Days 56, 57 and 58: A Little Crafty Nature For Ya

I went fishing at Lake Thunderbird this morning. I drove around a little before I picked a spot. The roadsides around the lake were littered with grazing deer. I saw at least a dozen does and fawns this morning. Most of which were not concerned with my driving down the roads next to them. I stopped and snagged a picture of this fawn hanging out munching on some grass. He had a sibling next to him, neither of them seemed to mind that I was there.

The only thing remotely productive that I did on Sunday was a little scrap booking. My dad had an old scrapbook of photos that was in pretty bad shape. So I salvaged the pictures that were glued inside it and have been slowly but surely placing them in a new book. I've been matting the pictures with acid free glue and stickers and plan on going through them later, with dad, so that I can journal a little about each picture.

My son pulled out his foamy crafts and made me a new picture frame. He knows how much I love snapping photos. Guess I need to go through them now and find that will look good in here and enlarge it. What a sweetie! Thanks for the present Robert!

Day 55: Morning Walk

I took a walk through Sutton Urban Wilderness this morning. The park is named for George Miksch Sutton a local professor, ornithologist, artist. I love to walk here. It's essentially a nature oasis in the middle of city landscapes.

This morning started out cool enough to wear a hoodie, and all I could think about that was, "Fantastic! Fall is getting closer!" Of course by the end of my brisk walk I had it tied around my waist, but the principle remains in tack.

I love the tree covered stretches of pathways, and the little side paths you can take of the main trail to venture further into the trees. There is a pond/lake in the center of the park that is usually dotted with anglers. Today was an exception, as the only people I saw were walkers and joggers. And only a handful of those. Essentially I had the park to myself.

I snapped several pictures but will only post a couple today.

I wish I could have gotten a good picture of the dozen or so birds of prey circling the park. There was one hawk in particular that was darting and diving this way and that, as if he knew I was watching and wanted to show off. I had to stop watching the skies soon after that though because I caught my toe on a rock and nearly took a header into the trail.

I saw lots of pretty spider webs and dew covered leaves and branches. It is a bird park, so I heard lots of singing, but was only able to see the hawks circling above today. Now that its cooler I plan on taking more morning walks through this park. Maybe I'll catch some of the birds on a later trip.

Days 51-54: Neglect

I've been neglecting my blog lately for these things.

Re-arranging the guest room. I'm still not happy with it. I wanted to incorporate my craft junk so I could call it a craft/guest room, but it didn't work out. Looks like I need to go fix the bed skirt too!
Enjoying wildlife. We have tons of dragonflies in our back yard because of our garden pond. you name the color we've probably seen it. They also come in all sorts of crazy sizes. The largest I've seen so far are these gorgeous red ones that are almost scary when they fly around you.

Quilting. I've been working on this scrap quilt for years now. I put it away when I get bored with it, then about six months later drag it out again. Its basically a mish-mosh of any scrap material I come across. It has pieces of curtains, old sheets, prom dresses (believe it or not), garage sale finds and much more. It will make a perfect picnic/outdoor/camping blanket if I ever get it finished.

Painting. I've been working on these awhile too. I've never really painted before. A few months ago I got out my son's water colors and started playing. It's a good way to feel like your doing something constructive while sitting on your butt in front of the TV.

Enjoying the weather. We had another great storm last night. Clouds were still out this morning with a cool breeze blowing my ancient cottonwood tree around, making all sorts of noise.

So that's the skinny for the last few days. Sorry I didn't sit down sooner and post my pictures. I guess I mentioned way back when I started this that I probably wouldn't post everyday, but wow, that was quite a lapse!

'til tomorrow!

Day 50: Artistic License

OK so I missed yesterday, and this morning I didn't get another picture. Instead of considering it "falling down on the job" I'll call it "Taking artistic license" and substitute both days with a shot of Robert at last night's Redhawks game.
Enjoy!

Day 49: First Day of Second Grade

I thought I was going to make it this year without crying. Nope. Got outside the building, started to congratulate myself and my eyes suddenly began to well. Sigh. Maybe next year.

Days: 47 & 48 Totally Random

I have a bag full of these sponges left over from my cosmetic consultant days. I've been staring at these sponges for a few days now trying to decide what to do with them. I know there is a craft idea floating around somewhere that these little space mooching suckers can be used for, I just haven't figured it out yet. You guys have any ideas?

