A quiet fall evening on the water...
Paddling is truly my favorite outdoor activity, and my favorite setting for that is in the evening when there is a full moon and the water is totally calm. There are usually no other boats out at that time, so we have the lake all to ourselves (if we stay
out past dusk).


The sky reflected in the water was so clear that it truly was mirrored on the water's surface.







While Kevin was unloading the boats, I trotted back to some milkweed pods that caught my eye as we were approaching the boat ramp. They were bursting their seeds.




This is our view when we're watching the sunset on the water.




(love my boat!)







The last of the day's sun on the cattails.




The sky flawlessly reflected on the water. It just takes my breath away.

A fantastic Iowa fall day....

Thursday is my regular day off, so yesterday I went down to spend some time with Mom and Maynard. She prepared a tasty lunch, then she and I went for a walk in the sunshine around their small community, enjoying the beautiful fall flowers.



Penni and Mom

some of the flowers we enjoyed (and harvested some of the seeds for me):

I don't know the names, but I harvested seeds from the ones I liked (except for the ones that were on private property).

This orange flower grew on a tall airy bush.

Would have loved seeds for this pastel violet bloom, but didn't see any.

This dahlia was on private property. Mom informs me that this was her dad's favorite flower.

Here is a surprise we almost stepped on. At first glance it looked like a leaf in the street. But as we approach, we see it is a praying mantis. He was probably 5 inches in length.




Check out the creepy green eyes that followed me as I took its picture. Looks like he
could star in a sci-fi flick.






There was a small flower bed where butterflies abounded. Above is the common monarch.



On my trip down I shot this picture of an Amish buggy as I met it on the road, taken as I used my steering wheel as a makeshift tripod.




Thursday must be laundry day for the Amish. I saw laundry hanging on the line at more than one farm.





It's time to combine the beans and pick the corn in Iowa.






Huge round bales of hay on the horizon.



Sorghum field...not near as common a sight as corn or beans. I'm very thankful for the sorghum because it's a main ingredient in molasses cookies....which I plan to make this weekend...mmmm....

Baby shower for Miss Renae....
hosted by Aunt Lori, Makenna, and Alissa




Mom Julie and baby Renae






Hosts Makenna and Alissa





Jesse's cousin Sammy and Grandma Ruth




Aunt Shelly and Samantha. (Julie's Aunt Debbie on the right)



Penni's friends, Nancy and Debby K and sister Lori in the center



Julie opening gifts while her mom, Wendi notes gifts for thank you cards.




So sweet






Aunt Lana and Caitlin (Noah's wife)



Julie's Aunt Debbie, Makenna, Julie's mom Wendi, Debbie's granddaughter Julieanna, and Jesse's Gma



Debby K and Belinda



Penni and Shelly




Gpa J, Great Gpa Maynard. (Renae likes the men)



Great Gpa Maynard and little Renae



Great Gma's turn (and Great Aunt Marti)





Nancy, Debby K, and Penni

Found in our yard....



A bright red berry in the yew bush



Can you see him? Look closely.



Just the beginning...




The bumblebees love this flower. I've actually seen them sleep here. (Deb, help me out here. This is from you, but I cannot remember what it is named.)



A yellow cream colored hollyhock. A wonderfully old fashioned Iowa farm flower.

(Thanks, Deb for your help.) The blue flowered bush pictured above is Caryopteris (common name Blue Mist Shrub).

Snake Toss competition, but first....


we have lots of deer that come in our back yard, so Kevin had to clear the playing area of deer scat. The spade trumped.



Steve, Marti, and Zeke came for a visit a week ago Saturday. Always good to see them. Here's Steve showing his form for tossing.




Then Kevin gave Zeke the large hammer to break up some wood so we could have a firepit.



Of course, dessert in the gazeebo...ending our evening together. The time went too fast.

Realizing I've not shared any of my "nature" shots
with you lately, thought I'd post a couple...



I have a photographic fascination with the undersides of flowers. Something about the unique perspective and seeing the sun shining through the flower draws me



See the texture in this hibiscus?

Ta-Dah!!!
Below are two photos of our almost done upstairs bath. Kevin has worked (persevered) so hard, and it looks beautiful! I am so proud of his work. Still a few things to finish, but it's almost there.