miscellaneous

the grandchildren's annual summer visit comes to an end tomorrow.  no doubt there is more activity and more visiting with friends when they are here than any other time during the year.  we are expert at making the most of our time together. our final day's activity?  bake cookies and brownies to take home to mom and dad.

the weather has been great.  august is typically very very hot, even hotter than july. but, for whatever reason,  the temperature has dropped and the humidity has diminished, making the weather absolutely wonderful for porch sitting for meals, reading, crafting and card playing, hiking in the woods, fishing and boating. blobbing in the hammock too.  it's almost been too cool for swimming but that has happened as well. it has also rained a few times. with as dry as it's been even rain has been an event to enjoy!

the baby ducks are almost grown.  their down is almost completely replaced with feathers. there are still four.  the wee kittens have become quite social; running to greet us when we step out and allowing us to hold and play with them.  jacob named one scruffie and megan named the other mango. now the grandchildren's campaign has been to allow scruffie and mango to come inside!  resisting THAT with fervor! there are already enough cats in the house without adding the outdoor cats.

get ready.....

we will be traveling whimsical wednesday, therefore, our activity will be a road trip game. everyone in a vehicle will be on the lookout for anything seen that begins with the individual's first (or last) name's initial.  for example, if a person's name begins with G, then that person would look for G stuff.  keep a list of sighted items for an agreed upon amount of time during travel or play for the entire journey. how many items were found?  what was the most unusual item spotted?  have fun even if the game is played for just the commute to work or other local destination. and if being on a road won't be taking place on wednesday, improvise!  

photo friday

jacob's portrait of special friends that are also visiting the farm.

thoughtful thursday

megan, jacob and i were at the grocery store this evening when a storm erupted.  it was still raining when we exited the store.  we jumped into action, everyone opening doors and the trunk; getting all of the groceries into the car and returning the cart to the corral.  when we pulled into the garage, we jumped into action, getting all of the groceries (and other items from the day's outing) into the house and put away in the appropriate places.  we worked together, helping one another accomplish a task.  supporting one another helps forge bonds and makes everyone involved feel great.  try it!  you'll like it!

whimsical wednesday

jacob's idea of creating maps was the whimsical wednesday activity today!  a friend joined us for the evening so she participated as well.  supper was enjoyed on the porch and after the dishes were cleared we all got to the task at hand.  it was very quiet as we all worked on our various maps.  once in awhile someone would ask for a different colored marker or seek an opinion on how to proceed with a portion of a map. sometimes we could be heard talking to ourselves about one detail or another!

when we were finished, we showed each other what we created.  jacob created the imaginary place, rock island.  it was very tropical with lots of water, boats and palm trees.  there was a neat rock pile, the feature that gave the place its name.  megan drew a place from a book she read.  her map was all black and red and filled with lots of details about the various characteristics of the place.  our visitor and i both, without intention or consultation, drew a map of the farm!  that was funny.  hers was much better than mine because it had a lot of detail i didn't bother with.  it would seem that her map of the farm reflected her level of observation skills!

get ready.....

it's jacob's week to select the whimsical wednesday activity.  jacob announced that we will create maps.  your map can be an actual space or geographical location, such as your bedroom or your favorite street.  or you can create an imaginary place in map form.  make your map as simple or elaborate as you wish.  we are looking forward to this whimsical wednesday activity!  hopefully you are as well.

photo friday

megan snapped this photograph of the kitten she named mango.

thoughtful thursday

while sitting around the table creating collages yesterday, jacob asked, "if you could be a superhero what would be your powers?"   the three of us sat quietly for awhile, pondering this question, before one of us spoke.  jacob said he would like to have super strength and the ability to fly so he could rescue people from danger or other scary situations.  i said i would like to have the power to be a peacemaker; wherever i was and whomever i was with, i had the ability to enhance the best in people: kindness, understanding, support, cooperation, etc.  megan's superpower wish seemed to be a blend of both jacob's strength and my positive influence on people.

the collage making conversation stayed with me all day.  it was affirming to listen to my grandchildren speak of having superpowers that would be beneficial to the world.  it also occurred to me that we as, mere mortals, can be superheros just by being to others (and ourselves) the best we can be.  we might not be able to fly or have super human strength but we all have the capacity to bring the best of ourselves to others.  in a small, very ordinary, human way, we can make the world a better place for everyone.  a happier, more peaceful world leaves more time for whimsey!

whimsical wednesday

making collages, as suggested by megan, was the focus of whimsical wednesday. old magazines and calendars provided the pictures we needed to make our collages. megan and jacob cut out pictures of items or words they liked from the magazines. these were glued in random arrangements on card stock.  the theme of my collage was flower photographs featured in calendars. after cutting out the photos, it was obvious that the collection was too large for the sheets of card stock megan and jacob used for their collages.  it will take another session of collage making to find what is needed for mounting the flowers.  we discussed the possibility that our collage making activity might require more than one session.  everyone thought that was just fine because sitting around the table together making collages was lots of fun.

miscellaneous

our first full day of what the grandchildren fondly call "camp mamala" was excellent.  there was boating and archery and tree climbing and hammock lazing and porch sitting and play time with kittens.  there was art and quilt making, reading and talking about our collage projects for whimsical wednesday.  and, of course, ice cream, popsicles and candy!  everyone should have a camp mamala each summer!

there are still four baby ducklings.  they are larger but young because they still have downy feathers. the wee kittens (as well as their mom and older sister) really enjoy when we are outside.  the kittens actually come running when we are outside. there hasn't been any "tame" stray cats since dog and her brothers.  it's delightful to have kittens to enjoy.

the extreme heat has seem to have abated; at least for the moment.  that makes being outside in the early morning and in the evenings quite pleasant.

NASA had a new probe land successfully on mars in the early hours of monday after traveling for eight months to the red planet.  we have been following the activity and looking at the images being returned to the earth from the probe, curiosity.  it's remarkably amazing!

get ready.....

the grandchildren are visiting for the next two weeks so will be enjoying whimsical wednesdays with me.  therefore, they have been offered the opportunity to select whimsical wednesday activities while they are here.  megan's suggestion will be the activity for this week.

we will create a collage! the collage could be of random images or images by theme such as enjoyed activities, objects, people (photographs perhaps).  a collage can be made into a framed work of art, cover an object,  made like puzzle pieces or however one would like to display the finished collage.  

we are already planning our collages!  how about you?

photo friday

 handcrafted tags for displaying four leaf clover!  

thoughtful thursday

some days are just meant to be devoted to watching hallmark movies!

whimsical wednesday

it's stay cool during the dog days of summer for whimsical wednesday!  for my activity, i made a new and very tasty iced tea  that is very refreshing! try my recipe:

green/citrus iced tea

to a large pitcher (i used a 3 quart, if yours is larger or smaller, adjust proportions accordingly)  add:

3 green tea bags (tags, if attached, cut off)
1/2 to 1 cup sugar, depending on sweetness desired (i used 3/4 cup of splenda)
1 lemon and 1 lime cut into quarters, squeezed, then dropped into the pitcher

while preparing the pitcher, bring fresh, cold water to a boil.
pour boiling water over ingredients in pitcher to at least half full.
cover the pitcher and let steep for about 15 minutes.
fill the rest of the pitcher with fresh, cold water.

pour over ice in tall glasses (or put in refrigerator for later).
garnish glasses with mint sprig.
enjoy!

miscellaneous

there are still four ducklings.  now that four have made it this far, i find myself anxiously searching for them each morning and am relieved to find all still present and accounted for.

there were four hummingbirds at the feeder at the same time yesterday.  perhaps what i thought was two has actually been four.  the hummers aren't particularly distinctive from one another.  for some reason it's thrilling to have four hummingbirds visit instead of just two.

it's almost time for the grandchildren to visit!  

get ready.....

wednesday is the first day of august; the very midpoint of the dog days of summer! do something fun that will keep you cool amid the heat of the dog days this whimsical wednesday.  will you stay cool by yourself or share the fun with others?    

an old tree, a special feature at the central park zoo.

thoughtful thursday

my sister posted the recipe for sugar bread (sugar sandwiches) on her blog.  reading that brought back memories.  in the summer my siblings and i played outside all day long.  we were extremely hungry by late afternoon, especially after swimming in our little pool and running through the sprinkler.  to tide us over until dinner, mom made sugar sandwiches.  (a sugar sandwich is a slice of white bread spread with butter and sugar is sprinkled on the butter.)  we thought sugar sandwiches were the best taste sensation ever.

the four of us sat huddled on the backyard porch steps in wet swimsuits, wrapped in towels, munching away on sugar sandwiches.  it's doubtful if sugar sandwiches would have the same appeal today. however, this childhood snack will remain an ever wonderful memory.

whimsical wednesday

it was bird watching day for whimsical wednesday!  and a great bird watching day it was!  from the house, that is.  with temperatures soaring above 105 degrees, the birds were observed throughout the day from different windows around the house. there were the usual visitors to the farm; cardinals, crows, hummingbirds, ducks (male, female, ducklings), gold finches, doves, wrens, sparrows, indigo buntings, eastern bluebirds, wild turkeys.  bird watching was eagerly awaited for whimsical wednesday as i was informed by a neighbor yesterday that she spotted the herons with young at my lake over the weekend (while i was away).  there was hope that the heron family would reveal themselves for bird watching day.  even with watching all day, no heron family in sight.  no matter for, like license plates, the search will continue beyond whimsical wednesday!

