Had a wonderful day. My sister-in-law and her fiancé and My hubby and I went up to Benezette in Elk County to see the elk and check out all the changes in the area. We haven't been up to camp and that area for several years. We had a great time. Here are some fabulous elk pictures.

This first picture is right in Benezette before we reached the Benezette Restaurant where we had breakfast. As you can see she is quite pregnant and will most likely have her baby around the end of next week or the week after. The other elk photos were taken on Winslow Hill down in a small out-of-the-way valley. There were 23 elk there altogether.
I couldn't believe they allow me to get as close to them as I did to take photos.

It was such a beautiful day here in western Pennsylvania. After an awesome sermon at church this morning we headed down to Trader Joe's then up to Whole Foods. I love Trader Joe's sprouted bread and orange chicken, along with some other goodies. We love buying our fruit at Whole Foods because it lasts days longer than fruit bought at Walmart or other grocery stores, so does their lettuces and other fresh veggies. I do buy most of my veggies during season from local farmers but during the late Fall through early spring its Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

After we had a late lunch we strapped our bikes on the back of the Honda and headed to Foxburg for our first bike ride of the season. It was just gorgeous and a slight wind was blowing along the water. It was a great ride with the exception of a sore butt from not riding since late October. It felt wonderful getting out in the fresh air and back on my bike.

Have a blessed week everyone!

Oh my gosh I think Spring has finally arrived. My perennials are peeking up above the earth which means I need to get myself out in the flower beds and get things cleaned up a bit. My bluebirds arrived the last week in February and took up residence in the houses they left last fall. All but one house is occupied. I love watching them flutter about gathering bugs and coming to the meal worm feeders my hubby made for them. Its a real trip when they start bringing their young ones to the feeder. They sit on top of the feeder quivering with their mouths open waiting for momma and papa to bring them worms. We did have some wintering bluebirds that decided to stay this winter rather than head south so they are still here and nesting. The Red Breasted Gross Beaks and Oriels should be arriving pretty soon and then the hummers start to arrive. I have anywhere from 30 to 50 humming birds every year. Its like having my own star wars under my porch. I have 3 2-cup feeders and I have had to fill them everyday to accommodate all the hummers. I love it.

I look forward to mornings that are warm enough for me to once again have my coffee on the porch. Its nice and peaceful and I enjoy watching all the beautiful birds at the feeders. This is a treat that I originally picked up from my grandmother, she just loved feeding the birds and I loved watching her as a kid. I know why she loved it so much, I do too.

Have a Happy Easter my blogger friends, I will chat with you again soon and hopefully have some great pictures to add.

Toodles!

Spring temperatures have felt good this past week and our hope of its soon arrival will be a blessing for sure after all the snow and cold we've had this winter. It is a very welcomed sight. And I know even though

this spring weather is tapping on our door winter is still winter and we could get hit with another storm before spring settles in.

I have two paintings I'm working on together, which is fun. I love to paint. I have one I want to do as soon as I'm done with these two. I am mulling it over in mind as how I want to tackle it. We'll see as I progress with it what I actually do.

I will leave you with this cute curious little doe picture, sent to me by my dear friend. It was taken by their outdoor camera. Sweet!

Enjoy the warm weather! May your days ahead be showered with blessings!

Hi Everyone!
I have recently finished a new watercolor of Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, a second in the series of lighthouses I'm painting.

I have also been learning to crochet. I'm not doing too bad. I've crocheted four scarves so far and they look pretty good. There is a small group of us artists who get together quarterly to learn new arts or crafts. This new year, 2015 we will be working on projects to give as random acts of kindness. Random Acts of Kindness day was developed by Susan Kuhn on Facebook as an event to show kindness to someone, here is her excerpt:

"The Friday after Thanksgiving is dubbed "Black Friday"...a day filled with shopping for "good deals"... while a lot of people are simply trying to save money on big ticket items...there are those who forget the Spirit of what this season is about...and those are the stories that headline the news...the fist fights, the trampling, the yelling. So I am asking everyone to go out of their way to brighten a stranger's day with "Random Act of Kindness Friday"...2 weeks after Black Friday, December 12, 2014. Even though many of us do acts of kindness every day...why not dedicate a day where we have as much "kindness giving" on this Friday as we do "deal getting" on Black Friday...maybe pay for the person behind you at the Drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts, maybe stand on a busy Main St and pass out flowers to people walking by, maybe brush the snow off a row cars in your work's parking lot, maybe leave some scratch off tickets on a person's windshield, deliver some hot coffee to some people working outside...who knows...you might be the one bright spot on a person's pretty crummy day. So join this "event" to pledge your act of kindness and share on your page. Would be nice to get as many people to "join" this event that patron stores and malls on Black Friday. Feel free to share ideas for people looking for something to do as their act of kindness...get your kids in on it too!"

Next year "Random Acts of Kindness" day will be on December 11th so mark your calendars. But wouldn't it be great to practice random acts of kindness on a regular basis?
Have a blessed week everyone!

Good evening my blogger friends I hope you are enjoying this wonderful brand New Year. My hope for you is that you will discover, be challenged, and take risks and find your dreams.

I belong to a book club of four other women and myself making five of us. We have been friends for more than 20 years doing a Bible study together weekly. We decided at the beginning of the summer of 2013 to start a book club and I must say it has been one huge blessing for me. I have read some fantastic books to date, but my favorite is the one we just finished titled "The Blue Bottle Club" by Penelope Stokes. It is the best story I have ever read and I recommend it highly, but be prepared for an amazing adventure within your heart.

Blessings to you all on this third day into the New Year!  :)

Happy New Year my blog friends!

Blessings to you and your families, may your new year be full of joy, peace, contentment, new challenges and new goals!

My most important goal this year is to use the gifts, talents and abilities God has given me to bless and encourage others. To have an attitude of gratitude in all circumstances, and always do my very best in everything I set out to do.

Happy New Year!