HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - MOTH PAINTING EXHIBIT AT LEWIS GINTNER BOTANICAL GARDEN - JUNE 25TH, 2026

 Today I thought I would take you back to Lewis Gintner Botanical Garden. We were there on June 25th where we met up with our family. 

As I have been talking about moths and butterflies and others lately, I am sharing the paintings on display inside the visitor center. This is truly incredible art. I have provided links where you can see an actual photo. 

My first is of the butterfly (and moth) display in the visitor center. It was on the right as you walk through the doors. I wish I had taken more notice as there are artist tags identifying them. They have a very nice butterfly garden inside a section of the Conservatory, which is in the large greenhouse structure that you will see once you get outside. It is in the next photo in the background. The frog fountain is a definite favorite of mine. 

The exhibit is on the walls of a very long hallway on the left. These paintings are by Deborah Davis. Link here to see these paintings. 

Luna Moth

Pink-striped Oakworm Moth

Hollow-spotted Plagodis

The ID is at the top of each photo on my collage below. I could have happily pulled up a chair to study each painting. The detailing was exceptional.

I have included additional links below for more information.

Small-eyed Sphynx Moth

Polyphemus Moth

Rosy Maple Moth

Pink Shaded Fern Moth

Nais Tiger Moth

White Spring Moth

Here is a pretty graphic I found on pixabay.com

Thanks for looking and 

I hope your day is a great one.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE!

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - INTERESTING STORY ABOUT THE DOG

 This is another from my archives. We are all of different faiths and beliefs. However, I hope all dog lovers will enjoy this story. The dog I mentioned below has long since moved on with his humans.

This is dedicated to my sweet four-legged neighbor across the street, with his cold, wet nose often pressed against the glass door, who always barks a welcome when I return home from a trip be it long or short. I wave and he wags his tail.

How the Dog Got a Cold, Wet Nose.

When a man named Noah started building a boat in the middle of the desert, everybody laughed. They thought he was daft. But Noah wasn't listening to them, he was listening to the God of the Hebrews, who said to build a boat.

So Noah built a boat. Noah called his boat an ark. When he finished it, he rounded up all the animals, two by two, to travel on his ark. People laughed at Noah's opossums and panthers and penguins. They laughed at his cheetahs and chinchillas, giraffes and gazelles, and rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses. Into the ark went all the animals, two by two.

Pretty soon, it started to rain. It rained, and it poured, and it rained some more. People stopped laughing and the ark started floating. Noah and his family and all the animals, two by two, rode safely on the waters.They sailed for 40 days and 40 nights. When the rains stopped, out of the ark came Noah and his family and all of the animals, two by two. Except one.

No one could find the little dog. Noah searched everywhere. He looked on the first deck. He looked on the second deck, then the third deck. Finally, in the farthest corner in the lowest deck, he found the little dog. The dog was shivering and standing with his nose pressed hard against the side of the boat. "Come here, little dog!" called Noah. "It's time to come out! Here, doggie, doggie!"

The little dog wouldn't move. Noah gently pulled him away. "What's this?" said Noah. "A hole in the ark! The ark might have sunk! Little dog! You kept us safe - me, my family, and all of the animals, two by two! With your little nose!"

The little dog was proud. But mostly, he was hungry. "Little dog," said Noah, as he pulled out a juicy bone, "so all the world and all the generations will know your great deed, your nose will always be cold and wet, just as it is today."

That's how the dog got his cold, wet nose. When you feel it, remember the little dog who used his nose to protect Noah, his family, and all of the animals, two by two.

~Stanley Coren~

Thanks for visiting and 

Happy Sunday Everyone.

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - THE LOTUS

We are still early to see our lotus bloom at our favorite garden, but I chose these to share today. They are from a few summers back.

Thanks for visiting today 

and I wish you all a great week ahead.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - ODDS AND BODS - 4/19-26

I hope you are having a good start to the weekend and that last week was a good one too. I am very happy getting out more now that the warmer weather is here. I can't wait to see the butterflies...

and...

never lose your sense of wonder.

don’t get me going on the frogs…and the kitties. 

It is enjoyable being able to go places, but always nice to get home. I look forward to reading a good book in a comfy chair with a cup of tea in the evening. 

That's what I do, I read books, I drink tea and I know things.

Have you been reading any new books 

you would like to share?

And talking about books, are you ready for a new word? 

Philomath - someone who is passionate about 

Acquiring knowledge and constantly seeking

To learn new things.

I have fun finding new words, especially those that show me a bit of the wise.

Words are funny little things. Kind ones often land softly and

Skip along the surface and disappear on a breeze. But angry ones?

