Spider, spider got two good looking spiders

Black and Yellow Garden Spider

Black and Yellow Garden Spider

Have not identified the bottom one yet.  Still working on it.  It is on our back porch and seems quite content with the amount of bugs that comes his way.

Lady of the Oak

Home Again

We are home safe and sound.  Long trip home took us 4 days instead of 2 due to being tired.  I will post more later and bring my blog up to date over the next few days with lots of pictures and interesting stories.

Lady of the Oak

Wildlife

I am not yet able to make regular daily posts until next week.  But, have seen:

2 fox
3 young Osprey's
bush wolf
2 chipmunks
9 deer; one with six points
stars - oh the stars
fireweed
seagulls
sand cranes
wild turkeys - lots and young ones
listened to the largest fresh water lake in the world whilst falling asleep


More to follow

Lady of the Oak

Family Update

Still not able to make daily posts, still dealing with an urgent family matter.  Meetings, phone calls, errands, and much more.  Looking forward to getting back to a routine and real sleep.

Lady of the Oak

Mosaics

I have been playing around with concrete, grout, glue, tiles, pieces of crockery, gloves, face mask, and eye protection.  The results are coming along.  I find this activity relaxing, enjoyable and because the pieces of glass were given to me by a collegue exceptionally affordable. 

You can see the tiles that have been grouted and the difference it makes to the overall look.

I forgot to take a picture of the frame before I began the gluing of the glass tiles.  I am going to do another picture frame so will take a before picture.

Nearly finished

Finished

Mom B's birthday present

Lady of the Oak

Camping Cancelled due to Family Emergency

No camping for me next week. Need to deal with the family issue it is urgent and time sensitive.  I will post more soon.

Lady of the Oak

Camping Trip

Well the camping bug has bitten again and once again I am packing for a week long adventure this time closer to home but far enough away that I do not hear any outside noise.  I am going with my Mom, nephew, and possibly (hopefully) a family friend for a week. 

There will be no posts while I am away camping.  I do not set up automatic posts for when I am feeling lazy or am out camping. 

The garage looks like a bomb went off as there is camping equipment all over the place, in organized piles of chaos, but still all over.  When it is just me camping it is a little less chaotic.  But with several folks and my Mom being still new to camping trying to get her to remember you are camping and do need to have everything from the house with you.  It is comical to watch at times though I must admit.  Each time she goes she brings a little less stuff.  But Mom enjoys camping and that is a great thing to share with her. 

This year we are going back to the Provincial park that is near here and much quieter than the place we went to a couple years in a row.  There are no barking dogs, no loud partiers, and much less noise.  The beach is terrific and sandy and not usually crowded at all. 

Our menu this year includes:
BREAKFAST
bacon  from our local free range butcher and eggs free range
sour dough bread from the local bakery here in town
peanut butter
homemade crabapple jelly
pop tarts LOL
cereal
 LUNCH
potato salad - Mom
beans
salmon
hot dogs
DINNER
pasta - home made campfire mac and cheese - me
whole free range drug free chicken on a beer can - first attempt
steak
pork chops

munchies
smor'es of course
lots of coffee with libations

I am cook, Mom is chief bottle washer

We camp in tents with some luxuries like air mattress bed for Mom and me my comfy cot.  We cook over a fire and coffee is a luxury when camping just waiting for it to perk over the fire is a trip! 

So, I have lots to do between now and the time we leave.  Therefore this post is completed for today.

Lady of the Oak

Aylmer and District Horticultural Society Summer BBQ

Each year we have a summer BBQ and last year I was away and unable to attend.  This year it was hosted at our President's home and we had an enjoyable afternoon in the shady backyard alongside the river. 

Our President

Lady of the Oak

Aylmer Fair 2011

Each year the Aylmer fair has an array of critters and rides for the folks and folkettes of the area.  Here are just a sampling of the views. 



Prize winning sunflowers 2nd place - directly behind the 16





Prize winning doily made several years ago with an Elder from Neskantaga




2nd prize hand painted wine glasses representing Earth, Air, Fire and Water Elements





Prize winning wreath made several years ago 1st place




3rd prize Christmas ornaments



My biggest surprise and proudest bread and butter pickles! 



Afghan made using recycled wool earned 2nd prize




Mom's favourite my rhubarb leaf earned 2nd prize



Hand a great time at the fair, exhibited for the first time and won several prizes.  Next year I will enter more and get the garden involved and some photography as well.  We went in the the early afternoon to look about and have a pogo dog then went back at 7 for the demolition derby - got great second row seats was thrilling! 

Lady of the Oak

Rest in Peace Cap'n "Jack" Sparrow...



Jack and Squash in the early days







Jacky looking Koi





Called Jack b/c it was moving day and he came





His new digs

All settled into his new condo



Fast!




Cute!




Second move and again when I called him, he swam into the 5 gallon ice cream tub and was ready for the big move



My boy

Cap'n "Jack" Sparrow



Jack

 On August 14 @ noon we lost our friend and companion Jack.  He fought valiantly to fight off his infection or was it that he was just a senior fish.  We will never know for sure, but he really did fight to the end.  We gave him as much comfort as we could offer to him.  He was a confidant, a friend through much, and most of all an entertainer.  Jack will be missed by many but mostly me as I brought him home when he was just the size of a dime.  Jack grew to be enormous for his species of fish.  This post will be edited several times as I add new information.  I think I might make a page just for Jack.  Whittles sat with him for several nights to keep him company in the place he settled in the tank. He propped himself up with the philodenron that is growing along the front of the tank.  One of the toughest parts is Cathy and I picked out our angelfish together and he was the last remaining living tie to our adventures together - it may sound silly to some, but until you have experienced the kind of loss that goes along with losing your childhood best friend at 43 you really ought not judge, you are fortunate to not know. 

Lady of the Oak

Jack in his new condo

You can see why he was named after a famous pirate