"What did we do before we had computers?" I don't know how many times I've heard that said, or that I've said it myself, but its been a lot!
Number 1. on the list is usually, "We played outside." Well I think I know number 2. We played board games! My sister and I played Hi-Ho Cherry-O and Chutes and Ladders until we were blue in the face. Then as we got older it was Twister, LIFE and Monopoly. In the 80's Trivial Pursuit was my favorite, then my all time fav... Pictionary!
I wonder where all my board game playing time went?
Oh...yea...

Day 46: Going Back To School

The kiddo goes back to school Thursday. We've picked up nearly all the items on the supplies list, save a couple unidentifiable or not to be found at *insert discount chain name*. Can anyone tell me what a 8.5 X 11.5 Red/Blue Story Tablet is?

Anyway I noticed how colorful the selection of back to school supplies were so I thought I would snap a picture.

OOOO Purdy.

Days 42-45: Say Goodbye to Summer

To send our son back to school with a bang, we took a last chance camping trip on this, the last weekend before he goes back to school Thursday. Since I'm exhausted from the trip I'll just post a few pics of our weekend. Enjoy!

Feeding a camel, Arbuckle Wilderness.

Hello! Arbuckle Wilderness

Turner Falls, Davis, OK

Bromide Hill, Sulpher, OK

Little Niagara, Travertine Creek, Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Campfire hot dog roasting.

End of the road. Time to go home.

Day 41: For Stacee

August 12, 2009

They survived! These are the two that looked like they would never survive their outdoor excursion, but here they are, alive and with new growth. As a matter of fact all your plants have new leaves sprouting. Now if I can just keep them alive until you get back from Korea in two years!

*fingers crossed*

Days 37 - 40

Tuesday August 11, 2009

Today we are getting a Fall teaser. Its cool, cloudy and wet today. Beautiful! Its smells wonderful. I was able to shut off the air conditioner and open all the windows. I just want to run outside and spin around (Julie Andrews style) and soak up all of it!

Monday August 10, 2009
I'm in need of an intervention I believe. This game is Internet crack! Facebook is the gateway drug, then before you know it your using Farm Town and wasting away in front of your computer.

Sunday August 9, 2009

This weekend was tax-free weekend for back to school clothes. Fortunately my son is not much of a clothes horse so we got off cheaply. I'm not sure $4.25 was worth dealing with all the people and empty shelves though.

Saturday August 8, 2009
I made a new "friend" Saturday. I was working in my garden when this little guy, or rather girl judging by the size, came running out, making a bee-line for my bare toes. If I'd have been able to jump sky high I most definitely would have! In case you can't tell by the picture, which you probably can't (can't get a good shot) in the bottom of that jar is the largest Black Widow spider I have ever seen in my life. She's been sitting in that jar giving me the hee-bee-jee-bees for a few days now. I've been trying to get in touch with my college Zoology professor to see if she would like to have her. Despite the willies she gives me, she is pretty cool to watch. She's cemented all the sticks and leaves we put in there together with webbing, and from time to time comes out and does that creepy pose you always see them doing in pictures. Anyone want a new pet?

Day: 36 Colorful Culmination

I don't usually let my son drag his toys into the living room, but the last couple days have been an exception. No real reason I guess, just happy he's pulling out the toys and using his imagination instead of begging to be on the computer all day. It's a combination of his marble race, legos and train set. He calls it quite simply, "Robert City". He's convinced me to leave my vacuuming to this evening so that Dad can come home and see his creation. He claims my picture doesn't show all of it and Dad won't get the full affect without seeing it for himself.

*Chuckle*

Day: 35 Rude Awakening

I was jolted out of a deep sleep this morning by the loudest thunder storm I've heard in a VERY long time. It was just before dawn. I attempted to ignore the loud bangs and flashes of light and tried to go back to sleep. I covered my head with a pillow, squeezed my eyes shut tighter, tried to think about whatever it was I was dreaming about again...etc..but to no avail I couldn't distract myself from the extremely noisy events happening outside my window. So bleary eyed I headed out to the front porch to see the commotion up close.

It was pouring down sheets of rain that were quickly overflowing our rain gutter which in turn splashed torrents of water into my garden. Lots of lightning flashed in front of me and a crack of thunder so loud and strong that I literally felt it in my bones! I quickly hopped back through the open door and snagged my camera off my desk. Figured this would be a great shot for my blog.

Pictured is the overflow of rainwater from my gutters. I love how the flash reflected off the drops of water. I took several photos with and without the flash but this was by far my favorite.

That was one crazy loud storm.

Day 34: Great Balls of Yarn

I haven't touched my craft closet in a while, so I pulled out my yarn basket. I browsed through the "Crafty This and That" blog that I follow and found some yarn crafts. I worked on a couple last night and made a few more this morning. I'm still not completely finished as I need to add their wings but I included a few in the picture of my yarn basket. These are a lot of fun and easy to make. I plan on using them in gift baskets this Christmas. They are just too cute! Here is a link to the instructions.

