Prothonotary Warbler or Pine Warbler

That's a mighty big name for this little bird! I hiked on the Florida Trails a few days ago and heard a bird song I didn't recognize. And when I looked up in the tree, I saw this beautiful yellow Warbler.

Prothonotary Warbler or Pine Warbler?

It was fun to see this one for the first time. Here's the info about how it got it's name, "The name "Prothonotary" originally referred to a group of official scribes in the Catholic Church who wore bright yellow hoods."  From the Audubon website HERE!

And I also saw a Red-headed Woodpecker with a brown head!

That threw me for awhile!

Until I came home and looked in the ID book and found out it's a Juvenile.

He sure was pretty!

Lots of neat sightings this week but I'll save some for later!

Have you had a good week? We are glad to get back to normal here in Florida after having Hurricane Dorian pass through! No damage in our area but still a lot to do to get things back in order! (I'm not complaining though! My prayers are still for all those affected by this monster storm!)

Update: After spending time with ALL of our ID books, my hubby and I think that David G. is right and this is a Pine Warbler. Well, it sure is a beautiful bird no matter what you call it and I loved seeing it in the woods. Thanks everyone for your sweet comments and for helping with IDs!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE  

  and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Thankful Thursday, Surviving a hurricane

Hurricane Dorian is still going up the Eastern Coast of the US but we have not had heavy rain or high winds here in North Central Florida, thankfully. 

Because it moved so slowly we worked every day getting ready so we've been in a big mess to get things back in order. But I won't complain. The devastation in the Bahamas is heartbreaking. We are keeping everyone in our prayers that has been affected by the storm. And it's still out there so we'll keep praying.

I managed to get a couple of hikes in this week. I had a lot of nervous energy so I was happy to get out on the trails. 

 I've never seen so many jumbo jets in the sky, all flying North.

 And the cloud formations were just gorgeous all week.

 I'm getting my house back in order but it's been nice to have all of the food we prepared ahead of time. I may be on to something. Cook everything you need for lunches and dinners for a week. Then pull out what you want, heat it in the microwave for an easy meal! Oh....that's not possible? Our microwave wouldn't come on one morning but hubby went to Walmart and got a small counter top model. It works like a dream! Hot dogs anyone? Hamburgers? Grilled chicken? Potato salad and coleslaw? Get in line!!!

 I'm very thankful for all of your prayers!

(and for inexpensive microwaves)

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

 

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 .

Come meet the Herd of Deer!

I drove out to Pruitt Trailhead two days in a row and saw a herd of deer BOTH DAYS!

I went at about the same time of day, right after lunch. The first day, I walked down the trail and saw them through the trees. 

The second day, they walked through the woods parallel to the trail. I kept hoping they would come into an open area to give me a better view, but they did something even better!

The video below shows them crossing the trail in front of me!

What a thrill to see them all...twice!

 I saw this pretty little Blue-gray Gnatcatcher back at the parking area.

 There are so many pretty birds at this preserve! 

I even saw a Juvenile Little Blue Heron. 

He's in his white stage, with just a little blue showing on his neck and tail feathers!

As Hurricane Dorian barrels towards Florida, please keep us in your prayers! Thank you!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE  

  and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

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 .

 

 

Sholom Park Beauty

You can always expect to see some beautiful sights when you stop at Sholom Park.

I didn't stay long but I enjoyed being there!

It's a place of beauty and peace.

We're had so many butterflies in our flowers this summer. They are loving the heat I guess!

Have you found any nice parks in your area to spend time in? It's worth driving around! I love knowing there are places I can go to have some quiet moments and enjoy nature!

It's important for healthy living!

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .

The Tortoise and the Hiker

I could not be compared to the 'hare' though! I would have trouble keeping up with the tortoise!

But it was a beautiful summer day and I just HAD to get out on the Florida Trails. (it was around 90)

We had some rain earlier in the month but it's been dry here in North Central Florida and I've been itching to get out! Imagine my surprise when I saw this little guy on the side of the trail

A Gopher Tortoise

He was on the small side....about the size of a basketball. It's been a long time since we've seen one but those we've seen in the past were much bigger. So he's a young one!

I hope you'll look at the videos and see him munching on the new blades of grass....

and walking down the trail with me. I'm trying to keep up! heehee!

This was my very first photo...I didn't know WHAT was in the grass! lol

 It's been a week of rare sightings!

 Yes, that's a Wild Turkey walking on the golf course behind our house! 

 And I saw a Bob White family at Pruitt! It walked right in front of my car on the back road. I pulled over and took 2 photos...neither very good. But I did walk around the trees for a better look and got to see them take off  in every direction. A mama, papa and 4 or 5 babies! So precious!

So take it slow! You might see something neat!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE  

  and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Decorating!

When you can't go outside and play and you're tired of cleaning...

 DECORATE!

Because when the weather gets nice, I'll be on the trails!

I even drove over to Pruitt yesterday but it was too hot and too wet to do much. I saw some birds and butterflies and got a little nature fix. I took my afternoon snack and enjoyed a little commune with nature. 

But back to decorating. We had rain over the weekend so I enjoyed puttering around the house.

The big "W" store has so many pretty Fall things this year but I already have lots of pretty things, so I just bought some new silk flowers.

I made 2 new arrangements. One for the display cabinet behind the sofa...

and one for the coffee table in the lanai.

My sweet friend, Danice sent me a card this week and it matched my flowers.

Another little wagon with pumpkins....

and a moth on the front glass door. (the real thing! lol)

Have you changed things up for the 'end of summer'?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays .

Healthy Living Habits

I wanted to share ideas for healthy lunches and encourage everyone to make an effort to stay healthy. It takes some planning to eat right and exercise and it's a lifetime commitment. But believe me when I say...as you get older, you'll be glad you made it a priority. And you can begin at any time. I always tell people not to focus on their weight. When you eat right and exercise enough, your body will find it's perfect weight. I weigh once a year....well, I weigh more often than that but I write down my weight in my journal on the same day in August. And this year I am 2 pounds less than I was 9 years ago. I maintain my weight. I am at my ideal weight and I stay the same all the time. 

So here's some ideas for lunch. When I tell someone I usually eat a salad for lunch, they imagine a lettuce and tomato salad with dressing.  But I place a nice big bed of lettuce on a plate and then put my goodies on top of that. Really anything you can put on a sandwich can go on a salad....well except maybe peanut butter and jelly! heehee! And that's what rice cakes are for!

When we grill for our dinner meal, we grill extra meat. 

Then we take the chicken or steak and add lots of extras. For my chicken salad, I like a few grapes, broken pecans, avocado and a lemon mayo dressing. (mayo, lemon juice and Truvia)

Sometimes I add Havarti or apple chunks to the chicken.

For steak, add cheddar cheese or blue cheese, walnuts with a dressing of mayo and mustard.

A leftover grilled hamburger can be crumbled up with cheddar cheese and Salsa....oh my! 

The key is to have protein with your salad. Skip the crackers and croutons. And only use pepper on top not salt.

It's nice when we can encourage each other. When we share our struggles and our success, it helps!

Anybody else have good lunch ideas? 

I’m joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE .