Happy Monday

Good Morning Friends~ I hope you had a spectacular weekend and that your day has started off with joy, if not joy than maybe just a great attitude. This morning Kam and I went on a 12 mile bike ride; we are trying to push it a bit more each day but I'm not sure that once we start riding the 13 mile path daily what we will do to increase it, as it ends there. This little cabin is tucked behind the other old building I shared last week. I'm amazed these structures are still standing. I can tell you that my legs let me know we rode 20 miles on Saturday; I judge my strength by the difficulty in getting up a couple of hills. I can feel the progress but want to be able to take those hills without being so winded and tired afterwards. When we got home we took the two pups for a walk; it had already gotten hot. I'm thankful that I don't have to see anyone after our rides and walk because I really need to jump in a cold shower.

This is the second time we've seen a snake on the path. I didn't see this guy but Kam doesn't like snakes and she let me know. I stopped and got close enough for this photo; although he looks like a Rattle snake, I believe he is a Bull snake because he wasn't warning me away with rattles. I didn't get close enough for him to strike; I don't mind snakes but I'm really not that stupid. This guy wasn't a baby and I would venture to say he was probably between four feet and five.  Since we are riding at a pretty good pace, I don't carry my camera but it is making me think about our old camera that is small and might be manageable. 

I do appreciate their killing rodents-which I really dislike.  If you give a snake enough room, he will avoid interaction with a human. 
I finish quilting the baby quilt and hope to make the binding today.  I will post photos of the quilt when it is finished. 
Here is a question on a random topic-for those of you who travel a lot, do you have a Visa that you get miles from your purchases?  I am taking a survey on which credit card is the best; we used to have a United Airlines visa but closed it-my big mistake because the card we used to have is no longer offered. . Now we have Alaskan Air and their benefits aren't near as good as we used to have.  I got a Capital One Venture card flyer and it looks pretty good-just don't know how well it works for any airline.  If you have one like this, let me know as I'd be interested in your experience.
Blessings on your day!
Noreen & Hunter

A Weekend Adventure

 

Yesterday hubby and I went on an adventure; someone had told me that there were Moose at a lake in the mountains and I thought it was the perfect excuse to go see a new area. I will say that I was disappointed-it was a long drive and we didn't see any wildlife, although some folks we chatted with told me that there were also about 350 head of Buffalo, as well as Elk and Moose near this lake. I think you must have to camp there in order to see the animals grazing at night.

 

I had packed a picnic lunch for us, so we found a spot to eat that overlooked the lake. I will say the area is beautiful but the campsites are very rustic, so I doubt I'll be camping there unless we have some sort of trailer. If you look at the clouds, you will understand why hubby and I headed back after lunch. By the time we were on the highway coming home it was pouring; we had great timing-because on the drive back there was a weather warning issued for flash flooding in this area. Part of the area was impacted by the High Park Fire last year.
Today hubby and I are joining some good friends and going on a bike ride.  Rita and I have identical bikes-when she first saw mine she liked it and ended up getting one that is identical.  In the past, when we've gone on the ride with them, we clock about 15-20 miles round trip and I'm thinking we'll do the same today. We are starting early enough that heat shouldn't be too much of an issue.  With this ride today,  I should have ridden 40-45 miles this week.  Two years ago, hubby and I rode 90 miles in June; if I continue at this current pace, I think I'll make that before we leave on our cruise.  I guess I'll have to hit the gym on the ship just to stay in shape.
I hope you had a great 4th and enjoy the weekend.   Get out and do something fun & crazy.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

HappyIndependence Day

To all my family and friends, near and far~Wishing you a safe and fun Independence Day!  We will have a relaxed day and this evening it will be spent with our daughters and their friends at a pot luck.  We may go to the town's annual concert and fireworks but since we will have Lily here with Hunter, I'm not sure.
Blessings on your day!
Noreen & Hunter

