Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I'm joining Scavenger Hunt Sunday

at Ramblings and Photos by Ashley Sisk.

1. Birds

Flamingos at the Houston Zoo.
It is baby time and this little grey fluff is the first one of the season.
He was determined to keep his "back side" as his good side! 




2. Beach

This was the closest I could come to one of my favorite places ... the beach! 
I'll just have to dream on.....


3. Bridge

Bridge in the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park, Houston
I love the reflections.



4. Bottom

This is Mina when she first came to live with me (and Teddy and Cassie).
I think her little "bottom" is cute -- with her manx tail!




5. Butterfly

This is from 2009.
Cosmos in Musashi's Garden.
It was a good year for the Monarch butterfly.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Must Be a Tasty Treat To Go To All That Trouble

You can believe your eyes.
These images are right side up.

The squirrel is upside down.
Hanging from his hind legs.
Chowing down on the leftover, drying blooms of the crepe myrtle.

Must be a tasty treat to go to all that trouble!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

and the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

Simplicity

The crocosmia has finished blooming.
Just in time for the summer's hottest temperatures to arrive.

I'm going to join the crocosmia and start my summer hibernation!

I'm joining Tuesday Afternoon at A Spirit of Simplicity for her new meme.


Wishing YOU well and much joy! 

Catching Up

I've been away for awhile.

I have lots of catching-up to do.

Be patient.

I'll be around to visit -- I promise!

First, here's what's happening around here:

I have some new neighbors.
When I went out to take a photo of them,
Mom wasn't too happy. 
She kept an eye on me the whole time .. along with the babe.


I have a crocosmia blooming in Musashi's Garden.
I planted them last year ... this one and a red one.
They are grown from corms and are a relative of the Iris.
Native to South Africa and the Sudan.
In the states they are known as copper tips or falling stars.
I'm sure I saw then on another blog.
Do I remember which one?
No! Sorry!


Index Card a Day is going strong.
This is Bingo Lady -- torn book pages, acrylic paint, collage.
Some wonderful little pieces of art are being shared on the ICAD FB group.
Why don't you join us?
No pressure .. work at your own speed.
This is my fourth year and I learn so much.


I've had a birthday.
One of my surprise gifts was this wonderful Grapefruit/Mandarin
candle from Goose Creek.
I won this candle in the give-a-way that BJ at Sweet Nothings had.
I love this candle.
The whole house smells like citrus -- summer time!
A big thank you to BJ and to Goose Creek.


**
I spent sometime in Raleigh, North Carolina.
It's not a good place to go if you are on a diet!
BGD (beautiful god-daughter) and her handsome fella
asked me to come for their confirmation.
Here they are on confirmation day.
Look at those smiles!

They have a beautiful home and BGD sets a gorgeous table filled with memories.
The china from her maternal grandmother,
the shell napkin rings and crystal from his maternal grandmother,
and the silver from me.

The other reason to visit was to meet my god-dog.
Oh, my, but he is a handsome guy ... and big!
He's a sweet boy, gentle (rolling on the floor with moi).

More photos to come.

Hope all is well with you and yours.
Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big thank you to Judith for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Blooming!

This is what was blooming in Musashi's Garden
this weekend before the rains came.

Gerbera Daisy -- such a fun flower.

The blooms didn't last very long.

The squirrels decided to see if they tasted good.

I found the petals, but not the tasty center!

Enchanted Evening Rose

and

Amaryllis

To those three I added the Louisiana Iris Black Gamecock.

The petals are like velvet.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big thank you to the lovely Judith for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Potpourri

- I love daffodils!

- I love iris.
My Granny and my Mother grew the most beautiful bearded iris.
All different colors. They were amazing.
I have not been able to grow bearded iris here, although I do know folks who do.
Perhaps I'll try again.
But, I did try growing Louisiana Iris and have my first blooms.

- The Louisiana Iris is a native American iris.
This is Black Gamecock.
I planted the rhizomes 2 years ago and this is the first year they have bloomed.
Dark and dramatic, it's really hard not to touch the velvety looking petals.

- I've been walking into the village early in the morning to have breakfast.
The earlier the better as the heat and humidity are arriving.

- Time to have the AC serviced.

