LOOKING AT THE WORLD THROUGH BINOCULARS

I saw him from far away, 

sitting high on an old wooden trellis. 

What did he say? 

"I have my eyes on you Missy!" 

"Good," I said, "I have my eyes on you too.

I may not have your fancy binoculars but 

my 20-20 vision will do."

With that we smiled and gave 

a bit of a wave, telling each other, 

in a nice way, to behave  

and wished, in that whimsical way,

to have a very nice day.

Yes, well a poet she is not!

I found froggy a long, long time ago in my favorite garden. I don't think he is there anymore. I have seen him two or three times since but I'm sure he has rusted away by now as the last time I was there, he was nowhere to be found. I have taken pictures of our froggy before. I am hoping one day he will appear in our garden, at least maybe a cousin of his. I can dream. Everyone needs a rusty old frog in their garden, don't they?

Ah well now, time to get sensible and get head out of clouds, and talking about clouds...

these were taken in the parking lot of a supermarket called Sprouts Farmers Market. It's in Manassas, a bit off our usual beaten path but it was nice to see something different, and we said we would like to go there again. 

I actually wanted to go to a farmer's market a couple of miles away but was a bit too late getting there. I looked for my honey (Gregg just looked up and I had to tell him no, not you Honey). That would be the honey I use to top my yogurt off with. I am running out of it and saw loads of honey at Sprouts, but didn't see the one I am looking for. Still on the hunt as I have a bee in my bonnet for this one local honey, pardon the pun, and for the groaners. It's late and my brain is getting a bit past its bedtime.

Instead, we bought a couple of pears, a piece of fresh ginger so that I can slice it and put into my tea, some Asian Pork Dumplings, quite small and they went great with the freshly made shrimp and vegetable sushi, also bought at Sprouts. We had this for our dinner. I think that was about it for our shopping trip. It was a nice, short trip but we got a bit of sunshine and that was lovely. A bit too hot but we weren't in the heat for long. Cooler today - 85 degrees F. (30 degrees C. I think that is). We have had it in the 90s for a few days and it has started to get hot and humid.

Okay, whimsical side just left. As I said it's late and I am off to bed. Sweet dreams everyone and have a great time tomorrow/today. 

Thanks for stopping by.

BITS AND BOBS

I am sharing a few photos that I have had in my folder and hopefully there are no repeats.  I haven't been to any gardens lately, so I am glad I can share these.  Hopefully there are no repeats.The bridge, the Canada Goose and the reflection of people, was taken at Meadowlark Gardens on our last trip.  I love watching the few geese that take up residence.  I don't think too many are encouraged but it's very nice to see the few.The Golden Ragwort is always very pretty.  I am not sure what the white blooms in the middle are.

I am thankful that we still have a few trees at home.  We hope to replace the ones we had to take down last year.  I saw a hawk sitting on a branch a couple of weeks ago in our neighbor's yard, but nothing since.  I always keep my camera with the zoom lens on the table next to where I am sitting, just in case.  This was the only photo I could get before it flew away seconds later. Unfortunately, its face was obscured. You may remember I stopped filling the bird feeders and the smaller birds have been scarce.  The photos of our feathered friends are before I stopped feeding them during the summer months.  I find myself eager for the autumn as I miss them. 

 The Catbird is always a welcome visitor.  I cropped the one above and here is a closer look.The Mourning Doves were enjoying the rain.  At least I think they were, they didn't seem to want to seek shelter.Enjoying a good preening session too, still raining.This is a female Rose-breasted Grossbeak.  I never did see her mate.  The first time I have ever seen one in our garden was this year. 

Family stayed overnight recently. We enjoyed catching up as it had been a while and it was a fun visit.

I got these last two from Pinterest.

That's about it. Thank you for your visit.  I hope you are staying happy, healthy and I wish you all a great weekend.

A REVISIT TO THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN - PHOTOS TAKEN IN THE SUMMER OF 2014

It rained on and off this past week, and I didn’t go out as much for our walks.  A good reason to share old favorites. 

Loving Recipe for a Perfect Cup of Tea

Willing friends who love to sit and share
Grateful hearts in each friend who cares
A beautiful garden to sit in and enjoy

Memories of times shared throughout the years
Lots of smiles and laughter to brighten up a day
While passing on a kindness along life’s highway.

And a few friends to share a special cup of tea

Truly makes this a perfect recipe.    

~Anonymous~

 

EYES TO THE SKIES...

He was keeping his eyes open to see if he could find any birds for me at the garden.  However, apart from a few Canada Geese which I always welcome, I didn't take any photos of any other feathered friends. They proved elusive!  Maybe next time.

There were lots of other things to see and I am putting together a post to be shared very soon.  I haven't had much time for the computer, so am a bit slow getting one done.  

Thank you for the many comments you have been leaving.  Always a lovely part of blogging reading them, and visiting your blogs which always gives me a smile.

The tin frog above has been a part of Meadowlark Gardens for many years.  He resides in the children's garden and you may remember him from other posts.  If I could find one like him I would be tempted to put him in our own garden.  He has become like an old dear friend I visit whenever I get over there.

Thanks for always stopping by.  I hope your upcoming weekend will be happy and healthy, and that you will enjoy the rest of your week.

MORE FROM MEADOWLARK GARDENS, VIENNA, VA

When we returned home from our road trip back in mid May, it wasn't but a couple of days later that we headed to Meadowlark Gardens.  I have done many posts on my blog about this place.  It is one of our most favorites, where we enjoy a great walk with the added benefit of all that exercise, without realizing it is exercise. 

This shows the pathways we take going down the hill.  We always seem to choose the one going straight.

And of course we enjoy looking at the flowers in bloom.  There were others besides these but I will share those later. 

This is called Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica).

This is called Small Sundrops (Oenothera perennis).

This is called Love in the Mist (Nigella damascena).  There are also ones with a pretty cornflower blue color.

Our path takes us by the children's garden and I am always pleased to see not only the flowers, but also the whimsical characters that reside here.

Here is an old favorite and has been in residence for a few years now...

as has this one, intently focused on the book he is reading.

They would delight any child, they would delight the inner child in all of us.

I was delighted when Gregg took a photo of the little Catbird that posed so nicely.

I have more photos from Meadowlark from that day, which I will share another time.

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS AND CAMERA CRITTERS

I wasn't the only one watching for birds the other day.

My friend the frog and I have been keeping watch for several years at Meadowlark Gardens.  He has been my companion while visiting the children's garden....

as have all the other pretties here.

They all come alive at night and dance with the fairies.

You did know there were fairies here didn't you?

Still a bit quiet over there after their winter's sleep, but there are signs.

I'd be a bit careful of the mushrooms though. 

When looking for mushrooms when I was little, my grandmother always told me to watch out for the funny looking mushrooms. 

There are lots of funny looking mushrooms in the fairy garden.

And the fairies chase after us to pluck the tiny feathers off us....

to stuff their tiny little fairy pillows.

I'm telling the truth I am!

Happy April 1st!

Sharing my little tale of whimsy with the following as they become available, with my thanks to Eileen and Misty for bringing them to us.  If you click on their names you can visit other participants.

Eileen at Saturday's Critters

Misty at Camera Critters