The Bees Knees

We were lucky enough to visit a botanical gardens while in Florida.

Lots of people have asked me, "How can you get so close to bees?" I'm certainly not a beekeeper, but am experienced with bee photography. 

Once engrossed in pollen they don't care what goes on around them as long as you don't get in their way. You can get as close as you want without touching and they assume you're a tree or bush and move from flower to flower.

The bright pink/red flowers are of the appropriately named Powder Puff tree. Very pretty, very cool, very Dr. Seuss-ish! 

Andy

Airboat and Alligators

I was able to do a little traveling. Here are some shots of the Florida Everglades from an airboat. Hope you don't mind alligators!   ;->

Airboats and Alligators at Lake Trafford, FL

Andy

Quiz 1: How many baby gators are there? Answer at bottom.

Quiz 2: And, how many here?

Hints on above quizzes: you might want to blow up the pix and look closely. You can only see parts of each and I might be missing some in my count too! If you give up then scroll down . . . 






Quiz 1: 5!


Quiz 2: 7, really!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

OK, one last post for Valentine's week. Last Monday, I made these to take to my surgeon's office. They are easy and very good!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 C butter; softened

1/2 C peanut butter

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C brown sugar

1 t vanilla

1 egg

2 T water

1 1/4 C flour

3/4 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 13 X 9 baking pan. Mix first six ingredients until well blended; stir in water. Combine flour, soda, powder and salt and slowly add to mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and spread mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes, till edges begin to brown. Cool and cut into 32 bars.

~Michele

Cat-Nap Wednesdays

Another sunny Wednesday for Katie to sleep all afternoon in the window.

She seemed somewhat annoyed with my endless clicking of the camera.

Finally she sat up and yawned, as if to say ... "are you quite finished??"

~Michele

Roses and Chocolate!

I'm feeling pretty spoiled! I came home yesterday to find Andy sent me these beautiful roses. We normally aren't "flower people" so I was totally surprised! (and happy!!!)

We received lots of pretty cards.

A dear friend brought me chocolates.

And I gave myself chocolate!!

I hope everyone had a day as special as mine.

~Michele

Thanks Andy, for being my forever Valentine and my very best friend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

“Love is all you need.”

Paul McCartney

May your day be filled with Love.

(and chocolate, of course!)

~Michele

Overnight winds

Last night we had a few inches of snow, accompanied by howling winds. I always find it interesting how the winds that rattle our windows, create such soft, gentle patterns in the snow.

~Michele