- Do you like urban fantasy or magical realism?
If so, I've found a new author for you ... at least he was new for me.
Alex Bledsoe.
I started with The Hum and The Shiver and recently completed Wisp of a Thing.
The Hum and The Shiver was named one of the Best Fiction Books of 2011 by Kirkus Reviews.
Set in the mountains of Tennesse. Who are the Tufa? Lots of music and myth.
You'll ask yourself if you feel the hum or the shiver!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big THANK YOU to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.

Potpourri

It must be spring.
How can I tell???
I walk out into my postage stamp back yard (Musashi's Garden).
It smells like orange blossoms.

- My Satsuma, Clementine and Grapefruit trees are blooming!

- I love rain drops on blossoms.

- It's loud around here again. The guys working on the streets in the neighborhood have made it back to my street. I'm like a little kid! Sitting on the balcony watching them with their big machines tearing up more of the old street before they get to the oiling and then asphalt for the new surface.

- I've almost finished reading THE BOOK STOPS HERE, a Bibliophile Mystery by Kate Carlisle. It is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Brooklyn Wainwright is a bookaholic. She is a bookbinder and knows her rare books. She has been asked to appear on t.v. show as a rare book expert and appraiser. Her first subject is a first edition copy of THE SECRET GARDEN. A dead body can't be far behind when Brooklyn is around! 

- The weather has been nice. Coolish long enough in the morning (before the humidity gets to be too much) to walk up to the Village. I did a little shopping at Half-Price Books and then had breakfast.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thanks Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.

Nana Stamp of Approval

Mini-Daffodil in Musashi's Garden

- Last year when I went daffodil hunting in the grocery stores, I found mini-daffodils in a pot at Trader Joes. When they had bloomed themselves out I took them out of the little pot and planted them in a big pot outside. I thought if they lived, maybe they would bloom again, but really didn't expect success. Surprise! I've been watching for weeks. Lots of green, but no bloom when WOW. All of a sudden there was one blooming mini-daffodil. Too cute! More on the way! 

- Did you know that the dandelion is one of the first spring foods for our precious bees???
I have a nice crop of dandelions growing in my little garden.

- I was hoping all the rain from last week was over. Alas, that isn't true. It's been raining again and this time with thunderstorms. The kitties don't like the thunder. Can't blame them.  The trees are doing their "thing". Pollen everywhere. Cars are covered with yellow dust. Sniff, sniff, sniff.

- When the rain ends the mosquitoes will be here in abundance. UGH. I guess I needed something to complain about!

- I'm reading A DRAGON'S GUIDE TO THE CARE AND FEEDING OF HUMANS by Laurence Yep and Joanne Ryder. It should be no surprise to anyone that my grandson likes dragons almost as much as his Nana. I, of course, have to read his dragon books first in order to give the Nana stamp of approval.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

A BIG thank you to Nancy for hosting Random 5 Friday.

The Sun Came Out!

The sun came out this weekend after
four days of rain.
The white camellia was blooming.

I went grocery shopping and found these lovely roses.

I'm hoping I find some daffodils next week!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

A big thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

This and That

It's Friday the 13th.
I've always found those days to be lucky!

- The roads in my neighborhood are being resurfaced. They need it. In order to resurface the old surface needs to come off and the road evened out. Talk about a lot of noise and dust everywhere. I was singing Shake, Rattle and Roll and so was the house.

- It's been raining for four days straight. I'm not complaining. We seem to be moving into the spring rains and the more rain we get, the fewer really hot days we will have in the summer. Funny how that works! Not that I won't be complaining about the heat. August will still be Ughust.

- All that rain has turned our street into a lake. The drains have been blocked to keep the nasty street "stuff" from going down the drain and into the bayous. Thinking about getting the water wings out......!

Kito and Kiburi

- I had a behind the scenes tour with the cheetahs at the Houston Zoo. They are gorgeous animals. I gave Kito watered-down goat milk. He thinks that's a great treat. It's placed in a spray bottle and sprayed into his mouth. Close enough to feel his breath on my hands. I also met Taji, the Anatolian Shepherd that has been raised with the cheetahs. It was cold that morning and a chai tea latte at the Woodbar was in order after the tour. The behind the scenes tours also include an ride around the zoo to check in with some of my favorite animals and this day I got a sneak peak at the new Gorilla habitat. Oh, my! It is a jaw dropper! Amazing. Opening on Memorial Day to the public.

- I had my teeth cleaned and my eyes checked this week. Done and done!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thanks, Nancy.

So happy to have you back in the Land of Blog!

