Almost Heaven West Virginia

Almost Heaven!

 

We spend the weekend with Family in West Virginia.  We visited are ancestral cemetery and cleaned up the weeds and tall grass.  We also walked through the family property in Roger’s Forks.  It truly is a beautiful place and I am so lucky to have a piece of such a beautiful part of our country belonging to my family.

Sand Creek, Roger's Fork, WV. This is the bottom half of the families property.

 

Years ago the property had a few acres cut off from the rest by the state.  They decided to put a highway over the original homestead site.  This is the bottom half, where the property lines begin.   It truly is a beautiful place.

Another Random shot of Sand Creek.

 

This property has been in my Father’s Families name since 1905.  There is no development on it and in my generation no plans for any development to be put on  it. We want to keep it as God intended for it to be.  

Heading up the top half, (the larger part of the property). Black Walnut trees line the property line on the northside. From here it is a straight up climb.

 

My Sis

 

 

Water

I have a lot of photo’s of water so I thought I would share some of them.

Taken from an Air Boat in the "Ocala National Forest" in Florida

 

Wind Turbines that my BFF and his Uncle are creating.

 

Palakta, Florida

 

Sunrise on the East Coast, New Hampshire

Silver Springs Nature’s Theme Park

Last year while I was living in Florida, I started working at Silver Springs Nature’s Theme Park.  I loved working there.  It was so beautiful and full of so many animals.  It was awesome to walk through the park, before they opened and see all the animals.  Here are a some pictures that I had taken last summer.

The Flamingo's.

The Flamingo’s were right outside one of the gift shops that I would work in.  They are so beautiful.  Flamingos will vary in their colors depending on their food supply.  When hatched young flamingo are grey color, but adults will range from light pink to bright red due to different bacteria that they get from their food supply. A well-fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly coloured and thus a more desirable mate;

Silver Springs B

All over Silver Springs you will find birds of every color!  Here is a picture of a Military Macaw and a Blue and Yellow Macaw.  Walking throughout the park your will see more of these, plus Red and Green Macaws and White Macaws.  You can’t touch them, but they are beautiful to look at.

Military Macaw

 

Flamingos & Macaws

 

Franklin the Turtle

 

Above is one of my favorite fellows at the Park.  His name is Franklin.  If I remember right he is 90 years old and weighs about 150 pounds.  He is such a sweet fellow.  He even shares his lunch with the local squirrels.  I have even seen him let some of his caretakers scratch his head.  He is not a shy fellow at all.  Not getting to see him everyday, was probably the hardest part about leaving this particular job.

 

One giant gator!

 

Going to a Nature’s Theme Park in Florida without GATORS, just wouldn’t be right.  So of course Silver Springs has lots of gators.  This big guy, even posed for my camera.  LOL.

Lots of Gators

 

The coolest thing I ever saw at the Park was one morning I was going back towards the Jungle end of the park, so start work at the Jungle Gift Shop, which is located right in the middle of all the Alligators tanks.  I was the only one around, the park was still closed at that time of morning, as I got closer to the tanks I could hear the Alligators making really loud growling, barking type noises and as I got up to the tanks they were doing the Mating Water Dance.  (I guess that is what it is called).  They would quiver there bodies to that the water would dance droplets off of their backs.  It was such a unique experience to see.  It makes you realize that these creatures truly are unique.

Albino Alligators

 

These two American Alligators are rare creatures within themselves.  They are both Albino Alligators.  They both came from South Carolina, one is a female and one is a male.  I wonder if they reproduced together if all of their babies would be albino?  Just might have to research that question.

American Alligator

 

Silver River

 

Silver Springs sits in the middle of the Ocala National Forest.  The Silver River runs right through it.  Silver Springs was first known for its crystal clear waters of the Silver River and its natural springs. The Glass Bottom Boats was the first attraction dating back to the late 1800’s in which brought people to the area to see the bottom of the river and the underwater life.  Since then the park has evolved to become what it is today, full of beauty all year long.

If you ever get to the Ocala/Silver Springs Florida area, it is a must see if you truly want to see some of Florida’s Nature.

Turtles

This is a mess of turtles soaking up the sun as we took a boat ride down the Silver River!  You can see turtles, various species of birds native to the area, gators and if you are real lucky some Reese Monkey’s.

The Monkey’s are not native to the area, but were brought in years ago, when the original “Tarzan” movies were made.  For whatever reason the monkeys were left behind and adapted to their environment and with the tropical weather, the thousands of acres of wilderness surrounding the area and the water supply these monkeys have thrived.   They use to be a regular creature that you would see around the park, but now it is rare to get a glimpse of them.  I, myself have never seen them, but have seen pictures that other employees had taken in different points in the park.

Giraffes

The park also has bears, giraffes and other types of animals.  The above picture is of Khama.  He is a male girafee.  As I would walk past his pen on the days that I worked at his end of the park, he always came out and greeted me.  This particular day, he decided to stay in the barn where he was nice and dry.  I’m sure he was really laughing at me, cause I was getting soak in wet, while he was staying dry.

Khama & Kimba

This is another picture I took of Khama (the tallest fellow) and Kimba (she is a female and a little bit smaller) during that rain storm.  Sadly Kimba passed away this past November, she was 29 years old.  She was such a sweet lady and it saddens my heart to find out about her passing.

Florida pathers

 

My last picture is of two “Florida Panthers” that live at the park.  As you can see they are just a bigger version of a lazy house cat, with a lot sharper claws.  To hear them do their cat screams early in the mornings was enough to send chills up your spin.  But they truly are beautiful creatures and it is a shame that they have become endangered with the growing population of the Florida landscape.  These cats are a TRUE FLORIDA NATIVE!

I hope you have enjoyed my trip back to Silver Springs and if you ever get to the area, it is a place I highly recommend.  It  isn’t big and fancy like Mickey World but it is worth taking the day to explore.  It was one of my most unique jobs that I ever held for sure.

I am adding the web address if anyone would like to check it out for more info.  :http://www.whatsinflorida.com/2011/09/06/silver-springs-natures-theme-park/.

 

My Love of Animals

Animals give me more pleasure through the viewfinder of a camera than they ever did in the crosshairs of a gunsight. And after I’ve finished “shooting,” my unharmed victims are still around for others to enjoy. I have developed a deep respect for animals. I consider them fellow living creatures with certain rights that should not be violated any more than those of humans. 

~Jimmy Stewart

Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals “love” them. But those who respect their natures and wish to let them live normal lives, love them more. 

~Edwin Way Teale, Circle of the Seasons, 1953

God made all the creatures and gave them our love and our fear,To give sign, we and they are His children, one family here.

~Robert Browning

My thought for today is pretty simple!

Look around you GOD is everywhere!

Thanks for taking a moment to check out my blog.

Comments are always Welcome!

Mother Nature in her Winter’s Finest

I went for a walk today and of course I took my camera.  We have had a very weird Winter this year.   Hardly any Snow at all, so I had to take the opportunity to take some pics of Mother Nature in her Winter’s Finest.

Quail Hollow State Park, Ohio

 

Walkway through the Marshes at Quail Hollow State Park, Ohio

 

Winter Grasses

 

Winter in Black and White

 

Flock of Wild Turkeys

 

I saw a flock of Wild Turkeys.  I did get a few shots in before they ran into the woods.

 

 

I did get one close-up of one turkey.

I had a wonderful walk, cold, but nice.  Can’t wait until Spring to come though so I can start taking pictures of the flowers.

Lake Erie, Ohio

I love the Beach!  Anywhere there is a Beach I want to go.  Sun and Sand, or Rock and Surf, Wind or Rain.  It doesn’t matter where the beach is, I just love to go and check it out.   So yesterday after leaving the the “Ice Wine Festival”, we headed to Lake Erie just for a few minutes to check out the view.  Here are a few pictures that I took!

The surf was really high! The wind was blowing strong, but it was beautiful.

If I had to guess I would say the waves were around 8 to 10 feet high.

“Ice Wine Festival”, The Grand River Valley

Today me and my favorite sis spent the day together!   We went up towards Lake Erie to Madison Township for the 9th Annual Ice Wine Festival.  It was AWESOME, never had I done anything like this before.

A quick insight on Ice Wine, from what I learned from the grower and owner of “Virant Family Winery”.  Ice Wine originated in Canada, it is Wine made from grapes that have been frozen on the vine at 17 degrees for I believe 3 days straight.  The grapes are then picked and the processing begins.  If I remember right Ice Wine is sweetie because of the freezing process.

