Friday, September 30, 2016

Willy Nilly Friday Five - Sept. 30, 2016



Welcome:  If you are here for either Good Fences or Little Things Thursday click on the highlighted link to be taken to that post.


 
 

Today's post is for WILLY-NILLY FRIDAY FIVE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  About 2 weeks ago we made another trip down to McNary Dam to see the Salmon as the "fall run" was going on.  We saw quite a few in the fish viewing room but it was hard to get photos of them.  On the way home we stopped at a road side information sign and I took a few pictures there.
 

This is the sign that tells about the history of the area.

 
Across the river (The Columbia) on a barren hill you can see a Vineyard.
 
2. We had rain recently and I went out and snapped a few "raindrops on roses" shots. - Soon the roses will be finished blooming as the days are getting cooler. 
 
 
 
3.  Along with the Orb Weaver spider I've mentioned before and shared last week we discovered a large garden spider in my flower bed.  Coleen and I have been enjoying watching both spiders as they've spun webs and captured bugs to eat in them.  Here is the Garden Spider with last night's supper.
 

4.  Coleen decided to play Volleyball this year.  It's been fun going to her games and watching her play.  I did a little collage of some of the shots I've taken at her games.


If you enlarge the collage above you will notice in the first shot how she is chewing on her lip.  She does that a lot during the games.  In the middle photo she is waiting to hit the ball as it comes over the net and at the right she is serving.  One of the things she does best.

5.  Finally because I haven't posted a recent photo of our newest kitten, (Caramel Honeybun) I thought I would share this sweet photo of her.

She is growing so quickly and is such a little character.  Life is always fun when you have cats & kittens around.  Never a dull moment for sure. 

Hope you have enjoyed the Random 5 this week.  Don't forget to stop in and check out the other participants.  Have a great weekend.





Thursday, September 29, 2016

Good Fences #132 - Mission Fences & Little Things Thursday

Welcome! - Let's get ready to enjoy some GOOD FENCES hosted by Theresa from The Run-a-round Ranch Report and LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY hosted by Tamar from Random-osity

 Click to Enlarge all photos.


 First up Good Fences - These were all taken at the Whitman Mission on Saturday. - See Yesterday's Post for more photos from the Mission.


 This shot was used for my 52 Frames Photo this past week for the prompt, PATH - It's part of the Oregon Trail. - This split rail fence is feature throughout the park area and the grasses on the left are Native to the area.


 Another view of the wagon, trail & fencing from up on top of the hill where the Memorial Shaft is located.


 Fencing around the Memorial Shaft.

The fencing seen through some of the native grass.


 Heading up the path on the way up to the Memorial Shaft.  Loving the pretty trees.

One of the many birds in the park resting on the fencing.

Finally some cows from a nearby farm enjoying grazing in the nice warm sunshine.

Now for a couple of shots for Little Things Thursday.


My favorite season.  These berries trees were just loaded with berries and so pretty and colorful. -

It's the little things like watching the birds in the park that made the day extra special.

Have a great day & don't forget to stop by both blogs to check out the other participants.  You can do so by clicking on the links at the start of the post.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Seasons - A Warm Fall Outing

It's been a busy week (when isn't it anymore) so I haven't had much time for blogging.

Saturday I took a trip out to Whitman Mission for a photo hunt for another Meme I participate in and discovered the changing seasons at the mission.

I'm sharing a few photos today from that outing. - Click to Enlarge Photos

Nothing better then being able to share the outing with my Granddaughter, Coleen.


                                  The Whitman Memorial Shaft


                                                   Native Grasses

                                             
                                          Autumnal Leaves


                         Turtles basking in the warm sunshine


          A lone tree in a nearby farmers field with the Blue mountains in
                                             the background.

  Just a pleasant outing on an Autumn day as the seasons start to change. 

Don't forget to stop by Jesh's blog and check out the other participants of SEASONS

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Good Fences #131 - "Got Paint?"




 Welcome! - It's GOOD FENCES day!

Every week Theresa (The Run-a-round Ranch Report) hosts this awesome meme.   So let's join in the fun of looking for Good Fences.

Walking down one of the neighborhood alley's I spotted a fence that made me smile.  The reason is that this fence was badly in need of a paint job (it still is by the way) but I realized that even a neglected fence can be beautiful.

Let's see what you think...  (Click to Enlarge for better detail)



Loving the mossy look on the worn posts.


Yes at one time this use to be the typical "white picket" fence but now I think it has great character just as it is.

Hope you've enjoyed this fence in need of paint but still beautiful.

Nasty headache today so I may be awhile visiting your blogs.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Willy Nilly Friday Five - September 16, 2016

 It's been several weeks now since I've participated in Willy-Nilly Friday Five (hosted by Tanya from Around Roanoke)  so it's good to finally be back posting something.



WILLY-NILLY FRIDAY FIVE
Today I'll post some Random Photos & Happenings (the photo's won't necessarily match the random thoughts).

1.  Sometimes while out on a photo hunt I discover things that I wasn't even looking for.  This particular day I was looking for fence shots when I happened to find a really cool rock garden in someone's yard.  They had some of the neatest plants.  This was one of them.


 
2.  Bowling League Started on the 6th.  So far for the two weeks we've bowled now on league I've done fairly well.  Scores: 138-176-121 the first week, 137-157-149 the second week.  So I'm averaging out at my normal 145 Average so far.  Hoping to improve but one week my back was hurting and this last week I had a cut (cat scratch) on my finger so I've been a tad injured the first couple of weeks.  Don't you love "Bowling Excuses!"
 