miscellaneous

several license plates were spotted during travel over the past week; washington (state), oregon, wyoming, california, arkansas, missouri, iowa, kentucky, tennessee, texas, tennessee, maine, virginia, florida, georgia, mississippi, alabama. so many but not the final three needed.  the search continues. 

the highlight of the visit to chicago was attending the performance(s) of the luna troop, sarah's dance company.  sunday's performance was also sarah's birthday. when the troop was taking their bow with sarah, they presented her with flowers, encircled her and sang happy birthday while skipping around her, holding hands.  it was very sweet.  it was, as always, wonderful.  and, as always, it was good to be able to attend.

upon returning home, mama duck was spied on the lake with her ducklings.  it was good to see that there are still ducklings, which have grown significantly.  along with the ducklings, there were a pair of turkeys in the yard.  and all the kitties.  it's fun to return home and find everyone happy to have me here again.

get ready...

it'll be bird watching day for whimsical wednesday. check back tomorrow for full details!

photo friday

thoughtful thursday

"When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

whimsical wednesday

it's share houseplants day this whimsical wednesday!  my neighbors are houseplant persons like me so they received cuttings and starts from several of the houseplant varieties that grace my home.  the neighbors were  surprised and pleased to have the houseplant fairy appear on their doorsteps this morning!

miscellaneous

the wee kittens are growing and so are the ducklings.  both are cute and fun to watch.  they are playful and curious.  the wee kittens come to me now when i am outside or call, "here, kitty kitty".  of course that call usually means food so i have no illusions that they are interested in ME!  giggle......   the ducklings won't be coming when i call.  that's better for them as being wary of humans keeps them safer against predators.  mama duck has had them to the area in the lawn where they are fed their gourmet corn, however, so they know where their meals come from.

the evenings bring deer to the backyard, looking for food.  as they munch corn scattered on the ground for the birds, the kitties stop what they are doing to watch the deer.  it is as if the deer are putting on a performance and the kitties are the audience.  and this happens every day!

the food in the finch feeders hasn't been eaten as quickly as usual so i wondered if they had moved to another location.  imagine my surprise, when i just happened to peek out the window, to find the gold finches    nibbling seeds from the cone flowers! they hang, sideways, onto the flower stems and reach up and over the blossoms to eat.  creatures are very resourceful in their quest for food.  like the deer i observed last evening pulling low hanging leaves off a tree.

rain would be more than welcomed to our drought stricken area.

get ready.....

let's share houseplants this whimsical wednesday.  when you give one away, perhaps you'll get one in exchange!

photo friday

another page from libby's sketchbook.

thoughtful thursday

that quiet voice inside nudges us to pay attention to something.  pay attention!

whimsical wednesday

whimsical wednesday encouraged participation in the "cheer up the lonely" day. for my activity, happy notes were made and then taken to one of the local nursing homes for distribution.  the happy notes were given to the receptionist, who thanked me and said staff would give the residents my offering.  yay!  cheer up the lonely.  what did you do for whimsical wednesday?

miscellaneous

wild turkeys are so large that even at a distance they can be seen as more than black dots on the landscape! over the weekend there was a flock of them in the cow pasture across the road.  a few of the males were in full feather.  that display, tail fans, always reminds me of thanksgiving turkey decorations that children create; often in multiple colors.

one of the ducks on the lake seemed to have disappeared.  she reappeared over the weekend with several ducklings in tow.  they were on the lake, beginning to learn how to be a duck.  they are so cute.  what is the most enjoyable to watch is when they traverse the entire circumference of the lakefollowing mama duck, as close to water's edge as possible. they swim, run along the bank, hop back into the water. how whimsical!

the tote bag i won for the duct tape challenge sponsored by craftin' with suz arrived in monday's mail!  yay! it will be perfect for the art journaling supplies.  i will be able to show off the tote at the august class.

happy anniversary

today is the whimsey project's second anniversary!  it's been two years filled with, what else, whimsey!

please post a comment and wish the whimsey project a happy anniversary!

get ready.....

wednesday is national "cheer up the lonely" day.  for whimsical wednesday, we will cheer up someone in whatever way is appropriate to the person and situation.  the possibilities are endless!

photo friday

a favorite page from libby's sketchbook we viewed at chicago's hyde park art center in may.

