A Beautiful Day

To start my day I put a new floor in my pantry. They were only adhesive vinyl tiles but I still feel very proud of myself!

Then I headed for the beach but stopped at a pond on the way and found these American Wigeons on the way.
And finally a Belted Kingfisher stayed still long enough for me to get a picture.
Once I got to the beach the dolphins were in the surf again. I love watching them and will keep trying to get better pictures.
I also love watching the pelicans flying right at water level. The light was behind him so the picture isn't very clear....which just gives me something to work on another day. I then sat on the beach in the sun for almost an hour reading.
After beach time I went over to Airlie Gardens and found lots of Yellow-Rumped Warblers in the trees. My favorite part of these pictures is the color of the sky!

And then a Gadwall posed for me.

The weather is to be even more beautiful tomorrow!

Tallulah's first topless ride

Named my new 2006 Toyota Solara "Tallulah" and took her out for her first topless ride this afternoon.

Fun or Practical

I have been thinking of buying a used SUV like a Rav4 or CR-V.... but today I bought a 2006 Toyota Solara red convertible....come on down for a ride!

Trip to Greensboro to see Bonnie.... and here I am with Bella (who is wearing pajamas!)

This was our "snow" for the week!

Look closely to see three dolphins in the surf.

Goldfinch (with winter plumage) and house finch

a new arrival on my deck.... a dark-eyed junco

a reminder of how "red" a robin's breast is

the cats do a little wrestling

Learning Something New Everyday

I saw this trumpter swan racing across the pond at Airlie Gardens this morning... and then found out why.....

He was chasing this Canada goose... there were NO geese anywhere on the pond.... I saw the same male swan chasing the geese on land as well... who knew!

I took this picture at the end of the pier at Wrightsville Beach..... look how beautiful the water is... I haven't figured out what kind of duck this is....

Snow in NC

week of 1/10 to 1/15

It snowed about 4 inches on Monday, breaking a 100+ yr. old record and closing schools for three days! Here is my deck during the "storm". Didn't amount to much to this Jersey girl.

Bought a new swivel chair and coffee table. Rearranged the furniture. Rug arriving Monday. Still looking for advice from anyone who has some decorating ideas!
Cape Fear Audubon Society organized a Bird Hike to Greenfield Lake. It was wonderful to be back outside "shooting" birds. Here are some of my favorites, starting with a yellow-rumped warbler.
an American Coot...
an angry wood duck, that was so close this picture did not have to be cropped and no zoom!
Northern Shoveler...
Ruddy Duck.....
the wood duck hanging out with a group of mallards.....
wood duck trying to show off....
Muscovy Duck (variant)...
Song Sparrow.....
Ring-Billed Gull...
Pileated Woodpecker (one of my favorites)...
Gold-Crowned Kinglet in flight....
and when I got home there were goldfinches at the feeder on my deck!
Going to see Black Swan at the movies tonight. Trip to Greensboro, NC was cancelled because of weather last week so will try again. Am enjoying my yoga classes and am looking forward to warmer weather this week.

Almost back to normal

Week of 1/3 to 1/9...

One of the highlights of this week was getting to go to Pender High School and watch Dave coach his wrestling team for the first time. It was PERFECT! Dave is a fabulous coach who pushes his team while remaining positive and supportive. I was a very proud mom.

On Saturday I was back at The Turtle Factory in Sneeds Ferry, NC to take my second class with Cathy Holmes, the Witty Weaver. This time we made a "carry-all" basket, which I am sending to my sister-in-law for her birthday. Don't worry! There is a class once a month, so you may be next to receive a one-of-a-kind basket!

The rest of the week included my first two yoga classes which are paced perfectly for a beginner like me, two beach walks, and a lot of time on the couch recovering from a cold. Today I headed to the Summer Rest Trail by my house to see if any birds were out in the cold (it is in the low 30s here today).

I love this cardinal who is puffed up to keep warm in the cold and enjoying a lunch of berries in the sun.

Then at the end of the trail is a pond where this Great Blue stepped out for a stroll. He even looks cold!

And while I was taking his picture these Hooded Mergansers swam into my view.

They were joined by a mallard.
And then FINALLY by staying very still this male came in for a close-up. This might be a candidate for next year's calendar.

The week to come is more yoga classes, an overnight trip to see Bonnie in Greensboro, two more wrestling matches, a bird walk with the Cape Fear Bird Club at Greenfield Lake next Saturday, and following the weather in Orlando to check on my friend Anne and her family in Disney World.

See you next week!

12/25/2010 to 1/2/2011

Flew to Columbus, Ohio Christmas morning (and I do mean morning.... plane left at 5:26 a.m.).... was met by dad and my brother Jim who were sitting in massage chairs at baggage claim wearing Santa hats..... picture above shows Christmas morning gathering in my brother's kitchen... complete with "sausage and gravy"....

mom with her daily job of making sure the dogs and cats get their treats! while I was there she went through 3 boxes of milk bones and 3 bags of cat treats.... must have been their Christmas gifts....

my niece Hannah is raising three steer as part of her 4-H project.... they are living at a farm about 2 1/2 miles away and I had the pleasure of helping break the ice to give them fresh water, toss in some hay, and feed them...... I will not be a farmer....

This is a barn that is being built in my brother's backyard so that the animals can be closer.... I literally watched as it went up.... a group of Amish farmers were in charge..... above picture was taken on Monday....

this picture was taken on Wednesday! Emily is shopping for a horse as well....

I returned to Wilmington (HOME) on New Year's Eve and celebrated quietly at home .... it feels good to be back.... I have been on 16 airplanes in about 6 weeks and am ready to stay unpacked.... the weather here was in the 60s over the weekend and I was able to enjoy my beach walk again..

my fuzzy friends have both decided they like their "hotel"....

and now I am looking forward to a full week... yoga classes, buying a new recliner, getting to watch Dave coach a wrestling match, working at Airlie Gardens with the "dirty dozen", lunch with the Senior Ladies of Wilmington, and on Saturday basket weaving class #2 with the Witty Weaver......

I am loving this life!