Derby Day

Two Saturdays ago (yes I am abominably behind) I was priviledged to help out at "Derby Day," the fundraiser for Banbury Cross Therapuetic riding center. It was an amazing learning experience, as well as some of the most fun I have had this year. Following are a few pictures that I picked, and when you realize that I have 191 photos of the event, you can understand how I had such a hard time picking some to share with you.

To of the Bryson girls and I were set to work setting tables, and the setting must be exactly so or they must be redone.

The color scheme was red and black and everything looked marvelous with the stark red against the deep black.




The roses in the vase are real, the petals on the table, not so much;)

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Once we were finished with the first part of the set up, we (the volunteers) took a break for lunch.


As soon as we were finished refreshing ourselves, we returned to work, before getting cleaned up and changed for the start of the big event.


At 3:30 people began to pour in to the revamped arena, the ladies displaying quite a variety of hats and outfits.




There were all sorts of different fundraisers around the arena. One of them was a flower sale (since it was just before Mother's day) tended by engaging Carrie.

As soon as the banquet dinner was well on its way, we all turned into waiters and waitress and started "busing" tables. Which was a learning experience all on its own.


There also was an auction where they auctioned off the sponsorship of the horses as well as many donated items.

Smiles at the end of a long day!

So now, a few pictures later, this post is finally done. Please stay tuned for updates, I am really trying, and I have so much to say.
~Chs

Early morning birding

It was a beautiful early spring morning when Faith, Josiah and I headed out to the Nature Sanctuary for a Spring Bird walk. We were led by Mr. Fred Townsend who brought along quite a library of bird books for us to use, as well as a device to play bird calls.


We headed out along the lake, and Mr. Townsend soon had us stop to listen. He had an amazing ear for bird calls, and could locate (and usually identify) a bird by its voice alone.

Two extremely vocal Canadian Geese landed on the pond and held our attention for a time, before a pretty warble alighted on our ears.

A couple of vivacious little Yellow Warblers were flitting and singing in the tree above us. They let us get quite a good look at them before we both moved on.

On our walk, we identified four different kinds of Warblers (the Cape May Warbler being one of the most unique), but the only other one I managed to snag a photo of, was this cute Blue Winged Warbler. One of the other men in our group aptly called it the "straight up above bird" for the little warbler delighted in making us kink our necks in ridiculous angles to get a peek at him.


Chickadees, Titmice, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Downy Woodpeckers, and multiple varieties of sparrows flitted here and there as we walked through the peaceful woods.

Though it was supposed to be a "bird" walk, I could not resist taking a photo of a Painted Turtle sunning himself on a log. There was a whole row of them, but he was the only one brave enough to stay for a photo session.

Because of another engagement (which I will inform you of in my next post) Mr. Reiche and I left the group early and made our way back to the parking lot. I was glad I had returned when I saw this gorgeous male Red Bellied Woodpecker at the bird feeder. The detailed stripes on his wings are particularly amazing! It was in all a lovely outing, and a delightful time exploring the different species of God's world of birds.

~Chs

A Visitor

As I have said before, we have had quite a few beautiful and interesting visitors to our pond, and just the other day yet another was added to the list.

This beautiful white Egret glided in one morning despite the ducks swimming around. He let me walk all the way up to the fence and posed quite nicely.

I was determined to take a good take off picture of him, but as usual I was a bit to late, only getting him in the far right section of the photo. Even so it still is an interesting shot, and a gorgeous bird.
~Chs

Home away from home for a week

Last week Josiah Faith and I were privileged to house-sit for some friends of ours. Friends with 8 cats, one dog, two fish, and a flock of chickens. We had so much fun and the cats were so funny each with their own personalities.


This is Leonardo, he is one of the outdoor cats and has the distinction of being the oldest cat. He has quite the Kingly attitude, if he does not want to be petted or picked up, then he will NOT be petted or picked up! :)


Lovey is the other outdoor feline, and takes care of herself quite well. But every once and a while she will come up for some loving.


Indoors there are 3 "senior" cats and 3 kittens. Thomas is the patriarch of the house, fat, lazy, so heavy you can barely pick him up, and extremely laid back and friendly.


Ginger is part Siamese and of all the cats the most shy. When you do get a glimpse of her she is absolutely gorgeous, and she was quite a poser for the camera, as long as I stood far enough away;)




Then there is Sugar, a beautiful blue eyed Siamese, and the life of the party! Every night she would come into our room and have a play time. She adored Josiah's latch hook and Josiah adored her.

Cuddles is one of the kittens; she is a sweet princess so fluffy and soft.

And then there are the "twins", not literally, but they look so much alike that it took me all week to figure out who was who.

The only dog in a house of felines, Ellie is a very sweet, loving pit-bull lab mix.

We are home now, our friends having returned, and you know what? I almost miss the hectic two home lifestyle. Almost.... just not quite. :)
~Chs

The First Hummingbird of the Year

With high hopes, but relatively low expectation, Faith set out our Hummingbird feeder on Saturday. The next day, May 1st, to our boundless delight a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird visited the feeder! And he has been back every day since!

~Chs

Soul Feeding Flowers

“If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,

And from thy slender store
Two loaves alone to thee are left,

Sell one, and with the dole,
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.”



~Chs

"One tablespoonful to be taken at bedtime."

His mother put him to bed, and made some camomile tea - and she gave a dose of it to Peter!

"One tablespoonful to be taken at bedtime."

But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail had bread and milk and blackberries, for supper.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit ~By Beatrix Potter

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.
~William Wordsworth