Circle B Bar

Even though our 20th anniversary was on May 9, on May 12 we had a party at our nature reserve.  45 people were invited, 20 rsvp'd and 7 showed up, lol.  But we had a great time anyways.

 I saw quite a few red cardinals that day...this one was right near our picnic tables.

 I had reserved a nature ride for 6.  I tried to reserve for more, but  there was no more seating so I took what I could get.  Grampy, Scott, Wade, Diana, Layla and Rossi took the ride. I stayed behind to keep an eye on our food and to wait for the others to arrive.  Scott took pictures while on the ride and I will do my best to explain them or let you know what type animal it is.  I'm not sure about the above picture.

 This picture is a Coot.

 I believe this is an alligator in a canal.

 Yep it is.

 Diana, Layla and Rossi on the ride.

 The man pointing out different things is the tour guide.  I believe his name is either Steve or Bob.  He had mentioned something about this being the "BS" tour, lol.

 Eagles nest in a tree.  I am so going to walk the trail to this the next time we go and try to get some closer pictures.

 3 eagles sittling on a branch near the nest.

 We call these snake birds because their necks are so long.  And sometimes they are submerged and only their necks and heads are out of the water.

 I think this is a white species of a snake bird.

 The whole flock.

 Another alligator in a canal.  This time of year the females are laying eggs.  April is mating season, May is egg laying season and June is when the eggs hatch. Hut and I found this out in March and said we wouldn't walk the gator trail again until July.  But I did end up walking it again this day.

 Some kind of pink birds.  Definitely not flamingos.

 A heron.

 Rossi hamming it up for Uncle Scotty.

 Here I think she's playing with Grampy.

 A windmill, probably part of the original cattle ranch.  The reserve used to be part of a cattle ranch.  The owners of the ranch sold part of their ranch to Polk County and SWIFTMUD (Southwest Florida Management), who made it into this awesome reserve.

 Layla and Wade.

 Diana and Rossi.

 Now that the ride is over and lunch is done at well, it's time for a walk.  This is Diana's grandmother, GG walking with Layla.  Diana's grandparents, GG and Pa joined us for the day.  It was nice to visit with them, since we haven't seen them in awhile.

 Scott, Wade and Rossi, with Pa in the background.  Pa recently had rotorcuff surgery, but ventured out to join us anyways.

 Diana had the camera for this shot....Scott and Rossi in the front and then Pa, Layla, GG and me in the background.

 He ain't heavy, he's my brother.  Wade getting a piggy back ride from Scott. 

 Caught this picture too late.  Rossi had been laying down like Uncle Scotty.

 Diana on the dock overlooking Lake Hancock.  The county and SWIFTMUD have purchase land all around the shores of Lake Hancock to assure there would be no developement to hinder the reserve.  The lake is 7 miles around and rumored to be only 2 feet deep.

 Wade and Diana on the dock.

Gator tracks.  Probably more than one gator. 

 BIG turtle.

 More turtles sunning themselves.

 HUGE gator cooling off in the canal.  Scary looking isn't he?

 Side shot.

 Another side shot.

 Can you find the gator in this picture?

 Bet you can see her now.  She has her eyes open.

 Squirrel in the dry canal bed.  Looked like he was walking on water.

 Turtles in the green slimey water.  Not sure what the green slime is.

Small turtle on a branch.  And another one in the water looking at the camera.

Hope you enjoyed these pictures of some wildlife from my neck of the woods.

Craft Show

On May 6, Diana and I did our first "together" craft show.  It was in Maitland,FL, a venue I had never done.  I've only done shows around my area.  It was a good show, lots of talented vendors.  However, we only took pictures of our booth and the girls, lol.

Layla and Rossi sitting on the step to the stage, which was right next to our booth.  Rossi is mad because we made her sit down instead of letting her run around.  She got over that quick though.

 Our booth set up.  It was a small area....8x8.  I usually have a 10x10 and that extra four feet makes a difference.

 Diana's side of the booth.  I love what a great eye she has for displaying.  Aren't her aprons awesome?  And how about those mustache shirts?

 Here are Diana's sock monkeys.  You know those are adorable.  Check out her Sew Blessed by Diana shop on Etsy.  She has some really neat stuff.

 Look at this banner Diana made.  She is so darn talented.

 My pitiful side of the booth.  The booth was so small that I couldn't even put out 1/2 of my stuff.  But that's okay.  We learned alot from our mistakes and are going to plan new, better ways to display.  And we had less than an hour to set up.  That made what was already a challenge and ever bigger challenge. Oh and if you want to check out my things....I also have an Etsy shop....Novelties By Nana.  I always welcome browsers.

 Diana's mom sent some really cute earrings to the show.  And she made these awesome displays out of screen that she framed. Diana's mom, Becky, also has an Etsy shop, Get Hooked With Me.  If you love earrings (and I LOVE earrings), check it out. 

 There was a clear alter near our booth.  Once Rossi discovered it, she was happy.  She had a really good time playing with it.

 Hamming it up for the camera.

Here I was trying to get a picture of Diana's neighbors, Patrice and Tony, with some friends, being goofy.  Patrice is behind the light pole, Tony to her right.  The two ladies who put on the craft show are the daughters to the couple on the left. What a small world.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Yesterday May 9, I celebrated 20 years of marriage to the most amazing man.  I wanted to be able to post some pictures but haven't had time to take new ones and no time to find old ones.  However we are having an Anniversary Celebration on Saturday with friends and family and I will do another post WITH pictures. 

Our 20 years have not been a total piece of cake.  But we learned to work through our issues instead of taking the easy out...divorce.  I must say that the good times definitely outweigh the bad.  And the trials of the past year have really brought us closer.  I can honesty say that I love my husband more now, than I did 20 years ago.  And that love just keeps growing and growing.

A love like this only comes once in a lifetime and I'm so glad to have this lifetime with him.

Peas in a Pod

I know, once again you probably thought I was talking about Layla and Rossi.  Once again, I fooled you, lol.  Most of you know I have an Etsy shop as I post about it on FB.  My items are usually things I can make quick and easy.  Well I fell in love with some wire wrapped jewelry and thought I'd try my hand at it.  As you can see I still need some practice, lol. I just love the Peas in a Pod.

My first try at wire wrapped jewelry was a nest with eggs.  My DIL Diana had found a tutorial online and sent me the instructions.  I made one and I liked it alot.  So I bought some more wire, beads and chains and took the supplies to Wade and Diana's for Easter.  Both daugher in laws, friends and the kids all had fun making one.  I wish I had pictures. 

So what do you think?  Do they look like what they are supposed to?

Progress

Most of you know I work at the State Farm Building in Winter Haven, FL.  It's a huge 3 story building that houses over 2,500 employees.   On a recent walk around the building I noticed in the Info Depot (the room you go to get information) they had this beautiful filing cabinet on display. 

As the sign states this cabinet is from around 1918.  The cabinet was bought by Agent AJ Fleming for $2.00.  Yep $2.00.   Amazing right?  Well even more amazing was that in 1934 this cabinet held all the State Farm Policies for the State of Florida.  Can you imagine that?  I can't. 

 Not sure of the history surrounding this typewriter, but I'm sure it's real similiar to the ones used to type up some of the original policies.  And someone told me that they used to hand sew policies together.  Now that is really crazy.  Shows you how much we have progressed in almost 100 years.