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thoughtful thursday

Desiderata   by max ehrmann

Part 3

be yourself.  especially do not feign affection.  neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is perennial as the grass.

take kindly the course of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  but do not distress yourself with imaginings.  many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.  and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. therefore be at peace with god, whatever you conceive him to be and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace in your soul. with all its shame, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

be cheerful.  strive to be happy.

whimsical wednesday

happy fourth of july!  it's not every whimsical wednesday that is also a major national holiday but when it occurs,  we add whimsey to the day's celebration.

because my fourth of july was going to be spent at home, quietly enjoying the day to myself, i didn't quite know what i wanted to do differently today.  after some thought about the fourth of july, i decided i wanted to play with sparklers! sparklers were the best part of the fourth of july celebrations of my youth. i hadn't twirled a sparkler in years.  dilemma!  how to acquire sparklers without actually having to leave home to get them?  bright idea!  ask the neighbor, whose 12 year old boy would certainly want to do fireworks, to secure a box of sparklers for me when they did their fireworks shopping.  it was agreed, for a pan of my much loved brownies, that sparklers would be delivered to my door before dark.

the brownies were almost completely cooled when the doorbell rang about 8:30pm. amazingly tasty brownies and the most astounding box of sparklers were exchanged!  after goodbyes and happy fourth of julys to you, i was alone with my sparklers. the box only contained four sparklers, however, the sparklers were at least three feet long!  and "easy" to light at that.  as the remaining daylight waned, i was outside with the lighter and the box of sparklers.  as i was about to light the first sparkler, the neighbor's first firework exploded in the sky!  spectacular!  after watching their display for a few minutes, i lit the sparkler and relived what was, for me, the magic of july fourth.  the sparkler dipped and twirled and the flashes danced about without much assistance from me.  that huge sparkler lasted at least five minutes!  after that much excitement with a single sparkler, i decided to save the rest to share with the grandchildren. the three of us will have sparkler fun during their summer visit to the farm in august!

happy fourth of july!  did you include whimsey in your festivities?

miscellaneous

yes!  it rained yesterday for the first time in a very long time.  it didn't last very long but it was rain and i was both relieved and grateful.  as i write, another storm seems to be brewing!  come, rain, come!  you are very welcome!

last whimsical wednesday's activity was to participate in craftin' with suz's duct tape challenge.  my project was to create and send a post card.  three days after putting it in the mail, i received an email from the recipient telling me a post card made of duct tape was discovered in their mailbox!  the exciting part of the project was that the post office actually processed and delivered a post card made of duct tape!

as with most artists, there is an abundance of art and craft supplies in my house!  an overabundance, actually, that seems to be pushing me passed the ability to create. determined to undo that condition, my creativity has been focused on sorting, paring and organizing.  it is often more difficult than attempting to create a piece!

when in need of a break from the task of paying attention to supplies, i have been practicing the new skills i am learning in the art journaling classes.  thus far, i am very pleased with my efforts.  some of my pages will most likely be posted on photo friday(s).

get ready.....

whimsical wednesday is also the fourth of july!  as you celebrate on the fourth, do something very whimsical; whatever that may be; by yourself or with others!

photo friday

the sketchbook project of new york city made it's way to chicago's hyde park art center in early may.  i attended with  my family; sarah, megan and jacob.  they are looking at libby's sketchbook, a part of the collection.  it was a grand day enjoying the art of the sketchbooks; especially libby's.

thoughtful thursday

Desiderata by max ehrmann

Part II

if you compare yourself with others you may become bitter or vain, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.  but let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

whimsical wednesday

we are taking craftin' with suz's duct tape challenge this whimsical wednesday! what to create?  what to create?  last night, just before bedtime, it came to me!  i knew what i was going to create for the duct tape challenge!  this morning i have been busy busy and here are the results:

this duct tape postcard is stamped, addressed and will be dropped in a mailbox today.
it would be a hoot if the post office actually processes and delivers it!  film at 11.....

miscellaneous

there's just nothing quite like how wonderful it feels when summer heat and humidity breaks.  the cooler temperature and lower humidity that follows is a welcome relief.  one can almost feel the earth sigh in relief as well.  for me, the best part of cooler is open windows!  the breeze that fills the house, on which the songs and chatter of birds is carried, allows me to enjoy nature's music.

old television programs are time capsules.  my particular time capsule of enjoyment is perry mason.  to my delight, it is currently airing after a long absence on any of the hundrends of channels the satellite delivers for my viewing pleasure!

the wee kittens are growing.  they have become more adventuresome.  it's delightful to watch them out the windows, unobserved.  and the crows.  these goofy birds are fun to watch as well.  they have taken to sitting on the railing of the dock, overlooking the lake.  the lone hen turkey is still coming to the house to eat the ducks' corn.  why she is still alone is beyond me as i have not seen any chicks with her.

the meadow has grown so lovely; full of beautiful wildflowers.  as hard as it is for me to have it cut short in early spring, the benefits of doing so sure makes it worth the angst!

get ready.....

duct tape!  whimsical wednesday will find us participating in craftin with suz's duct tape challenge.  think of something neat to make with duct tape, submit your idea (and/or photo) to her blog and be eligible to win a tote bag!  link:  http://www.craftinwithsuz.com/2012/06/monday-make-itz-and-give-way.html

photo friday

cakes for special occasions add a touch of whimsey to the celebration!

thoughtful thursday

max ehrmann wrote the DESIDERATA.  his words are profound.  the next few thoughtful thursdays will feature his piece in segments so that we might have the opportunity to carefully consider all he offered.