 No it's not a bowling ball - See I told you the photos wouldn't match the randome facts.  Just one of the rides at the Fair I shot over the Labor Day weekend. - This one is called,  The Spider.  Speaking of spiders....


Here is the butt end of a "Cat Faced Orb Weaver" spider that's hanging around on my mom's front porch.  It's not the greatest photo but you can see where they get their name from the cat like features on it's back end.
 
3.  Coleen is enjoying Middle School a lot more than I thought she would.  She loves Home & Family Life, (We called it Home Economics) and her Writing Class.  This week they had Open House and I got to meet her teachers and everyone has said what a "joy" it is having Coleen in their classes and how bright, polite, insightful, helpful etc...she is.  It's always good to hear things like that.
 

 Here she is enjoying another of the rides (Rock Star) at the Fair.  Loving the expressions on the two boys faces.

4.  Gearing up for the start of the new television shows we like to watch.  I've already started watching Dancing With The Stars, what an interesting group of celebraties they have this season.  Next week NCIS starts and we enjoy both the first show and the New Orleans show.  This shot from the Mardi Gras ride at the fair reminds me of that show because they are always showing scenes of life in New Orleans, it looks like a fun city.


 
5.  Finally yesterday I made mention of a special  "little announcement" which I've been keeping quiet about all week. -  Most of you know that last week we had to put down our sweet 16 year old cat, Snickers.  It was such a hard thing to do & again I thank everyone for their wonderful & kind condolences on her passing.  She will never be forgotten. 
 
 I had said that there was "No Way" we were getting another cat after she was gone.....
 
Well guess what?
 
 
I'd like to introduce you all to the newest member of our household.  Please meet:
 

Caramel  "Honeybun" Krause 
 
We adopted here on Saturday from the Humane Society.  She is already fitting right in with the other 8 cats we have.  Caramel is her official name but her middle name is "Honeybun."
 
She's a (Daddy's Girl) though and loves spending time doing this with him.
 

 
Although she has slept with me like that a few times as well.  She is such a little character.  It's amazing how fast they win your heart.  And just because she's so adorable you get one more photo of her.
 


Having her around has made the hurt and pain of losing Snickers so much easier to bear.
 
Have a great day & thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your Week End.







Thursday, September 15, 2016

Good Fences #130 & Little Things Thursday

Welcome! - It's been a good week.  Today I'll be joining in on the fun of Good Fences and Little Things Thursday.

 First up...

GOOD FENCES  hosted by Theresa (The Run-a-round Ranch Report.)

While out on a walk one day Coleen and I spotted this fun tree house in someone's yard so I stopped to take photos.  Of course you can see it's nicely fenced in and you can also see the next door neighbors lovely white picket fence as well.



Then while out driving around we spotted this one:

It's not your traditional tree house but it's really colorful and looks like it would be fun to play in.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
 

Now let's join Tamar (Random-osity) for:

LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY

While out shooting some photos I stopped in at a local Antique Store and saw this adorable bird hanger on display outside.
 
I didn't buy it but I did photograp it & added a fun quote to the photo.
 
 

Hope you enjoy your day & look for those "little things" that make you happy.






* Special Announcement coming tomorrow

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

9th Tea Cup/Mug Exchange

 
Hooray!   - It's time once again for Stephanie's Tea Cup/Mug Exchange.

This is such a fun event to participate in.  Sign-Ups have begun.  Click on the link on my sidebar to be taken to the information about signing up.

I've participated several times and have always enjoyed meeting the people that I was partnered with and those who received me as a partner.  It's a great way to meet new friends and to receive some fun goodies in the process.

You can read about my experiences HERE, and HERE and HERE.

Hurry on over and Sign-Up.  You won't be disappointed.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Seasons - It's Fair Time

First I want to extend a Heartfelt Thank You to everyone who commented on my last post about losing our sweet Snickers last Friday. - It meant so much to us to know you all cared & understood our loss and how hard it was to say good-bye to her.

Last weekend was our local Fair & Rodeo.  I didn't post then because we were still dealing with a very sick kitty at the time and hoping that we wouldn't have to make the decision to put her down.




So today for SEASONS  hosted by Jesh I am sharing a few of the shots I took at the Fair.

 
What's a Fair without Food (although we didn't eat any there this year as it's always so expensive and I needed the money I had available so Coleen could go on the rides and play games.)  - Still I love all the colorful booths and flags so I just took pictures instead.
 
 
 
One of Coleen's favorite rides is called, Wipe Out.  Here she is enjoying this ride.  Since Grandma doesn't do rides and she had no friends along she often sat by herself on the rides. 
 
 
 
They had a couple of Longhorns that they were giving people rides on.  I snapped this guy as he was getting his saddle put on.  They sure are gorgeous animals.
 

This ride is called, The Tornado - The ride to the right in the photo is,
The Zipper. - Coleen loved this ride, it was her first time going on it.  She rode it a couple of times.
 
The majestic Tiger from the Wild Animal display they had at the fair. 
 
We spent 4 1/2 hours there and I took lots of photos (which I'll share more later on).  It was a fun but tiring day.
 
 
Don't forget to stop in on Jesh's blog and check out the other particpants for Seasons. - Have a great day.