Kisses From God 4-18-2017

Both horses were missing shoes and it was too pretty to not be outside so I decided to go for a hike at the State Park. I like to do that every once in a while as I can't carry my SLR camera with me on the horse and I usually get some great photo opportunities when I'm not on horseback. I feel most connected to God when I get out in His creation!

I ask at the gate where most of the wildflowers are and I am directed to Amphitheater area.
Look at these beautiful Wine Cups!

There are some wildflowers but not quite the assortment I had hoped to find.

A Firewheel with a bug.

Whenever I find a heart shape on my outings I feel as though God is just reminding me how much He loves me. It always makes me smile and yes....feel loved 😊










Now this was intriguing! I didn't know what this was. When I posted on Facebook I got some input!

This is created by a Spittle Bug. According to one of my Facebook friends "they blow these bubbles from there butt creating a bubble cocoon protecting them from predators supposedly they are tasty but the bubbles are sour and birds won't eat them."



I learned something 😉

I decide to drive to the other side of the park over by the equestrian trails.

This takes me across the spillway. As I drive I see these vultures. I found it interesting and humorous. I haven't seen them congregate like this at the spillway before.

I look out my other window toward the lake and see this Canadian goose.

Looking back to the spillway there are more vultures.












I wish I could have gotten closer but I liked the reflection in the water.










Look at these "Yellow Roses of Texas" (cactus blooms)

See the bee crawling out of the flower covered in pollen?

I find another heart 😊. This one reminds me that even when my heart is crummy, God still loves me!

More beautiful blooms!











Some of the trail is pretty treacherous. Very glad I had my lace up riding boots on!

Once I got to the top the view was great!

I didn't quite capture what I was seeing but I liked how the sun was shining on these tall green plants that will bloom in a few weeks.


























I rested for a spell and when I did this little guy decided to land on my camera bag.

I loved how the sun light shown through the foliage.

Then I came upon a magical place. There is a tree next to the trail that had butterflies fluttering around this tree in abundance along with some wasps.








I was mesmerized by all the fluttering beauty! The tree was plain and didn't even have any leaves yet. I'm thinking to myself there has to be something sweet that is attracting them. I just couldn't quit watching them and enjoy feeling them land on me occasionally.

The first butterfly to land on me landed on my hand.







Here is a short video clip.

The butterflies landed on me several times. I loved it 😍

If you interested, go here to see a video of just the butterflies fluttering around the tree.

Found where another Spittle Bug had been.

More pretty flowers.

You don't see them often but occasionally there will be a white or albino Indian Paint Brush.

A bird to finish off my walk. Not sure what this is. I haven't looked it up yet. It will be a nice addition to the picture calendars I do for my bird friends.

I had a great hike with Papa and certainly enjoyed His tokens of love and His kisses 😍

Have a good one!

Creepy Crawlies

There are a couple of spider webs at the horses. It appears the spiders are not the same kind. I have had fun observing them building their webs. This spider web is between the fence and the barn closest where I park. It's the barn we keep our hay in.

Even though this picture isn't focused I still like it. This spider is down at the other barn where I feed the horses but it is on the outside between the pipe fencing and the awning.

This is a side view.

This spider I found in the trees next to where I park each day.

This spider appears to be different than the other two!

They are so intriguing!


Have a good one!

Nineth Year Celebration

My LSS (local scrapbook store) celebrated it's 9th year in business. Actually the store has been around longer than that but my friend and employer has owned the store that many years. She bought it 9 years ago on her birthday so we celebrate both! Usually we have a crop at the store but we are limited on space so it was a first come first serve basis. This year the owners of the park where we hold retreats offered to let us celebrate there with a one night stay. We had more than doubled the attendees we would have had in the store! Our summer employee, Morgan, helped Ray so that Marilyn and I could both go to the retreat. It started Saturday morning and went through Sunday mid afternoon.

I actually did get a little done although I wasn't too sure I would. I had planned all week to get things together to take but I ended up not getting to do that for various reasons and basically threw some things together Saturday morning

I just love this place. It's quiet, peaceful, beautiful and away from almost anything! I've seen this sign many times but it just struck me as funny.

The cottage I stayed in was Farkleberry. I know it makes you laugh but it is actually the name of a Texas plant.

Here is the first 2 page layout I created using paper given to us for a Make & Take. The colors were a bit pale for my liking so I added a bright red cardstock that brought out the hint of red in the design paper from Authentique's "Be(you)tiful collection. As you can see I still need to journal about this event.

These pictures are from 2 years ago when we went to visit our nieces and nephew in the Houston area on Doyle's side of the family. We had not seen them in several years.

Close up of left side.













Close up of right side.











I had another set of pictures from this same trip so with the papers I had left over and some cardstock I created this 2 page layout.

Close up of the left side.

Close up of right side.

I got more layouts done but they aren't finished. I would like to enter these layouts in WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations. Leave me a comment for a chance to win some blog candy (prize). Cat's gives GREAT prizes! Also check out the other great talent that have linked their projects. Got a project you would like to share. Link up to Cat's blog so we can be inspired!

Our slogan this year for the festivities was "Nine is Fine as Wine" We had wine tasting. I'm not a big wine connoisseur but I did have a taste.

Every time I go to Mitchell Park I make it my goal to take a walk and look for photo opportunities. It's good to stretch my legs and I always see something cool!  As I walk outside the building the moon has risen to the East.

 I see rabbits as I'm walking. The other one is just out of view.

It is also a tradition for me to watch the sunset. Clear open sky with no obstructions in the way! I don't get that opportunity every day. I was not disappointed.

I kind of liked this one with the cows silhouetted.

 Look what else I found!



And don't you love this photo on the right?! It's the sun behind the spider! Way cool!

I had fun taking these photos!

Here's another one!

 Side view

Back to the setting sun. These pictures really don't do it justice. It was so beautiful in person.

 

One last shot. On that note... have a good one!