Friday, June 1, 2012

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park: Cabell's Mill and Middle Gate

From our walk this morning... Once I started taking pictures of the deer, I got inspired to take more photos, and basically just photographed the whole rest of the walk since it is so pretty:

If you look closely, you can see the deer looking through the bush  at us

 A pretty bend in the trail

Always wondered about the history of this rock wall

Another view of the same rock wall

I have seen people stopped to pick this...I wonder what it is -- sort of looks like parsley, but wouldn't want to eat it

Pretty bend in the stream

Bench to sit on -- seems to attract couples

"Something smells good."

Middle Gate
 Below is a very pretty section of the wall behind Middle Gate.  There is a cherub above a very worn engraved section which if you look carefully is a quote from the Bible, Jeremiah 48:17 " All ye that are about Him; and all ye that know his name, say, How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod":

You have to look very carefully to read the engraving on this
Close-up of cherub on engraved section

Back of Middle Gate


Cabell's Mill,  historical gristmill




Middle Gate

A pretty Magnolia tree

Middle Gate

Information marker

Day lilies -- how pretty

Day lilies blooming at the side of Cabell's Mill by the dogwood tree that was blooming a couple of months ago

Bridge, a portion of which was damaged by flooding this past fall

Across the road, the path continues on to Walney Pond and Walney house

Entrance to Middle Gate

Wishing Well

The wall is built to accommodate this cedar tree
 
Rocky Run

Some large rocks along the path
There are so many different kinds of plant and animal life in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.  I think it is wonderful that they have documented it:  plant life here , mammals here,  reptiles here and bird life here.  There is even a Great Blue Heron that comes through which I was lucky enough to have seen before.  Below are three different kinds of ferns I noticed on the walk today:
Fern with a flower

Another different fern

Third kind of fern

Back home.


Friday, May 25, 2012

Olivia, The Good Dog

Feeling very photogenic, some recent photos from a day in the life of Olivia, our Labrador-Border Collie mix:


Very happy

Rolling around on her back

Saying her prayers so sweetly
Ready for bed
p.s.  Had to add this funny note:  Apparently dogs can see things on a computer screen, because Olivia just went nuts when I showed her the pictures of herself on my computer.  I don't think she was indulging me because three times she actually put her feet up on the desk to see better (only the one with her rolling on her back did not elicit the same response) and twice went to look behind the desk, as if there were some other dog there!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Bungee Ballet

Love this bungee ballet scene from the Lara Croft Tomb Raiders movie -- it looks like my kind of fitness workout.  I have the double story foyer, but would have to do some major changes before I could do it...  like removing the chandelier, installing hurricane glass in the front window and reinforcing the ceiling!  Probably not a realistic dream, but here is how cool it looks in the movie:


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

May Flowers

Spring is a really beautiful time of year at our house.  Here are some of the flowers that are blooming now:

Peonies from the front walk make a beautiful bouquet
Lots of blooms in the backyard:

Climbing Cecile Brunner roses along the back deck




More blooms on the back deck -- wisteria

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Fallingwater



I've always wanted to visit Fallingwater -- Frank Llloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece in southwest Pennsylvania. It's only about a four hour trip from where we live, which makes it one of the places on my pinterest travel inspiration board  that I would most likely plan a visit to in the near future.  Even with the structural elements of rock, concrete and steel, it seems like such a living thing when taken along with its surroundings -- as it was meant, with the waterfall flowing and trees moving in the breeze -- that I don't think pictures can do it justice. However these pictures from  www.fallingwater.org  will have to suffice until I can actually visit: