Late September afternoon

Taken late Saturday afternoon, after a long day devoted to housekeeping. It was quite warm and the sky was full of purple martins and dragonflies who were eating all the recently-hatched bugs. Truly magnificent although very difficult to capture.
That's George at the bottom of the dogwood tree. Hanging on it towards the bottom is one of my husband's contraptions. I don't even say anything anymore. Whatever he wants is fine with me and if it's his heart's desire to put an old windowbox planter on the trunk of a tree and fill it with moss and birdseed, well have at it, I say. It's not like the style police will be visiting anytime soon.

Dragonfly Tree

This photo was taken this summer by my friend, Alisa.
It was a hot day and she and her family were visiting Assateague National Park on the coast of Maryland when this stunning scene presented itself to her.
It was a barren tree that was completely covered with dragonflies! I love it.

Mosaic Monday: Caterpillars

I love making mosaics but have been rather lax lately mostly due to the fact that I have two blogs, a full-time job, books to read, scarves to knit, and little time to visit everyone. It's a vicious cycle but still, I do enjoy making these.
Hope you aren't squeamish about bugs! For more (bugless, I'm sure) mosaics of all sorts, please visit my friend, Mary, at Little Red House where she hosts a weekly meme theme called Mosaic Monday.

Shrimp & Pesto Pizza

This is an extremely simple dish to make that packs a big wow. A co-worker had given me a jar of fresh pesto and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I made it today because we were having company for the afternoon.

SHRIMP & PESTO PIZZA
1 pizza shell (Boboli brand or similar. I used Culinary Circle Multigrain Stone-Cooked Pizza shell)
about 1/2 cup pesto (mine didn't contain parmesan cheese, hence the next ingredient)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
doz. cooked shrimp, cut into bite-sized pieces (I used mine whole)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
sprinkle of Old Bay
sprinkle of basil

Preheat oven to 400 deg. Spread pesto on pizza shell. Grate parmesan cheese on top, then add shrimp. Sprinkle shrimp lightly with Old Bay seasoning and the basil. Top pie with grated mozzarella cheese. Go ahead and grate any leftover parmesan on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and bread is crispy.

Mosaic Monday

They were glorious this morning after the rain, the morning glories we have growing along the garden fence. For more mosaics, please visit my friend Mary at Little Red House where she hosts a weekly theme. I made this with the free Magic Blog It Board at MCP Actions.

Good morning, beautiful

I woke to the sound and scent of a soft, gentle rain. It was a very welcome visitor 'round these parts, and it looks wonderful on this blue and white morning glory. Shot with the Nikkor 60mm macro lens.

Little ladybug

Shot with the 105mm macro lens this weekend. She's a dainty little thing.

Busy

Early Saturday morning at the manor house on the hill where the day has dawned most pleasantly and the air is cool and sweet. I should be as busy as these bees but as I look around at the dust in my house, I think . . . I think . . . I want a cleaning person. If I had the money, I swear, I'd hire a housekeeper.
And that is my thought for the day.