Peachy Keen

Mrrp the Frog

By my standards, this morning was the beginning of a banner day. The sun was setting everything aglow in the early hours. It was so pretty that I decided to go out for yet another jaunt around the cabin with the camera.

Pay dirt! There was our elusive, resident pond frog in the shallow end of his watery realm. Better yet, he stayed there, still as stone, while I snapped his photo. It is the first and only time I have actually seen Mrrp this summer. I've heard him many a time, but this was my one and only sighting ... and I got the chance to record our meeting with the above photograph. As you can see, he's a very handsome frog!

Yesterday, I went out to our local farmer's market where I purchased our first peaches of the summer. The season just wouldn't be the same without these juicy, tasty fruits ... and ... peaches are easier to photograph :)

Today's "Mini" Discoveries

Japanese Beetle on Milkweed Plant

This afternoon, I went out with camera in hand to be at the ready for any opportunities that might arise for good photographs. Kevin and I had spied a young red fox when we were heading down our driveway the other day. I've been hoping to see him again...and hoping even more to get a picture of him! On this occasion, I didn't even see a squirrel or a chipmunk...so I needed to look on a smaller scale to get some interesting photos.

The first photo was one I was hoping to take of a Monarch caterpillar or butterfly. We have a giant milkweed plant growing right in front of the cabin. The milkweed is the host plant for the magnificent Monarch...but today, at least, the plant was hosting a shiny Japanese beetle...click!

Winesap berry

My next photographic subject, this winesap berry, stood out like a beacon against its green foliage. It was glowing bright red in the sun. The winesap berries are a favorite of birds and mammals alike...and on top of this particular berry sat a tiny, light green insect nymph of some sort....click!

Honeybee on Coneflower

The honeybees were buzzing around the coneflowers this afternoon. I was happy to see so many of them come and go, enjoying their snacking and gathering. With honeybee populations dwindling, it's always good to see these little guys at work...click!

Hosta Flower

Finally, the delicate hosta flowers are opening, and they are so pretty! Last year, the deer ate all our hosta plants down to nubs before they even had the chance to flower. This year, the deer have had plenty to munch on in the woods surrounding the cabin, so our hostas and their lovely flowers have survived...click!

Post Script Photo

Butterfly Bush

One more photo today to wow you ... and this picture doesn't even do the bright colors of this plant justice!

So far, the butterfly bush, planted several weeks ago, hasn't had any luck attracting butterflies, who prefer the simpler, fancy-free cone flowers growing next to it, but it's super radiant colors sure did catch my eye!

Just had to share this photograph taken this morning :)

First Flower then Fruit

Bean Flower

Gardening is an active learning process. Preparing the soil, planting seed, watering and fertilizing growing plants are just the basics.

But gardening is so much more than a step by step process. It teaches one patience...some plants seemingly take forever to sprout, mature, and flower and fruit. It teaches one to learn to live with disappointment...as all gardening efforts don't turn out as one hopes and desires they will. Gardening also reminds us that living things actually need very little to survive. Plants require fertile soil from which they gain nutrients, sunshine, and water...and little more. Particular plants have special needs, and, if they are to thrive, a gardener learns how best to accommodate them.

As it is with many things in life, a gardener learns best by trial and error, rolling up his or her sleeves and getting his or her hands dirty - definitely a hands on approach!

Green Pepper Flower

A garden also teaches one to appreciate simply beauty.

The bounty a healthy vegetable garden provides is the main goal, but the dainty flowers that precede the "fruit" are stunning in and of themselves. The tiny, white star-shaped flowers of the green pepper stand out brilliantly against the plant's glossy green foliage. The graceful, lavender-hued bean flowers that dot the bean patch are exquisite, too! It's exciting to see these delicate blooms open and herald the coming of the tasty, nutritious vegetables to follow.

Cucumber Flower

The bright yellow cucumber flower is one of my favorites...probably because the cucumber is the first vegetable I ever planted. The pretty, dainty flower stands out in such contrast to the gangly, viney leaves. As soon as the flower falls away from the plant, a cucumber "bud" starts to swell in its place. Within days, if the conditions are just right, a mature, full-grown cucumber will be ready to harvest. Those we've grown in our garden have been so juicy and sweet. Plus, there is just something so satisfying about growing your own...and enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Finally, gardening highlights the fact that the only thing in life that is constant is change. Each day in the garden is unique. To everything there is a season...and to every gardener...so many delights!

Beauty in a Butterfly

Enchantment...what word could better describe my feeling this morning when a most gorgeous bright orange and brown speckled butterfly accompanied me as I watered my flowers? I thought for sure this fragile beauty would flit away as quickly as she had appeared, but instead, she stuck around the entire time I tended my garden. So, after my watering was done, I went for the camera...thinking surely with camera in hand she would be gone when I returned. But, no, there she was as if waiting eagerly to pose! During my excited fumbling, she remained patiently, fanning her delicate wings and turning just inches from my face to get to the sweet nectar of the cone flower where she perched. She really was lovely...much prettier than my photo can show, and it was so incredible to be so close for such an extended time. Truly beautiful!!!