DESIDERATA, part I

go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  as far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

speak your truth quietly and clearly:  and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.

whimsical wednesday

it's the first day of summer, the longest day of the year and, thus far, the hottest day of the year!  for whimsical wednesday we celebrated the arrival of summer.  for my celebration, i made homemade vanilla ice cream in my new, use inside ice cream maker!  oh, was it good.  chocolate and almonds topped the freshly whipped cream. my neighbors enjoyed it with me for an impromptu ice cream social. how did you celebrate the first day of summer?

miscellaneous

the last few tuesdays were very busy.  in fact my time away for almost two weeks was so busy it was difficult to squeeze in posting on the blog at all.

travel yielded two more state license plates:  rhode island and utah.  it was so amazing to see these plates on the interstate i almost didn't believe what i was seeing!  also a plate from puerto rico was spied.  wow!  very productive journey. only three states remain:  hawaii, vermont and south dakota.  i thought i had seen a plate from vermont, however, it's not dated on the list so i'll just keep looking for it.

mom and dad celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on june 5th.  that was the main reason for travel.  they had a lovely day and it was grand to be able to spend it with them.

friends and i are learning art journaling.  classes are once a month.  we attended our second class yesterday. it brings satisfaction and enjoyment to delve into a new art form and to learn so many different ways to be creative.

tomorrow we will be celebrating the first day of summer.  if you have a sonic drive-in restaurant in your area, milkshakes are half price all day long to herald the first day of summer.  that would make a fun whimsical wednesday activity;  pull into a retro restaurant, order milkshakes over the speaker and the server (some on roller skates) bring the treats to you.  take a carload between the hours of 2 and 4pm to take advantage of half price drinks.  some will enjoy the milkshakes and others cherry limeades (my favorite)!

get ready.....

whimsical wednesday is the first day of summer!  celebrate!  have a picnic, play outdoor games, sit on the porch listening to the ballgame on the radio, make homemade ice cream, eat a snow cone, look at the stars, go swimming.  make the first day of summer a wonderfully whimsical day any way you wish!

photo friday

friends:  city meets country!

thoughtful thursday

sayings, quotes, common wisdom are often considered trite and banal due of overuse.  however, how carefully are these considered?  because every journey (literally and figuratively) does begin with a single step!

whimsical wednesday

today was worldwide knit in public day.  for whimsical wednesday we knitted (or did any other creative activity) in public.  my knitting in public was done at the veterans of foreign wars post.  it was free supper night; an evening mom and dad enjoy very much!  no one asked me about my knitting, however, there were a few who gazed intendly at the process.  the scarf i was knitted was finished while we were there so i took my whimsical wednesday activity one step further.  the scarf was presented as a gift to our server.  she was surprised and thrilled.  my whimsical wednesday observed a worldwide event AND made someone happy! 

get ready

for whimsical wednesday we shall participate in national knit in public day.  no worries if you do not knit.  create in any art form you enjoy, even if that just consists of drawing doodles! 

photo friday

thoughtful thursday

there was an armentarium available to employ for the celebration of mom and dad's 64th wedding anniversary june fifth (a celebration that continues all this week). amid it all, love is the most important element.  love motivates all the effort toward those being honored to make the event as wonderful as possible.  and that is the greatest gift to anyone; bringing to them joy, happiness and the sense of knowing they are cared for so very much.  although the focus of celebration this week has been for one of life's greater milestones; that of marking commitment and love between two persons across the decades, everyday we can find something, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant  to celebrate.  celebrate daily.  it nourishes the spirit and brings with it that on-going touch of whimsey...  an ingredient so necessary to living a contended life. 

whimsical wednesday

we celebrated this whimsical wednesday.  everyone, everywhere celebrated something of their choosing.  along with parents and sister, my celebration was honoring mom and dad for their 64th wedding anniversary, which was yesterday, and the second day of enjoying their anniversary. the setting was the local veterans of foreign wars post, of which dad is a life time member being a world war two veteran.  along with the weekly free supper served on wednesdays, my sister and i had a cake to share with everyone present.  and a balloon!  everyone shared in mom and dad's happiness, wishing them well with many congratulations and gobbling three fourths of the huge cake.  it was a grand celebration. 

get ready.....

we're having a celebration for whimsical wednesday!  what celebration?  any you wish to enjoy!

photo friday

a pet store was the setting for this photo.  look closely.  see where wee mouse decided to take a siesta?

thoughtful thursday

there are few items in the world that can make a person smile the way the art created by young children does. the art of children is free, open, exuberant! it enhances the world.  there are still some of the pieces my children created so many years ago hanging about the house.  besides the special place in the house for grandchildren art, my bedroom closet's walls are covered with their paintings and drawings. when i step into the closet and see their art, i can't help but feel wonderful.

whimsical wednesday

wishing upon a star for whimsical wednesday was a brief endeavor; although it took all day until it could occur!  with the days longer, the first star of the night was not seen until almost nine pm.  my wish was made.  was yours?

miscellaneous

the days are getting longer;  soon it will be the longest day of the year.

waif, the dog, chewed the avocado sprout.  my first successful sprouting of an avocado pit is gone.  i'll try again.

daisies and hollyhocks bloom.

a downy woodpecker has managed to figure out how to hang on the hummingbird feeders and sip nectar with it's narrow beak.

the happy flyers have been finding themselves all over the place.  it makes me happy to share them.

get ready.....

let's wish upon a star this whimsical wednesday.

photo friday

on a recent visit to new york city, my traveling companion and i encountered abe lincoln standing on the steps of the new york historical museum. 

                                             

thoughtful thursday

share.  freely, willingly, lovingly.

whimsical wednesday

it's lucky penny day for whimsical wednesday!  my lucky penny times three appeared early this morning!  while putting away items from yesterday's outing, i found a stray penny in a jacket pocket, one in a shopping bag and one on the floor by the washing machine!  does that mean i'll have three times the luck today?  how about you? did you find a lucky penny this whimsical wednesday?

miscellaneous

there's a critter (or critters) that come looking for food just after dark.  to keep them out of the bird feeders, i put out extra corn.  the greedy ingrates were not very polite. not only did they eat all the corn, they dislodged all but one of the hummingbird feeders to drink the nectar!  the hummingbird feeder left undisturbed was close to the house.  instead of rehanging the feeders in various locations, they were placed close to the house as well.  there are benefits to this new arrangement. the feeders are spared and the birds are in close proximity.  it's a joy to watch the birds just inches from the windows.

a surprise greeted me on the screened porch late last week.  a wee kitten, black and white, all alone.  there was no evidence of any other kittens or a mama.  one of the outside kitties had a litter of two recently.  the black and white kitten was introduced to the litter of two in the hopes that the mama would adopt it.  the test of acceptance would be if the black and white kitten would be able to nurse along with the mama's kittens.  to my relief, the all alone kitten has been accepted!

get ready.....

this whimsical wednesday just happens to be lucky penny day!  we shall look for that stray penny (anywhere that might be) for our whimsical wednesday activity! happy hunting!

photo friday

                                                                                   
                                           my first successfully sprouted avocado pit!

thoughtful thursday

always say please and thank you.  and, for gifts received and special occasions, write thank you notes.

whimsical wednesday

                                                                    what do you see?

miscellaneous

recent travels took me to chicago and new york city. it was a trip filled with family, friends, art. it was also filled with whimsey! the happy flyers i created for a recent whimsical wednesday activity were passed out in the big cities. putting the flyers on vehicle windshields and tucking them under doorknobs was such fun. and last week's whimsical wednesday activity of exploration was the perfect activity for the big apple. while in new york city, i saw a license plate from delaware!! finally!

get ready.....

get out your camera this whimsical wednesday! take photographs of items in such a way as to make it difficult to tell at first glance what the item is. show it to others and ask them what they are looking at!

photo friday

tea shark

exploration

exploration. yesterday's whimsical wednesday activity. a process, it occurred to me, that we should be open to on a daily basis. even if just for a few minutes a day we take the time to discover something about the world around us, we will have given ourselves the gift of life itself. exploration is born of curiosity. curiousity enriches, fulfills, engages and offers so many wonderful surprises along the way. explore and explore freely!

whimsical wednesday

RED TAILS IN LOVE. that is the name of the book i read last year that sparked my exploration activity for this whimsical wednesday. the book is set in central park, new york city, and featured a red tailed hawk pair who decided to build their nest in the top floor facade of a building on fifth avenue that faced central park. the book discussed the bird log, kept by avid birders who flock (no pun intended) to central park to sight and record the many birds that find themselves in central park; either as residents or just passing through. since reading the book i have wanted to visit the boat house and read the bird log for myself. i did so today. after a pleasant walk through the park to the boat house, i settled in with the bird log and read every word. a mild disappointment was that the log only contained entries and information for the year 2012. (the log is a simple binder filled with notebook paper children use for school. no doubt moved to a more permanent binder as it isn't imaginable that the history contained in the bird log would be discarded.) only finding this year in the bird log provoked a brief let-down because i had hoped to read entries discussed in the book. however, i was thrilled to be actually holding the bird log and reading the very fully detailed entries for myself. after i finished reading the bird log, i decided to continue through the park, making my way to the metropolitan museum of art (the met) so that i might explore galleries yet experienced. as i walked passed the model boat pond, i looked up at the now looming buildings on fifth avenue. with a start i realized i was looking at the building where the pair of red tailed hawks had decided to build their nest! i knew from the pictures and description in the book. and i knew it was the building because there, as in previous years, was the red tailed hawks' nest!

get ready...

this whimsical wednesday is about exploration, to break new ground! visit somewhere you've wanted to go but just haven't gone yet; read about something online you're interested in but haven't taken the time to look at; dabble in that new craft you want to learn. whatever it is, cut a swath of exploration towards it, then dive in and enjoy!

Photo Friday!

thoughtful thursday

tuesday was may first, may day.  may day brings a long held tradition of putting flowers in a container, leaving them at the door of someone, knocking (ringing), then fleeing before the door is opened.  flowers are always a good idea and so are surprises.  i participated in may day this year by offering my version of the tradition to several wonderful people throughout the day.  everyone who received a may day basket was very surprised and very pleased to be remembered.  "i haven't gotten a may day basket in years!" was exclaimed many times over.  so small an effort to make others happy.  we can all make small efforts each day to make the world a happier place to be.

whimsical wednesday!

our activity for this whimsical wednesday was to create a happy flyer.  the day passed with the happy flyer in mind, however, chores kept me from creating until the evening.  i created a simple happy flyer.  a standard sheet of printer paper was folded into quarters.  in each quarter a message was hand printed:  
SMILES AND HUGS FOR A HAPPY DAY!

this single sheet of paper was photocopied to yield fifty separate, small flyers when cut apart.  each happy flyer was finished with a smiley sticker.  i looked at the stack of goofy but heartfelt happy flyers and a smile was provoked.  exactly the reaction i hope flyer recipients will have.  i am looking forward to distributing my happy flyer creation.....

more spring

many seasonal firsts in the last week:

*turtle rescue (from the road).

*hummingbird at a feeder.

*bluebird in the bluebird house.

*honeysuckle blooming.

*first strawberry picked and enjoyed fresh from the vine....yum!

get ready.....

we are creating a happy flyer this whimsical wednesday.  the happy flyer can be whatever you want it to be in whatever form you wish.  make several copies and distribute them throughout the next several days; putting them on car windshields, on desks at the office or school, in grocery store carts.  be stealth so those who find your happy flyer will receive a surprise.

after several years of attempts to grow an avocado plant from a pit, success!

when life becomes filled with hectic distractions and hardship, the way is eased by caring people who come to the rescue.  my life is filled with many angels!  i am grateful.

it's plant something day for whimsical wednesday!  for me, there were two plantings; one indoors and one outdoors. inside:  the wee avocado pit, now with both root and sprout, was transplanted from the rooting medium to soil in a lovely flowerpot.  (if it continues to flourish, it will need to be replanted into a much larger pot!)  outside:  shasta daisy seeds were scattered in one of the smaller sections of the house foundation garden. daisies are one of my favorite flowers.  i am looking forward to watching them grow!  what did you plant this whimsical wednesday?

the baltimore oriole feeders are hanging in three separate trees around the house.
the strawberries are ripening.
the avocado pit not only produced roots but there's a wee sprout of a plant!
the flower beds are getting a thorough spring cleaning.  
the nesting wild turkey hen near the house has waif doggie barking nonstop!
the wee flowers' aroma on the bittersweet vines is lovely.
spring!

get ready.....

plant something green this whimsical wednesday!  be it a transplant, indoors or out, seeds, plant starts.  enjoy!

photo friday

the surprise of a spider web in the early morning grass!

thoughtful thursday

encounters along the way with others (or places/things) often reveal themselves to be unexpected and wonderful surprises; like the interior of the very plain, nondescript geode!  

whimsical wednesday!

happy national pet owner's day!  this whimsical wednesday's activity was all about pets and their owners.  here on the farm all the kitties got a special treat:  a dollop of whipped cream!  the doggie got a special treat:  a new chew toy!  and the new feeder for baltimore orioles was hung outside.  currently there are no baltimore orioles visiting, however, it is hoped that offering food will lure them.  (according to birding sources, baltimore orioles are due may first.  in order to attract them, a feeder filled with nectar should be in place at least a week prior.  i'm ready!).  did you do something special for national pet owner's day?