We visited 5 Vineyards and Winery’s today.  The first being “Debonne` Vineyards”  We sampled two different Ice Wines here, both being a white wine.  Last years and this years.  I myself liked this years better, it was a little sweetie, but both were delicious.

Debonne` Vineyards

Debonne Vineyards Samples

Our next stop, was my favorite!  Their Raspberry Wine was to die for!  So Yummy!!!!!

Virant Family Winery

We got to sample two different Ice Wine here also.  Really can’t tell much about the first one, cause the Raspberry Wine was so good that nothing else I drank the rest of the day, came close.   They also have a snack bar at this winery and on Friday and Saturday evenings they offer Steak, Ribs, Prime Rib, Filet Mignon and Chicken.  I can bet we will be going back here.

Sat and sampled a few other wines, Black Berry,and Red Velvet  were two, as we got to talk to the grower.  Loved this place, very friendly, kind hearted people.

Our third stop was the “South River Vineyard”, the owner of this place is the originator for the “Ice Wine Festival”, not only did they have some delicious samples, but the building that was their tasting room, is full of rich history.

South River Vineyard was unique in itself to me, mainly because of the building, but of course sampling of the wine was awesome!

I believe we sampled a Chardonnay and a Sparkling Blush here.

Our fourth stop of the day was at Grand River Cellars.

Grand River Cellars was first established in 1976, it is nestled back in the woods a bit off the main highway.  It is a beautiful setting just to enjoy a bit of the country.

Upon arriving at each Vineyard we purchased our sampling tickets along with receiving a souvenir glass.  Each Vineyard also provided a appetizer to enjoy.  We had crackers and cheese, cinnamon rolls, pound cake with a bit of cream, but I have to say that Grand Rivers was unique in their appetizer, not only did we get a serving of delicious peach cobbler, but also we were treated to Roasting table side our very own, “Ice Wine Marshmallow”

I have to say as a person with a “Sweet Tooth”, the marshmallow even topped the Raspberry Wine!

The Grand River Cellars had a couple of tasting rooms, but this is one that is within their cellar among the wine vats and cases.  They also offer a dining experience within their Restaurant.

The Final Winery that we visited was St. Joseph Vineyards

This may have been the final stop, but far from being the least likable.  Their samples were just as sweet, delectable as the rest.   They offered Award winning taste to anyone’s palette.

Each Tasting Room we visited offered different forms of entertainment along with the delicious wine sampling s.  St. Joseph Vineyard had a visiting artist painting and selling his works, Grand River Cellars had a Ice Sculptor and Debonne Vineyards was having a band play later in the afternoon.

So for a unique experience, and a enjoyable afternoon it was so worth the drive through the beautiful country to get to Madison Township.

If you are interested in the “Ice Wine Festival”, you might be able to find info on it at this web address:  http://www.wggrv.com/events.html.

As a final note;  This day trip started with my sis, inviting me to spend the day with her for her birthday and it turned into a wonderful day that will be cherished for a long time to come.   So I want to say Thank you, Karen for the invite and the afternoon, you are the best sister a girl could ask for.  “I love you!”  You will always be my number one!

"Happy Birthday, Karen"

Few pics for the day!

Ohio Pine Cones

Playmates at the Cleveland Zoo

You know you want to play with me?

Hey Dummy get in out of the Rain!

Winter Pictures

Morning Fog

Winter’s Rest

Winter Sunrise

Homemade Receiving Baby Blankets

I love to make baby gifts.  Baby Quilts, Receiving Blankets, Burp Cloths, Bibs, Diaper Straps, Little Baby Stuff Animals.  I just love Babies!!!

After looking at the store versions of Receiving blankets, and seeing how cheap looking they were I decided to make some of my own for a gift.  So this is my attempt at a tutorial for making Homemade Receiving Blankets.

Two pieces of coordinating flannel material

 

I took 2 coordinating piece of flannel material and cut them each at 28 inches square.  (You can go bigger, but this is about the size the store brands are).  I then put right sides together and sewed 3 sides together and half of the 4th side.  Then you turn it right side out and press all the seams down.   I then ran a seam all the way around with a coordinating thread for a double measure.  (When running the outside seam make sure you catch the opening on the fourth side also).

And your done!  Easy as that.  Here are two that I made.  Each side has a different fabric print for some added flare.

2 Homemade Receiving Blankets