Days 24 - 33: Vacation Photos

I've been on vacation since last Friday so in lieu of my normal morning photos I will be sharing photos from our vacation.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog we chose to drive Rt. 66 through the eastern half of Oklahoma and part of Missouri. Our trip started just outside OKC in small town Arcadia, OK
.

Pops is a new generation gas station along Rt. 66 with an old Rt. 66 kind of flavor. You can stop in Pops for food, fuel and a nice cool bottle of just about any flavor of soda you can imagine. Pictured above is the giant soda bottle in front of Pops and a snapshot of just a few of the bottles that line the front and back walls of this fun little side attraction on Rt. 66.

Once upon a time these painted barns dotted the side of Rt. 66 all the way to Meramec Caverns in eastern Missouri. Very few still remain. Here is a shot of one not too far outside of Chandler, OK.

We happened to come across a closed section of Rt. 66 in Bristow, OK. It seems they were celebrating their "Heritage Days" So we pulled over, parked, unloaded and walked downtown Bristow and watched a parade march down main street, Rt. 66, Bristow, OK. What are the odds of catching something like this driving down the Interstate?

Just outside of Tulsa, OK is The Blue Whale. Located in Catoosa, OK. This interesting turquoise whale was built by a man for his wife as anniversary present in the 1950's. While swimming is no longer allowed, this spot used to be a popular swimming hole/roadside attraction along Rt. 66. The owner also built an arc shaped zoo on the property. Its no longer open to the public but part of the old arc still stands. My son made his very first friend from another country here on our way back. He was so excited. My husband told me that he ran up to him and said "Dad I just met a girl all the way from Spain!" He told me later the only thing he understood her say was "come on" but that was enough for him. They played for a bit before their group and ours headed back down the road.

Totem Pole Park is just a few miles off of Rt. 66 in Foyil, Ok. This giant wonder measures in at 91 feet tall. The park is scattered with various totems that Mr. Ed Galloway began creating after he retired. That's right, he was 65 years old when he began sculpting this magnificent piece of artwork. He also constructed a building called "the fiddle house" that houses hundreds of violins he carved himself out of every wood imagined. I even saw one that was carved from poison oak!

In Afton, Ok we stopped at a refurbished old DX station that now houses a small visitor's center and Packard museum. I was in a hurry to get inside and didn't snap a very good picture of the front of the building. But here are a couple of the inside of the Packard museum in the old garage portion of the station. We met and chatted with Laurel who runs the station. You can check her out here on her blog. Its an interesting read. Amazing the people she meets everyday. She snapped a photo of our dog Chicken and posted it on her blog as well. Be sure to check out her post titled "A dog named Chicken"

Laurel pointed us in the direction of the "Sidewalk Highway". Just outside of Afton there are sections of Rt. 66 that predate 1933. These sections of road are titled the "Sidewalk Highway" because they are only 9ft wide. We stopped mid road jumped out set the camera on the hood of the Jeep and used the timer to take a snapshot of our family standing on this historic roadway. It was so fun to drive this section. We followed it all the way to Miami, OK.

In Miami, Ok we visited lots of exciting places, but the Coleman Theater took the cake. We spent two hours touring and listening to this gorgeous theaters history. They are doing a fantastic job restoring this old treasure. I highly recommend stopping in and checking this place out!

Route 66 travels through approx. 13 miles of Kansas. We stopped in Galena, Ks to snap a picture of Robert with "Tow Tater" the tow truck that inspired the movie "Cars" creators to make the cartoon "Towmator"

Across the street was a fantastic example of the common ghost signs you see gracing the sides of buildings all along Rt. 66.
We had the distinct privilege of meeting "motor mouth" as she's nick named on our way back from MO. She runs the visitor's center/cafe you see behind Robert and Tow-Tater above. Stop in and say hi, she'll fill ya in on all the goings on in Galena, Ks.

It wasn't open so we just jumped out and snagged a couple of photos for scrap booking sake.

This is what's left of Spencer, MO. Essentially a ghost town, I think I read somewhere that Spencer might not have even survived into the hay day of Rt. 66.

This is just a snip it of the sights and stops along Route 66. We took tons of pictures and had lots of fun. Soon I'm going to start planning a trip for the western half of Oklahoma into Texas. What a great way to spend some time with the family and learn a little about this great nations history. If you haven't done it yet, you need to start planning a trip now. Get out and check out this exciting historic section of road. You won't regret it!