They're Back!

Born in Kruger National Park, these young adults spent several weeks

in acclimation bornas (huge holding areas) to prepare them for 

their 54 hour flight to Houston.

The Houston Zoo's original pair of white rhinos, Bu and Marci

also came from Africa in the early 1970's and were beloved ambassadors

for their species for over 30 years.

It is very exciting that rhinos have returned to the zoo and the wonderful

African Forest exhibit. 

The first phase of the African Forest is 6.5 acres and includes

habitats for Chimpanzees, Rhinoceroses, Giraffes, Cheetahs, Kudu, and Ostrich.

It is expected that this trio of Rhino,

one male and two females,

will produce rhino calves and add some much needed

genetic diversity to the North American zoo population.

Due to their strength and size - second only to the elephant as far as land mammals 

white rhinos don't have many enemies, except for man. 

Without increased protection, all rhinos could disappear in the wild

in the next 20-50 years.

Misty just celebrated 3 years of Camera Critters.

Be sure you visit!

Wishing you WELL and a JOY filled weekend.

Good Morning!

The first Gardenia bloom of the season in Musashi's Garden.

"Joy comes from simple and natural things, 

mists over meadows,

sunlight on leaves,

the path of the moon over water. 

Even rain and wind and stormy clouds bring joy,

just as knowing animals and flowers and where they live."

~Sigurd F. Olson

This quote, and others I'll be sharing off and on, 

is from the book

HEALING AFTER LOSS

Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief

by Martha Whitmore Hickman.

The book is a gift from a dear friend -- thank you Kim. 

Wishing you WELL and a JOY filled day.

Southern Living

I'm doing something a little different today for tea post --

thanks to the May issue of Southern Living Magazine.

Sweet and Simple: 

23 New Ways to Enjoy Tea from Pitcher to Platter

The original article is by Mary Allen Perry and

the photographs by Jennifer Davick.

Doesn't this look wonderful?

Sweet tea and icebox tart.

It really looks good to me with the heat and humidity

in our area.

That's just the beginning.

The article has recipes for all sorts of sweet tea:

Mint Julep, Lemon-Blueberry, Ginger and Honey

Spiked Lemonade. Blackberry.

And the recipes for the food!!!

Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

Sweet Tea Rice (several different ways)

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette

Sweet Tea Dulce de Leche

Sweet Tea Tiramisu

Governor's Mansion Summer-Peach Tea Punch

It's almost too much for a tea lover to deal with!

Hurry!

Go get the May issue of Southern Living Magazine!

There are so many tea parties in the Land of Blog.
These are just a few:

Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Wishing you WELL and a wonderful cup/glass of Tea!

"The spirit of the tea beverage is one of peace, comfort and refinement."

~Arthur Gray

Easter Brunch

I'm cheating today.

I didn't have anything ready for Seasonal Sunday .

Source

While I was recycling magazines and catalogs,

I came across the Pottery Barn catalog.

I'm sure I saved it because I loved the cover vignette

of the bunnies.

Source

Last night I even checked to see if anything from 

Pottery Barn's Easter Brunch

was on sale and still available online.

Source

The only thing I found 

was the little bunny place card holder.

Source

All is not lost.

Perhaps there is a visit to the Pottery Barn in town

in the near future!

If not, thank you to Pottery Barn

for the beautiful Easter Brunch ideas!

Thank you for hosting:

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper

.

Wishing you WELL and a JOY filled Easter.

Easter Greetings

Easter Greetings

Send I thee,

Glad and

happy may

it be.

Sounds like something Yoda from Star Wars would say!

 

A friend of mine was telling me about a book she reads to kindergarten classes.

She volunteers and has been volunteering at this school for years 

and has children come up to her in other grades

 and tell her they remember the story she read to them at Easter.

The book is The Story of The Easter Bunny.

"It wasn't always the Easter Bunny who dyed eggs and wove baskets for the children--it was a round old couple who lived in a snug little house. Their pet white rabbit, however, always watched their preparations closely. One Easter morning, the old couple sleeps in, so the rabbit takes over. In time, the children discover they have the Easter Bunny to thank for their gifts."

The postcard is from the Easter Rabbit Postcard Book 

published by Darling & Company.

The artist is unknown but they did know the date - 1916.

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted each week by the lovely Beth.

***

OOPS!

I almost forgot all about Earth Day.

Shame on me!

The Nature Conservancy suggests that to celebrate we should:

Eat Smart

Eat Local

Eat Sustainably

Eat Green

Eat Outside With Your Friends!

Wishing you WELL and a JOY filled  Earth Day.