friday fun day

random moments

 





 

Tiger beetles are a large group of beetles known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastest species of tiger beetle can run at a speed of 9 km/h (5.6 mph), which, relative to its body length, is about 22 times the speed of former Olympic sprinter Michael Johnson,[1] the equivalent of a human running at 480 miles per hour (770 km/h). As of 2005, about 2,600 species and subspecies were known, with the richest diversity in the Oriental (Indo-Malayan) region, followed by the Neotropics.[2]  Tiger beetles often have large bulging eyes, long, slender legs and large curved mandibles. All are predatory, both as adults and as larvae. The genus Cicindela has a cosmopolitan distribution. Other well-known genera include Tetracha, Omus, Amblycheila and Manticora. While members of the genus Cicindela are usually diurnal and may be out on the hottest days, Tetracha, Omus, Amblycheila and Manticora are all nocturnal. Both Cicindela and Tetracha are often brightly colored, while the other genera mentioned are usually uniform black in color.

Tiger beetles in the genus Manticora are the largest in size of the subfamily. These live primarily in the deserts of South Africa.

The larvae of tiger beetles live in cylindrical burrows as much as a meter deep. They are large-headed, hump-backed grubs that flip backwards to capture prey insects that wander over the ground. The fast-moving adults run down their prey and are extremely fast on the wing, their reaction times being of the same order as that of common houseflies. Some tiger beetles in the tropics are arboreal, but most run on the surface of the ground. They live along sea and lake shores, on sand dunes, around playa lakebeds and on clay banks or woodland paths, being particularly fond of sandy surfaces. (from Wikpedia)

Peach Cobbler Cake

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix, divided use

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 packet active dry yeast

2/3 cup warm water

2 eggs

2 (21 0z.) cans peach pie filling

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup powdered sugar

3-4 tbsp. milk 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

The first thing you need to do is measure out 2 cups of the cake mix.

Put aside the leftover cake mix. We'll use that later for the crumble topping.

In a mixing bowl combine the 2 cups of cake mix, along with the flour and yeast. Stir until combined.

Then pour in warm water and stir well.

Next add eggs and stir. 

Batter will be pretty lumpy. It will be blob like.

Spread the mixture into your prepared baking dish.

This will take you a minute to do as it is kinda stretchy because of the yeast.

Then spread both cans of pie filling on top of cake batter.

Try to spread it out as evenly as possible.

In a bowl, combine the rest of the cake mix (that you set aside earlier) with the butter.

I cubed the butter to help blend it in easier. 

You can use a pastry cutter to combine it together or a fork or even your hands. 

It should be clumpy.

Sprinkle this topping mixture over the pie filling.

 Then bake at 350F degrees for about 45-55 minutes.

Topping should appear golden brown.

Allow the cake to cool for about 10 or 15 minutes.

optional: 

Now, this next step really isn't totally necessary.

But let's face it, icing makes everything just a bit better.

In a bowl, combine powdered sugar and milk.

Start with a smaller amount of milk and then add more until it gets to the desired consistency.

Drizzle icing all over the top of cake. 

http://www.thecountrycook.net/2013/04/peach-cobbler-cake.html

deer in my backyard woods...

snacking....and staring at Piper who's staring back at them...I think they're mocking my dog 

Naughty Puppy!!!!

stole a flower from the girls' room....he was bounching around and running around with it...he was SO proud of his accomplishment;)

When You Take Your Girls to the Beach on Friday....

your hubby does a u-turn because he suddenly remembers an in water boat show....

when you arrive to the boat show....

you look at the boats....

when you look at the boats....

a sales guy approaches...

when a sales guy approaches....

he offers to take you out for a spin....

when he takes you out for a spin....

he magically makes dolphins appear....

when dolphins magically appear....

you miss boating (because your current boat is lacking a floor that said hubby removed)...

when you miss boating...

you go on the hunt for a good used boat....

when you go on the hunt for a good used boat....

you go  to the fun town of Charleston....

and when you go to the fun town of Charleston...

you go for an amazing ride ....

and when you go for an amazing ride....

you come home with your brand new to us boat (just five days after that u turn;)

oh....it was a perfectly legal u-turn, just in case you were concerned;)

  
Do you like my Mother's Day gift?!!!  I think it's WAY more cool than receiving flowers!!!! :D

And now, scenes from our first boat ride, taken in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms:

we woke two young girls, not conditioned to waking early, let alone 4 hours earlier than their normal wake up time....and we arrived early (which is rare for us;)...so we thought they deserved a rare donut treat...I had a sour cream donut;)




celebrated with a local favorite place for lunch (right on the water, of course;)


Here's the ironic thing....while living in Wisconsin...we had a boat...but we didn't have the time or the weather to take advantage of boating very often.

Now down here, we definitely have the weather (and the water;)...and with J's four day work week we have the tme...but we were lacking an appropriate boat.....

that made us scratch our heads and say, hmmmmm, what exactly ARE we waiting for?

SO, when you make a u-turn, you buy a boat!

the end:)

Prayer of the Woods

piper poppin in to wish you a golden day!

Homemade Herbal Shampoo

 
Customizable DIY Herbal Shampoo Recipe:
2 ounces Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile Soap
4 to 5 ounces of water, infused with herbs (see suggestions below)
1/4 teaspoon carrier oil – more for dry hair, less for oily (options below)
20 to 40 drops essential oil (suggestions below)
First, make your herbal infusion by placing a teaspoon, or pinch, of each type of herb you wish to use in a heat proof jar or glass, pour one cup of simmering hot water over the herbs, cap with a saucer and let steep for several hours. Strain and set aside 4 to 5 ounces. Any leftover infusion can be used in your bathwater or diluted with vinegar to use as a hair rinse.

Add the castile soap, carrier oil and essential oils to the water. Gently stir until mixed. Try to avoid whipping up any bubbles, as much as possible. Pour into an easy to dispense container. You can recycle an old shampoo bottle for this. This should stay fresh for about four to six weeks or so, depending on the types of essential oils you use. Refrigeration will increase the shelf life, but is not necessary.

Shake or swirl gently before each use. If at all possible, follow with either a rinse or spritzing of vinegar and water.

(credit to Old Moss Woman's Secret Garden) 

Dream and Play (see link below for ordering details)

click HERE for ordering details:

There's a New Farmer's Market in Town!

Join us every Wednesday at the Shelter Cove Park Farmers Market on 39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928. In its first year, the market features 41 vendors selling local farm-fresh produce, art work, sweets, baked goods and other specialty foods, as well as seven prepared food vendors for those looking to grab lunch.

The Shelter Cove Park Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday from May 1 to October 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The park is an outdoor “living room,” having a wonderful area with plenty of picnic tables to share. Shelter Cove Community Park is located at 39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928.

Summer is truly here with the opening of the vibrant Shelter Cove Park Farmers Markets bring local farmers, crafter and vendors together to sell our region’s bounty to tourists, residents and workers. For more information please call (843)681-7273, email info@islandreccenter.org or visit the website at www.islandreccenter.org.

Mother's Day

Mother Earth

Mother Earth hear your child, As I sit here on your lap of grass, I listen to the echoes of your voice In my brother, the Wind, As he blows from all corners and directions. The soft and gentle raindrops are the Tears you cry for your children

Teach me the Lessons you offer: To nurture my children, as you nurture yours, To learn the Lessons of the Four Kingdoms, that make up this World of Physical Things, and To Learn to Walk the Path chosen so long ago. Mother Earth, hear your child, Be a bond between the Worlds of Earth and Spirit. Let the Winds echo the Knowledge of the Grandfathers. Who await, unseen, yet visible if I only turn my eyes to their World. Let me hear their Voices, in the Winds that Blow to the East.

From the East: I seek the Lessons of Childhood: To see with the trusting innocence of a small one, The Lessons of Spirit, Given in Love by our Creator.

From the South: to Learn the Ways of Questioning: The Fire and Independence of adolescence, The Truths, and how they help us Grow along this Path.

From the West: where the Grandfathers teach us Acceptance of Responsibility That come during the years of Marriage and Family. That my own children grow Strong, and True.

From the North: where the Elders, who by their long lives Have learned and stored Wisdom and Knowledge. And Learned to Walk in Balance and Harmony with our Mother, the Earth.

Mother Earth, hear your child. Hold my hand as I Walk my Path in this World. Guide me to the Lessons I seek, bring me closer to Our Creator, Until I return to the Western Direction, to once again Enter the World of Spirit, Where the Sacred Fire Awaits, and I rejoin the Council of the Elders, In the Presence of the One Who-Created-All.
Mother Earth Prayer
By KiiskeeN'tum

Artist Mary Southard

fun saturday out!

the hunt continues....

One of my favorite parks where I (ahem the girls;) can play:D 
  
 

Sail boats...the main source of traffic congestion around here:D  


(shhhh, Island Cowgirl owl necklace...hoo hoo!!!)

fun friday out

we test drove a new boat
saw dolphins, including a mama and a baby
hit the hilton head diner for the first time (i'm quite certain it's been on "diners, driveins and dives;") 
and finally hit the beach ... J and the girls had fun on their boogey boards, while I sat on a beach chair in the water, with a book
...OH, and I got to wear my first-ever anklet...living the beach life and all, my ankle thought it needed an anklet (it's from Island Cowgirl; of course;)
....ahhhh, sweet heaven....
and...of course I took photos :D  
**(the one of me and the girls is probably my official Mother's Day photo this year; given it's supposed to rain on Sunday:) **