Circus Wagon

Here is my latest cross-stitch block. The theme was "circus".

This was not one of my favorite blocks to stitch. There were a lot of 1/4 and 3/4 stitches and the use of metallic thread, which I find just horrid to work with. It is done and on it's way to our groups wonderful quilt "assembler".

Next block up....a gorgeous rose.

Field Trip - The Zoo

Hmmm, I am finding that our family enjoys doing the same things more than once. This is a lot of fun, but makes blogging about these activities more of a challenge. I don't want to get repetitious, but it gives us pleasure to visit places we have enjoyed more than once and our lives tend to have events and activities that do repeat.

So, since this blog is about our lives, I will endeavor to capture our life moments, even if they are "reruns".

Right after our official school year started, we took a "field trip" to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY. Our homeschooling family takes almost all of our field trips as a family. It is great to have Brian join us on outings. It provides wonderful opportunities for learning and family sharing.

The zoo was not crowded at all and except for several families with very small children and some grandparents enjoying a day at the zoo with the grands, we had the place to ourselves.

The aviary is one of my favorite areas. As an amateur birdwatcher, it is thrilling to be able to see so many beautiful birds up close and personal. The birds fly freely through the aviary and roost in hereby trees and bushes, or splash in the little pools.

Last time we visited the zoo, they were working on the lion habitat and we did not get to see the lions. Everything was finished and the lions were once again back in their home. Ah, the life. This guy looks really stressed out, doesn't he?


These habitat displays are set up along each area. You can push the buttons and see who would be living in what type of environment.


We enjoyed lunch before we headed out to the animal trail that meanders through the zoo. The weather was sunny and very pleasant, allowing us to enjoy our lunch outside.


The many gardens around the zoo where beautiful. So many colors and textures. Many of the areas are kept by local garden clubs. All this color so late in the summer is reminding me that I want to plant more annuals next year. They hold their color long after most of my perennials have peaked and gone.


The kids had a great time "milking" the wooden cow. After a bit of instruction and a few tries, they did remarkably well.


Now, what sort of wild creatures do these look like?

A happy troop of zoo goers.


The area around the animal trial is beautiful. There are so many trees, shrubs and flowers. I would enjoy the trail for the flora alone, but you don't have to settle for just plants, there are so many animals to see.


We had a splendid day; a great family outing. Gabe did mention that maybe we could try a new spot next time, so maybe we will take a break from visiting the zoo and try a new spot soon. We have heard there is a large aquarium in CT.


The large pond was our last stop, Flamingos wade around with ducks, geese and swans.


If you live anywhere near a zoo, consider making a visit. We have visited several zoos and have never gone away disappointed.

Late Summer Sun

What a run of glorious late summer weather we have been having. It has been warm in the day and cool at night with beautiful blue skies and lots of sun.

The pool temperature is holding in the 70s, which is warm enough for us if the sun is warm. The kids have been swimming almost everyday.

One day last week, Brian and I joined the kids and this always means lots of "tossing the kids" fun.

Even Dan is game for a few tosses. We don't throw him very high.

Soon enough, the weather will get cooler and then the pool will get too cold and we will close it up for the season, but for now, we are thrilled that the weather has been so nice.

Lions and Tigers and Cows, Oh, My!?

We recently attended our county fair. This has become a annual outing that our family looks forward to. We didn't make it last year as Brian was away, so it was great to get back to the fair this year.

By standards of large state fairs, this is probably pretty small, but it is more than enough for us to have a great day out.

We like to go on the Friday of fair week as this is the day they hold the tractor pulls. Now, if you have never watched a tractor pull, you don't know what you are missing. We are not talking your run of the mill tractors here, but supped up, high powered, multi-engine tractors. What noise and action. I just love the tractor pulls. The kids tolerate mom loving the tractor pulls. I told Brian I wanted him to build me one so I could drive it. What a rush that would be.

Earplugs worn by all...very loud

We hit all the animal barns. All the barns have little areas where the 4-H families hang out. The kids each keeping their animals clean and the barn smelling sweet. No stinky barns here.

Or course there are the produce sheds. I think this pumpkin weighted a lot more than Dan.

We had fried dough for a snack and later dinner at the international building. Yum!

Brian always enjoys the old engine displays.

There were a lot of new things at the fair this year, including a lion and tiger show. The animals where beautiful and the trainer/owners were funny and very entertaining.

At the conservation shed, they had a wonderful birds of prey show this year. The handler had some magnificent owls, hawks and falcons.

One of the last shows we watched was an alligator show. The man and woman team were very fun, almost slapstick, but you could tell that their main focus was on educating people about alligators.

The motorcycle trick riders were also new this year. They were very fun to watch. Bessie asked if she could try this. I'm thinking probably not, Bess.


One last shot as we headed out the gate. What a fun day.

A few things in the Garden

This is as very nice Buddleia called "Santana". I love the variegated leaves.

The Naked Ladies have bloomed. This plant is very interesting in that the leaves come up in the spring, die back and then the flowers come up on long stems in the late summer. I often don't even notice them until the flowers open.

We had a nice crop of plums on one of our plum trees this summer. Not a ton, maybe 20 or so, but they were very sweet. We are hoping to start a small orchard next summer and add more fruit trees and bushes.