fine and continue to pray!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Quiet Trails!

We're sticking to the 'quiet trails' for our hikes!

Which pretty much means any trail we hike here close to home!

We hiked yesterday and met 2 people in the 2 hours we were out in the forest.

Limpkin

So that's makes it a perfect way to get some exercise and 'clear the cobwebs'!

Moorhen

The weather is beautiful and we feel blessed to be surrounded by beauty.

Little Blue Heron

The trails here are never very busy. We usually see more people on bikes than walking. We live among other retired people that have an active lifestyle but there are a lot more walkers in the neighborhood than in the forest.

White Ibis 

We hike....and stay at home! It's been good for us and not any kind of hardship on us. But we keep everyone in our prayers. 

Stay healthy and happy! And let me know in the comments how you've been this week!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

'Playing' at home!

Staying at home? I'm pretty much a home body anyway so I don't mind being at home a little more (as long as I can get out on the trails and hike some too).

I spent a little time in my boxes of Spring decorations and added a few things here and there.

And redressed Noel in a pretty pink dress.

It's hard to feel lighthearted at this time but I'm staying busy and praying for everyone.

Hubby gave me the cutest card for our anniversary this month. I hope you can see it well enough to read it! (the card on the bottom in the center is the one I gave him)

I appreciate my fellow bloggers that are sharing 'stay at home' ideas. What are you doing to stay busy? My husband does volunteer work for our community from home so he has been super busy. Thanks to everyone who's helping to make a difference during this difficult time. Thanks hubby! 😘

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

Short and Sweet...I hope!

I am getting a post ready for Monday while we prepare for Hurricane Dorian. I've bought last minute groceries and will be cooking some meals ahead of time and of course we are freezing water bottles. Our generator is handy and both of our vehicles are filled with gas. Hubby has to get the garage in order so that we can pull both cars in and I'm working in the lanai, making sure things are off the floor and magazines and books are in the library. Our lanai has windows on 3 sides so it is more exposed to the wind and rain. Of course we are watching the weather channel and securing things outside too. Please pray that the storm diminishes before it gets to Florida. Thanks!

A week ago we drove over to Blue Run Park and got a hike in. It was fun to see some of our friends that walk there 

 regularly.

 And I even saw these beautiful English Bulldogs that I met on the Florida Trails awhile back.

Meet Noel and Annabel!

Hope your week is good. Please keep us in your prayers.

 I hope..... I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

I'm so smart....

...and humble too! hahaha! The more I create, the more creative I become!

I'm still making altered books and I'm going in all kinds of directions now.

I made this cute little Beatrix Potter book for my girlfriend, Margaret. 

I hope she doesn't mind if I show it to all of you. She loves it! I included the whole book so she read the story and enjoyed it, too. Now she can write in her book and glue little mementos inside. It was fun to make and a very cute size. (the book rings were not in the book for the photos)

I made another book into a journal this week and experimented with sewing antique lace on the edges of some of my pretty paper (using the sewing machine). It worked like a dream.

This book had a plain cover and I glued the image on the front and then put some antique lace and an old clip-on earring on the book ring. I didn't embellish the pages in this one but stay tuned....I'm making MORE books and they are all different! 

And speaking of being humble. I am having a 'humbling experience' and would appreciate your prayers. I have kidney stones...oh my...they are painful! I had SUCH a good week and feel like writing in ALL CAPS...I don't have TIME for THIS! You know what I mean!

I better go cut some paper and glue something...

it's ADDICTIVE!!!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.