See? I'm A Black-capped Chickadee!

White-throated Sparrow

The birds are finally coming around . . .

December Blooms

Can you believe my front yard currently has a cherry tree in full bloom ?!

Through The Years

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Mish Mash Catch Up

O wow.  I just plum forgot to blog for over a month.  It was certainly not for lack of things going on.  Lots of weekend visitors, class trips, Hurricane Sandy, new cousins for my kiddos, a nor'easter blowing through with snow and a host of other exciting happenings in the regular chaos of life.

Hurricane Sandy knocked down our big Oak tree.

Below is Izzy with her inspiration, Chloe. Chloe is my brother's dog, a full Bichon Frise and when I first met her in 2010, I said, "If this is a dog, I'll take one!"  (Izzy is half Bichon Frise and half Yorkshire Terrier.  We had to get some beige in there.  I knew that if Chloe were my dog, she'd never be this white!)

Fall Flowers

I'm kind of happy with the amount of flowers that are still blooming around town these days.  Everything is still so pretty and with the rain, it all looks so lush!  I rather enjoyed my ride through the woods today that carpooling requires of  me.  Even a few trees starting to rust.

 

 

Our Driveway Has The Perfect Slant

Office chair racing anyone?

 

Wheel Bug Multi-tasking

Have you ever seen a Wheel Bug mating while eating a bee?  Well, now you have!



Yup. I Caved.

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More of Elim Lodge

If you haven't already noticed, we spent this past week with all my siblings, their families and my parents again on Pigeon Lake in the north country of Ontario.  I have too many pictures to share so I'll just show you a few of my favorites:

A very mis-leading picture since he was in this
hammock for a total of 45 seconds or so.

The view just outside our door.  Our "cottage" was about 15 feet from the water.
Shifrah loved to splash and play in there.

Sam and Shifrah kayaking

Fishing off the dock

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Wanna ride a hotdog?

Hadassah and Josiah weren't to be seen too much this week.  They disappeared with their cousins sometime each morning and though I saw them now and again around the grounds, they generally came back for dinner or bed.

Having Fun At Elim Lodge

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Obituary Notice

G U N T H E R

the hamster

died in his sleep Friday, July 20, 2012

Gunther was the symbol of patience as he endured

the poking and prodding of a medically-inclined child,

the experiments of a scientist and

the extra fun loving of a very affectionate girl.

Gunther leaves behind:

A non-grieving 5-year-old girl who loved Gunther "like crazy"

but cared very little about his death,

a young boy who is glad his cage cleaning duties are over,

and the teenage owner who was medically banned from touching him.

Gunther.  You will be missed for your entertainment value alone.





Snorkeling In The Molokini Crater

Didn't take this photo.  I just want to show you
where we snorkeled.  Pretty cool.

This is Paul - since you might not recognize him...

Shifrah was "gung ho" to go but didn't actually last that
long in the water.  Then, she fell asleep on the boat.

Turns out that it's quite difficult to hold a camera still while snorkeling.  :)

A Hawaiian Daybook

Friday evening.  Hawaiian time.
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Outside my window -  the tips of palm trees with the ocean behind.  In the foreground, one huge lanai overlooking it all.

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I am listening to the sound of the wind rushing by the lanai. Hawaii is very windy, I'm discovering. I don't think there is such a thing as a Hawaiian breeze!

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I am wearing a swimsuit, of course.

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I am going to Oahu first thing Monday morning, D.V.  That'll be our last Hawaiian island to visit before we head home next Wednesday night.

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I am currently reading a bunch of back-logged WORLD magazines by the pool and on the beach and reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love when I have a rare more focused moment.  The introduction threatens the book will change me.  Hoping it will!
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I am hoping to go snorkeling in the Molokini Crater tomorrow - one of the best places to snorkel in Hawaii.   I'm a bit nervous but I've got my underwater camera ready!

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I am wondering if I will ever get sick of watching Shifrah having a blast regardless of what she is doing or where she is.

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Noticing that there are no wild chickens on Maui.  Kauai was full of them.  Apparently the chickens were in captivity years ago but were loosed by a hurricane or something and somehow survived and thrived.

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Also noticing that I have a very wacky sunburn on my right leg.  I guess I wasn't paying too much attention at a critical moment!
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From the kitchen - dinner?  I'll have to check the menu and get back to ya.  Greek tonight, I think.  Luau tomorrow (Saturday).

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Around the house - I'm confident that Aunty Ada is holding down the fort quite well without me.  Hoping Gunther (the hamster) doesn't die in our absence.

Kaua'i By Air

We were told parts of Jurassic Park were filmed here.



Waimea Canyon

My Adventure Boy