"Splish, Splash, I was Taking a Bath".....

This morning Jeep called me to look out the window. I grabbed my camera, because this always means he has seen something that needs to be photographed. The Daddy Bluebird was standing guard and chasing away the other birds, while his baby took a good, long bath in the watering dish! It was just so cute I had to share it with you!

First Cousin's Luncheon/Reunion

.............................click on picture for a larger view



For the past eight or nine years the female first cousins on my mother's side have gotten together for a whole day of fellowship, food and fun. We also have an annual reunion that includes everyone, but this time is just for 'us girls'. Each year a different cousin hosts the luncheon at her home. This year we met at my sister's home, a few miles away. There are eleven of us but this year only eight were present. There is always lots of fun and laughter and as we leave, we are planning for next year's luncheon. The collage will give you a glimpse of it.

'See Rock City' birdhouse

This is "My World Tuesday" and the tale of the souvenir birdhouse. To see other "worlds" or to join in the fun, click HERE.


This is a picture of the bird that chose to raise her family in our birdhouse.



When we were touring "Rock City" near Chattanoga last fall, I bought this birdhouse that is styled after their advertising campaign of long ago. Years ago, all over the Southeast US you would see barns with "See Rock City" painted on their side or roof.



The mother Bluebird is looking mean at me as I walk in front of her house. There's three apartments on the west side and three on the East side. I had hoped that they would build in the ones facing the house so we could watch them. I guess they wanted more privacy, so they built in one of the apartments facing away from the house.


When I tried to see if birds had built in this house, this little female Bluebird flew out and up into a tree.

A to Z on Mondays ~ Letter 'P'

Jen at unglazed.blogspot.com is hosting this A to Z on Mondays meme. Visit her interesting blog to join or to see what others are posting for this meme.



When the letter P came up, I couldn't help but think of my Pepper stuff, which some of you have seen before. I'm collecting things with peppers on them because "Pepper" is our surname. Here are some peppers that look like they would be HOT!

This is one of our Southwest Placemats featuring a string of pepppers.

I love to serve things in this pepper dish that was a gift from Jeep's daughter, Jennifer.

I like this handy tote for my "ladies tools". I'm always wanting to hang a picture or do some small job around the house, and I find that it's nice to know where to find my tools. It's another yard sale find I got for almost nothing. I couldn't resist it because of the "pepper" motif.

Here is a picture of three peppers that I found at a yard sale for about a quarter!!! It hangs in our kitchen.

And of course, there are always a big dish of Peppermint candy on the coffee table, because Jeep is addicted to it! ☺

I must confess, I eat my share of it. too.

Sunday Blessings!

Whether your church is fancy .......

Or somewhat plain....

........Hope you will be worshiping in church on Sunday!

...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 NKJV

Defending His Territory

I have been seeing a male Cardinal going up under the big Christmas Cactus that sits on a table out on our back porch and I thought he was eating the little buds on the cactus. Today I saw him under there again and caught him fighting his reflection in the planter, which has shiny, vertical ridges. These birds are very territorial at this time of the year.

Last year one of them fought his image in the rear view mirror on the car for several days, until I put a sack over the mirror!


Happy Saturday!

Indigo Buntings

Is this not one of the cutest little birds you have ever seen? These are shown to be all over the eastern half of the United States, so why am I just now seeing these? Could it be that I haven't been looking until now? The book shows that they go to the southern tip of Florida for the winter.

What fun to see several Indigo Buntings at the same time!!!

I know that this is not a good photograph, but I like the motion of his wings and his beautiful color.

This Indigo Bunting is one of the prettiest little birds I've seen! We are having a good many of them at the feeders now. They are very shy and fly away if they see you.

Hoping your weekend is filled with Sunshine & Happiness!

Skywatch Sampler

To see skies from all over the world, click HERE or the Skywatch button on my sidebar.

Full moon over Mississippi.

Sunset in the South.

Skies over Mississippi.

Just some interesting clouds.

Peace!

Blue Grosbeak

The other day you helped me identify a juvenile Blue Grosbeak. Today we saw lots more of them all over the yard. I was excited because this is the first year I have seen this bird. I'm just glad to know that we have these and the Indigo Buntings coming to the feeders. On Sunday, Jeep saw a Rose Breasted Grosbeak but didn't get a picture of him.

Now, if I could just see a Painted Bunting!

This first one may be an adult.

This next one looks like a first Spring male.

I think this one (below) may be a female Blue Grosbeak.

This fellow looks like an adult male Blue Grosbeak.

At one time today, we saw three or four on a brush pile.

I would have posted it, but who wants to see a brush pile!

Blessings & Peace,

Today's Flowers

This afternoon I stopped by and visited my sisters and their yards. Helen was not at home, but I don't think she minded me making some pictures anyway. Here are a few of the pictures I made. This is one of my favorite Azaleas!

This is the last bloom on a very pale lavender Iris at Allene's yard. It looks almost white.

Yellow Iris in the late afternoon.

Here is a bright little corner featuring Pansies.

This looks like an old fashioned running single rose. Sis wasn't at home so I didn't get to ask her.

This is a pretty peachy colored Iris at Helen's yard.

Blessings!

Colorful Birds!

We have had lots of action and excitement at the bird feeders today. This Blue Grosbeak really made our day! He is so pretty!

Here are Pine Siskins, American Goldfinch and either a House Finch or a Purple Finch, I'm not sure which.

We were blessed, indeed, to get a shot of the Indigo Bunting and the Goldfinch together!

This Indigo Bunting is the brightest blue I've ever seen!

Hope your day is filled with happiness and love,