When The Red Red Robin

On the first day that the sun made it's reappearance,
after 8 days hiding away in the clouds,
this fellow appeared at the bird bath.
I think he was as happy as I was about the sun's return.

"My favorite weather is bird chirping weather."

~Loire Hartwould

Animal Sprit Guide

The Robin

If a Robin shows up, it means:

it’s time to let go of anything in your life that’s outmoded and stagnant and plant the seeds for the new by setting your goals and intentions for the coming year. 

Let go of your attachments to drama and allow as much joy and laughter into your life as you possibly can. 

Your spiritual path is steady and slow, with challenges along the way, yet it inevitably leads you to your achieving your spiritual ideas. 

You have a beautiful song inside you, so do whatever it takes to share it with the world. Expect new growth in a number of areas in your world. 

Make a wish, be patient, and watch how it comes true.

From the Handbook: Animal Spirit Guides by Steven D. Farmer

Thanks, Kim!

Thanks to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well, much joy, and beautiful songs.

Still Hanging On

This gerbera daisy is still hanging on.
It hasn't gotten the message that it is winter
and it's COLD!

"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts." 

~Dodinsky


Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Sun Lit Sunday

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark;
the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
~Plato

A big thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Sun Lit Sunday

It's time for Sun Lit Sunday.

My blogging buddy, Karen, hosts Sun Lit Sunday during the winter as

a spot where people could share the "sunny" side of winter. Every season has its own beauty and this one is no exception.

Where I live plants are still green.
It's damp and temps are in the 40s.

Getting cozy, like this pair of doves, helps!

But it is also the time of year when I can open the front door for awhile and the "babies" can get a touch of fresh air while watching the action in the neighborhood!

Thank you to Karen for hosting Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Make Everyday Precious

Collected from my garden and on neighborhood walks. 

Little things that make everyday precious.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Harbingers of Fall

When this guy shows up in Musashi's Garden,

I know it's Fall.

It's the only time he appears at the bird bath!

A big, brash blackbird,
the male Great-tailed Grackle shimmers in iridescent black and purple,
and trails a tail that will make you look twice.

* *

You may recognize this arrangement.
I replaced the old mums with new bronze colored ones this week.
The protea are hanging in.
You can see how they've changed.
They are beginning to dry and change color, but still add a little pizazz to the fall arrangement.
A very good buy at Trader Joe's!

***

The arrival of fall means it's soup, stew and chili time.
I made Pineapple Pork Chili and like all good chili -- it's better the second day.
It is a Better Homes and Gardens recipe.

PINEAPPLE PORK CHILI

Ingredients:

1 pound ground pork or beef

1 16 ounce jar pineapple salsa

1 15 ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 8 ounce can tomato sauce

1 tablespoon chili powder

Pineapple slices (optional)

Directions:

1. in 3-quart saucepan brown pork; drain. Stir in salsa, beans, tomato sauce, and chili powder. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes. Serve with pineapple slices.

Tip:

If you can't find pineapple salsa, use regular salsa and add 1/3 to 1/2 cup crushed pineapple.

Those of you who know me, know that I hardly ever make the recipe the way it is written, so here's how I made Pineapple Pork Chili!

I like onion and garlic, so I cooked some in a little bit of olive oil until the onions were clear and soft.

I did use ground pork.

I found a jar of pineapple salsa at Trader Joe's.

I didn't have red kidney beans so I used pinto beans and I didn't rinse and drain.

I didn't have tomato sauce so I used 1 16 ounce can of diced tomatoes and 1 can of tomato paste.

I used 1 tablespoon of New Mexico red chili powder.

It is yummy! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

Sunday

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

~Albert Einstein

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Dreaming of Fairies

It's hot and humid around here.

That means I go into hibernation!

-I did get out this week for a lecture at the MFAH on the Houghton House exhibit.

I'm not usually a decorative arts person, but the curator threw in so much history that she made it interesting to me.

-I've been able to keep up with the Index Card a Day Challenge and
will post this week's cards on Saturday.

-It is the little things that bring a smile to the face during hibernation!

A rose blooming in the garden.

I'm going to grab a glass of ice tea, a book, a cat (or three) and dream of fairies! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

Thank you to Kim.

Party Time!

It's time for Vee's Note Card Party!
On the third Wednesday of each month we meet at
A Haven For Vee for party time.

We select four photographs that we think would make a nice set of note cards
and we share them.


Here are my four:

It's A Good Thing

Earth Day

Earth Day

Meet Julia

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Thank you, Vee!