This and That

Mardi Gras is going on - despite the nasty weather.

Let the good times roll!
Friday, February 2-Wednesday, February 13.
Galveston, the third-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, is spread over 12 days and includes parades, music, food, family-friendly activities, 5K fun run, and galas including the Tremont House Mardi Gras Ball and the San Luis Salute.

Photo From Galveston Mardi Gras Ad

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King Cake for Mardi Gras
Strawberry filling - YUM!
Only one piece left!

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Poor robin redbreast,
Look where he comes;
Let him in to feel your fire,
And toss him of your crumbs.
–Christina G. Rossetti (1830–94)

Robin in Musashi's Garden

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I walked to the drug store to pickup Teddy's heart meds.
(He's doing fine.)
I found these Valentine socks.
They are the non-slip kind with the little plastic dots on the bottom.
Perfect for someone who doesn't like shoes!!!
Score!
And, they are cute!






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Blooming! 

Amaryllis Blooming

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Keep In Touch

I Heard A Bird Sing

I love this little poem.
The words are just as true in January as December.

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

A magical thing

And sweet to remember.

"We are nearer to Spring

Than we were in September,"

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

–Oliver Herford (1863–1935)

The robins, cardinals, jays, doves and sparrows have been busy singing.
Thanking me for putting extra food out for them on these cold days.

I thought the cold winter days could use a little cheer.
Cassie helping me with this little still life,
Yellow is such a happy color!

Meanwhile, my tree is still up.
It's hard to take it down.
It's so pretty and twinkly -- everyone needs more twinkly!

The snowmen will have a place of honor throughout the month of January.
It is winter -- even on the Gulf Coast.

Wishing YOU well and much joy in this new year!

Make It Pretty Monday

Keep In Touch

Share Your Cup Thursday

Willy Nilly Friday

SaveSave
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SunLit Sunday

It's that time again.
Time to bring a little Sunlight into our lives during the dark days of winter.
I'm joining Karen for the first SunLit Sunday for 2016.

I see Daddy Cardinal more often than I see Mom.
His color is so striking against the green fan palm.
All my bird friends seem to be enjoying the new garden.
No one has fallen into the water garden since their own bird bath was added.

Little Robin and his Robin buddies come by -- not necessarily to eat,
but to take a bath.
Where did I put those tiny towels??!!!!!!
No matter how many pix I took of this little fella,
he was always standing on one leg. 

Happy Sweet '16.

Wishing YOU well and much joy in the new year. 

Thanks, Karen!

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.

When The Red Red Robin

Came bob, bob, bobbing along --

he made an early morning visit to Musashi's Garden.

Not my usual visitor for the morning buffet.

He took a bath in the fountain.

No pictures -- although I did try -- he was just a blur.

Here he is sitting drying off. 

(I wonder where I put the tiny towels?)

The sun was just beginning to find the garden.

Pleased with himself, I think.

Come back again, Mr. Robin!

I'm joining the other sun lovers at Sun Lit Sunday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

I've been waking up to foggy mornings.

Once the fog burns off the bird bath and fountain gets busy.
The robins have really enjoyed the fountain.

I added a pop of color to Musashi's Garden with a couple of geraniums.

The crochet baby blanket is finished.

This was a kit from Herrschner's called: Lil' Lullabies Baby Blanket.

The crochet group meets Saturday and I think I'm going to use this pattern

to use up some stash yarn ... with a few changes.

I have a thing for lapghans and think this pattern will make a very good one.

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I had a lovely lunch with some museum friends this week 

and while I was there I visited the Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces From The Prado.

The exhibitions closes March 31 and then is off to Brisbane, Australia. 

The Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia by Alonso Sanchez Coello

greets you as you enter the exhibition.

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Lastly, I have another postcard for you from the kiss box.

Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

Wishing all of you well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday: Bath Time!

Spring has sprung in Musashi's Garden with lots of action at the bird bath.

Here's Mr. Robin -- always entertaining!

The hostess for Mosaic Monday is the lovely Mary at The Little Red House.


Joy to You!
Have a wonderful week!

Camera Critters 67

It's another trip to Musashi's Garden to see more parent and kid pairings -
this time with Robins.

Here's Mom.
When she saw me come to the door to take her picture
she stayed just long enought to have her portrait done
and off she went.
She had been feeding this little one.

Junior looked very surprised to have Mom fly off.

Oh!
Are you the reason why Mom left?
Hey! You! The one with the camera!
Is it your fault?

I think I'll just ignore her.

While Mom is gone, I'll take a bath.
Splash!

(Click to see the photos larger.)

Enjoy your weekend.

Joy to You!

Camera Critters 57

Today I'm taking you to our back yard to visit with some
of our feathered friends.

I took this picture of a baby dove just after a Mom feeding.

This is the baby! Growing up fast.

Robin wondering if I'll continue to take pictures while he takes a bath.

Yep!
There's just no privacy in Musashi's Garden.

I worked really hard to get the water drops in the air.
So did the Blue Jay!

No. He wasn't saying to me
"Give me a break".
He was telling a dove it was their turn in the bath,
not the doves!

Have a wonderful weekend.