Random Photos from the past few weeks…

A robin.

Some purple petunias from my sister’s garden.

Red posing for a photo.

White rose blooming.

Rhubarb plant.

Some pretty hot pink flowers we found at the Zoo!

Sadie and Red hanging out.

The Rhododendrons are blooming all over the place.

Beautiful Irises!

A Chickadee just checking out the area.

My hiding place for birdwatching out near our pond.

Some lilypads floating in the pond.

Roses, roses, everywhere.

Fairy Bluebird.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon.

A unknown species-trying to get clarification from the Zoo on what this bird is.

Thought these were pretty!

A Wheelbarrow full of beautiful Pansies!!

Pansies are hardy annuals whose flowers have “faces.” These plants offer colorful flowers for any season in your garden.

They have one of the widest ranges of colors and are good for containers, borders, and ground covers.

-The Old Farmer’s Almanac

So. Very. Beautiful.

P.S.  These photos were not edited.  They were so vibrant and beautiful without being touched up!

This Scale

When I spotted this print-it brought tears to my eyes.

So. Very. True.

With all the hype of Abercrombie & Fitch lately in the news…I was trying to decide whether or not I should post about the issue.

This print says it all.

I found this print on ETSY and I can’t wait to order it!

You really should check out Emily’s shop here.

She has some amazing prints and this is def one I will be purchasing as soon as her shop re-opens!

Emily is a very talented artist!

She designs everything from cards-including wedding invitations, logos, book covers, blog headers, menus, and more!

Visit her Facebook page here, and follow her on Twitter here!

High Five for Friday!!

Happy Friday!!

Another week has passed and it’s time for the weekend.

I’m going to be taking it easy this weekend as I’m still nursing a badly sprained ankle.

I’m hoping the rain holds out and I can still get to enjoy the sunshine!

I’m participating in Lauren Elizabeth’s High Five for Fridays for the 3rd week in a row.

1.  Our “Josephine” rose bush is back in bloom!

2.  Our hen is still laying eggs…none have hatched…yet.

3.  Sadie enjoying some time out in the yard hunting.

4.  Our pygmy goat (Red) is crunching on some leaves.  Goats will eat anything!

5.  Made some of my famous sausage balls this week.  Get the recipe here.

Happy 11th Birthday, Jacob!!

It’s hard to believe how fast time flies.

My nephew Jacob is turning 11 today.

So sad that I could not be with him on his birthday this year.

Hopefully Noah and I will get to visit with them in Georgia really soon.

Aunt Jenn is so very proud of you!

Happy Birthday, Jake!

Love you bunches!

Pink Lemonade

I was out walking today and came across our first bloom of the hybridizing of our yellow and pink roses.

It was just beautiful!

I’ve never cross-bred any flowers and figured it would be a difficult task, however, this seems to be quite a hobby for some gardeners!

I love that the colors mix and I was very proud that this first cross-breeding adventure turned out to be successful!

I call this one Pink Lemonade!

Want to learn how to cross-breed your own roses? 

You can visit this website here for details.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Kelp, Lecithin, and B-6 Weight Loss Supplement

As most of you know…I’ve been trying to loose weight since I started this blog.

I’ve cut out fast food, soft drinks, sweets, and bread as much as I possibly can.

I’m not on a DIET.

I am just trying to make healthier choices and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.

So far I’ve done well with the changes.

I don’t really crave the soft drinks or the sweets.

I’m still having a hard time with limiting bread.

Bread is my downfall.

But I’m trying to substitute romaine lettuce for bread when I eat tuna or any deli sandwich lunch meat and it’s working.

I come from a family that had bread on the table with every meal.

My Dad worked for Merita.

My mom was always making fresh sourdough and amish friendship bread year round.

I was in LOVE with bread.

So with my favorite foods being bread, pasta, and pizza…I guess I just was stuck in carb land.

I’m slowly learning to limit those foods, but I occassionally still have them if I’m craving them…just a smaller portion than what I was used to having.

I’ve learned that this is a lifetime change.

The weight is not going to come off in a day.

I have to work at it.

EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

I have not weighed myself in the last 9 months and do not intend to anytime soon.

I’m not going by numbers on the scale.

I have noticed changes and I’m happy with them.

I have never had much luck with taking supplements or weight loss pills.

They usually have weird side effects for me.

However, I’ve recently started taking a supplement for weight loss with Apple Cider Vinegar, Kelp, Lecithin, & B-6 in it.

It’s a dietary supplement that states it promotes fat breakdown.

The Lecithin in the supplement is a powerful emulsifier that helps dissolve fats and cholesterol in the blood.

The natural Iodine from the Kelp supports the Thyroid-a gland that regulates metabolism.

And the Apple Cider Vinegar cleans out your system and aids in promoting fat loss.

I’m taking one tablet three times a day with meals.

In combination with eating healthy and a regular exercise routine this is supposed to improve your weight loss.

With time, I should see a change.

Focusing on eating healthier and being more active are at the top of my goals.

Have you had any luck with taking vitamins or supplements of any kind?