Where does the time go

The summer is slipping by quickly.

Ron is still recovering from the blip that happened after is hip replacement surgery.

Spent three weeks on antibiotics, and bandage replacements two and three times a day.

Antibiotics are done, but I am still playing nurse on the bandages.

The doctor says it is coming along nicely.

He has resumed therapy.  It is nice to see him walking so much better.

I am always trying to get him out and about.

The Morton Arboretum is not far from the doctors office, so we make it a date.

We ride through the arboretum. Every two weeks it seems to change.  Then we go for a great lunch in Lisle.

We have both enjoyed seeing the changes at the arboretum.  There is a
"Frog" exhibit going on there this summer.

Song Sparrow

One of the frogs on display.

Water Lilies are so pretty.

The goslings are growing so fast, won't be long and they will look just like their parents.

We took a little trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin.  The Apostle Islands are in the area. There is a ferry that transports cars, trucks and people to Madeline Island.  Madeline Island is a hiker and campers paradise. We throught about going there and driving around the island for the day, then decided we would like to take a boat ride around the island instead.  What a ride.  Our contaminator had all sorts of stories about the island.  It was a bit chilly that morning, but we were well prepared. 

Ron had his sun blocking hat and a fleece jacket

There was a quarry on one of the islands.

Outcroppings that seem so artistic and beautiful.

Seagulls that followed up.

Caves that have been created. 

Lighthouses are on several of the islands.

The lighthouse on Raspberry Island is being restored.  The scenery was so beautiful.

Ron seems to be enjoying himself.

On our way back into the harbor, the Isabelle came steaming in with us.
We all thought it looked like the "African Queen".

Lupines were growing wild everywhere along the roads.

The village had so many places to visit.  Here is a garden open to the public that used old boats for flower displays. So pretty and well maintained.

One of my favorite places was "Maggie's".  A restaurant after my heart.
There were Flamingo's insides and out.

They were everywhere!

I was in Flamingo heaven.  I kept smiling the whole time I was there.  It was fun to see a whole restaurant full of those cute pink birds. Naturally, I had to pick up a couple of souvenirs.
They also told me that there except pink visitors any time.

From information we had, there are a lot of orchards in this area as well.
Ron was on a quest for apple cider.  He was able to pickup a couple of gallons of frozen cider,
This whole area was so beautiful. There are a lot of hills, and valleys around, that offered endless photo opportunities.

I will leave you with another "frog" sculpture from the Arboretum.

Like I said I had more photo opportunities on our little trio.
More coming up.
Have a great day.

Mary

Lego fans at the Morton Arboretum

Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois has a wonderful
display of Lego Creations  from now until November 1.
We decided to go over to see it.
I could not image what this would be like.  Thinking they would all be on display in one are, boy was I wrong.
They had them in several areas around Meadow Lake and in the Children's Garden.
The wheelbarrow is 70 x 34 x 33 inches, and has 29,900 pieces and 205 hours to build.

In the Children's Garden, are several ponds that kids can wade in, along with the bull frogs.
They were so still and quiet.

I thought they (bull fogs) were part of displays in the gardens.
They are very real, and a surprise for me to see.
I had never seen a real bull frog.

This one is Grandfather and Granddaughter Gardening.
It does look like they are working in the garden.
The Grandfather has 35,646 pieces and the Granddaughter 11,294.
Amazing. 

How about this birdbath with the cardinals and squirrel handing on it?

I had seen pictures of the hummingbird and flower, and wanted to make sure I found this one to see.
Look at the suspension of the hummingbird.

This one was suspended from the ceiling of the Administration Building.
It is the Corn Spider. It only took 135 hours to build.

For real life Andy and I got to see a hummingbird moth. They are a bit smaller then a real hummingbird,
but their wings flutter just like the bird.

We were in awe of the deer.  The buck has 46,563 pieces.

A bit of a close up, so you can see the detail.

I love the Monarch and the milkweed.
Who knew you could do this with Lego's.

Look at the vibrancy of the Peacock.  This is the most intensive display.
There were 68.827 pieces and took 625 hours to build it.

How about the attention to detail.
This is the backside of the peacock.

The Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly is 8 feet long.

Got to love the pansy and bee.

Real waterlily!

Flowers at the entrance to the arboretum.
The colors are beautiful.
This Lego Display  was created by Sean Kenney.
In the bio from the arboretum, it ways he "is a renowned, award-winning artist, and "professional kid", who uses Lego pieces to design and create contemporary sculpture for high-profile clients, major corporations, and venues around the globe.  He is the world's first Lego Certified Professional."
I can say with certainty, we were all impressed.

Maybe you too can have a "Lego" building kind of day.

Mary 

Another day at the Arboretum

It was a gorgeous day.  We decided we would go back to the Arboretum.
Time to see what else new has started to bloom.
Red buds are in bloom.

This Blue Jay was sweet to pose for us.

Trillium

Flowering Quince.
Don't you love that coral color.

This is a yellow magnolia, Elizabeth.  For some reason I am in love with them.
The shade of yellow is like butter.

The Crab apples are coming into bloom.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

This is what Ron does while I am wandering around.
We picked up Jersey Mike subs for a picnic lunch.
We found a place to have our lunch, what a beautiful day to be out.
When we were at the Arboretum a couple of weeks ago, I splurged and purchased a membership. I am so glad we did. This is a great place to go birding.
While we were there a group arrived for a wedding in one of the gardens.
It is prom weekend for some of the school. It was lovely to see some of the pretty gowns and tuxedos. It makes you think of days gone by.  Some things don't change.  That is nice.

The Robins on our porch have hatched.  Mom Robin is feeding her babies well.
I was on a quilt retreat last week, so will have pictures to show in the next day or so.
What a great time we had.

Have a lovely weekend.
Mary

Spring has arrived!

Last week Ron and I went to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle to see if the daffodils were in bloom.
We were not disappointed.  In the last years the arboretum has been clearing out the under growth in the forests and adding daffodils to the hillsides.  It is a treat to be able to see these beautiful flowers.
I think you can go every week and new plants and trees will be in bloom.

Some of the cherry trees have started to bloom.

The pink magnolias were beginning to open up. The yellow ones still have a way to go.

Star magnolia's were in full bloom.

We saw several pairs of bluebirds.  Here is a female.  There have nesting boxes set up in some areas.

I did take my umbrella out to add a bit to some pictures 

The trees are so pretty.  The crab apples have not started to bloom yet, but are coming along.

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. This bird is only about 4 1/2 inches.  In the trees it looks even smaller.

Can you believe all these daffodils.  I am in love.  Daffodils are my favorite spring flower.  The yellow can be so vibrant. There are so many varieties to enjoy.

Here is a better picture of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.  He is such a pretty little bird.

These are just a few of the pictures I took that day.  We spent about 3 1/2 hours driving the trails and taking in all the pretty sights.
I just had to share. It feels so nice to have Spring weather arrive.  The winters seem so cold and long, maybe it is just that I am getting older and don't like being cold.
Spring is my favorite time of the year.  Time for renewal, rebirth
I hope you are enjoying your Spring.

Mary