Skywatch Friday

This is the marina at my favorite lake in the area.  We have seven small lakes within five miles of the house and two huge lakes (Beaver & Table Rock) within an hour drive.  Actually Beaver Lake is only about twenty minutes from my driveway.  Back to my favorite...Loch Lomond, in Bella Vista, Arkansas is about five miles from my front door.  It a little short of 600 acres and has access that is restricted to property owners.  That means that during the week, there may only be a dozen boats actually on the lake fishing.  Last Wednesday I had my best day ever, bass fishing on this body of water.  One bass weighed over five pounds and two others were over the three pound mark.  Of course, any day on the water is a good day.  Have a blessed week-end.

A Place to Call Home

This unassuming artificial arrangement was place on our back deck, by my wife, as part of the decorations for the prom dinner that we hosted several weeks ago.  Just before the storms that devastated Moore, Oklahoma rolled through here I noticed some activity on the deck.  There were a pair of Nuthatches frantically working to build a nest.  You guessed it.

We have new neighbors! The artificial arrangement arrangement was apparently the perfect location for their new home.  It is a perfect location.  It's under the covered part of the deck, out of the weather.  It's almost always in the shade and sheltered from strong winds.  There are a couple of live potted plants adjacent to it so cats can't get access to this location.

Mom is on the nest and she's sitting on five eggs.  It's going to get pretty crowded in there very soon.  This is the second time this has happened in the past four years.  We had a live potted plant sitting on the picnic table that also is on the deck.  A pair of Nuthatches found that to be a suitable residence and raised their family there one spring.  We've also had Barn Swallows build a nest on the covered portion of the front porch.  They're extremely messy after the little ones hatch, but that's a story for another day.  I'm guessing that we will have baby Nuthatches in about a week.  Stay tuned.

Wordless Wednesday

What a Revolting Development This Is!

Ruby Tuesday II

My son-in-law is a jeep fanatic.  He would LOVE to have this new 4-door Jeep in Razorback red.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

I have to admit, I got a late start on the hunt this week.  Growing up in Oklahoma and now living in Arkansas, the storms this week had my full attention.  In fact we were without power from Monday evening until Tuesday afternoon.  The storm systems that moved through Oklahoma found their way across the border and into Arkansas.  There was much less damage here, but there were two tornadoes in the area Monday night.  Okay, on with the hunt.

Vacation

For our family the word "vacation" means one thing, Stillwaters Resort on Table Rock Lake, just outside of Branson Missouri.  We rent a condo, I take my boat, and we swim, fish, tube, nap, shop, and just enjoy a week being a family.  The grandkids like this place better than Disney World.

 Food

 A local farmers market features this little food trailer serving fried to order, mini donuts.   You can order 8 or 12. If you order them dusted with cinnamon, eight will not be enough.  Trust me.

Sound

 If you think this little '35 Olds Coupe, with rumble seat, looks good, it "Sounds" even better!  A friend brought it over so we could use it to photograph some Prom pics.  It is one sweet ride.

Texture

  To be perfectly honest, everything has some sort of texture, even glass.  I just thought that this batch of mixed lettuce that I found at the farmer's market had an interesting combination of color and texture.  Just a few more veggies, and maybe a little grilled chicken breast and we have ourselves a great salad.

Anything 

 

It is Memorial Day week-end, so I thought it only fitting to remember my father, who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  While Memorial Day was originally set aside to remember those who lost their lives serving our country, it has evolved into remembering any of our loved ones who have passed away, regardless of the circumstances.  Dad passed away in 2009 and I do miss him often.  He was special in so many ways.  Have a blessed week end.  

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome!

Ruby Tuesday II

If you're ever in Bentonville/Bella Vista, Arkansas you can see this for yourself in the spring of the year.  It is the entry walkway to the Mildred B. Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista, designed by E. Fay Jones.  It is worth the visit.  While the azaleas are what makes this image a Ruby Tuesday post, who wouldn't want that Dogwood in their home landscape.  In full bloom, this specimen is about a close to perfect as one could hope for.