Outdoor Wednesday

Well it started out cooler here today and was just 55 degrees when I went on our bike ride at 7:30, however now two hours later it is 66 degrees and feels humid.  We rode almost eight miles-probably closer to 7.50-7.75; then came home and walked the dogs. I'm hot and sweaty right now; yesterday mid morning after the ride and walk I felt so weary-guess my body is still getting used to our daily rides.
This morning hubby and I have some business to take care of and the afternoon is totally open. Actually, I think I'll be grocery shopping for our daughter's 4th of July party tomorrow evening.  Also working on the quilt.  Nothing too exciting in my world.
I hope you have a great day and wonderful Independence Day filled with celebrations. 
Hugs,
Noreen & Hunter

More Patriotic Decorations

 

Morning friends~Here is another little Patriotic decoration that I've had for years. I must confess that I need to glue everything back into the wagon; it would seem that between grands and a pup named Hunter, everything has been out and is in disarray. I've had this for about 15 years and so love it. I've gotten rid of much of my country decor but there are some pieces that I just can't part with-this is one of them. It is hard to tell but there are two little birdhouses in with Mr. Bear.  I also love birdhouses and used to collect them.

 

This miniature quilt was made eight years ago; you see when I helped my sister through her final stages of cancer, I really needed an outlet for my emotions-that outlet was quilting. I made more quilts and wall hangings during that time frame than at any other period in my life. I think it gave me something to do to keep my hands busy and mind not dwelling on the outcome. I will say that this was paper pieced and I loved this technique-it was so easy. The little quilt hangs in my quilting/sewing room all year round except during the summer. Today has started out well; Kam and I have done a 7.25-7.5 mile bike ride and then came home to walk the dogs. I think it might be about a 2 mile walk; I used to think it was longer but now, not so sure. I wasn't sure how I'd do bike riding today because on Sunday I was looking at our youngest girls new, to them, Expedition and somehow rolled my ankle. When it rolled, my whole body jarred and I was a bit sore throughout the day. Things like this remind me that I am not 30 or 40 any longer.  We fall much harder as we get older-but I didn't fall just jarred myself pretty well. 
I will be quilting the baby quilt today and then we have to take my car into get a 5,000 mile check; this also means I'll get to drag take hubby through Home Goods-one of my favorite stores. 
I hope you have a great day and exercise your body as well as your mind.
Blessings~
Noreen & Hunter

Happy Fourth of July

 

Since we will be celebrating the 4th this week, I thought it would be fun to share my Patriotic decor with you. When you come up to our porch, these lovely flowers will great you.

 

I love these little bears; the smaller one I fell in love with due to his vintage look and brought him home last week.

 

Isn't he just darling!

 

 

Most of these decorations are so old; this is still one of my favorites.

 

 

It was such fun to play with my table setting; I would love to have cobalt blue dishes, but alas some cute paper plates had to make do.

 

I love my America sign, so added that it and I think it is the perfect touch. Seeing so many friends in blogland decorating for the 4th inspired me. What about you-do you decorate for holidays and different seasons?
I hope you had a lovely weekend and aren't wilting under the high temps we've all been experiencing.  My sweet man got back from his trip and both grandpups went home, so Hunter is back to being top dog here.  I've already walked and just have chores to catch up on today.
I hope you have a peaceful day~
Noreen & Hunter

Happy Friday

Good Morning to you! As you know I've been bike riding every day with my friend Kam. We've gone about 6.5 miles the last two days and yesterday I decided to pull out my phone and snap a couple of pics. Now for some strange reason, they are blurry but weren't when I pulled up the emails with them. I'm sure there is a way to tweak them and I just don't know how-probably if I put them in Picaso that would help.

This old building almost looks like it could have been a small cabin at one time. It is leaning so heavily that I think a strong wind could blow it down; however, we get strong winds and it's still there.

Loved seeing so many Pelicans on one lake; we will have them until August and then they will disappear until next spring. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. My plans again are pretty relaxed; my youngest girl gets home with her family, so Petrol will go home but Lily might come for Saturday night.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter