Around our Home in December/January

Today I will share with you some of our birds, deer --and a beautiful picture (above) I took of our sky one evening in December, 2012.  Isn't it gorgeous?  We had so much rain and dreariness in December --that when we did get a pretty sky (here and there), we had to get out and take a picture...

We see deer around our home ALOT all year long... Recently,  I'm sure they are hungry --so we seem to see them more on the golf course fairway behind our home.  Even though there's not much for them to eat in our yard now,  we still spray Liquid Fence to keep them OUT of the yard.  BUT--I love deer.  Aren't they gorgeous?  There were about 4-5 of them that day--and they were staring at me.... ha

One of the deer came a little closer ---so I could get a better shot with my long lens.  Isn't he just gorgeous?

And on another day,  another group stopped by --and I got this picture of one of them who came a little closer into our backyard.  Love those big ears--although they aren't nearly as large as the Mule Deer.. Have you seen them?

I showed you some of my Backyard Birds in THIS post on December 17,  so today I will show you a few more of my little Darlin's....  I've talked about all of our Goldfinch this year... But--we also have some HOUSE FINCHES around... Here is one (above) of the Male House Finches... I love his RED colors.

The Bluebirds have been coming around alot lately --as do most of the birds when it's winter and COLD... This is a gorgeous picture of a male Bluebird --with a Goldfinch and a Tufted Titmouse I think to the left.  EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are still some of the prettiest little birds around I think.

Here is a picture of two Bluebirds at the suet feeder...  Bluebirds ---as do most of the birds--will eat most anything during the winter.   They seem to like the suet and also the fruit/nut combination in the plate feeder.

I love our little DOWNY WOODPECKERS.  Like the Red-bellied Woodpeckers,  they are with us year-round---and love the suet...

Here is one of my all-time favorite birds,  the huge PILEATED WOODPECKER.  They (like the Red-bellied Woodpeckers) make alot of NOISE before coming to the feeders.  AND --even though they are very large birds,  they seem to be able to handle themselves quite well at the feeders...  Sometimes they come to this feeder and hang on --and other times,  they come to the other suet feeder...

Finally,  here are a couple of photos I took of another favorite bird,  the NORTHERN FLICKER WOODPECKER...  I love these birds --and was lucky to catch him on the deck...

Here's one more of that gorgeous Northern Flicker.  He's looking up at the suet feeder waiting his turn for some dinner!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing pictures around our home this past month or so... There's never a dull moment living here in the mountains of Tennessee...

On another note,  prayers for the family of Leontien--who lost her battle to cancer on Wednesday.  Many of us have followed her on Blogger --and have prayed for her.  She certainly fought the good fight.  I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone fight as hard.  God rest her soul.  She is now out-of-pain and with God....

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday.

Hugs,

Emoticons

December at the Beach --Part II

If you missed Part I from our beach trip, click HERE.   Today I will share with you one more group of pictures from our wonderful --but short--trip to the beach from Dec. 11-14, 2012.  Above is a picture  of our home that week,  the Islander Inn.  Our unit is the top one on the left (above the gazebo).

Here is a picture showing the units from a distance.  If you locate the gazebo,  you can see our unit on the top...  If you ever get to this area, we recommend the Islander Inn.  For a reasonable price, you get a king bed, oceanfront room with balcony,  sofa/chairs, bath, flatscreen cable TV,  internet access, free breakfast,  frig/microwave, coffee pot,  etc...  It's perfect for a few days at the beach for two.  (They do have larger rooms for families.)

As I mentioned in Monday's post,  Calabash Seafood is one of our very favorite foods --and we enjoy it every night we are in that area..  This time we ate at three different restaurants:  Captain Nance's,  Ella's and the Boundary House.   Our all-time favorite restaurant there (DOCKSIDE) was not open... But--the others were all good...

The top left photo was a picture of George and I taken at the Boundary House... The outside of the Boundary House (boundary of North Carolina and South Carolina) is on the bottom right..   The top right was one of the older Calabash restaurants,  Ella's... The bottom left is a picture of George telling me to quit taking pictures ---and let's get inside and have some SEAFOOD.... The seafood (scallops and shrimp) is pictured in the center... YUM.

In Monday's post,  I showed you a neat picture showing the sun's rays shining down on the water.   Here's another picture that I love,  and thanks to George for taking this one.

If you remember,  I mentioned in Monday's blog, a 'tiny' (ha) beach house that I thought I would like to have.   I 'hearted' that mansion when we were there last May... Above is a picture I took in May --when they were working on that beach house.

Here is a close-up of the 'mansion' when we were there in December.  They obviously are still working on this house... Can you imagine the cost of that place??????  GADS---maybe they'll allow me to be one of the maids!!!!! ha

The sun finally did come out!!!!  Look at those blue skies!!!!  It's quite a bit different from the gray, cloudy skies, isn't it?????

Here is a collage showing you the PIER at Ocean Isle Beach in different weather situations.... Thought you would enjoy seeing how different it looks at different times...

Here's a picture George took of me.  It doesn't need any explanation!!!!! ha

Finally,  I'll close with some pictures of the gorgeous SUNRISE we saw from our balcony.   Now--you can see all of the reasons we love to come to the beach in December!!!!!!  Seeing both sunrises and sunsets is just awesome.  It was wonderful! 

Hope you enjoyed our pictures... As you know,  we love that place --and will return again in MAY, 2013...

Have a wonderful Wednesday.  I finally got all of the Christmas decorations put away for a year!!!  The house looks so bare now!!!!

Hugs,

Emoticons