Weekend in Annapolis

Travel near or far has always been a passion. It's so fun to go someplace new, see the sights, meet the local people, shop, and sample the food.

This past weekend , Kevin and I drove about 2 hours to visit Maryland's capital city, Annapolis, where we stayed in the downtown historic district. Our Bed and Breakfast Inn was within walking distance of all we visited, which was fantastic! We parked our car when we arrived late Friday afternoon and didn't get in it again until we returned home on Sunday.

We started our weekend getaway with a ride in a horse drawn carriage. It was a good way to get an overview of the downtown area. Our driver led the horse on a circuit that included offshoots down neighborhood side streets lined with private homes where residents waved and greeted us as we slowly traveled by.

After our ride, we headed to the dock to see the boats that gathered in the harbor. Annapolis is a mecca for pleasure boats including graceful sailboats and huge, well appointed yachts as well as sporty motor boats. Boaters converge at the dock where they disembark and enter the town to partake in the party atmosphere and dine at the many restaurants and eateries. That evening, an army band had assembled and was playing an assortment of patriotic tunes in honor of the 4 th of July. We hung around a while to listen and enjoy the festive ambiance.

The following day, after a comfortable night's sleep at the inn, we were off again, traipsing down narrow alleys lined with row houses, each painted a different shade and most highly adorned with brightly colored flowers.

Within minutes, we were back at the main dock...this time preparing to head out on a short cruise for a tour of the harbor and the Naval Academy. It was a picture perfect summer day - warm and sunny with just the hint of a breeze - wonderful for our time on the water.

When we returned to the dock, Kevin and I were ready for some lunch. Moving in the direction of the closest restaurants, we came across a riotously painted mural of Annapolis set against a brick wall. It stretched behind an equally colorful flower garden. It was so neat! This mural is pictured above in the photo accompanying this blog. We chose to eat at a bustling spot called Middleton's Tavern. We ordered what turned out to be scrumptious, over-sized crabcake sandwiches which we washed down with icy cold, fresh squeezed lemonade.

With our bellies full and energy renewed, we returned to the shop-lined streets of town enjoying some window shopping before taking in a guided tour at the Paca House, former home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Outside this historic home stood the oldest White Mulberry tree in Anne Arundle County. The trunk of his ancient tree was simply gigantic!

From there, we walked a short distance to the seat of legislative action in town, the State House Building. This structure is the oldest continually running capitol building in the United States.

In addition to serving as Maryland's present day governmental seat, the State House is steeped in much history. For a very brief period, Annapolis served as the capital city of the nation. The Treaty of Paris was ratified in the State Capitol and George Washington resigned as general of the Continental Army here. We stood in the very room where General Washington's parting words were spoken.

Our tour guide pointed out some very intriguing architectural features in the capitol building. He led our attention to a portion of the marble floor, where snail fossil remains millions of years old are embedded. We could clearly make out the outlines of their spiral shaped shells. Our attention was also directed to two elaborate, Tiffany glass sky lights, so exquisite and radiant as the sun's rays shone through the patterned, colored glass panels.

Kevin and I rounded out our activities in Annapolis with the Fourth of July fireworks display at the waterfront. Our curbside seats on the grounds of the Naval Academy offered us a great view. The show was a spectacular culmination to a fun-filled weekend!

The Blue Ridge Mountains Really Look Blue

To truly enjoy the beauty of nature, you have to submerge yourself in it. Outdoors, your senses become heightened - sight , sound, and smell all become more acute. A walk in the woods, a stroll along the beach, time spent putzing in a garden all offer up their own wonders.

One of our favorite activities is hiking and camping, and one of our favorite destinations for these activities is Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. The land here is graced by the presence of the oldest mountain chain in North America - the Appalachians, the portion here called the Blue Ridge Mountains for their distinctive blue appearance.

Being out in the mountains is awe inspiring - simply breath taking! There are many ways to experience the park, but we most enjoy slow treks along the myriad of lesser traveled mountain trails, taking our time as we hike to fully take in and observe our surroundings.

Each hiking experience offers it's own new discoveries and visual delights. We've come across reclusive salamanders and newts, box turtles, deer, and a whole array of wildflowers...some easily recognized, like black-eyed susans and wild columbines, some we'd need to pull out a field guide to identify. The trails are alive with bird song, again, some we know and some we're hard pressed to make out. We stop to observe lichen and mushrooms and tiny insects that alight on them. The amount of activity going on along what initially seems like a quiet path off the beaten trail is amazing!

Setting up camp under the stars is the perfect end to a day of mountain hiking. To wake with the gentle rays of the sun after a good night's sleep is pure bliss. With another day of exploring and enjoying the essence of the wilderness calling, life is at its best!