Good Morning to you! I imagine everyone across our country is watching the national news, to see the latest news on Oklahoma. The prayers of many are going up. Having gone through a tornado here, the year we moved our family to this area, I know the devastation that Moore is facing. Our tornado was only an EF-3 but also spanned a mile wide; thankfully only one life was lost. Every spring I now take food and water supplies downstairs to the basement. I am so thankful we have basements here.  I always watch the sky when we get hail and thunder; there is an eery green glow, that once you've seen it, you'll never forget it.
Hubby got this photo a couple of weeks ago; we love it when the Pelicans are back. This year is the first year, since our tornado, that we've had as many Pelicans as before. They are beautiful birds; we are always sad to see them leave. Blessings on your day!
Noreen & Hunter

Morning Friends,  I hope you had a fabulous weekend; I did.  Friday night a group of ladies from our church went to a local art store that holds classes for groups and you come away with a painting.
First off, I was so hesitant to go; you see I am a quilter and can't draw to save my life.  I've tried painting a couple of times in the past and it was a disaster.  I also did some tole painting when my girls were in high school but that is the extent of my experience.  My painting turned out fine but the whole evening was such fun with friends.
On Saturday my sweet man left, with two friends, for a golf tournament out of state. This is his annual tournament; the time when something usually goes wrong here at home. The first year we were here, the tornado hit our town; he was driving home when it happened.  Each year holds something different for me.  So far, this year has been smooth, but I did come down with a sore throat and stuffy nose on Sat.; this means that I'm taking it really easy.  I am walking but not bike riding; pretty much just taking it really slow.  Today I'm joining five friends for crafts; we mainly just gab and catch up. I also have to go across the street and take care of two cats whose owner is away with my man.  This may be the reason I've had a sore throat and stuffy nose-I'm so very allergic to cats.  Hubby volunteered me, what's a girl to do?
I hope you have a great Monday!!!!
Blessings, Noreen

Nesting Owls

Yesterday we were able to get some photos of a Mama Owl and her two owlet. We just learned of these and they are getting quite big. Our neighbor told us that they are supposed to fly in two days or so. It was such a treat to see them. We were across the street and did not disturb them; I am thankful for a great telephoto. Here is the Mama.

 

The babies were harder to get a good shot of.

 

 

 

Any Mama would be proud of this youngin.

 

I would have loved to have seen them last week, but I'm thankful we were able to see them yesterday. I guess it is pretty rare to see them nesting at all; it is the first time I've seen an Owl in this area and to see it with the two owlets was exciting.
Today is our neighbors garage sale and we've already sold one bigger item-yippee! I think you have to have a gift to be successful at selling; I've never had any luck at our family sales, so hopefully all our items will be sold today.
Have a wonderful day and weekend friends; hubby will leave tomorrow and I will hit Whole Foods.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

Thankful Thursday

As always, I am pausing to count my many blessings today. I hope you've made it a habit too; if not daily, then take one day per week to acknowledge how blessed you are. I know many are struggling, but it could always be worse! Yesterday was a grand day; of course it started with a nice walk, then hubby and I took things down that we were donating to the garage sale and I began gathering the items I wished to sell. It does feel good to clear out some clutter and items that I have had for many many years. By mid morning, we had errands to run and while we were out hubby stopped off at the bike store. You see, my mountain bike is approximately 20 yrs old and although still in good shape, it needs a tune up. Each spring I have issues with it and due to the fact that the bar(it is a woman's bike)is high, it is getting more difficult for me to get off of. Last week I saw a bike at Costco that was just what I was hoping for-something nice without a high bar and reasonably priced. So yesterday, we found a bike that met all my criteria and it was very reasonably priced plus at a good store too, which offers free tune-ups etc. Here it is~I Love It and am so thankful for it.

