Happy Birthday America! Part One We the People

How old are you anyway? (I stopped counting after 200!) The ultimate party...a parade!

I was with the most entertaining people on the route. We had face painting, cheering and people begging pieces of floats. It was great! See part one-appendage A for more photos.

Lighting Up The Night

We enjoyed the 3rd of July. We had a great dinner on the patio with Jeremiah and his family, Morgan and her children and Lacey and Mark. We packed up our necessaries and headed to the park. It was pretty crowded when we arrived and as we walked around looking for a place to "plant" ourselves, we found the perfect spot. We were surrounded by some of our great neighbors. We watched a great show. I loved when Colton climbed up on my lap to watch. Tucker had a different experience. He buried his face in his mother's chest during the show. We enjoyed our walk home and looked forward to a great July 4th.

Note: Can you find the 'posed' picture?

My Yard Art

I am loving making discarded china bird feeders. Superman is right on board with me. It's fun to have him ask if I have time to go shopping at a second hand store. Here are the ones that I have in my yard. We also just installed a crystal dish watering 'hole'. They haven't discovered it yet, but they sure love all the rest of them. Question: How much would you be willing to purchase one for? I am just wondering in case I ever decide to sell them.

Gravy boat

I was wishing for a violet cup. Found it in Grand Junction!

My pink rose china find from Germany

Love this one. It's GJ also.

This is one of the birds favorite ones. I like the bright color and different shape.

DI special. It is so pink and feminine.

Noritake from DI.

My Mother's Day bird bath. An old light fixture. The birds love it. Especially the Red Winged Blackbirds.

One of our guests. (Although not a favorite). This is the sneaky Brown headed Cowbird. Rascals.

The Fledging

In past posts you have heard about out beautiful Bullocks Orioles. We saw their nest last Saturday. We have enjoyed the peeping of the babies. This past week, I was going to relax and cool down from my bike ride. I felt an impression to grab the camera. This is truly a tender mercy story.
    As we sat for a few moments together, Steve watched the apple tree. He was going to spray it for worms when I asked him if it would hurt our baby birds. We decided that wormy apples are a small price to pay for the enjoyment these birds have given us. As Steve watched the tree, he discovered that the babies were out of the nest and flitting from branch to ranch in the tree. We then watched the process of fledging a young bird. The parents would fly around the tree. We saw the father in a Russian Olive about 30 yards from our tree. The babies were chattering and chattering in the tree. We saw mom and dad gently push them off the branch and watch them soar. They flew to our Aspen tree one at a time. There was a little one that was just too scared to try. All the siblings were chattering their encouragement. The father finally flew into the tree and nudged the reluctant youngster off the branch. They spent the rest of the afternoon, talking to each other about their accomplishments. The next morning, I woke to a very silent tree. It kind of gives me a little heart tug. They are still in the neighborhood, learning to hunt. (Hey birds, eat those grasshoppers!) Reading about the birds, I know they are going to be heading south very soon. I have loved getting to know them, and hosting these brilliant birds in our tree. They are insect eaters, so they didn't even use our feeders. ( A post showing my feeders is coming soon. sorry if you are sick of my bird stories.) We are hoping it was a good tree and someone will be visiting us next year.

Flying

I have no words. Just enjoy the photos. I know the focus isn't great and I had the wrong lens but it was fun!

Ice cream and Cupcake Night

Very Important! This Sunday, June 23, 2013, it's cupcake and homemade ice cream night. It is drop in. If you read this, know me and love me...you are invited. Come early before the mosquitos wake up. Steve is making the ice cream. I am making Devil's Food cupcakes with White Chocolate Icing. Homemade fudge sauce will also be available. A comment to RSVP so that I have enough cakes is appreciated, (but I will let you come without it!)
Love you!

Family Reunion Part Two

Loved seeing the family...just hate the stress of ...Did I get enough meat? Do I have enough to drink? Enough trash cans about? Will the kids be entertained? Will they be safe? Will they destroy my stuff?
Did anyone feel slighted by me accidently? oy yoy yoy. Here are some of the wonderful people that stood still long enough (while I was sane) to get a picture.