Friday, October 22, 2010

Around the yard


Can you identify?




Do you know what kind of butterfly this is?




This may be the same bird as picture one




No idea what this guy is either




One is the loneliest number




There's just something about watching a leaf's lackadaisical journey on water



These guys have made themselves scarce since the mockingbird took over




Rosebreasted Grosbeak

Thursday, October 21, 2010

"Mom is a cadillac that thing in your eye?"

My adorable, sweet, goofy Maverick asked me this morning if a Cadillac was that thing that happened in your eyes.  Allow me to explain why he would even ask this...

Last week I made the boys a new cd featuring some fun oldies.  The old song "Beep Beep" is their favorite.  The little Nash Rambler was following a Cadillac.

Maverick was wondering if a Cadillac (cataract) was painful...

Click on Nash Rambler above to hear this classic favorite!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Halloweens past

I was talking to a friend of mine from birds and blooms and was reminiscing about the boys adorable Halloween costumes from years past.  I was also lamenting the fact that this is the first year they don't want a "cute" costume.  They want ugly masks and fake blood and plastic, glow-in-the-dark machetes and swords.

Robin and the Banana




Joe's pumpkin




Maverick the Alligator





Ranger the Cow




Ranger the Hippie




Ranger as Thomas the Tank




Maverick the Hippie




Maverick as Henry the train

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Reid's Apple Fest

Chainsaw carving




Chainsaw carving fawn




Handcarved ducks




Miniature reindeer




Solar lights atop upside down painted pots




Ranger on the bungee




Ranger and Maverick




Maverick on the giant slide




Ranger holding the cottontail in the 4-H tent




Maverick holding the cottontail




Maverick won this throwing darts




Lord Malcom from the Society for Creative Anachronism
This group put on an amazing show of medieval battles




Maverick on the giant slide again




We had a wonderful time today at Reid's apple fest.  The crowd was amazing, the vendors were incredible, and the food smelled great.  The pork chop sandwich was one I wanted to try, but I didn't want to stand in that long, long, long line.

Friday, October 15, 2010

I can't believe it's the middle of October . . .

I wonder what's in there




My little barn is sinking




Ready to take on the world




Downy woodpecker, I think




I've no idea what this is, but it has the longest tongue it tickles me with when they land on me




Cabbage field in Hico, Tennessee




Ranger smiles




Noisy bluejay





Fallen tree




Knot

Sunday, October 10, 2010

What a treat! **Updated**

A few days ago I was hanging clothes on the clothes line when the branches in a nearby tree began to shake and quiver.  I was afraid it was a kitten stuck up high in the branches again.  We had a stray kitten get stuck up there last week.  Then I heard it.  A sound I'd never heard before.  Now my curiosity was piqued.  The branches started shaking again and the largest woodpecker I'd ever seen dropped down to the feeder for half a second then flew away.  My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking, I was so disappointed I didn't have my camera.  After asking a few knowledgable folks and doing a bit of googling, it was a pileated woodpecker.  I'm hoping he comes back.

Later that day, I heard a similar noise.  Thinking it was my new guest I ran to grab my camera.  I was going to be prepared this time!!  This is what I got.

This trickster mocking bird trying to trick me into thinking the woodpecker was back!! 



I've had finches year round.


I went to Lowes and purchased a new feeder and "special" birdseed so I'm hoping the woodpecker comes back.  I would LOVE to get a picture of him.

I'm on fall break from school Monday and Tuesday so I'll be doing a bit of "fall cleaning".  The boys are on fall break from school the whole week.  Ranger is so mad...


He has to get his middle school shots on Tuesday.  He is not a happy camper.

Then they'll spend the rest of the week with nanny and papa!!  They are so excited!

Papa and Maverick



Nanny, Barron, Ranger, and Maverick




Nanny and Ranger




Papa and Ranger




Silly papa




Sweet Nanny




***UPDATE***

I snagged these this afternoon. 

Still wondering what kind've tree this is




Robin




Mockingbird




Chickadee




Chickadee




Maverick




Ranger loves rearranging the letters on the garage!