Wildlife in the Neighborhood

A few days ago I met Tobias Turtle on my afternoon walk.

A couple of weeks ago I had noticed a pair of cardinals coming to "Buddy" 

(the small palm tree outside our family room window) for nesting materials.  

I wasn't sure where the nest was, but they sure did like Buddy.  

One day I noticed some plastic hanging in the center of Buddy.  

Upon closer inspection I spotted a bird nest!  

I hadn't seen the cardinals for awhile, 

so I thought maybe they had abandoned the nest.  

For the past two days this is what I have seen!

I hope I get to see the babies hatch!

Seven Miles and Pancakes!!

After a couple weeks off from run/walking I joined my FAB50 training group 

for a 7 mile run in Seminole, FL.

 LF ran with me for all 7 miles.

Thanks LF!!

I was still babying my hamstring & 

only ran 2/2 intervals while the group ran 3/1.5 intervals.

One of the groups members (on the left) also belongs to the Seminole Kiwanis Club.

She paid for the FAB50 team's pancakes after our run.

The pancake breakfast was part of the city of Seminole's

POW WOW festival events. 

I brought my own almond butter to spread on the pancakes.

We even had entertainment!

 The kids sang hit songs from the 50s & 60s.

Check out the girl in the pink sweater in the middle.

Remember poodle skirts!!

Myrtle Is Stylin' for Spring

Myrtle got a haircut for her new spring look!

Crepe Myrtle trees are supposed to be trimmed back in the late winter.

Some people might call this "crepe murder", 

but I know she will grow back.

SPROUTING

I'm using one of my Christmas gifts (seeds)

and learning about sprouting.

You need to start with the right kind of seeds, preferably grown organic,

non-GMO, for human consumption rather than for sowing.

My first trial I used a Mason jar,

but I did not like how that worked out.

There wasn't a lot of surface area or I used too many seeds for the jar. 

I did a little more research and decided to try a "sprout garden" kit. 

I put a few seeds in the container and rinsed with water.

The top container has drainage holes, so the water drains into the bottom container.

The kit enables you to stack three high.

Here's what you see in a few days.

After a few more days of rinsing/draining you can eat your sprouts.

So far I have only enjoyed them in my salads.



PATIENCE - Who has it??

Patience - the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, 

or suffering without getting angry or upset.

Do you have patience??

I don't!!

After all the training culminating in run/walking a marathon 

I thought I could run/walk any distance any time I wanted. 

I have found our differently the past couple weeks.

My right hamstring started to bother me,

but I continued to train with my FAB50 sistahs.

That is until this past Saturday!

We were run/walking 5 miles - 

piece of cake, right?

compared to what I have recently completed.

On the first run interval the pain was TOO much and

I had to walk the entire 5 miles.

This picture & the facebook comments say it all!!

Barb So bummed that I had to walk 5 miles!

Laurel But you did it!!

Darlenes You are a super strong lady barb!

Carolyn If I could only walk that fast Barbara Schlie!!! You were FABulous!

Nancys Hope you feel better quickly.

I do walk at a pretty good clip, 

so I was not the last one to finish.

I was slow enough to notice a new sculpture on the causeway!

It was a gorgeous morning for a walk.

Afterwards we enjoyed breakfast outside at nearby Benedict's Restaurant.

Lord, give me the patience for recovery of this hamstring injury.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I came home to a phone message and delivery message yesterday morning 

after a 4 mile run and breakfast with my FAB 50 running group.

When I checked the back door this is what I found.

I have the best hubby in whole wide world!!

New Arrivals to the Family

Meet Pete & Repete - the newest members of our family!

We received these two Longleaf Pines from our local Garden Club.

The Longleaf Pine is very drought-tolerant & suited for large landscape areas.  

It will grow 60-80 feet high with a 30-40 foot spread.

 

In recognition of January 25th "New Year for Trees" celebration, Pinellas County's Natural Resources Department had donated 15 "baby trees" 

for the residents of our local community.
   There were 5 Bald Cypress and 10 Longleaf Pine. 

Each "baby" is approximately 14" high and comes in a protective plastic tube. They may be started in a pot or planted directly into the ground.
   

I elected to plant them in pots.

They reside on the back patio next to the fire pit.

 

There were instructions for recycling 

the protective plastic tree tube into a birdfeeder.

I doubt I will  make the birdfeeders.  

I will probably just take the plastic tubes to the recycle bin!