 

What I like is that it is called a hybrid-a cross between a mountain bike and a cruiser. We do enough dirt paths that I needed the tough tires and you will notice that the bar is low; it is called an cross-through, I think. I was so excited; hadn't planned on getting it yesterday at all. My sweet man knew I needed a new bike now. WE got home and had lunch and then he went to the golf course; what did I do-you got it, I went on a 4 mile bike ride. It was beautiful out and I just wanted to use it right away; seems the rain was coming. I am hoping to ride at least four miles, minimum, daily plus walking. When I am riding with hubby we will probably do the ride to our town lake, which works out to 8 miles.  Two years ago,you may remember, we rode a lot-in fact for the month of June and July rode a minimum of 90 miles.  That is our goal for this year; my bike will make it much easier-that is once I get my "bike butt"(which is getting used to the seat when riding so much). 
I am so thankful to be able to ride distances and the ability to get back into shape.  My honey will be away for a couple of days and I get to start juicing again and just eating salads-yippee! I always feel better when I juice, but for some reason during the winter, it just doesn't sound appealing. In case you are wondering, I juice with fresh veges and fruits: spinach, kale, beets, cucumber, celery, carrots, peppers and lots of strawberries or apples and ginger root.  I especially like kale because it helps detox your liver.  I found out years ago, I have a "fatty liver" and so try to juice to have it regenerate.  I think most of America has this condition, due to our poor and processed diets; at least that is what I have heard over the years. 
I am thankful for warmer weather and also for a wonderful camera-which we are going to use this morning to take some photos of two baby owls.  I am thankful for family and friends and health.
Hope you have a joyous day.
Noreen & Hunter

Papa & Nana at Elitch

It's outdoor Wednesday today and I hope you are able to get outside. I will be taking Hunter on a walk shortly and then hubby and I plan to finish cleaning our garage. My bff here is having a garage sale on Friday so I am donating some things to her daughter; which means that we have to have organize all that I'm giving them. I will also be selling some things, which I need to price today. I never have much luck with garage sales but maybe this is my year.

Papa and I will our littlest grandson; he is such a cutie and we loved our time holding him on Friday.

My girl and I; I have the best daughters in the whole world. I am blessed beyond measure by them and the relationship we share. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Joy to you!
Noreen & Hunter

Happy Tuesday to you~I promised photos of our day at Elitch Gardens on Friday.

The childrens area was great for young and early elementary age children.

Little Miss D was fighting allergies or a cold; she did have fun regardless.

Miss A enjoying the rides; she has grown so much, no longer a toddler but an active 3 yr old.

Miss S, the perfect big sister and Miss A; they rode many rides together.

The weather was perfect; after we left the thunder started and the rain was so heavy. So glad we weren't caught out in it.

This fun day brought back memories of an earlier time in our lives~when we homeschooled, the end of the year was always marked by going to Marine World/Six Flags for a day. Of course, our girls were older than Kim's children; we had a great time at our local amusement park on Friday and this nana even went on a small roller-coaster. I hope you have a great day and get to be outside for a little while. Yesterday I not only took Hunter on a walk but also went on a 4 mile bike ride and then a walk around the block in the evening.  We will be going on a walk shortly and  I hope to at least go on a bike ride this afternoon.
Joy to you!
Noreen & Hunter

A Wonderful Surprise

Morning Friends~I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a very special Mother's Day. I was so glad to see that many friends posted that this can be a hard holiday for some, but if you've ever loved a child you knew or if you have fur-babies, you are definitely a Mother.
Saturday afternoon when I got the mail, I was so surprised to see an envelope from a dear blogging friend. Imagine how excited I was to open it and see this beautiful photo card from Val. Val used to live in the Islands and on our last trip, she alerted me to a beach that was home to a baby Monk Seal and its Mama. The card reminded me of Hawaii so much; but what I found inside was a beautiful hand made necklace. What Val didn't know is that I've always collected sea glass when at the ocean and seeing it in this necklace, made my heart sing.

 

 

It is hard to see its beauty but trust me, Val outdid herself making this for me! What is even more exciting to me is the fact that Val's hubby, a dentist, took over an office in Kapa'a-the area we stay in when we are in Kauai. Next spring when we are there, you know I'll be meeting Val and her girls-Gracie and Schatzie and hopefully spending time with them all. If you don't know Val, go by and say hi- you can find her here: http://mygirlzgotpaws.blogspot.com/     
Thank you Val for this thoughtful gift; I will wear it proudly and I am counting the months til we meet.
It is already very warm here; I took Hunter to the dog park and walked with friends and couldn't wait to get home and put on shorts.  I'm thinking about the weeding I need to do but it may have to wait until it cools down later today.
Have a blessed day!
Noreen & Hunter