Not a surprise to most, but in case you didn’t know…..I’m a bit of a nature nut. Love how amazing, creative, funny and peaceful it can be. And to me always pointing to the Creator. Sometimes there are things I think He leaves just for me, a little gift of sort, because He knows how much it will delight me.
So some recent little delights.
We’ve been seeing an animal in the distance that we just couldn’t quite figure out, a bit large to be a squirrel and not the “right” color but……..Well we got a close up look finally as it was burying nuts in our vegetable garden. It looks like it’s a white squirrel. Not that common but found in the mountains of NC and VA. Very cool!
I hear this guy often, but they are kinda shy and hard to see. But I just happened to be getting the mail one day and there he was…..(so yes I ran and got my camera). This is a pileated woodpecker, very large and beautiful.
Feeling wonderfully blessed to have this as my backyard view. This picture was taken off our back deck. When we moved, one of my good friends said to me “ I hate to see you move, but so glad that God has put you in a place that speaks to how He made you” and that is sooo true.
Though I’m a nature lover in general, there are a few critters that I hold dear. This is one of them, chipmunks. I’ve known that we have them in are backyard and have seen very distant glimpses of them, But I just happened to look out the window of our study to see this…
He was enjoying my potted plants and the bird seed on the ground. It was a total day maker.
So though it’s possible that these chance encounters are just good luck, I think of them as special gifts between me and the One who made me and who knows just what and when to give these little delights.
Catherine
Each September since we moved, we’ve been vacationing at the beach with our NC friends. It’s become something we really look forward too…..a way for us to make some fun memories together. We had a wonderful time, beautiful weather, funny moments, sweet moments an all around great time. Though I couldn’t live at the beach, it’s my favorite place to vacation. There is something for everyone to enjoy…….sand, waves, long walks, seashell finding, early morning time alone with a coffee and the sunrise. We stay at a Marriott Resort, so there is also great pools, a fun tree house play area, outside games, movie nights with a huge screen by the pool……..lots of choices, lots of relaxing, lots of fun.
So some of our moments ……
Caleb and Aaron LOVE the beach, you can’t have too much sand, or water, or waves
Walks with friends……
Fun with the boogey boards, too little to ride the waves like the big kids, but not too little to try
Finally Ken takes them out on the boogey board. They were nervously excited.
Hannah loves boogey boarding
These two had an absolute blast together. Way too cute for words…… Caleb affectionately refers to her as “my Eliani” (not Eliana).
Katelyn’s first experience with her toes in the ocean wasn’t a hit, but she quickly decided it wasn’t so bad and maybe even liked the feel of the wet sand in her toes.
Caleb was much more willing to go into the ocean and face the waves this year. It’s easier to be brave when you have a friend along.
What a nice thing…..to be able to sleep soundly anywhere
and wake up and play with a friend
Hanging out at the pool
Katelyn, well just being cute (3 months old)
Playing some of the games and greeting wildlife at the resort
Just some more pics………..
Catherine
