Outside My Window ~ 4.04.10

Outside My Window…the sun is setting on my parents house in Catawba, South Carolina.  It was a wonderful day….temps were in the mid 80’s, blue skies and sunshine. 

I am thinking…how I hope everyone had a wonderful day today……and a Happy Easter! 

I am thankful for…many things come to mind, but right now I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to come and stay with my parents.  There was a time when they lived quite far away (Saudi Arabia being the greatest distance) and I was not able to see them as often as I would have liked.  The fact they are living so much closer now is wonderful!  🙂

From the kitchen…have been some wonderful meals since we have gotten here.  This morning my father prepared breakfast for all of us gals.  The menu included strawberries, home fried potatoes, bacon, eggs and grits ~ of course you have to have grits, we are in the south don’t ‘cha know!  🙂  Dinner tonight was prepared by us gals ~ tenderloin beef tips with gravy served over eggs noodles, baby limas and asparagus and of course, the house wine of the south ~ sweet tea.  I’m quite sure there will be a few pounds to shed when I get home….but for now, I’m not even worrying about it.  

I am hoping…that the two fingers I burned tonight while helping make dinner don’t blister any more than they already have….which isn’t too badly.  Dummy me touched the handle on a pan that I really shouldn’t have.  I whined and whimpered for a little bit….but all is better now ~ I am able to type.

I am hearing…a television program from the living room and amazingly, not the dishwasher that is running in the kitchen where I’m sitting…yes, it is that quiet!!   

Around the house…are signs of spring.  There is quite a bit of pollen and the trees are filling out quite nicely.  Actually, in the two days I have been here, the trees have really put out some leaves….the temps have been very warm so it is hurrying things along I believe. 

Plans for the week include…tomorrow we are going shopping in Charlotte, North Carolina….about 20 miles up the road.  One day before we leave we will drive over to Lancaster to see a few old sites……I may take a drive down some of these country roads to see if I can find some rural decay to photograph.  No big plans set in concrete, this vacation is all about relaxing and taking it easy.   🙂

One of my favorite things…is spending time with my family.  I like to get up each morning and enjoy a cup or two of coffee while I sit and chat with my parents.  We talk and generally catch up on the family and what everyone has been doing. 

A picture I’d like to share with you…I have a few to share with you today.  When I last visited in August, my father and I went to Landsford Canal Park and walked the nature trail.  Today, we all went and walked the nature trail…..I will share photos of that in the next few days.  The photos today…..well, I was thrilled to say the least……

You may remember from my previous visit, I mentioned there is an eagles nest located in this park…..one that has been in use since 1990.  When I was here in August of last year, the eagles had already left the area.  This year, I was here during the nesting season and we were so fortunate to see one of the eagles sitting in a lob lolly pine next to the one that contained the eagles nest.  The nest itself is pretty well nestled into the tree and I knew there would be no hope of seeing the eaglets….if you click on the image you can get a little larger view and see it a bit better…

I couldn’t believe our luck when we arrived at the viewing area on the path to see this beautiful bird sitting high in the tree….in plain site……the American Bald Eagle.