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

Saturday Blessings to you friends~I missed visiting here yesterday; we had a very fun, full day at Elitch Gardens and I will post photos on Monday. Today, we've all ready gone on a 6 mile bike ride(which showed I was out of shape!)and I've taken Hunter on a walk. The weather is fabulous and I'm enjoying every bit of sunshine. I hope you have a glorious day and a wonderful weekend; especially all of you that are moms. Hugs,
Noreen & Hunter

Thankful Thursday

 

Good Morning Friends~I'm so thankful today: for life, grace, love, mercy and for all those special people in my life-including you! I am here to tell you that Hunter's annual appt. went really well yesterday; his vet was very understanding and actually said the "flu shot" is a "lifestyle choice", when I asked what that meant, she told me it is for those pups whose owners constantly travel and leave the dog at the kennel for long periods of time. As good as any kennel is, with the exception of Bert's and Miss Vickie's being over the top, it still isn't home and they can't possibly get the same care they do when they are home. I guess there are some owners that might not be true with, but you get my meaning. Hunter is at a perfect weight-12 lbs 3 oz. and all muscle. Aside from having to take blood for the heartworm test and to check his liver/kidney functions, receive a couple of shots-well he did fine. Scared but fine. I really like the vet; it is just that I think many folks would rather go back to a simpler days when animal care was more reasonable. Now, you all know how much we love our little Hunter, so don't misunderstand me. For many years, I wasn't able to afford dental or eye exams and to think of spending more money on our pets, than I do on myself, always made me shake my head.  We have always given our dogs the very best care; I just don't always think every new shot is needed. I'd say that many of you feel the same way. I am thankful that the appt. went so well and that Hunter is healthy.
The rest of our day yesterday was great; we headed up to the Rockies, shopping for some snowshoes for next year and looking for wildlife.  We didn't find any snowshoes that we were wanting to buy; in fact the used, really beat up ones that are rentals were $90.  I am glad we drove up though! We did some a few herds of Elk but didn't get any photos-sorry!  On the way home, it started to hail and by the time we got home it was raining hard. It rained all evening and it still cloudy today; I'll be walking in an hour so I hope the rain holds off.  I am meeting a close friend for lunch and then our daughter's crew will be here, while she goes to the dr.  Her hubby is busy all day so they will be staying for dinner-Tacos.  An easy way to feed kiddos that are going through a growth spurt. 
Tomorrow we are heading, if it isn't raining too much, to a amusement park in Denver with our other daughter's family.  I won't be riding on all rollercoasters but will be watching over the littlest ones.  It should be loads of fun!  I am so thankful that our daughters and their families live so close. I am thankful that hubby and I are able to be active in their lives.
I hope you have had a good week so far; just think it is almost over. 
Blessings, Noreen & Hunter