Weekend Family Fun

You may have noticed I didn't post anything this weekend...seems to be the norm lately when I'm with my grandson Liam...the older he gets the more I want to spend every possible moment with him.  Here are a few of our good times...

...the artist at work...

...bubble play with Trevor...

 ...Liam thought it would be fun to pop the bubbles with his tongue (you can actually see the bottom of the bubble in the bottom of the photo, the top had already popped).

Liam discovered some lizard eggs inside a bird house...

...he wanted to keep one, which of course resulted in a teaching moment about the importance of allowing nature to work it's magic...

 ...and he carefully put the egg back into the nest.

Liam collected nut treasures while on a walk...

...and got a ride on Trevor's shoulders (we had left Jessi resting at the house).

We found a possum laying in the yard, not sure what happened to it but it had been dead for some time...Liam wanted to make a necklace out of the teeth, but eventually he was able to come to the conclusion that burying it (without pulling it's teeth, I'll spare you the photo of the long deceased and decaying possum) would be a good idea...

 

 ...and we gave possum a peaceful resting place. 

Of course we spent time on the dock fishing...Liam found a dead minnow in our pond and wanted to use it as bait. 

 

We picked mandarins from our tree.

And we did so much more, enjoying every second together.  As usual, I was sad to see them go, but there's always next time!

I hope you enjoyed a great weekend as well!

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise

Full House

It's going to be a great weekend...Jessi, Liam & Trevor will be arriving this evening and Erin & Charlton tomorrow...I can't wait to see them all! 

As a result, I had a skip in my step as I walked along the river this morning, even the grey sunrise made me happy...

 ...especially when this dolphin decided to feed right in front of me. 

These pretty succulent blooms dot the rivers edge with splashes of color...

Don't know where this tug like floating contraption was headed, but I had to get a picture. 

These are a couple birthday gifts I ordered for the girls (birthday is past but we are celebrating together this weekend) from my talented friend Patti Tappel (Osage Bluff Quilter)...they are her unique quilt charms...the pink cake is for Jessi (her favorite color is pink and it's a birthday cake) and the bumblebee for Erin, who tap danced as a bumblebee when she was a wee one (I can still see her in her costume).  I know there's a risk they might see this and spoil the surprise before they get here, but then they can increase their anticipation!  So excited!

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise

A Warm & Humid Sunrise

The planet Jupiter was bright this morning...

...staying visible for quite some time.

I decided to get started with my walk because there was rain in the distance and I didn't want to miss my chance.

I usually pass by these two spots after the sun has risen fully...they sure do look inviting with the sun glowing in the distance, don't they?

These photos are dedicated to all of you who are experiencing heavy duty winter right now...if you can't sit and watch the sun rise in person, perhaps these photos will take you there!

...it may be warm and humid here, but I shan't complain!

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise

Road Trip Surprise

I've been traveling to our river house since very early this morning.  For whatever reason, I'm more exhausted than usual after this 10 hour trip...maybe it's got something to do with the fact that my river destination is warm and humid...darn this Florida weather!

I came across this lovely bloom in Georgia, I'm not sure what it is, and frankly I'm too bushed to try to figure it out, but I did get some lovely photos...

 

 

 

...I hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I carefully made my way through the shrubs to get the pictures...it was a great distraction from my driving efforts, LOL!  Now I'm off to read and relax!

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise

Springticipation

We've been enjoying every bit of this winter...even the not so pleasant things like having to park at the top of the drive because as the snow melts and refreezes every slope turns into ice...but this is the time of year to start preparing for spring.  Seems that the Daffodils are ready...

We've been planning our spring garden, and went to Sow True Seed to select some fresh seed packets.  I learned about them through Blind Pig and the Acorn and participated in their bean project last year...Tipper is doing a squash project with them this year, I'm looking forward to participating in that.  We thoroughly enjoyed meeting the friendly folks at Sow True Seed.

Elizabeth helped us select the seeds we felt would be best suited for our location and soil.  We ended up with quite the variety...between the new seeds we purchased and the seeds we saved ourselves, we'll likely be looking for more planting area!

It's exciting to think about our spring garden, and though I'm sure we still have sub freezing temps and more snow in store for us, it's refreshing to think ahead.  I'm especially in the mood today because all the snow has melted...it's warm enough that we don't need a fire in the wood stove...I've been sitting on my swing and enjoying the sun shining on my bare arms! 

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise

Forest Sculptures

The woods are filled with twisting vines, like sculptures dotting the wooded landscape; they are especially visible during the bare winter months.  Every now and then the sunlight shines on them like a spotlight...

...some are intricate designs and some are simple waves...

...they reach from trunk to trunk...

...they climb...

...and wrap...

...and twist.

I don't know what they're called, and I'm not sure they are good for the trees, but they're beautiful.  Do you know what they are?

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise

From Dimples Eyes

Thanks for your comments on Dimples and Dot, I've written a little story (my first while living here at the cabin) inspired by your comments, I hope you enjoy it.  Your comments are in italics (I did use some creative license to modify them ever so slightly).

  
From Dimples Eyes

Dimples looked up with wide eyes and asked "are you my mother?". Dot looked down lovingly and said "yes, I'm your snow mother".  Dimples, being the curious snow boy that he was, said "but where did I come from mom?".  Dot looked down tenderly and said "you were created by gentle and loving hands that wanted to see the snow come to life."  

Dimples was happy.  It was cold and as the bright spot in the sky started to fade, he could feel the chill in the air making his body icy and hard.  He looked at Dot, who smiled knowingly and said "the sun is setting Dimples, and soon it will be dark. The darkness keeps things cool, and you will feel this way all night long. It is good". 

When the sun came back, things felt different.  Dimples was scared and again looked to Dot.  She looked funny, with parts missing, and suddenly Dimples realized he was on his side.  Dot quickly assured him "do not worry Dimples, you are changing. When you warm up, your snow will melt and turn into water.  It is good".  "Oh mom, do I have to?  I don't want to turn into water, I want to stay snow, like you!".  

"I know Dimples" assured Dot.  "I will be turning to water just like you, it just might take me longer.  This is life and it is good."  Soon the sun went away and Dimples could feel himself turning into water.  He didn't hurt, he felt different.  Smooth.  Liquidy.  Warmer.

When the sun brightened the sky the next day, Dimples was almost all water.  He could no longer see, but he could feel Dot there with him.  Dot explained that water is good.  "You see Dimples, soon our water will drip from where we stand on this table and soak into the ground, nourishing the earth.  You will become part of the earth right here beneath us.  Water is necessary for all life". 

Dimples became excited.  "Are we really going to get to stay here in this neat place mom?".  "Yes my dear Dimples, we are".  Dimples could feel himself turning into a pool with his mom...

 ...at first slowly dripping...

 ...and then rushing from the table.  It felt like they were rushing together to their next adventure.  Dimples could no longer see his mom, but he knew she was there with him.  

As the speed of their dripping slowed, he could feel their water soaking into the earth far below the table.  This was a new beginning in a new world and Dimples knew it was good.

The End

I hope you enjoyed Dimples story.  Thanks for your comments that inspired me to take my pictures somewhere!

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise