December is here.

Winter arrived with a snowy blast- a mini blizzard that blew through in half a day. I have had fun watching the birds come to my feeders. The wood stove is keeping us toasty.  I think I'll fix me a hot chocolate and curl up with a book.

 Traveled to the big city this time. Totally different scenery.

I found myself pulled to the green spaces. I thought this sculpture was interesting. (Who knows what city I'm in?  :)

The wind was strong.
The waves went high.
These boats were lifted
to the sky!

I love hiking in the fall. This is at Spring Mill State Park. Good exercise and beautiful scenery.

Isn't this the coolest mushroom? I found it on my walk and had to return to the house and get my camera. Love finding surprises like this!

Where did the summer go? I took this picture in July, but just didn't get it posted. I've always liked skinks. This one was basking right outside my back door. It's an older adult, thus no blue tail.

IN A BLINk

I'm creeping, creeping, very slow.

I'm looking, looking, very low,

Over in the corner where the sun shines hot.

I thought t'would be there, but it's not.

I'm sitting, sitting, patiently.

Hoping, hoping, that I'll see

A tiny little creature with a bright blue tail.

I catch my breath, 'fraid to exhale,

'Cause there he is!

But not for long,

I made a noise

And now he's gone.

In a blink,

The skink,

Is gone.

We are suffering through a very hot, very dry month of June. It is getting harder and harder to keep any growing thing- growing! These beautiful lilies toppled over- just too heavy so I brought them in and saved them from the heat.

                                              I found this wild looking fungi in my flowerbed .

                                       My husband calls out- "Come see this frog stuck on the house."

                                                         God created some awesome things.

Had a beautiful double rainbow this evening. I was busy pulling weeds in the flowerbed and happened to look up and see it. Ran to the house to get my camera. Thank you, God. Your handiwork is awesome!

  The pansies were a surprise from my dad. I love their happy faces.



My flowers have started blooming! These bleeding hearts were planted last year, and it was great to see them come back in full force.

Bird migration is in full force. Wish I could get some pictures of them. But they don't stay still like flowers do!

Weird wacky March weather! We've had winter jump right into summer. Record high days with temps in the 80's. The apple and peach trees in my family's orchard are blooming two weeks earlier than ever before. Spring has been skipped- or at least been compacted into just a few days. The redbuds have been especially pretty this year. This one is from our backyard.

Surprise! We got a Valentine Day snow. It was very pretty in the morning, and by mid-afternoon the snow was mostly gone.

WINTER PARTY

Falling snowflakes drifting down,

Dress my yard in winter's gown.

Frosty laces decorate.

Crystal buttons radiate.

When my yard's dressed for the day,

I'm invited out to play.

I love this picture I took in November of the fallen leaves in my little woods.


And here is a picture of the walking trail in my dad's woods.



Our winter has been so mild this year. I'm actually missing the snow!

Took advantage of a mild January day and hiked trail 7 in McCormick Creek Park.

I have kept this geranium going- and it made it into the new year. But temperatures have dropped big time and I'm afraid it may finally get nipped. It's been so nice seeing the bright red flowers and shiny green leaves on dismal brown days of late fall and winter.

The power of a flower?
Its gift is a spiritual lift-
creating a smile that lasts a while.