Tiny Sumac

Tiny Sumac







These sumac trees run rampant in our area.

We are forever trying to keep them out of the yard, but they slowly creep in nonetheless.

It has been 6 days since we last mowed the lawn, and wouldn't you know, smack dab in the middle of the backyard, there is one that is about 6 inches high right now.

These things spread by their roots, but this one is ridiculous.

The root has got be to stretching over 20 feet for that one to be growing where it is.

They are such a pain, but in the spring, and especially the fall, I must admit they are one of my favorite things to photograph - hey if you can't beat them, join them!

ABC Wednesday - S is for Swimming

S is for Swimming............







Today is May 26 at 10:30 in the morning.

And it is already 84 degrees here in New England, and it is predicted to be in the mid 90's by lunchtime.

This type of weather doesn't come our way until July and August.

Just looking at that cool inviting water in the photo makes me want to run down to the lake right now and take a dip.

There is only one problem with that idea though.

The lake gets drained each fall and it doesn't get brought back up to level again until mid June.

Will have to just look at that water and "think cool"!




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

May Flowers - My World

May Flowers - My World






I have always called these tiny white flowers May Flowers.

I have no idea if that is their real name, but since they appear in May, hence the name.

They showed their cheery faces a bit earlier this year - in April to be exact.

The abnormal heat of this spring had them blooming before May even began this year.

And surprisingly, they are still around almost a month later.

In some fields, there are so many of them, there is no where to step without stepping on them.

I love to see them, and sometimes they are mixed in with the little purple spring violets.

So beautiful!

ABC Wednesday - R is for .....................

R is for............







This is a macro shot that makes something ordinary look abstract.

Do you know what the object is in this image?

The 'R' word is ripped, as that is what happened to this object.

Have you guessed yet?

I does look very familiar, yet it is something we never see.

I initially thought I would keep you waiting until the next post, but I will let you know.

It is a "ripped tire" - the tiny steel belts on the inside have been exposed and they have rusted from the weather.

Pretty cool, I think.




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Snail Trail - My World

Snail Trail - My World






This little scene was discovered in a tide pool, so it is shot through the water.

You can just barely see the antenna of the snail peeking out from beneath the shell.

As he moves along in the sand, he is creating quite a trail behind him.

But, as you can see, right above him, a bigger snail had already made a path too.

He was nowhere to be found though.

Time to Cut the Grass

Time to Cut the Grass







For the second time this season, and in less than a week, the grass has needed a mowing.

It has come in so thick and lush this year.

Hoping it stays like this for the whole summer.

Usually by the time August comes around it has turned into brown shriveled up hay.

And the dirt under it is so dry it just puffs with each step.

But right now we will enjoy the lushness, and even the work of the mowing - I figure we walk at least a mile with all the rounds we make around the yard.

Spring is certainly grand!

ABC Wednesday - Q is for Quiet

Q is for Quiet............







Quiet is what I had to be when I took this photo of my little grandson who was sound asleep.

Those little hands are always so busy and capturing them during nap time was the only way I was going to get them.

It only lasted for a couple of frames though - the camera just has to be so noisy when it takes a photo.

He did go back to sleep again with that little hand all closed up beside his face.

Good thing we got it when we did!




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day







Nothing is more pleasing to see the beautiful daughter you raised become such a beautiful mother herself.

Wishing you all a Happy Mother's Day, especially to my daughter on her first one.

Love you, my girl!

ABC Wednesday - P is for Pink

P is for Pink............







Bright pink, that is.

We took a sprig from a wild bush that was beside the ocean many years ago.

We transported it home, and hoped it would take in the garden.

Well, this little "sprig" has turned into a plant that is about 10 feet tall.

And I don't dare do anything to it.

The thorns are horrific!

Tons of them, large and small, not a bare spot on any of the branches.

Even a pair of thick leather work gloves are not immune to them.

Such a hardy plant this one is, and she produces such beautiful blooms.

I will have to photograph those thorns - they are as ugly as those flowers are gorgeous!




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Fiddleheads Ready - My World

Fiddleheads Ready - My World






Last week I posted about the fiddlehead ferns just coming up from last year's growth.

When we went up this past weekend - many of them were ready for picking.

Karen, over at Chatbug Karen, left a comment about preparing them, so I thought I would let you know about that this week.

First, it is very important to make sure you are harvesting the correct kind of fern.

There are many varieties out there, but not all of them are edible. In fact, the wrong ones will make you quite sick so really take a good look at my two photos for identification.

If you see a fern with any kind of "fur" on them - they are not the edible kind. The kind for eating have a smooth brownish, almost golden coating that splits apart as the fern emerges.

You can kind of see it still hanging on the bottom of the fern in the above photo.

When they look like the above photo - they are ready for picking. If they are a bit taller, you can take up to two inches of the stem.

When you get home - wash them well - I soaked mine four times to remove all those brownish pieces of the coating.

Fill your pan with water about halfway up to the amount of fiddleheads you have in it, and cook them until they turn an olive green color - they are not the vibrant green they were when they were raw.

Don't overcook them - they will get too mushy. A tad of butter on them in your plate, and they are ready to eat.

Enjoy!

Fixing a Motorcycle

Fixing a Motorcycle







Not this one - it is beyond fixing.

My son has been working on his senior project for graduation, and he decided to fix a damaged motorcycle and make it roadable again.

Well, it has taken almost a year, as it must for this project, and today he took his first ride alone on it.

He did a beautiful job with his Dad as his mentor and advisor during the fixing of it.

He wants pictures - but at a certain place, so we have to wait until he is ready to bring it there.

Then we can show them off!