They have sharp edges that pierce the heart and mind. Their

Wounds can be forgiven, but never forgotten.  So choose your

Words wisely. They have the power to alter the entire 

landscape before you. - Mona Lisa Nyman

And if the unkind words keep flowing in your direction, then it's okay to avoid them for a while. Just don't burn any bridges, unless you really have to for your own peace of mind and well-being.

“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh. There was a pause.

“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet. “No,” said 

Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.” “That’s okay,” 

said Piglet, and he came and sat next to his friend. “What

Are you doing?” asked Pooh. “Nothing, really,” said

Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite

often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days

either. “But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days

are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone 

there for you. And I’ll always be here for you Pooh.” 

In the end, I believe there is nothing we must do to be loved.

We spend our lives trying to look more beautiful, more intelligent.

But I’ve understood two things: those who love us see us with

their hearts and give us qualities beyond the ones we truly have.

And those who refuse to love us will never be satisfied with all

Our efforts. Yes, truly I believe it is important to let our imperfections 

be. They are precious for they help us understand those who see

us with their heart ~ Frida Kahlo

Fall in love with yourself, with life and then with whoever you want.

~Frida Kahlo~

Here is the dream cottage I found this week.  It would be lovely to look out and have a view of the ocean...

and in front is the gate to a pastoral scene that goes on forever. The best of both worlds. 

How about some fun with food? I think I could manage those hors d'oeuvres...but be careful with those fingers.

 A few recipes…none tried by me, yet!

Chicken Parmesan Chicken - 2 to 3 boneless chicken breasts 

1 cup heavy cream -1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese 

3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 

Salt and Pepper to taste - Instructions: add chicken, cream,

Garlic, Parmesan and seasoning to the crockpot. Cook 4 to

6 hours on LOW or 2 to 3 hours on HIGH until chicken

is tender. Shred or slice the chicken and stir into the

creamy sauce. Serve over pasta, rice or mashed potatoes.

French Onion Soup - 1-1/2 pounds onions - 5/8 cup of butter - 1 tablespoon flour - 2-1/2 quarts 

consommé or beef stock - Salt and freshly ground pepper, Slices of toasted French bread 

1/2 cup heavy cream - 1-1/2 pounds grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese. Instructions: slice the onions 

and sauté slowly in the butter until delicately browned. Add the flour, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then 

cook with the consommé/beef stock and seasonings for 25 minutes. Moisten the toasted slices of French bread with heavy cream. Pour the soup over them, sprinkle the toast with grated cheese and place 

in the oven or under the broiler to brown. Be sure that the soup does not actually come to a boil.  

Serves 8 to 10 - “Patti’s 1880’s Settlement - That Special Place”

Ingredients: Fried Potato Cakes - 4 cups shredded potatoes, (fresh or frozen) - 2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup chopped onion - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour - 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 

1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon pepper - Directions: Rinse potatoes in cold water and drain thoroughly.

Mix potatoes, eggs, onion, flour, parsley, salt and pepper. Pour batter by 1/3 cupfuls onto a

Greased hot griddle or skillet. Fry each side until golden brown. 

1-Minute Mug Pizza - Ingredients: 4 tablespoons flour - 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 

1/16th of baking soda - 1 pinch salt - 3 tablespoons milk - 1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 tablespoon Mozzarella Cheese - Toppings of choice - Method: In a small mug,

add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix the dry ingredients

together. Then add in the milk and oil and mix again until well combined. Add 

the sauce and spread it around the surface of the batter. Add in the cheese and toppings

of choice. Microwave for 1 minute or air-fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8

minutes. Take the pizza out and enjoy your hot pizza. And just because I have to say it,

make sure the mugs you are using are microwave and air-fryer safe.

Now, here is your pep squad arriving, because we all need our pep squad at times. And a word to the wise. The things I find to share are meant only as a guide of sorts and meant to be uplifting. Take all with a pinch of salt as when all's said and done, no one has lived your journey in life but you.

Be the reason someone feels: welcome, 

seen, heard, valued, loved and supported. 

If we say this often enough to ourselves, we will start believing it.

Life is like a camera. Just focus on what's important. Capture the

good times, develop from the negatives an & if things don't 

work out...just take another shot.

It's important to stay in tune with your instincts, that little voice...

because...

I finally found my rhythm when I realized that 

even the steps backward were part of the dance.

And as we are winding down here...

Life is wonderful with you in it,

thank you x

For...

In all this great big spectacular world, there is only one you...

You are stronger than you know. More capable than you 

every dreamed and you are loved more than you could

possibly imagine.

You are special 

and...

You are loved just as you are.

Thanks for stopping by 

and enjoy your Sunday.

(With thanks to Pinterest for the inspiration.)