miscellaneous

the "gold" has returned to the gold finches.  they are so pretty.  several have been visiting the two finch feeders; counted eight (there are 12 feeding perches) at one feeding session.

the strawberry patch has received it's spring cleaning.  berries are ripening!  soon there will be berry munching!

the meadow has been shorn (it needs to be cut at least every other year to keep it healthy and the natural foliage fresh).  the bunnies and nesting hen turkey aren't very happy but the vegetation will return.  it disconcerts me as well since full, lush tall grasses and wildflowers are preferred to crew cut green.

before the meadow was cut, the dogs and i took a stroll.  for me the mission was to pick wildflowers.  for the dogs it was playtime.  the sweetest looking butterflies were spied resting on the yellow blossoms i was picking.  the butterflies were small and shaded with a subtle lavender gray color.  they reminded me of a seashell i once encountered.  

get ready.....

for whimsical wednesday we will participate in national pet owner's day!  have lots of fun with (and for) your pet.  if you don't have a pet, do something for homeless pets or make a "pet" of wildlife (birds?) by providing food!

photo friday

finished! 

thoughtful thursday

dad has the remarkable ability to stand amid clover, look down and find a four leafed clover! it's astonishing how effortless he manages to make this undertaking seem.  the last time he did this in my presence, he saw one after only a few minutes. a very short time later, he found another one!  others look and look and look and never find the seemingly rare stem of clover.  perhaps, sometimes, we look so hard we cannot see.  that is something to consider when we are engrossed in the urgency of seeking.  

whimsical wednesday!

today we created haiku poetry about spring.  my offering:


spring

the earth awakens
fresh, warm, new, joyous, alive
nature beckons me.

miscellaneous

just because, i dyed easter eggs.  a photo of the outcome of my easter playtime activity was posted on the blog easter sunday.  several were gifted.  the rest will become deviled eggs using my grandmother's recipe. yum!

a smile came when i noticed on easter sunday that all of the african violets in the house were in full bloom!

spring returned last last week with rain and cooler temperatures.  much improved. the first week of april is too  early for 90 degree weather.   it has been lovely to be outside in the fresh spring air amid all the nature that is the farm.

get ready.....

this whimsical wednesday we will write a poem in the form of HAIKU to celebrate spring!

haiku originated in japan and it's form is a bit different from the english form.  this is due to the differences in the languages.

haiku is typically about nature.

haiku doesn't rhyme.  instead it follows a pattern.

haiku pattern:
*line one:      five syllables
*line two:      seven syllables
*line three:    five syllables

haiku writing tips:
*write several words you like that describes nature/spring.
*select the words for the poem you most wish to use.
*count the syllables to ensure they will "fit" each line.
*write the haiku poem.
*one step further?  draw a picture to accompany the haiku poem.

(information about haiku poetry can be found on-line.  i did a search using the keywords "how to write a haiku poem".  the above information is from a few of these on-line sources.)

happy easter!

happy easter!

photo friday

the second amaryllis bloom unfurled as the first blossom faded.

thoughtful thursday

this was a day filled with a major problem that had to be solved.  most of the day was trying as i found myself on my own with the concern; it seemed that i was not being very helpful despite diligent effort.  part of the effort required spending time on-line.  at one point i found myself in a live on-line chat with a support technician. he was very helpful in assisting me and we worked through much of the problem. when we were finished, i thanked him with my sincere appreciation for how helpful he was.  he responded with the typical you are welcome but added a statement that made me smile.  he said, "i try to remember that the person on the other side is human just like me and i would want to be treated well myself."  oh, isn't that wonderful?  i wish (i told him this) that every interaction with every person, every day was predicated on that sentiment.  wouldn't it grand if we always remembered that the person on the other side is human? doing so would leave more energy for whimsey!

whimsical wednesday!

creating easter baskets from recycled materials was today's whimsical wednesday activity.  my baskets are comprised of plastic strawberry containers (made from recycled plastic) and shredded used paper bags.  before easter the baskets will be filled and shared.  photos to follow.....

miscellaneous

is it spring?  with temperatures in the high 80s and topping 90, it doesn't feel like spring at all!

having windows open to enjoy fresh air is lovely.

the hummingbird feeders have been up for almost a week now.  no hummer sightings as yet.

the first meadow flowers were picked over the weekend.  they grace the dining room table and are just as lovely as if they had come from a florist.

we found a four leaf clover!

get ready......

this whimsical wednesday we will make easter baskets out of recycled materials.  looking for and deciding what materials to use will be just as much fun as making the baskets!  i'm already thinking....