'A Day Late and a Dollar Short' Mosaic

Well, I'm not quite a full day late or even a dollar short...but guess what?

I have a 'new' computer! It's actually an Acer netbook (that we already had) that has been upgraded to Windows 10 and a new solid state hard drive installed.  I was having trouble with my second, newer netbook so now I have a new one...or is this one the old one?! hahaha!

I'm loving it so far. It's so much faster! But we are still working on getting things installed and I just got Picassa .....just now! So I made a quick mosaic to join in the fun today.

Yesterday we hiked the Blue Run trail in Dunnellon. We parked in a different parking lot and took a natural trail that joins the paved trail. It was an adventure!

Lots of boats on the water and I liked the way the water rippled in this photo.

I hope now I can visit more and keep up a little better. My old computer had gotten so slow that a lot of blogs wouldn't fully load. And then it started crashing...which is always VERY SCARY!!!

And speaking of SCARY....

are you sure we're on the right trail?  😲

Happy Mosaic Monday everyone from Red Net #1!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

Northern Parula

We hiked at Blue Run in Dunnellon this week and saw a bird that we've never seen before. Or at least never identified before. We see a lot of warblers and they have splashes of color so that's what we thought at first. 

But looking at our photos and using our ID books, we believe it's a Northern Parula! 

Oh happy day! Of course they were flitting about and hard to capture but it sure was exciting to try.

Something else we've never see there before was this River Otter.

 It swam right down the middle of the Rainbow River and under the bridge we were standing on.

 That was fun to see.

I barely caught this Ibis in flight.

And I thought this dragonfly was pretty.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

 A special Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Thrifty Buys!

I haven't shopped at the thrift stores much lately. I've actually donated more than I've bought this year. But it's always fun to peek inside the Hospice Thrift Store when you take a donation. And I hit the jackpot this week! Half price day!!! (everything over $3 was half off plus I get 15 % off for taking my blue reusable Hospice shopping bag)

I found the cutest little sand bucket, filled with sand and seashells. It was less than $2 and the big beautiful shell on top was worth more than that! Cute little salt and pepper shakers, 2 for $1, and a beautiful sugar bowl with the lid for $2.50!!!

I thought I had found something great for hubby when I bought Indiana Jones but guess what? It's 'bonus material' NOT the movie! Oh well! We'll enjoy watching it.

And what's my colorful background? A Queen size comforter, in perfect shape. I've already washed it and I'm going to put it on the back of the sofa in the lanai when it's completely dry. (I didn't want to over dry it in the dryer)

I used the comforter photo for my background in these mosaics. It's cheerful, don't you think?

 Oh and if that's not enough fun...

I stopped at the library and found these two books in the lobby 'books for sale', $1 each!!!

I told you I hit the jackpot! I spent $14.04 total for the DAY!!!

Have you thrift shopped lately?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

A Happiness Walk at Sholom Park

I would rather hike with my hubby! That’s the best walk I can take.

Other times I walk in the afternoon with my girlfriend, Mary Jane and that’s very nice too.

(tulip trees in bloom)

But sometimes I’m ‘on my own’ so I drive over to Shalom Park and walk by myself.

Well, there are always a lot of other people walking there too.

But you know what I mean.

(a lipstick plant)

It gives me a chance to ponder and pray,

say ‘Hello’ to older folks sitting on the benches,

offer to take photos of cute couples with their cameras,

and stop and smell the roses.

Just a little happiness walk can make all the difference.

(and the weather is beautiful here in Florida)

Time to reflect and make sure I’m on the right path.

Wish you were here to take a happiness walk with me!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

"The Blue Clear Sky"

"Here she comes, a walkin' talkin' true love
Sayin' I been lookin' for you love
Surprise, your new love has arrived
Out of the blue clear sky."

I love a little George Strait while I drive. I keep a few of my favorite CDs in my car for my quick trips around town. And I listen to "The Blue Clear Sky" all the time! That's what our skies have been like lately! Mostly CLEAR!

So let's walk to the pond and see what we can see!

These were some of the best photos I've taken of this pair of Hybrid Mallards that live at the pond.

 

Do you see the setting sun making the grasses look golden? 

They were closer to me that evening....

well until they flew into the pond! 

And I looked across the way and saw a bird resting on the bank that turned out to be a dove.

This one was in a dark spot in the tall grasses but I'm pretty sure it's a Green Heron.

And no doubt that this is a Red Winged Blackbird.

I love the ducks best! How about you?

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Precious Treasures for Wednesday Wee Ones

I have a new doll! A tiny Greek Soldier that Jackie from Butterstone at White Oak blog sent me. 

She kept it for years waiting to find a good home for him. And she asked me if I would like to have him. I was excited to get this special doll and found a spot on my bookcase to display him.

(I've moved him to the top left in place of the bird card)

Thanks Jackie! I'll treasure him.

And I saved one of my books to share in this post. I bought this big book of doll patterns at the library book sale last week.

(the dark red book in the center of the shelf)

Aren't the illustrations sweet?

And there are lots of patterns in the back.

It's really a treasure trove of ideas!

"Happy Wednesday Wee Ones"

Don't forget to take time to PLAY!!!

Danice from Homespun Hannah's has made a new dress for her doll, Kelsey and you can visit her HERE!  She is so talented!

Candy is showing her Bitty Babies having a tea party and even coloring in the cutest coloring books. Join the party HERE!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Evening Walks

It's HOT....I know I live in Florida! But somehow we skipped a season this year. We didn't really have a winter at all. It was more like Spring...with short days! 

Now the temps are already reaching into the 90s so if I don't walk early in the mornings, I'm stuck with late in the evenings (and it's STILL hot then).

These photos at the pond nearby almost look like black and white photos.

 When I pointed my camera straight into the setting sun, I got this neat bokeh effect.

And don't you love this hawk perched in a Cypress tree?

 This is the view from the back of my house, looking out over the golf course!

Beautiful!!!

Do you like to walk outside and watch the sunset?

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.