Latest Critter Catches ~ Bunny, Bull frog, Praying Mantis

My husband, Jim, caught all these critters over the last couple of weeks. He's so great about showing new things to the kids. Of course, Noah (being 3 years old), is enthralled with new things and especially new animals.
Keera is holding the wild bunny she named Fluffy. Fluffy scattered with her siblings as their nest was being mowed over. None were caught by the blades thankfully. She was big enough that we hope she was able to make or find a new nest.


This beautiful bright green praying mantis was surprisingly slow when we let him out of the mason jar. They are wonderful for eating undesirable pests in the garden, so all are welcome here. :)





Noah was very sad when his large bull frog hopped away with huge leaps. Isn't it gorgeous with it's beautiful spots underneath it's body and it's webbed hands and feet?! We suspect it was a female as we now have many little frogs all over the garden. Too bad the gardening season is pretty much over. Regardless, we always have frogs in our small ponds, evident by their loud croaking in the evenings. It's a welcome sound heralding the spring after a quiet long winter.

Tree Frogs

Every Winter we forget how quiet it really is until Spring arrives. Our frogs make so much noise at night beginning sometime in March. It is a welcome, happy and lively sound along with the crickets at night and the song birds during the day.

We have a blue heron that visits the ponds and I'm sure he gets plenty of frogs to fill his belly. This bird has a huge wingspan and almost looks prehistoric when it flies by. Someday I hope to get a picture of it too.

Noah, my little guy, is absolutely facinated by the frogs, toads and lizards and will play with one for hours. He's learned to be very careful after one of his little frog friends got squeezed a bit too hard.

Grandma and Grandpa's

We took the kids on a mini vacation last week down to Warsaw, Mo and stayed with my inlaws. They have a place surrounded by oak trees that overlooks a pond and it is so pretty and peaceful there. My mother in law feeds hummingbirds, orioles and all kinds of song birds, deer and turkeys. I didn't get pictures of the birds or deer this time though. I took pictures of all the wildflowers and will have several posts showing all the ones I could find.

My husband's sisters and their families were there as well and so we were a crowd of 18 people all together! There was lots of cooking and lots of helping hands too, thank goodness for dishwashers and inflatible mattresses! The kids had a blast with their cousins and the weather was so mild we had the windows open with fresh air in the house.

Missouri is usually very hot and humid by the end of June. The muggy hot air was here on Sunday to greet us when we arrived home. I think it will be here to stay for awhile too.

Here's a picture of the children with their cousins just before we left.

New Swing

Jacob fashioned up this swing for his little brother and sisters. The kids love it! They are out here under the mulberry tree all the time now. It has been a favorite spot since we moved here as it is also their climbing tree.
My husband removed the barbed wire fence so that the kids wouldn't hurt themselves on it if they fell. He also trimmed up some of the branches for easier mowing. The kids were not too happy about the trimming. They miss the fence too as it helped them with their climbing! But I think they will get used to it and it's better to have that old fence out of there.

Yellow Orchid Pendant with Citrine Beaded Necklace

One of my favorite pieces, this is a real orchid that has been preserved. I think it's lovely with citrine and gold filled findings. It is adjustable with an extender chain. This necklace is available here:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9122366

Swarovski Crystal Starfish Earrings with Coin pearls

These interesting crystal starfish are so pretty. I love how they are not perfectly symmetrical because it gives them an organic look with character and the beauty of high quality swarovski crystal is shown off in them so well.

This second pair is in the silk color which is a soft pale peachy pink color. I've matched them up with some lustrous sunset colored coin pearls. They are wire wrapped with sterling silver and hang from sterling silver earwires. They are available here:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8805840
The green set is made with peridot swarovski crystal starfish, lustrous lime coin pearls and crysolite swarovski bicones, wire wrapped and finished with sterling silver earwires.
This pair is available here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8798227

There are more colors of Swarovski Starfish earrings that can be viewed here, in blue (indicolite), golden shadow, crystal aurora borealis, and burgundy.

There is also a necklace with a large Swarovski Starfish Pendant in burgundy can be veiwed here.

Belle Adorn ~Adorning You Beautifully with Unique Artisan Jewelry

Fun, Beachy, Sparkle, Bling, Summer, Pizazz

Bright Turquoise Beaded Jewelry

This bright colorful necklace was made with faceted and smooth, green and blue turquoise beads, hill tribe silver, and has as it's focal a beaded pendant made of dyed howlite, faceted turquiose rondelle and a pacific opal swarovski crystal. It is also adjustable with a two inch sterling silver extender chain and lobster claw clasp. It's available here.....http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9126650

BelleAdorn
Belle Adorn
~Adorning You Beautifully with Unique Artisan Jewelry
Fun, Bright, Colorful, Summery, Hot